EPISODE FOURTEEN
KINDRED
Where did you come from, baby dear? Out of everywhere into here.
Where did you get that little tear? I found it waiting when I got here.
~ Where Did You Come From?, George MacDonald
More than once, Lex had been surprised by Jonathan Kent's actions. This latest tidbit from the Kent family history was one of those times.
On the surface, one would believe Jonathan to be the ultimate family man, someone who encouraged enormous family get-togethers for the holidays and sent Christmas cards to everyone who somehow made it onto a branch, or even twig, of the family tree. One would assume that being related to the Kents would be a lot like the mafia - once you got in, you never got out.
At least, that was the Jonathan Kent that Lex always imagined.
So when Hudson showed up that evening with an unbelievable tale of family strife that included Jonathan punching his father-in-law, and subsequently ending all ties with the Clark family, Lex was more than a little fascinated with the story. He couldn't help but commiserate with Martha's father - he knew how it felt to be rebuffed by Jonathan Kent, to receive the thousand-yard glare and wonder all the while what you did exactly to stimulate such animosity.
"You see, Lex, it isn't just you that dad refuses to accept money from."
Somehow, the thought of being lumped into the same category as Jonathan's father-in-law didn't seem to help much.
Too, Lex couldn't help but feel a little angry toward Mr. Clark and Jonathan. Were they too selfish to see that the one being hurt here was Hudson? She had every right to have the chance to get to know her grandparents, to have a large family around her, with the appropriate outpouring of love and support that she deserved. And maybe he was just a little upset because he'd always pictured her having something he didn't. Instead, it seemed as if in this instance, Hudson and Lex shared a lot in common.
"So, what's your grandfather like?" Lex wrapped his arm around Hudson's shoulders and pulled her close, kissing the top of her head. She seemed so miserable.
She sighed. "I don't know. Kind of grumpy and gruff. In fact, in a way he reminded me of your father."
Lex frowned. "Well, maybe it's better that you don't know him, sweetheart."
"I didn't say he was exactly like Lionel." Hudson pulled at one of the buttons on his shirt. "Where is he anyway?"
"His room. I guess he and your mother attended quite a few meetings today."
It was still more than a little strange to realize that Martha Kent was working for LuthorCorp. Again, the Kents never ceased to surprise him. Or anger him. He couldn't really decide which it was. He'd pretended not to be hurt by the fact that Martha Kent would rather work for his father than receive any kind of help from him, but Hudson had seen right through the act. Lex tried not to think about it too hard after that. He almost convinced himself that the real reason Martha now worked for LuthorCorp was simply because she wanted to, and not as a personal rebuff against him.
Hudson tilted her head back to look up at him. Meeting her gaze, Lex smiled slightly - more than he would give to anyone else. He watched her silently, gazing into her pale green eyes where the firelight reflected, as her fingers moved up to trail along his jaw. Sometimes it was beyond amazing to him that Hudson was his. That this sweet, beautiful, intriguing young woman loved him, wanted to be with him.
Chose to be with him.
He wanted to give her the world, and he couldn't. Not because it wasn't in his power -- someday he very well planned to have the world at his feet, so that wasn't stopping him from giving it to her. No, the simple fact was she wouldn't accept it. She would try to give it back; say it wasn't right, that it didn't belong to her. But it did. The world and everything in it belonged to Hudson Kent, including his heart. And he wished he had the strength to tell her so.
"What're you thinking about?" She asked, finger moving lightly over his chin.
Her gaze dropped to his lips and Lex struggled to keep from licking them in anticipation of the kiss he knew was coming. "How beautiful you are," he responded quietly. "How lucky I am."
Hudson smiled and then her lips were against his and Lex greedily drank in the taste of her, the soft fullness of her mouth, the smooth glide of her tongue over his. Her fingers brushed against the back of his scalp in a gentle, soothing touch that even now surprised Lex when he felt it. It was like every minute of every day, she was still trying to show him that she loved him. And he wished he could tell her how much he appreciated it.
Pressing her back into the couch, Lex slipped his leg between hers, pushing it up against the apex of her thighs, rubbing the material of her jeans. Emitting a sharp sound from her throat at the contact, Hudson raised her hips automatically upwards in a silent request. Lex smiled against her mouth. She was such a sensual creature. He'd always known it, expected it, in the back of his mind, but to actually see her reaction, the craving need of his touch she seemed to exhibit, never ceased to make Lex ache with responding desire. He devoured her mouth in reply, hand moving to slip beneath her sweater, petting the soft skin of her belly before moving upwards to brush against the underside of her bra. Hudson sighed and seemed to melt beneath him, her body becoming totally relaxed and pliable. Lex loved her best like this, when it was as if she were completely his to do with as he pleased.
He kissed her jaw, her neck, nibbled at her earlobes and collarbone, painted a line with his tongue along the neckline of her sweater. Hudson craned her head back against the cushion, hands playing over the front of his shirt, tugging at buttons.
"I should really go home," she whispered. "It's almost curfew."
"Stay a little longer," he replied, sliding down her body to push the edge of the blue sweater upwards and circle her belly button with kisses.
"It's very late, Lex. I've really got to go."
Lex undid the button on her jeans, nipped at her abdomen. "But look at the weather," he cautioned, referring to the snow that had begun earlier that evening. "You'll catch a cold or something. And I would never forgive myself."
Besides, he couldn't help but make note of the fact that she hadn't made a single attempt to get out from under him. Lex moved her sweater further up, kissing her ribs.
Hudson laughed. "I've really got to go. Dad's probably pacing the floor already."
He nudged the material of her bra with his nose, traced the edge with his tongue while his fingers ghosted over the top of a breast, feeling the nipple harden beneath his touch.
"Your father's likely in bed, sweetheart. Just a few minutes more."
Hand slipping to her shoulder, he tugged a bra strap down, lifting his head to watch as he exposed one perfect breast to his gaze. The hard bud of skin tightened even further as he stared, tempting him like some forbidden fruit. Mouth practically watering, Lex leaned in, kissing it once before capturing it between his lips and suckling greedily.
Another sigh and her hands cupped the back of his head, holding him in place. "Okay. Just a few minutes more."
Smiling at her acquiescence, Lex continued worshipping her body, exposing the second breast, using hands and mouth until Hudson was writhing beneath him, soft sounds of pleasure uttering from her mouth with each touch. As if reading his mind, she sat up slightly, allowing him to remove her sweater and toss it to the floor, before they both collapsed back against the couch. He caught her eye and they grinned at one another before he dove in for another kiss. Her fingers worked at the buttons on his shirt, eventually slipping it from his arms and laying it over the back of the couch.
"You're cold," she whispered, nibbling at the edge of his jaw.
"So warm me up," Lex suggested. "I heard body heat works best."
Grinning at his implication, Hudson pushed him away to kick off her shoes then quickly began working at her jeans. Enjoying her enthusiasm, Lex turned his attention to removing his own clothes and within moments, it was skin against skin on the couch. Reaching into the left pocket of his slacks, Lex pulled out a condom packet and slipped it into Hudson's hand. She gave him a smirk.
"You always carry these things around with you?"
Lex nodded. "One never knows when an over-sexed Hudson will appear."
She poked him in the ribs with the corner of the packet. "You know what you need?" Hudson commented, wrapping her arms around him as he sat up, pulling her into his lap. "A big, thick rug in front of the fire place."
"Oh, sure. That would go well with the décor."
"You're such a snob."
Lex grinned as he cupped a breast in his palm, thumb flicking back and forth over the nipple lazily as Hudson squirmed in his lap, her wet heat brushing against his thighs. "Somehow, I don't think you mind that I'm a snob."
"Mmmm," was the only reply he received as she leaned in to kiss him, tongue tracing the scar of his upper lip before delving deep into his mouth.
Her hand wrapped around the shaft of his cock, squeezing slightly as she moved up and over the tip. The tease. She continued to play, fingers dancing over him, alternately squeezing and caressing, until he thought he was going to lose his mind. Finally she turned her attention back to the condom, removing it from the packet and slipping it over him. That was all the impetus he needed.
Lex grabbed hold of her hips, lifting her upwards slightly until he felt the head brushing against her entrance. Balancing herself on her knees, Hudson pulled away from the kiss, catching his eyes as she slowly slid herself down his length, engulfing him completely in her warmth. They remained unmoving for a long moment, her fingers dancing over his bare shoulders, his hands sliding over her thighs possessively as they stared at one another. Lex loved these moments, when it wasn't the culmination of the act that was important so much as the meaning. They were connected now, he was a part of her, as close as he would ever be to her, closer than anyone ever had been, and that meant everything to him. It was during sex that the lies didn't matter because he didn't believe at that moment that Hudson was hiding anything from him. She was at her most vulnerable, her eyes showing everything behind her thoughts, her emotions, love shining through them so brightly he almost felt ashamed to look at it. And, Lex believed, if he could get her to speak at that one crucial moment in time, he would know her darkest secrets. It was the only time he knew she was prepared to let him inside.
"You're thinking again," Hudson whispered as she began rocking against him slowly, hand curving around his neck as she kissed the corner of his eye. "Stop it."
"I'll blame you," Lex replied, half-joking as he lifted his hips to meet her.
Hudson nuzzled his cheek with her nose in response before leaning back, hands settled flat against his shoulders, neck arched, eyes closed. Lex looked his fill, gaze consuming every inch of her as she moved over him -- dewy skin glowing in the firelight, breasts pert and high and perfectly shaped, the slim column of her neck, the arousing shape of her collarbone. Holding her at the base of her back with one hand, he touched her in silent reverence, skimming his palm over her shoulders and breasts and slightly rounded belly, so soft, so warm. She was like a drug, something he couldn't get enough of, something he had to have or life became too fucking frustrating and cold. There was no substitution; work and alcohol only dulled it for a little while. Hudson made it beautiful.
Moving his hand down over her abdomen, searching out the swollen nub between her thighs, Lex pulled her back to him, latching on to the side of her neck where he bit lightly at the skin. She whimpered, but he couldn't tell from which sensation.
"God, Lex. "
His thumb pressed firmly against her before rubbing in time to their movements, faster, then slower, gentle and hard, until Hudson was gripping his shoulders a little too firmly, nails grazing over skin a little too deeply, and the sounds - fuck, he could live off the noises that she made. Whimpers and gasps, sighs and soft little moans that slowly increased in volume the closer she got to orgasm. She was vocal, and Lex loved that because she was making those sounds due to him. Normally repressed and shy, Hudson became a sexual animal when he touched her. And it made him feel as if he could conquer the world.
Her movements were becoming faster now and Lex leaned back against the couch to watch her. Hudson's flesh flushed under his gaze, the modesty never quite leaving her completely, and god it was the sexiest thing on earth when she dropped her eyes just slightly, slow smile curving her mouth as if she knew his thoughts. And did she know that he sometimes considered making a mold of her breasts just so he could touch them whenever he pleased? And that he jacked off at work to thoughts of her kneeling under his desk, mouth on his cock, sucking him off during an important business call? Poor Hudson. She would turn four shades of crimson if she knew how his mind worked, how often he imagined knocking just a little more of that innocence from her.
"Lex. " She gasped and he felt her body begin to shudder.
"Feel good?" He asked, leaning forward to whisper in her ear as his hands grabbed hold of her hips once more. Taking control, he sped up their movements, each thrust harder than the last. "Are you ready to come, Angel?"
"Yes! Oh, Lex. yes! God, fuck!"
His spine tingling at its base, Lex surged upwards once more as he felt Hudson shudder almost violently around him. She cried out with the onset of her climax, and he felt his entire body tighten and explode as he stiffened beneath her, gasping her name, his hands clenching against her skin. Hudson seemed to melt over him, body relaxing against his as her head slumped to his shoulder. Lex didn't think he'd be able to keep either of them up for very long. His muscles were like jelly at the moment.
Shifting slightly, Lex leaned back onto the couch, pulling Hudson with him, her long body stretching out over his. Finally finding the strength to lift his arms, he wrapped them loosely around her waist, fingers gently caressing her back. His eyes drifted closed.
Long minutes passed in silence and Hudson's breathing was slowly changing, signaling the oncoming call of sleep. Lex smiled and whispered, "It's way past your curfew, Hudson Kent."
He felt her smile against his chest. "You're an asshole, Lex Luthor."
Grinning, Lex held her a little tighter, and contemplated an excursion to the bedroom.
***
Hudson stared at the clock on the nightstand as it clicked over to four forty-three. She sighed softly, knowing that if she planned on getting home before her parents woke up, she should probably leave. But the bed was soft and Lex was warm and, instead of climbing out of bed, she scooted closer to him, tucking her head against his shoulder.
He smelled like her. She loved it. Loved knowing that she left her mark on him, in any way possible, and there was something magical about smelling her perfume or shampoo lingering on his skin. But then, she'd spent most of the night curled against him, cheek rubbing against his chest and shoulder, so it made sense that her scent lingered there. Likewise, Hudson was always tempted to sneak off in one of Lex's shirts, just so she could walk around smelling him all day. There was something about his scent that drove her absolutely insane with desire.
The word 'desire' caused her to recall the evening before and her face immediately flamed red with the memory of her behavior. A few days ago, Lex made a comment regarding opening Pandora's box the moment they'd had sex, and maybe he was just a teensy bit right about that. Two years ago, out of curiosity, she'd asked her mom what sex was like. They'd had a great discussion about it, but what stood out in Hudson's mind the most was when her mom told her that the first time was kind of like taking your first bite of chocolate - you've never tasted anything like it before and suddenly, it's all you crave! Eventually, you'll grow used to the taste, and occasionally become a little sick of it, but in the beginning, you can't get enough.
That's how Hudson felt. Only, she doubted she would ever stop craving Lex.
These nightly visits were becoming a habit. Even with Lionel now living under the same roof as Lex, there was little that could convince Hudson to stay away. Thank god Lex's father tended to retire early at night.
Lionel. Hudson was still finding difficulty in getting used to his presence. It made the time she spent with Lex just a little less relaxing, to the point that she sometimes waited until very late before coming over. It wasn't fair to Lex, and she knew she had to get over it but sometimes. well, she knew Lionel was blind and all but she could swear that he watched her. Last week, she came over to have dinner with Lex while his father was in Metropolis, and then they went back to the study where Lex worked and Hudson went over her notes for her history exam the next day. An hour later, Lionel returned, entering the study to have a drink with his son and catch up on the day's events. Hudson excused herself to leave but Lex asked her to stay and how could she ever say no to his requests? So, she'd sat back down on the couch, tried to ignore the conversation between the two Luthor men, and went back to reading.
Not long after, when the conversation dwindled and Lex returned to his work, Hudson glanced up to find Lionel staring at her. Right at her. It really hadn't been a figment of her imagination - he'd been watching, and slightly smiling, twirling the half-filled glass of scotch in his hand. She'd only convinced herself to relax when, after making certain Lex wasn't paying any attention, she'd stuck her tongue out at his father. Lionel's expression hadn't changed, reassuring her that, yes, the man was still blind, and no, he hadn't been watching her. Still, it had been creepy and twice since then, the same situation occurred.
The worst of it was, Lionel was now a fixture in the lives of the Kent family, almost as much as he was for Lex. It'd been two weeks since Hudson's mom accepted a position with LuthorCorp as Lionel's assistant, and peace had yet to return to her family. Her dad spent almost every waking hour working on the farm, as if attempting to forget his wife's absence and returning to the house in time for dinner too tired to talk. At first, Hudson looked at her mom's new job enthusiastically; she hoped that it would be the turning point that would cause her parents to accept the Luthors, and the change in her relationship with Lex. She quickly discovered though, that it just wasn't meant to be. While Martha Kent was more accepting, Jonathan Kent seemed even more opposed.
Sighing, Hudson forced the thoughts of Lionel and her parents from her mind and kissed the shoulder beneath her cheek. Lex's near-flawless skin was dotted with freckles over his shoulders, a reminder of his red hair that fascinated her to no end. She enjoyed kissing each one and playing connect the dots. Only she quickly learned that Lex didn't enjoy that game when she used a real pen to do it. After that, he'd introduced her to body paints and Hudson couldn't imagine that there was anything more fun on earth than drawing smiley faces and bunny rabbits all over Lex Luthor's body. Well, other than having Lex draw dollar signs and cars all over hers. He'd even painted a perfect heart on her left hip. She was sad when he'd quickly licked it away. Well, at least for a short time, anyway.
"Shouldn't you be gone?" Lex mumbled, half-asleep, before rolling over and pinning her to the bed with one carelessly draped leg.
Hudson laughed softly. "Yes. Although, you've just made my getaway a little more difficult."
"Mmmm." Lex buried his nose into her hair, breathing against her ear for a moment. His voice was muffled when he asked, "What time is it?"
"Almost five."
"You really should go, Angel."
"I know."
Neither of them moved.
Seconds ticked by and Hudson frowned as she considered how much easier this would be if she were older and could stay with Lex all of the time. Of course, she had the feeling that even if she were thirty, her dad would find some kind of objection to voice. She just wished she could get them to accept the fact that she loved Lex, for good or bad.
Even when he was snoring in her ear.
She swallowed back the laughter that threatened and decided it was definitely time to get out of bed and head home. As gently as she could, she extricated herself from underneath him and slipped out from between the sheets. Gathering her clothes, she quietly dressed, casting occasional glances at Lex as he continued to sleep peacefully beneath the covers. He was still snoring, and it threatened to put her back to sleep - soft, even sounds that drew her into a slight lull. It was even better when she felt his warm breath blowing over her ear or cheek. It certainly beat getting out of bed to muck stalls and milk cows.
Pulling on her jacket, Hudson walked back to the bed, leaning over to kiss Lex's cheek softly. He shifted a bit at her touch, causing her to smile before whispering, "See you later. I love you."
Tucking the sheets up around his shoulders, Hudson turned and quietly exited the room, shutting the door behind her. She glanced at her watch; if she hurried, she would get home and start her chores just in time to make it look as if she got up early. No one would be the wiser. Smiling, she jogged down the steps and into the hall toward the main door.
"H.C.?"
Spinning around at the voice, Hudson's eyes widened in surprise as she came face to face with her mother, smartly dressed in a grey pantsuit, briefcase in her hand. "M-mom," Hudson stammered. "What are you doing here?"
"I was just about to ask you the same thing," her mom replied, eyes narrowing as she moved up to her daughter. "Lionel has an early meeting in Metropolis that I am accompanying him to. I doubt very much that you have the same excuse. Care to explain yourself, Hudson Clark Kent?"
"I. er. " Hudson glanced around, hoping the roof would cave in or something but no such disaster was forthcoming. "Ummm. Lex called because he was having trouble sleeping and he wanted to talk. "
Her mom's gaze narrowed further in obvious acknowledgement of the lie. Grabbing hold of Hudson's wrist, Martha turned and started up the staircase, dragging her daughter along behind her. "Lex! Lex Luthor! Get out here this minute!"
Hudson flew into a panic. "Mom! Mom, don't! Please, I'll explain everything!"
"It's a little late for that, don't you think?" Her mom replied, stopping on the third floor just as Lex came bolting out of his bedroom, slipping on a lavender dress shirt hurriedly.
"Mrs. Kent, is something. wrong. " He trailed off, staring at Hudson for a moment before his gaze moved back to Martha, his expression blank.
Martha remained silent, glaring at Lex for a full minute before rounding on her daughter. "Hudson Kent, we trusted you! All your father and I have ever asked of you was to be honest with us. And this is what we get in return? Lies? Sneaking behind our backs?"
"Mom, I. " Hudson couldn't think of anything to say in reply. She found it was kind of hard to breathe, with how fast her heart was beating. She glanced at Lex for help but his expression was no friendlier than that of her mother. In fact, he looked downright pissed off.
"Care to explain yourself, Lex?" Martha demanded, ignoring Hudson. "Or have you forgotten that my daughter is only sixteen and still lives under the rules of her parents?"
Lex swallowed and focused his gaze over Martha's shoulder. "No, Mrs. Kent. I haven't forgotten. Hudson," he cast her a quick look, "promised me that she would inform you as to the change in our relationship."
"She did, did she?" Hudson shrank back from the gaze her mother focused on her. "Apparently, she forgot." Martha looked back at Lex. "But that still doesn't excuse you from allowing her to sneak over here, Lex! You are just as guilty as she is!"
"Mom." Hudson broke in, situating herself between Lex and her mother. "It's not Lex's fault. I told him I'd be honest with you and. and I wasn't. Don't blame him."
"Lex is the adult," Martha pointed out. "And as such, he's going to take his share of the responsibility."
"But mom - "
"Hudson!" Lex snapped, eyes flashing at her angrily as she turned to look at him. "Do not argue with your mother. Accept that you got caught and stop acting like a baby."
And they were suddenly ganging up on her why?? Hudson glared back at Lex a moment before turning to her mother. "I'm sixteen now. You can't always tell me what to do."
Apparently that was the wrong thing to say. She watched as her mom straightened even further, somehow suddenly seeming much taller than Hudson could ever hope to be. She found herself wishing that the floor would just open up and swallow her whole. Never had she seen her mom appear so angry.
"As long as you live under our roof we most certainly have every right to dictate the rules, young lady," Martha informed her daughter in a clipped tone. "And you'd better rethink that statement before we discuss this situation with your father. I doubt he'll be any more receptive of this sudden independence of yours!"
Hudson was about to reply when the sound of approaching footsteps drew their attention down the hall. Lionel turned the corner, gaze trained forward, head slightly cocked as if listening. Beside her, Lex took a step forward, either in preparation to do battle or to protect her, Hudson wasn't certain.
"Martha, is there a problem?" Lionel made his way carefully toward them, cane stretched out in front of him. "I heard loud voices."
"Unfortunately there is, Lionel," Martha replied, hooking her purse over her shoulder as she flashed another quelling look at Lex and Hudson. "Apparently, your son has taken it upon himself to allow my sixteen-year old daughter to sneak out of the house and spend the night here. And who knows how long this has been going on!"
Lionel pursed his lips and lifted his head slightly. "Is this true, Lex?"
Hudson glanced at Lex as she felt him bristle beside her. It was just like her mom to get Lionel involved in this.
"I don't see how this is any of your business, dad."
"It is when it affects one of my employees," Lionel replied.
Lex remained silent and expressionless.
"We'll talk about this tonight when I get home, H.C.," Martha told her before turning to help Lionel down the stairs.
Worrying her lower lip, Hudson watched her mother go before glancing up at Lex. He shot her a quick look before moving toward his room.
"Lex, wait." She hurried in after him, sighing at the straight set of his shoulders. "Aren't you going to at least let me explain?"
"Explain what, Hudson?" Lex demanded as he practically tore his shirt off in his anger, tossing it to the chair. "Are you going to explain this outrageous habit of lying that you've developed? Or why you think it's right to keep something as important as this from your parents?"
"I was scared," she admitted, wringing her hands together nervously.
Lex turned to look at her, frowning. "Yeah? Well, I was scared, too. Scared of attempting a relationship like this with a child. Apparently, my fears were justified."
"I'm not a child!"
"Really?" He walked over to her, eyes narrowing as he leaned in close. "Then why don't you stop fucking acting like one, Hudson, and grow up."
Hudson looked away from Lex, fighting back the tears that stung her eyes. How was she supposed to explain to him that telling her dad that she was having sex with the son of Lionel Luthor was like signing her own death warrant? Or that lies were really all she had, all she'd ever had. Lying was becoming so easy for her that Hudson was beginning to fear if one day she wouldn't be able to tell the difference between reality and fabrication. Lex and her parents deserved better from her. But how was she supposed to balance the lies she was expected to tell, with the truths that everyone wanted to hear from her? What made it right to lie to Lex, and not to her mom and dad? She just didn't understand anymore.
"I'm sorry," she whispered miserably.
Lex grunted and moved away toward the bathroom, undoing his slacks. "I suppose you expect that to make everything better? An apology from Hudson Kent puts the world at rights again."
"That's not fair." Hudson brought her gaze back to him, allowing the first stirrings of anger to sweep over the pain. "What else am I supposed to say?"
Throwing the light switch on a little too hard, Lex turned back to her. "Has it even occurred to you that you're only seven months off from landing my ass in jail? Have you even once considered what I might be sacrificing for this relationship?"
"But I am sixteen," Hudson argued. "And there's nothing my parents can do - "
"Do you have any idea how hard I've fought for their respect and acceptance, Hudson?" Lex yelled, stalking toward her. "And now, with your lies, you've effectively sealed your parents' opinion of me completely. Thanks a lot," he told her flippantly. "I really fucking appreciate it."
Hudson dropped her gaze as the wave of guilt engulfed her. It was true - she'd never really considered their relationship from Lex's point of view or what it might mean to him, both good and bad. Maybe she'd been too blinded by the whole idea of how in love with him she was, and that she didn't care what the consequences were, as long as she got to spend time with him. Obviously, Lex didn't see it in the same light. Was that what he meant by facing their relationship as an adult? Was there supposed to be something else beyond the simple joy she felt at being in his presence, having him touch and kiss and make love to her? Why anyone would possibly want there to be anything else was something Hudson didn't understand, and likely never would. If you loved someone the way she loved Lex, then nothing and no one else should matter. Love was sacrifice. Right?
Lex was staring at her, expression unreadable though the anger he was feeling still flickered in his eyes. She kept wanting to reach out to him but knew that in doing so, she might possibly lose a limb. "I never meant to upset you," she commented quietly. "I just. I wanted to be with you."
He looked read to yell at her again and Hudson fought back to the urge to cringe. A moment passed in silence, and she watched as Lex took a deep breath, shoulders relaxing a little. "You need to start considering the consequences of your actions, Hudson," he finally replied, voice calmer. "Not everything you say and do should be based on emotions."
"But then I'd be like - " She stopped herself abruptly from saying 'you'. Her mouth fell open a little at the pained expression that flashed through his eyes.
Lex set his jaw, shoulders tensing once more. He turned from her and started back toward the bathroom. "Go home, Hudson."
Realizing it was futile to argue, especially when she'd likely only dig herself a deeper hole, Hudson waited as he slammed the door behind him before she left the room and made her way home.
She didn't really want to go there. She wanted to run away. There was something completely impossible about facing both of her parents and Lex, having them all angry at her, especially when she had no idea what to do to make it better. Lex wouldn't accept her apologies and she doubted that her parents would either. She'd never seen her mother so angry. And she was afraid to imagine what her dad's anger would be like.
Slowing as she neared the farm, Hudson stopped to watch as her dad moved from the barn toward the south pasture. She glanced back out toward the road, once more considering just not going home, but Lex's comment regarding her need to grow up echoed through her mind. If she was going to prove to him that she was grown up and could make mature decisions, then she needed to start doing so. Taking a deep breath, Hudson sped onto the farm, stopping when she reached the gate where her dad was headed with a bag of feed over his shoulder.
Jonathan glanced up at her and smiled in greeting. "Good morning, sunshine. Did you wake up when your mom did?"
Hudson swallowed and shook her head. "No, I. " She trailed off as her dad came to a stop in front of her, frowning a little.
"Where have you been?"
"At Lex's," she admitted quickly. As her dad's frown deepened, she added, "All night."
Jonathan's shoulders slumped with her words and Hudson had trouble not bursting into tears at the look he flashed her. Disappointment. Not anger, not sorrow, not resignation. Just disappointment. And she couldn't remember the last time he'd looked at her like that.
"I see." He moved past her, toward the barn.
"Dad." She hurried after him. "Dad, please talk to me."
"There's nothing to talk about, H.C.," he snapped, walking past the barn toward the chicken coop. "Besides, I've got work to do."
"But - "
"Go get ready for school."
"I have chores." She stopped, feeling miserable, staring after her dad as he continued on his way.
"I'll do them," he replied before disappearing behind the coop.
Hudson silently remained where she stood. The full extent of how angry the people she cared most about were with her finally seemed to hit. Her dad didn't want to talk to her, Lex didn't want to talk to her, her mom seemed more than willing to talk - or yell - but she had to go to work. Now there was nothing left to do but wait. And waiting meant dwelling on what was to come, which would only make the inevitable 'Talk' that much more frightening to contemplate.
She really did want to run away.
***
"Hey, what's up with the long face?"
Hudson glanced to her right as Lana walked up beside her in the hall. "Oh. nothing. Just thinking about things."
"Oh? Must be some pretty dire thoughts. What's wrong?" Lana continued to stare intently at her as they stopped beside her locker.
"Everything."
Though frowning a little at her reply, Lana flashed her an amused smile. "That's dramatic. How could 'everything' be wrong? What happened?"
Worrying her lower lip, Hudson glanced over her shoulder to make certain no one was listening before leaning closer to Lana. "This morning, mom caught me coming out of Lex's bedroom. She and dad know that. well, that Lex and I have been. that we're -"
"You're having sex and you didn't tell me!" Lana exclaimed, slapping Hudson's shoulder. She winced the instant she did so, shaking her hand painfully as she glared at her friend.
"Shhhh!! Tell the world, why don't you?" She admonished, casting another look around the corridor. Only a few students were milling about, and they seemed deeply engrossed in their own conversations.
"I can't believe you didn't tell me." Her friend pouted.
Hudson shook her head. "Why is it suddenly necessary for me to tell every living, breathing person business that only matters to Lex and me?"
"You don't need to tell everyone, H.C. Just those of us who care about you." She leaned back against the lockers, silent as she seemed lost in her thoughts for a moment. Finally, she commented, "I'm sure your parents are just worried about you. They'll calm down once they realize Lex won't hurt you."
"That's just the thing. I don't understand what they're so uptight about. Lex can't hurt me," Hudson remarked, dropping her voice to a whisper. "No one can. It's one of the reasons they've never really forced a curfew on me - because they know that unless I've run into a pile of meteor rock, I'm fine. But suddenly with Lex there are all of these stupid rules and guidelines I have to follow."
"It's probably just because you're their little girl and you're growing up." Lana shrugged. "I doubt it has anything to do with Lex. They'd be acting this way no matter who you were with. Although, the fact that Lex is so much older than you probably adds a little more caution to their approach."
"But why?"
Another shrug. "No idea, hon. Adults have this whole hang up with age. Maybe they're just longing for their own youth or something."
Hudson sighed but remained silent.
"I'd better go. Jeni's sick so I have to cover her shift for her today at the Talon." Lana started off then stopped to reach out and touch her friend's arm. "Are you going to be okay?"
"Yeah." Hudson flashed her a quick smile.
"Call me if you need anything. Or stop by if you just want to hide out," Lana told her as she disappeared into the mass exodus of students.
"I might do that," Hudson called out with a brief smile before turning back to her locker.
Once she had the books she needed, she slammed the locker door shut, jumping slightly when she discovered a red-headed woman standing on the other side of the door.
"Hello, Hudson."
Smiling slightly in greeting, Hudson stared at the woman in confusion for a moment before asking, "Do we know each other?"
The woman glanced away at the question, a hint of sorrow reflected in her eyes. "No." Then she looked back up and a smile suddenly bloomed across her face. "Well. yes."
Hudson was having trouble deciding which of them was the most confused. She raised her eyebrows a little at the strange reply, waiting for an explanation.
"Hudson, I'm your mother."
Well, that hadn't been the answer she was expecting. Blinking, she peered over her shoulder down the now empty hall, wondering if this wasn't some sick trick one of her friends was playing on her. She looked through the corners of the walls and into a few of the classrooms, but no one was hiding out with a camera. Finally, she turned back to the woman in front of her.
"I'm sorry, ma'am, but there must be some mistake. I - "
"It's okay, Hudson." She reached out and touched her arm, eyes drifting to Hudson's sleeve, which she petted gently in silence. Raising her eyes, she added, "I've shocked you. It's just going to take you some time to get used to the idea."
Hudson opened her mouth to reply but couldn't think of a word to say.
"My name is Rachel. Rachel Dunleavy." She touched Hudson's hair, eyes misting slightly as she stared at it.
Stepping back, Hudson flashed another tentative smile. "I'm sorry, Miss Dunleavy, but I'm sure you have me confused with somebody else. I. I have to get home now."
"No. No, I'm not confused." Rachel hurried after her as Hudson moved down the hall. She followed alongside, still looking up at her with a brilliant smile. "I wasn't allowed to keep you, you see." She shook her head sadly. "I didn't even get to look at you or hold you when you were born. That bastard - "
Hudson looked over at Rachel, eyes widening at the vehemence she heard in the woman's voice. "Ma'am. "
Another smile. "I'm sorry, Hudson. It was a difficult time period in my life. You're father wouldn't let me keep you, no matter how much I wanted to. He didn't want to run his marriage. Please don't think of me as a bad person." She took Hudson's hand in hers and squeezed it. "I thought he loved me. But I should have realized that Lionel Luthor loves no one but himself."
Lionel Luthor?!
"Miss Dunleavy. I really am sorry for whatever you've been through, but I'm not - "
"Oh, but you are!" Rachel moved in front of the school doors before Hudson could exit through them. She reached up to touch Hudson's face, running her fingers over her cheek, eyes filled with wonder. "I never even knew if you were a girl or a boy. He never even gave me that much. You've grown up to be so beautiful. So much like your father."
She was like Lionel Luthor?? Hudson tried very hard not to be too offended by that remark. Shaking her head with impatience, Hudson asked, "Excuse me for asking, ma'am, but if you don't know the sex of your child, then how can you be so certain I'm your daughter?"
"Because I found out that Lionel set up the adoption through Metropolis United Charities, and yours is the only adoption that went through that organization." She stared up at Hudson for a moment, smiling softly. "If you were a boy, I wanted to name you Lucas. And a girl. Lucinda."
Lucinda? Good god!!
"I really have to get home, ma'am." Hudson moved around her and pushed through the doors.
"Hudson. Wait." Rachel caught up to her at the bottom of the stairs. She pressed a piece of paper into her hand. "Here's my number. I've just purchased a house here in Smallville so we can get together whenever you would like."
"A house?" Hudson stared down at the woman in shock. This was serious. She needed to get home and warn her parents. "Miss Dunleavy - "
A honk interrupted her and Hudson looked up to see one of Lex's Porsches parked in front of the school. Well, that was unexpected.
"There's my. friend. I have to go." She hurried past the woman toward his car.
"Call me!" Rachel called out to her in a voice tinged with excitement.
Sighing in relief, Hudson pulled open the car door and slid inside. Avoiding any chance of looking out the window, she glanced over at Lex. "I'm surprised to see you here, considering. "
Ignoring her comment, Lex nodded out the window. "Who was that woman?"
"Huh? Oh. No one. She had me mistaken for someone else."
Hudson leaned back in her seat, peering out of the corner of her eye to see Rachel headed into the parking lot toward her car. This really wasn't the time to get into the whole adoption thing with Lex. Besides, Lionel Luthor?? She just really didn't know what to think of that one. And she really didn't want to be the one to blurt out 'Hey, Lex! Did you know your dad was having an affair?'
"Ummm. so. "
"I'm very angry with you, Hudson Kent."
There was the Lex she was expecting. She couldn't contain her smile. "But?" She prodded, knowing he never offered the full truth so quickly.
He looked over at her, and the hint of a smile flashed in his gaze. "But, we're both at fault. I should have insisted you tell your parents the truth. I should have gone to them with you. Instead, I was hiding just as much as you were."
Relief at the fact that something seemed to be going right today flooded through her. She leaned over to hug him but Lex pulled back and shook his head, causing her to pause.
"I said we're both at fault, but that doesn't mean I'm any less angry at you, Hudson."
"Lex - "
"We're going to go and talk to your parents together. And whatever decision they make regarding our relationship, we're going to uphold. Do you understand?"
"But that's - "
"Not fair?" Lex finished for her, putting the car into gear and pulling out of the parking lot. "You really need to find something new to whine about."
"They have no right to dictate our relationship." She pouted, folding her arms over her chest.
"As your parents they have every right." He glanced over at her once before focusing his eyes on the road ahead. "Look, Angel, I want to be with you, too. But you've got to understand that there are rules to life, and one of those is that while you are young, and under your parents' care, you have to do as they say. Give them the respect they deserve for raising you."
"You never talk about your dad this way."
"That's because he didn't raise me," Lex snapped. "Hudson, your parents care about you. And they have every right to be worried about what's going on in your life."
As much as she hated to admit it, Lex was right. And she really hated to admit it. Sighing, she turned her attention out the window, ignoring for the moment that she wished Lex were the type to say to hell with responsibility and just drive. Somewhere. Anywhere. She would love nothing more than to just go away with him and leave all of the issues of growing up behind. And that included being an alien with no past who suddenly had a woman showing up in town claiming to be her mother. With Lex going home with her, there would be no telling her parents about the encounter until later that evening. So first with the unpleasantness, and then on to the next unpleasantness.
When they pulled into her parents' farm, her dad was outside, loading the grain sacks into the truck for the evening feeding. He stopped as the Porsche approached, frowning at the car as he turned toward it, removing his gloves. A fleeting image of her dad punching Lex the way he did her grandfather flashed through Hudson's mind but she quickly pushed the thought away as she climbed out of the car.
"Mr. Kent," Lex was already calling out in greeting while she grabbed her backpack and shut the door.
"Lex." Jonathan nodded at him, brow furrowing a little deeper.
Hudson moved up beside Lex. She wanted to take his hand, but noted that he had both firmly shoved into the pockets of his coat. "Hi, dad," she greeted, smiling until he fixed his gaze on her.
The disappointment was still there. Tinged with a flash of anger.
Swallowing, she shifted uncomfortably. "Is mom home?"
He nodded. "She's waiting for you inside." Jonathan looked over at Lex. "Lex, I think we would prefer that you stay out of this."
"I can't, Mr. Kent," Lex replied, inclining his head toward Hudson. "We're both responsible for the situation and I - "
"Situation?" Jonathan stepped closer to Lex. "You call sleeping with my daughter - a young, impressionable teenager that I trusted you enough to date - a 'situation'?"
"Dad - " Hudson began.
"Stay out of this, H.C.," her dad cut her off, flashing her an angry look. "In fact, go inside. I'll be there in a moment."
She glanced in concern at Lex. He wasn't looking at her, attention focused fully on the furious man in front of him. Lex can take care of himself, she thought silently, knowing that he wouldn't appreciate her intervention. It would likely only fuel his irritation with her. Instead, she simply reached out and touched his arm before turning and hurrying inside.
Closing the backdoor behind her, Hudson immediately turned around and peered out through the window, watching as her dad yelled and gestured wildly with his hands. He never made any threatening moves toward Lex and that, at least, was a small comfort. Lex remained silent throughout the tirade, expression registering very little reaction. When it seemed her dad was finally done, or at least taking a moment to gather his breath, Lex finally spoke. Hudson found herself wishing she had super-hearing or something so she knew what he was saying. He was stoic as ever as he spoke, never removing his hands from his coat. In front of him, Jonathan frowned, rolled his eyes a few times, shook his head once or twice then finally grew still, brow continually furrowed.
What the hell was going on out there?
"Should we add eavesdropping to your list of infractions, young lady?"
Hudson jumped at her mom's voice, turning quickly to flash a guilty smile. "It's. not like I can hear them or anything. I just. well, I wanted to. "
"Make certain your father doesn't hit Lex?" Martha asked as she waved Hudson away from the door. "Don't worry, H.C. Your father and I are both well aware of who is to carry the full weight of the blame."
Grimacing, Hudson glanced back toward the door. "Then what is he doing out there?"
"Hopefully explaining our position." Martha crossed the kitchen, opening and closing cabinet doors a little harder than usual. She looked over her shoulder at Hudson. "I can't believe you'd have so little regard for your own parents, Hudson Kent."
"I. " Hudson slipped onto one of the bar stools, not knowing what to say. Deciding that changing the subject would be prudent at the moment, she asked, "I thought you were in Metropolis?"
Her mom flashed her a look that told her she knew exactly what she was trying to do. "After the meeting, Lionel felt that I had family problems to attend to that were more prudent than filling out paperwork. So not only has your behavior disrupted this family, it's interfering with my ability to do my job as well!"
"I'm sorry, mom," she responded quietly, dropping her gaze to the countertop.
"Are you, Hudson?" Martha set down the platter she was holding and turned to regard her daughter. "Are you truly sorry? Or are you just sorry for being caught?"
Worrying her lower lip, Hudson looked away, eyes darting to the kitchen door as it swung open. Her father entered, glancing at Martha for a moment before his gaze settled on Hudson. She peered over his shoulder, looking for Lex, only to hear the roar of an engine cut through the silence, and the unmistakable sounds of tires moving down the gravel driveway.
"Did you send Lex home?" Hudson jumped to her feet, prepared to go after him.
"Sit down, H.C.," her father barked, slapping his gloves on to the kitchen counter. "You will see Lex when this situation is cleared up, and not a moment before."
Opening her mouth to argue, Hudson quickly thought better of it and slid back into her seat. At least there was no mention of never seeing Lex again.
Yet.
"Well, what do you have to say for yourself, young lady?" Jonathan moved over to the table and stood there, staring down at her, giving her one of those 'I've never been this disappointed in you' looks.
"I. I don't know." Hudson kicked gently at the table leg. "What do you want me to say?"
"I'd like an explanation as to why you felt it necessary to lie to us? Why you feel you have the right to sneak behind our backs when you know perfectly well you had a curfew regarding the time you spend at Lex's place for a specific reason?"
"Because I knew you were going to react like this if I told you the truth."
"React like what, Hudson Kent?" Jonathan demanded. "Have your mother or I said anything regarding your relationship with Lex?"
No, they hadn't. Hudson glanced toward her mom before returning her gaze to her dad. She shifted slightly in her seat and looked away. "No."
"No. Because what upsets us more than anything is that you chose to lie to us. How are we supposed to protect you when we don't even know what's going on in your life?"
"I don't need your protection," she replied. "Especially not from Lex."
Jonathan threw up his hands in frustration and turned away from the table. Shaking her head, Martha moved over to take his place.
"Hudson, this isn't about Lex. This is about our family being honest with one another. About not keeping secrets. About - "
"I don't understand!" Jumping to her feet, Hudson glared angrily at her parents. "I'm expected to lie to everyone else, to keep secrets from everyone else, including the man I love, and yet I'm supposed to tell you everything that happens in my life?! Where does the hypocrisy end? Fuck!"
"Hudson Kent, you will not use that language in this house!" Jonathan snapped.
"Sorry." She dropped back into her seat, folding her arms over her chest defensively.
With a heavy sigh, her mom sat down beside her and touched her arm. "H.C., I know it's difficult. Everything in your life is just a little more complicated because of what you are. And that makes everything for your father and I just a little more complicated as well. We know Lex isn't going to hurt you. But we also know that there are people in Lex's life who would. And the closer you get to Lex, the more you are around him, the bigger the chance for you to slip up, to let the truth out."
"We're not saying we're pleased that you have to continue to lie to Lex, honey," Jonathan adds, slipping his hand on to her shoulder. "But some things are necessary at the moment. You're young. Lex is still young. He is still very much under the watchful guise of Lionel, whether the man can see or not. The fact that Lionel is living with Lex only makes it that much more dangerous for you."
Hudson blinked up at her parents. "You. you mean, you're not upset that we're having sex?"
Martha and Jonathan glanced at one another before her dad replied, "We're not happy about it, H.C., but we've come to terms with the fact that we couldn't keep it from happening."
"Your father has come to terms with it." Martha smiled. "I've been expecting it. But, Hudson, we would have preferred you told us. There are so many questions that this change in your relationship has caused. What about pregnancy?"
"We always use condoms," Hudson replied with a nod.
Her dad groaned behind her. "I don't think I want to hear any of this."
"Jonathan, we wanted her to be honest about this. So we need to hear all of it." Turning her gaze back to her daughter, Martha asked, "Has a question of you going on The Pill come up?"
"No," Hudson replied slowly. "But, I thought, if it does, I can use some excuse like you and dad are against it, for whatever reason."
"More lies, Hudson?"
She shifted in her seat again and dropped her gaze to the table. "I. I'd like to be able to tell him the truth." She darted a gaze toward her parents. "All of it."
Heaving a heavy sigh, Jonathan walked across the kitchen, opening the refrigerator and grabbing a beer. Martha remained silent in her seat, smoothing wrinkles from the kitchen towel in her hands. Silence settled over the room, with only the monotonous ticking of the grandfather clock from the hallway to break it. Hudson waited silently for someone to say something. A 'yes' or a 'no' or a 'maybe we'll talk about it later'. Anything. Instead, the silence continued and neither of her parents seemed willing to look at her.
"Well?" She prodded after the silence lasted too long.
Her parents glanced at one another again. Finally, her mom replied, "Hudson, if you make the decision to tell Lex the truth, there is nothing your father and I can say or do to stop you."
"But we do want you to be certain about this," her dad added, playing with the cap from his beer. "Once you tell him, there's no going back. Remember what happened to Lana? I just want you to be certain that you're telling him for the right reasons. That it isn't simply because you're tired of the responsibility. That you're tired of being careful. That you're tired of the lies." He held her gaze. "By telling Lex, you free yourself from the lies, but you force him to take on that responsibility for you. Are you prepared to do that to him?"
Well, when he put it like that. Hudson remained silent.
"Honey." Martha touched her hand. "You both have a lot of life ahead of you. If this relationship is truly meant to be, then someday, when you're truly ready to share, the truth will come out. And Lex will understand. And you will work together to keep your secret safe. Your father and I just want you to trust your instincts on this matter."
Nodding, Hudson fingered the placemat in front of her for a few moments before casually asking, "So does this mean everything's okay?"
"You still lied to us, H.C., and you're going to have to face punishment for that," her dad told her, pointing a finger. "For the next two weeks I want you home immediately after school every day. You will do your chores, you will have dinner, you will do your homework and you will go to bed. You will not see Lex or your friends. On the weekends you will help me make repairs around the farm --"
"But - " Hudson was about to argue but a quick look from both her parents quelled that quickly.
"And," her dad continued. "For the next two months, the only time you will be allowed to go to Lex's is for deliveries or with our express permission and timeframe. If your mother or I catch you sneaking out again, we're going to have to rethink this relationship we've allowed you to continue with. Is that understood?"
Hudson stared in shock from one to the other for a long moment. She'd never been so confined in her life. This wasn't fair! But she knew if she argued, it would only get worse. For now, she would have to keep her cool and do as they said and maybe they would be lenient for 'time served' or something.
"And please, please try to be more honest and up front with us in the future," her mom added.
Honest. Hell. She almost forgot. Sitting up a little straighter in her chair, Hudson told them, "A woman approached me after school today. She. she said she was my mother."
"What?" Martha glanced sharply at her husband who moved away from the counter by the sink to join them at the table. "But that's impossible."
"I know." Hudson sighed and shook her head. "I told her she was mistaken but she insisted. What's more is. well. " She let out a deep breath and tried again. "Apparently, Lionel Luthor is. supposed to be my dad." Her gaze flickered to her parents.
Jonathan let out a low breath but didn't say anything as he scowled at his beer.
"She's not your mother, Hudson," her mom reiterated. "And Lionel most certainly isn't - "
"I know. That's what I told her. She said I probably just need time to get used to the idea." Reaching into her pocket, Hudson pulled out the slip of paper and slid it onto the table. "She gave me her cell number. told me to call her if I wanted to talk again."
Her dad grabbed the paper up, frowning at the numbers. "H.C., I don't want you to have anything to do with this woman."
"She's going to be hard to avoid," Hudson replied, studying her nails. "She said she just bought a house in Smallville."
Her mom's eyes widened as she shot a look across the table at Jonathan.
Hudson glanced at her parents. "She also said that the agency that handled the adoption was Metropolis United Charities. That's the same place Chloe told me about."
More silence from her parents.
Growing a little angry, Hudson pressed, "I thought the only adoption they handled was mine."
Another look between her parents.
"So did I," her dad answered hesitantly.
"Dad." Hudson reached across the table to get his attention. "Tell me what happened back then."
"That's not important right now," Martha broke in, rising to her feet.
"Your mother's right. What we need to do is get this woman to back off." He stood as well, shoving the piece of paper into his pocket and heading toward the kitchen door. "We don't want her making people curious about where you came from."
Hudson watched as her mom hurried back into the kitchen to begin dinner and her dad slipped out the door to go back to his chores. Frustration quickly mounted within her at their continual silence.
She was supposed to be honest with them and yet they couldn't be honest with her?
***
The next morning between classes, Hudson ducked into the Torch office, determined to see if she could find any information on this Rachel Dunleavy. Chloe was always telling her that the best place to begin searching for information was on the internet and that was where she would begin.
Chloe's computer was blessedly already signed in. Hudson opened up the browser then, out of habit, clicked open AIM as well. She typed 'Rachel Dunleavy' into Google and began glancing through the options. There wasn't much listed that pertained to the woman claiming to be her mother. Unwilling to give up on the first try though, she continued to look until a message window opened.
Spyder_21: You there?
Smiling with pleasure at Lex's unexpected appearance, Hudson replied:
Farmgirl86: Yeah. Just researching something. Are you at work?
Spyder_21: Yeah. How'd things go last night?
Farmgirl86: Meh. I'm grounded for two weeks.
Spyder_21: Only two? That's surprising.
Farmgirl86: That's what I thought. What did my dad say to you?
Spyder_21: Just guy stuff. Don't worry about it.
Farmgirl86: Are you still pissed at me?
Spyder_21: What do you think??
Farmgirl86: You're talking to me. That has to be a good sign.
Spyder_21: Hmm.
Farmgirl86: Do you think you'll stop being mad at me in two weeks??
Spyder_21: Maybe.
Farmgirl86: *sigh*
Spyder_21: I have to run.
Hudson sighed out loud at the message. She hoped he really had a reason to go and not just because he didn't want to talk to her anymore. Then again, he was the one who sent the first message. She typed:
Farmgirl86: I love you.
Spyder_21: ( See you later, Angel.
Spyder_21 signed off at 10:21AM.
"Goodbye," Hudson said softly to the screen before closing AIM.
Realizing she wasn't going to find much of consequence, she closed the browser and was about to shut down the computer when she glanced at Chloe's email window. Frowning slightly, she maximized the screen, eyes widening as she counted half a dozen emails sent from 'Rachel Dunleavy'. Lips parting slightly, she clicked open the first and began to read through conversations between Rachel and Chloe regarding her adoption.
Damn Chloe! Hudson couldn't believe her friend could do this to her - that she could pry so deeply into her life when she'd already been warned once about doing so. Why couldn't people just leave well enough alone? What made Chloe so determined to know every little facet of her life?
"Sure H.C., you can use my computer." Chloe's voice suddenly rang out across the room as she walked through the Torch door. She teased, "Knock yourself out."
Reining in her temper, Hudson glanced down at her hands for a moment, staring at the chipped nail on her index finger. Chloe moved past her, setting her books down on the edge of the desk before flashing a smile at her friend.
Looking up, Hudson instantly accused, "You've been getting emails from Rachel Dunleavy."
Chloe blinked, staring at her in shock. "You've been reading my emails?"
Ignoring the question, Hudson countered with, "You promised me you'd stop digging into my adoption."
"Wh..." Chloe began, her tone and expression displaying her confusion. "All I did was post a few notices on adoption websites, to see if I could get some hits." She waved toward the computer, admitting, "This Dunleavy woman responded."
Dammit. It was bad enough that Lex used to always dig into her life, trying to learn things that she wasn't ready yet to admit to him. He backs off and Chloe starts in again. Would her entire life be spent trying to bury what others dig up?
Jumping to her feet, Hudson shoved the chair back angrily into the desk before rounding on Chloe, who flinched in response. "Oh, so you said 'Why don't you check out my buddy H.C.? She may be your daughter!'"
Chloe shook her head, eyes wide with fear. "You have to believe me...I didn't tell her anything about you, Hudson."
"So it's just a coincidence she shows up in Smallville claiming to be my mom?" Hudson snapped in sarcasm.
Pausing, Chloe stared up at her, obviously amazed by the news. "She's here?"
The happiness in her voice was unmistakable. Hudson frowned at the realization.
"Hudson, what makes you so sure that she's not the real thing?" She asked, practically bouncing at the thought.
How could she possibly be so happy about this? Hudson wondered, staring at her friend in disbelief. Maybe it was just really exciting to get involved in someone else's life where you know you aren't wanted.
Frowning as her anger grew, Hudson snapped, "I am not giving you an exclusive on my life!"
Chloe seemed to ignore her, following as Hudson started around the desk. "You're not even curious that she might be your biological mom?"
Whirling around angrily, Hudson growled, "Why are you so obsessed about my mother? Do I ask you questions about yours?"
Pain flashed across Chloe's face at the mention of her own mother. Quickly, her body tensed and she glanced down to the floor. "No, I guess not."
"Yeah, that's because she hasn't shown her face in your life in years!" Hudson yelled back at her as she leaned forward, closer to Chloe's face. "If you want to find somebody's mother, find your own!"
Glaring at her friend a moment longer, Hudson spun around, heading for the door.
Tears appeared in Chloe's eyes as she watched her friend start to leave. "I know where she is, Hudson! The difference is, she's not interested in me."
Hudson stopped at her words, guilt suffusing her that maybe she went a step too far. But she wasn't going to back down on this - Chloe had no right to interfere. And now there was this strange woman trying to push her way into Hudson's life, even though she didn't belong there. The complications this situation would cause were too numerous to count. Chloe would never understand that, though. And with her continuing need to pry, Hudson knew that she would likely never allow her to understand.
Shaking her head slightly, Hudson continued to the door when Chloe called out to her. The pain and tears in her friend's voice was almost too much but she remained with her back to Chloe, prepared to charge out of the office.
"Since you'll probably never speak to me again, there's something you might want to know," Chloe cried behind her. "Metropolis United Charities was founded by Lionel Luthor."
Eyes widening slightly, Hudson pondered the information for a brief moment before she continued out the door. Stopping, she leaned against the wall and closed her eyes. Why was it so difficult for her and Chloe to just be friends lately? God, she shouldn't have said what she did but anger had caused her to speak without thinking. Deep inside, Hudson knew how much the disappearance of Chloe's mother hurt her, and still she never said anything, never carried on about it or expected others to give her comfort. And here Hudson just threw it in her face like it meant nothing. She contemplated going in to apologize but quickly changed her mind. Chloe had overstepped her bounds and she should be the one asking for forgiveness.
Opening her eyes, Hudson pushed away from the wall and headed down the corridor. She had just enough time to get home and ask for an explanation from her parents about what role Lionel Luthor really played in her life.
***
When it rains it pours.
Jonathan just began accepting the fact that his innocent little girl wasn't so innocent anymore when he suddenly was forced to deal with this woman claiming to be her biological mother. He couldn't really decide which was worse - the knowledge that his daughter was sleeping with Lex Luthor, or the idea of someone as amazing as Hudson being the biological child of Lionel Luthor. Neither thought was very appealing, but one was fact, and one was fiction, and it was easier to deal with fiction when fact just made him want to wrap his hands around Lex Luthor's scrawny neck and --
"H.C.?"
Jonathan turned at Martha's surprised tone to see their daughter standing behind them, backpack clutched in her hand, brow furrowed. Pulling another feed bag off the back of the pickup, he nodded toward the load, figuring if Hudson was there, she might as well help out.
"Grab a sack, H.C."
Ignoring him, she told them both angrily, "I just found out that Lionel Luthor was the one who founded Metropolis United Charities." Her gaze flashed between her parents. "Why was he involved in my adoption?"
Jonathan froze, bag slung over his shoulder, as he glanced over at his wife. Damn that Dunleavy woman. This entire mess was bringing up questions and situations he would rather not explain. Especially to Hudson. There were some things in life he preferred his daughter never knew.
"Would somebody tell me what is going on?" Hudson demanded in frustration after the silence continued.
"Jonathan," Martha said softly. "She needs to know."
Sighing, Jonathan tossed the bag of feed to the ground and turned to his daughter. "Alright," he began in resignation. "It was the day of the meteor shower, when I realized that nothing was going to be normal around here again."
They were headed back toward the farm, after running a few errands in town, when the first of the meteors struck. The one coming toward them streaked through the air, slamming into the 'Welcome to Smallville' sign, causing both Jonathan and Martha to turn and look over their shoulders.
"What's happening, Jonathan?" Martha gasped beside him.
Unable to reply with any kind of educated guess, Jonathan turned back to look at the road just in time to see another missile of sorts flash across the road in front of them and into the field on their right. Smoke and flames rose up before them as Jonathan threw his foot down on the break, attempting to stop before they reached the inexplicable explosion. Too close to stop in time, the truck sailed through the thick black smoke, obscuring all visibility. Seconds later, as he lost control of the truck, Jonathan reached out for Martha, briefly attempting to recall whether or not she put on her seatbelt before they left tow,n as he felt the truck teeter and finally flip over. The back of his head crashed into the window behind him, and darkness clouded his thoughts.
A few minutes later, the darkness slowly became opaque and finally clear. Jonathan blinked against the sharp pain echoing through his head as he carefully turned his head to glance at his wife. Relief swept through him as he realized she was wearing her seatbelt, suspended upside down as he was, her tulips scattered over the roof of the truck beneath them. She moaned softly, touching her head, signaling that she likely had the same headache he did. Wondering what the hell had happened, Jonathan glanced through the window, staring at the scorched ground around them. The scent of burnt earth and corn wafted through the open windows of the cab.
Hearing a soft scraping sound, Jonathan craned his head further to the right, blinking in shock to see a small pair of bare feet moving toward them. Wondering if he might have hit his head harder than he thought, he called out to his wife for confirmation of what he was seeing.
"Martha?"
Unable to tear his eyes away from the sight, Jonathan simply listened to the astonished gasp from his wife that alerted him to the fact that he wasn't seeing things. Outside, a naked little dark-haired girl, maybe three or four-years old, crouched down beside the window and peered inside the cab of the truck. She immediately offered them an enormous, friendly grin. It was when she dropped to her knees and began the attempt to crawl in through the window that Jonathan finally moved into action, unbuckling his seatbelt and falling onto the roof. The little girl giggled at the action, sitting back as he pushed the door open, stared at her another moment, then reached back inside to help Martha.
"Who is she?" Martha asked, crawling out of the cab and holding her hand out to the child.
Without the slightest hint of fear, the little girl walked right to her and wrapped her arms around Martha's neck.
"Oh, Jonathan! Isn't she the sweetest thing?"
Frowning for a moment at his wife, Jonathan reached back into the cab to pull out a blanket from behind the seat. He handed it to her, watching as Martha carefully wrapped the child inside of it. Sighing, he glanced back toward the dark swath cut into the ground, eyes lingering over the gaping hole from which smoke still spewed.
"I wonder where her parents are?" He mused, starting down the still smoking path.
"Who says she has any?" Martha stood, lifting the girl into her arms, and followed him. "What kind of people would leave a child naked and alone in the middle of a field?"
Jonathan huffed a little. He could already see where this was leading, and it would only end in more heartache for his wife if he didn't stop it now. "Kids don't just fall out of the sky, Martha."
"Then where did she come from?"
"I don't know. But she must have parents."
He came to an abrupt halt, disbelief sweeping over him as he stared down into the hole in front of him, barely noticing as Martha came up beside him.
In her own unique brand of humor, his wife commented, "Well, if she does, they're definitely not from Kansas."
While part of him flatly refused to believe that the object in front of them was indeed a spaceship, every other part of him acknowledged quite readily that there was no other explanation. The fire and smoke, the damaged ground, the naked child who was even now smiling and pointing at the ship below them like a treasured toy.
This was impossible. All of it.
Turning his gaze to his wife, he watched as she kissed the little girl's cheek and hugged her tightly. He sighed. "Sweetheart, we can't keep her. What are we going to tell people - we found her out in a field?"
They might as well say they found her in a cabbage patch.
Martha shook her head and gazed at the child. She pressed her nose into the dark hair and replied, "We didn't find her. She found us."
After situating Martha and the child back beside the overturned truck, Jonathan went in search of someone to either help them turn the truck back over, or provide them with another form of transportation. He still wasn't certain what he was going to do with the. ship. He certainly couldn't leave it there, could he? Someone would find it and take and it belonged to the little girl sitting with Martha and maybe her parents would want it back -
"Okay, Jonathan Kent, get a hold of yourself or you're going to start envisioning alien invasions," he muttered as he jogged along the shoulder of the road, searching for traffic.
Nothing. He could hear distant explosions, sirens. It seemed like the entire world was coming to an end. Maybe it was an alien invasion.
Yeah, and they sent an army of toddlers to 'cute' us all to death.
Realizing he was thinking about it too hard, Jonathan focused once more on the here and now. He had to find them a way to get home. Glancing across the road, he recognized the pickup truck sitting on the other side. Waiting for a fire truck to zoom past him, he hurried across to the blue flatbed, stopping beside the door to peer in the window. Frowning, he pulled the door open to find a longtime friend laying against the steering wheel, unmoving.
"Teddy!" He called out, gently grabbing the man's shoulders and leaning him back against the seat. He felt for a pulse, finding nothing.
Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed the tiny hole in the window, directly in line with Teddy's forehead. Closing his eyes a moment as he collected himself and fought back the tears of frustration over the death of his friend, Jonathan stepped back and took a deep breath. In control once more, he leaned back in and carefully pulled Teddy out of his seat, hefting him over his shoulder and carrying him to the side of the road. Moving into the weeds, he laid the man down on the ground and forced himself to turn around and walk away before he considered what he was doing for too long. As soon as he got Martha back to the farm, he would come back for Teddy and take his body to the hospital.
Martha was pacing near the side of the road with the little girl still in her arms when he drove up. She turned and watched, gaze curious as he pulled up beside her and turned off the truck.
"Isn't that Teddy's truck?" She asked.
Jonathan didn't answer. He started out into the field, toward the ship.
"Where are you going?" She called after him.
"To get. that." Jonathan wasn't certain what to call it. "If we're taking her with us, we can't leave it here."
Jonathan couldn't even come up with a good reason as to why they were taking the child with them. What they should do is take her to the police station and let them handle the matter. But he knew, at the moment, that argument wouldn't hold up well with his wife. Better to give it some time, let the excitement of the day dwindle, and talk about it in the morning.
As small as it was, as delicate as it looked, the ship. or whatever it was. was incredibly heavy. Jonathan couldn't find any place to grab it and pull from, unless he placed his hands in the opening and tugged to the side. As he put his hands in position, he glanced inside, wondering how a child could possibly be carried from God knows where in a contraption that seemed so inadequate. His gaze moved over a strange object tucked in the corner, and before he knew it, Jonathan was reaching inside to grab it and pull it out. It was rectangular in shape, heavy like steel, with strange markings along the edge. Running his finger over it, he was so intent in his curiosity that he didn't realize the ship was closing until it was too late. What once was an opening into the interior was now completely solid, an egg-shaped dome covering the top of the ship.
"Hell," Jonathan muttered, realizing it was going to be that much more difficult to move the thing. He searched for a button or something to open it but quickly realized he was going to have no such luck. There was nothing left but to push it.
Forty minutes later, he'd used enough muscle and ingenuity to get the thing up into the flatbed of the truck. Martha paced around the front, cooing and talking softly to the girl in her arms. The child laughed a lot, pointed at everything around her and seemed fascinated by Martha's hair. Occasionally she would watch what Jonathan was doing, almost as if protecting her ship, and it kind of creeped him out. He couldn't remember the last time he'd seen his wife happier, though, so he mentioned nothing about it.
Tugging a tarp over the ship to hide it, Jonathan swiped the back of his arm over his forehead and looked down to see Martha smiling up at him. She hugged the girl in her arms a little tighter and he sighed. He was going to need a crowbar to pry them apart.
Once they were all situated comfortably in the truck, the child sitting on Martha's lap, Jonathan started the trip to the farm. He tried not to think about the fact that the little girl in his wife's arms wasn't really a little girl at all but an alien and that her ship - the ship that closed all on its own - was in the back of the truck, hiding beneath a tarp. He tried not to think of the implications, or of the fact that this blew away everything he ever thought he knew about life and the universe. Nothing he'd ever seen in his time ever caused him to believe that there was life beyond earth. And now. He looked over at the child who was playing with Martha's hair, at his wife who was smiling at him with such contentment. Everything had changed.
"Jonathan, watch out!"
Looking up at her warning, Jonathan slammed his foot down on the brakes to keep from hitting a man who was standing in the center of the road, waving his arms frantically.
"Stop! Please! Help!" The man shouted.
Once the truck skidded to a stop, Jonathan threw open the door and climbed out. "Are you alright?"
The man ignored his question. "My son... "
"What about him? Is he hurt?"
"He--he--I--I can't... " The man seemed out of his mind.
Reaching out, Jonathan tried to get him to respond to his questions. "Mister, Mister calm down!" He demanded urgently. "Where is your son?"
Blinking at him, the man turned toward the field behind him, and pointed. "He--he's in there."
Wondering what had caused the man to simply leave his son behind, Jonathan broke into a sprint into the cornfield, following the direction pointed out to him. At least, it had been a cornfield earlier that day. Now it was little more than a carpet of flattened cornstalks, like something out of a science fiction film. Was there a section of Smallville that wasn't devastated by whatever had occurred that day?
Spying a dark figure huddled on the ground, Jonathan sped up until he found himself standing over the still form of a young boy dressed in a private school uniform. Kneeling down slowly beside the boy, he glanced briefly at the bare head that had only a small tuft of red hair attached to it before reaching out to feel for a pulse. Relief swept through him when he finally discovered it, irregular but present.
Hearing footsteps behind him and figuring it was the boy's father, Jonathan called out to him, "Give me a hand."
Nothing. Jonathan looked over his shoulder to see the man just standing there, staring at his son in silence. He tried not to feel a little anger, telling himself that the man was simply in shock, and wouldn't he be in the same state if a child of his was lying there?
"Wh-what happened to him?" The man finally asked. "His...hair is... "
The boy's hair was the least of his worries. Frowning, Jonathan peeled off his coat and gently draped it over the child before gathering him up into his arms. Turning, he found the man still staring, an almost horrified expression to his gaze as he looked at his son. Flashing him a quick glare of disbelief, Jonathan pushed past him and hurried with the boy back to the pickup, figuring the man would follow, or be left behind.
Martha pushed open the passenger door as he approached the truck, eyes widening as she saw what he carried. "Oh, Jonathan! What happened to him? Is he all right?"
"I don't know." Jonathan began to lay the boy inside when his father finally appeared beside them.
"I - I - "
"Get in the truck," Jonathan told him, stepping aside to let the man climb in. "We'll take you and your son to the medical center."
"I - thank you." He climbed inside next to Martha, an expression of surprise flitting across his face as Jonathan laid his son in his arms.
Closing the door, Jonathan ran back around to the driver's side and they were under way once more.
Silence filled the cab. There was shock all around - shock over the events of the day, over the things they'd seen, over the two children that were with them. Jonathan gripped the steering wheel nervously, knowing that having someone else in the truck made the ship in the back more vulnerable. There was no telling what someone might do for the information that they currently had possession of. If science fiction films were to be believed, the little girl in Martha's arms would be no more than a bug under a microscope. And Jonathan couldn't allow that to happen. Not to anyone.
"Can't we go any faster?" Their passenger asked.
Jonathan kept his expression neutral. "We're doing the best that we can."
He watched out of the corner of his eye as the man glanced through the back window. "What are you carrying back there? It's slowing us down."
Jonathan and Martha both ignored the question. Sighing inwardly, he glanced at his wife once more, watching as the girl in her arms turned her attention to the boy. As if he knew she was regarding him, for the first time since Jonathan found him, the boy's eyes fluttered open to regard his watcher. Then, out of nowhere, the little girl reached over and touched his head, running her finger down his cheek before pulling back. Beside Jonathan, Martha made a little noise of surprise as the boy smirked weakly at the child before falling unconscious once more. As if having accomplished what she set out to do, the girl sat back in Martha's arms, smiling as she returned her gaze out the window.
It was the darndest thing that Jonathan had ever seen.
When they reached the hospital, Jonathan left Martha and the child in the truck while he lifted the unconscious boy into his arms once more, and led the boy's father inside. Though the facility was overflowing with injured, they were able to find a nurse who took over, and Jonathan watched quietly as the boy was wheeled away. Running a hand over his face, he turned and glanced through the emergency room, taking in the familiar faces. Unable to leave without finding out who might be able to use their help, Jonathan began wandering around the facility, meeting up with friends, talking to neighbors, making plans for the reconstruction to follow in the days ahead. He knew that Martha would understand.
Forty minutes later, on his way back to the truck, Jonathan looked up to see the stranger he drove to the hospital pass by. He reached out to grab his arm.
"Hey...how's your--how's your son?" He asked, hoping the boy was okay.
"He's in shock," the man replied. "But he'll survive. You saved him, acting so quickly."
Shrugging, Jonathan told him, "I'm glad I could help out."
"I'm sorry. I don't even know your name."
"Jonathan Kent."
The man extended his hand, and Jonathan took it in his, shaking it.
"Nice to meet you, Mr. Kent. If there is ever anything I can do for you..."
Jonathan shook his head, silently letting him know that it wasn't necessary.
"Please. Call me."
Glancing down, Jonathan noted the business card being thrust in his direction. Reaching out, he took it into his hand, studying it quietly. Lionel Luthor. CEO. LuthorCorp. He'd heard of him and his company.
"I mean that, Mr. Kent."
Jonathan continued to look down at the card, doubting there was anything he would need from the man or his company.
"Dad, you were a hero," Hudson broke in, pulling her dad from his reverie. "I don't know why you thought you had to keep that a secret from me."
Jonathan sighed. There was so much more to tell her. So much more that she didn't understand. But Martha was right - it was time that she knew the whole story.
Opening his mouth to continue, the sound of a car pulling up on the driveway interrupted him, and Jonathan glanced over the truck to see the sheriff's patrol car roll to a stop. Glancing at his wife and daughter, he started toward Ethan as the man climbed out to join them.
"Ethan, is there, uh, something we can do for ya?" He asked.
"Well," the sheriff began, looking over the family for a moment. "I'm sure you know there's a woman in town claiming to be Hudson's mother."
Jonathan nodded as his wife and daughter moved up alongside of him.
Ethan made a face, shifting uncomfortably. "She's.. uh. she's petitioned Judge Ross to order a DNA test."
Jonathan could feel his wife glance up at him in fear.
"But, that's crazy!" Hudson exclaimed beside him. "She's not my mother!"
"If that's true, then this test will prove it," Ethan replied, tucking his thumbs into his belt. "I can have somebody come out and take the sample, get it to Metropolis Genetics Lab, and. uh. they can run the test in the morning. We can get this thing over with quick." He nodded. "I'm sure you folks have nothing to be afraid of."
Jonathan set his jaw and reached out to lay a hand on Hudson's shoulder.
Nothing to be afraid of. Except what the lab would find when they looked at that sample. Then the real truth of Hudson's biological parents would be known.
***
"Tell me why I'm friends with you, again?" Lana whispered as she followed Hudson down the dark hallway of the Metropolis Genetics Lab. The sound of a door closing somewhere else on the floor caused them both to flatten themselves against the wall.
Hudson glanced over her shoulder at her friend with a warning look. Now really wasn't the time to get all mouthy. Lana rolled her eyes, huffed a little and waited for Hudson to continue moving down the corridor before following.
Moments later, they turned down a second hallway to find a row of windows that opened into a dark room. The sign on the door read Genetic Testing Lab. Hudson placed her hand over the knob, holding her breath as she turned it, and relaxing only when she discovered it was open. Breaking in would lead to investigations as to what was stolen or changed. And she really didn't need that occurring.
After the technician came by the farm to swab a sample of her spit the night before, Hudson's dad let her know that something had to be done to protect her secret. They came up with half a dozen options before Hudson suggested taking Lana with her and simply switching the sample. It would make entering the building a little more difficult without being able to just speed in and speed out, but at least there wouldn't be any questions as to what happened to the sample. They would test her DNA against Rachel Dunleavy, and the results would be exactly what they wanted. Negative. Unless Lana had some skeletons in her closet she hadn't told Hudson about.
"This is it," Hudson informed Lana quietly over her shoulder as she pushed the door open and stepped inside.
Lana followed, carefully closing the door behind them as Hudson narrowed her gaze and quickly x-rayed the room. She peered through drawers, cabinets and doors until she found what she was looking for: a metal cabinet filled with DNA test tubes.
"There." She pointed ahead and walked over to the storage container, reaching up to bend back the locked metal door.
"This 'Mission Impossible' stuff is insane, H.C. Do you hear me? Insane."
"Would you rather it turned into 'Alien Autopsy'?" Hudson remarked as she reached in to search through the tubes.
"That's totally not funny." Lana rubbed at her arms as if staving off a chill.
"You're telling me." She straightened, holding a tube in her hand marked 'Kent, H'. Pursing her lips, she turned and showed it to Lana. "Hopefully, we can keep that from happening."
Lana peered at the tube for a moment, then shook her head. "Okay, so other than enjoying the pleasure of my company - and needing my English notes - I still don't understand why you brought me along."
Hudson smiled and extended the tube to Lana. "I need your spit."
"Wh - eewww!" Lana made a face. "You've got to be kidding!"
"Nope." Glancing around, Hudson spied a sink toward the back and moved over to it, opening the tube and quickly washing it under the hot water. Once satisfied with the cleansing, she walked back to Lana and shoved the tube at her once more. "Go on. The lab needs to be testing your spit against Rachel Dunleavy in the morning. Not mine."
Sighing, Lana snatched the glass cylinder from her. "The things I do for you."
Hudson watched in amusement as Lana moved her mouth around a little, gathering the saliva on her tongue, before she brought the tube to her lips and delicately spit into it.
Smirking, she couldn't help but comment, "You know, Lana, there's no one here watching to correct your manners."
"Oh, shut up." She handed the tube back to her friend. "That has to be the nastiest thing you've had me do yet."
"I'm sure I can think of something worse if you'd like," Hudson quipped, shoving the glass back into its original slot and stepping back to bend the metal door properly into place.
"No, thanks." Lana glanced around her shoulder toward the windows into the hall. "Can we get out of here now? This place is creepy."
Nodding, Hudson led her back out of the room and down the hall in the direction they had entered the building. Sneaking down a back stairwell, they safely made their way to the alley door they broke in through. The Kents' pickup was sitting in the dark alley, thankfully undiscovered. Quietly, they climbed into the cab, remaining silent until they were a few blocks from the lab, and headed back in the direction of I-70 toward Smallville.
"Well, at least tonight has answered one lingering question."
Lana looked over at Hudson, squinting against the dashboard lights in confusion. "What?"
"You spit."
Mouth falling open, Lana stared at Hudson, who was having difficulty fighting a smirk. Finally, the girl quirked an eyebrow and replied, "Not if it's the right person."
They glanced at one another briefly before bursting into relieved laughter.
Once the merriment died down, Lana leaned forward to flip through radio stations before sitting back and glancing over at Hudson. "So, do you think this Rachel woman will leave you alone now?"
Hudson shrugged. "I hope so."
Lana grew silent, staring out the window as the cityscape slipped away into darkness, swallowed up by rolling cattle fields. She tapped her fingers against the door handle in time to the music before looking back over at her friend. "I heard you and Chloe had a fight."
"You could say that. She's the reason Rachel believes I'm her daughter."
"What? How?"
"As usual, Chloe was looking into things that are none of her business when she came across Rachel and decided to tell her about me, and that I might be her long-lost child."
"I'm sure she was doing what she thought was best," Lana defended quietly.
Hudson shifted in her seat and cast a quick look at Lana. "Metropolis United Charities, the adoption agency my parents used to make my adoption legal?"
Lana nodded.
"It was founded by Lionel Luthor."
"Oh. Wow. That's. but your dad hates Lionel Luthor. How - "
"I don't know." Hudson shook her head and stared at the empty road ahead. "I think. I think Lex's dad founded the agency just for my adoption. The day of the meteor shower? When my parents found me? As we were headed back to the farm, Lionel appeared in the road, asking for help." She paused, worrying her lower lip. "My dad was the one who saved Lex. He went out into the cornfield where the first meteor struck, the one that stripped Lex of his hair, and he gathered Lex up and brought him back to the truck where mom and I were."
"It wasn't your fault, Hudson," Lana told her softly. "Just because some meteor rocks decided to follow your ship down doesn't mean - "
"It doesn't matter much now, does it?" Hudson interrupted, glancing over at her friend. "It's done. And one day I'm going to have to tell Lex why. One day I'm going to have to admit to him that we've met before, that we might never have met if he hadn't been so close to that meteor. And then I have to ask him, does the good outweigh the bad? Is what we have strong enough to survive what I've done to his life?"
Taking a deep breath, Lana slid across the seat and laid her hand on Hudson's arm. "We survived it."
Blinking back tears at her words, Hudson forced a smile, exhaling slowly as Lana laid her head against her shoulder. "It's weird. But out of this whole experience, I can't help but think one thought over and over again."
"What's that?" Lana asked, her hand moving in soothing motions against her arm.
"Lex and I. How we met. How we met again. It's like we're. "
"Destined?" She could feel Lana smile against her. "I don't think that's weird, H.C. In fact, I think it makes a lot of sense. And that's why he'll forgive you when the time comes."
"Promise?"
Lifting her head, Lana nodded and smiled before leaning up to kiss her cheek. "I promise."
***
Martha filled a third cup of coffee for her husband, glancing at his strained expression quietly. She reached out and touched his hand, offering a supportive smile when their gazes met. Everything about the circumstances surrounding Hudson's adoption was eating away at him, and they had been so certain the question would never come up. She still couldn't understand why this woman believed her child was Hudson, unless Lionel had given her some reason to do so. She didn't know what their previous relationship had been like, but she knew the tension mounted in their family due to the simple fact that the idea of Lionel thinking Hudson was his child was frightening. None of them spoke of it, but Martha was certain her husband and daughter had to be thinking the same thing she was.
At the opening of the kitchen door, Martha swung around, staring at her daughter in question as Hudson breezed through the doorway.
"You can relax," she announced with a smile. "We switched the sample. No one saw us."
Beside her, Jonathan sighed in relief. "H.C., I-I'm sorry to put you through all this."
Hudson shrugged, brushing a dark strand of hair from her face as she haphazardly tossed her jacket to one of the kitchen chairs. "It's not your fault, Dad." She smiled again. "I guess it just comes with the territory."
Jonathan shifted in his seat uncomfortably, glancing once at Martha before rising to his feet. "Yeah...uh, I'm gonna go work on the combine."
Frowning slightly at his abrupt exit, Hudson slid onto the seat across from her mom. Her cheeks were slightly rosy from the chill outside, eyes brighter than they had been the past few days. She furrowed her brow as she glanced at the door, and then back to her mom.
"Everything's okay," she stated, as if the world were perfect. "Why does Dad still seem upset?"
Martha smiled a little at her daughter and shook her head. "This has been tough on him." She sighed. "He always said making a deal with the devil was going to come back to haunt us."
"Then why did he do it?" She asked curiously.
Standing, Martha walked over to Hudson, reaching out to brush a windblown hair back into place. As always, she smelled like apples and fresh air, and it made Hudson seem younger than she was, as if she should still be in pigtails and white patent leather shoes. Jonathan was railing against the inevitable growing up of their child, and secretly, Martha was, too. She couldn't stand the thought that one day she would lose her daughter to Lex. Or some other man like him.
"Mom?"
Martha shook her head a little, unwilling to tell her daughter everything. There were details that were probably best left to Jonathan when he felt ready to share them.
Hudson sighed and Martha knew she wasn't going to hear the end of it. "Come on, Mom," she pressed, green eyes searching her own gaze intently. "Why'd you need Lionel Luthor's help in the first place?"
They couldn't keep the secrets from her forever.
"You have no idea the kind of pressure we were under... " Martha began, turning away to gaze into the living room. In her mind, she could see her daughter playing there, all dark hair and already too-long legs. "We suddenly had this new little person in our home, and we didn't know what to do with you! We were completely overwhelmed. "
Their young guest seemed quite pleased with the toys they'd dug out of the attic. She was particularly fascinated with the two plastic horses, and Weeble Wobbles that she continually attempted to knock over. Martha watched her closely, eyes roaming over her own blue t-shirt that was far too big for the child, and the little red socks they found in the boxes of old clothes. She was the most perfect little girl Martha had ever seen. Rosy cheeks and cupid's bow mouth, long dark hair that she couldn't stop reaching out to touch, just as the little girl touched her red hair. In fact, they appeared equally admiring of one another, for the child continued to watch both Martha and Jonathan, smiling warmly at them, her entire countenance seemingly screaming that everything would be all right. It was as if she knew everything she needed to know about them, and trusted them fully.
Her smile made Martha want to cry. Was this what loving a child was like?
"Thank goodness your mother was a pack rat," Martha commented to her husband as the child picked up one of the Weeble Wobbles and attempted to stick it into her mouth.
"Sweetheart, she's not ours to keep."
"I just keep feeling there's a reason she's here," she replied, reaching out to pull the toy back and shake her head with a smile. "She's exactly what I wished for in the flower shop."
Jonathan rose to his feet behind her and came to sit on the floor beside them both. He was smiling. "Hey. Since when did Martha Kent believe in magic wands?"
Reaching out, Martha cupped the soft skin of the child's cheek and felt warmth suffuse her at the touch. "Since the moment I laid eyes on this little girl."
A knock on the door caused them both to start. Martha glanced over at her husband, trying not to panic. It was silly to think that there might be someone there to take her little girl away from her, but the fear was there all the same.
"Get her upstairs," Jonathan instructed, climbing to his feet. "Hurry, go on."
Nodding, Martha leaned over and scooped the child into her arms before hurriedly carrying her from the room as she listened to Jonathan head for the door.
"Uh, just a--just a second," she heard her husband's voice call out.
Mounting the stairs quickly, Martha cuddled the girl close as she moved into the hallway. Curious as to who their visitor was, she walked to the end of the hall and peered out the window, eyes moving over the patrol car. From below, she could hear Jonathan's voice, joined by another that sounded like Deputy Ethan. Worrying her lower lip, she glanced down at the bundle in her arms, unable to stop the smile that spread across her face due to the big grin that was flashed up at her. God, she was so precious! Martha kissed her forehead and gave her an Eskimo kiss across her nose and the little girl giggled.
Then she pointed a tiny finger toward the stairs and cocked her head to the side.
Martha smiled and whispered, "We can't go downstairs right now. We have to stay here and be quiet." She held her finger to her lips.
A small frown. The finger pointed again, more insistently this time.
She shook her head.
Then her charge shook her head, mimicking the action perfectly and looking entirely too grown up for her age.
Martha couldn't contain the soft laughter at the motion.
Seeing that she must have done something right, the child shook her head again and grinned up at Martha. Then, just as quick as can be, she began to wriggle out of Martha's arms. She tried to hold on but the little girl was surprisingly strong and quickly dropped to the floor to scamper towards the stairs. Hurrying after her, Martha tried to call out softly, laughing as she watched the tiny feet move faster than she believed possible down the steps and into the living room, where she headed directly for the toys.
Laughing at the predictability of every child - even those not from Earth - Martha caught up to her and pulled her close, glancing up to find Jonathan frowning slightly and Ethan smiling down at them.
"Who's the little cutie?" Ethan asked.
"She got away from me," Martha told her husband. "She's a strong little thing."
Ethan stepped through the door, walking toward Martha and the child in curiosity, still smiling, as behind him, Jonathan appeared to struggle for an explanation.
"That's um... "
"Hudson," Martha said quickly, wondering if Ethan was as in awe of the child as she knew she and her husband were. "I thought my mother's family name would make a good first name. Deputy, I would like you to be the first one in Smallville to meet our daughter."
Straightening, Martha moved to stand beside her husband where they all gazed down at Hudson, who simply returned their smiles with one of her own. Noticing Ethan's sudden expression of confusion, Martha quickly clarified:
"Adopted, of course. Uh. we just brought her back from Metropolis this morning."
The deputy grinned. "Well, I didn't know you folks were planning to adopt."
"Oh, Ethan, you know us," Jonathan replied with a shrug of his shoulders. "We like to keep to ourselves, but it's been in the works for quite a while."
Ethan clapped Jonathan's shoulder warmly. "Well, congratulations. It's nice to see something good happen in the middle of all this tragedy."
That was it. That was all it took. The wish she'd made in the floral shop that morning was now coming true - Martha had a little girl. And she knew Jonathan couldn't tell her no now, he wouldn't.
Smiling down at Hudson, she extended her arms out toward her. Almost instantly, with a smile that seemed to light up the room, Hudson threw herself into her new mother's arms, hugging her legs tightly.
"He was right," Martha finished, turning to move back to where Hudson was sitting at the kitchen island. "You were the one good thing that happened that day."
Hudson's brow was furrowed in thought. "So you just made it up, spur of the moment."
"I couldn't say we found you in a cornfield." Martha smiled. "Once the words came out, I-I knew we'd have to back them up eventually." She worried her lower lip and shrugged. "So we called Lionel Luthor, cashed in that favor. He arranged everything."
"If everything worked out," Hudson began. "Why'd you keep it a secret?"
Martha started to reply when Lex's voice came from the front hall.
"Hey."
Glancing over her shoulder, Martha watched as Lex moved in through the front door and headed toward them with a hesitant smile. Beside her, Hudson was already sliding off the stool, her obvious excitement at his presence almost palpable.
"I hope I'm not interrupting anything important." He glanced between mother and daughter in question.
Giving a small, nervous smile, Martha shook her head. "Uh, not at all, Lex." She had no idea if he knew anything about the adoption - if Lionel had shared any of it with his son. And she didn't feel like answering even more questions. "Can I get you something to drink? Or some breakfast?"
Lex shook his head and looked over at Hudson quickly. He appeared agitated, on edge. "No. Thank you. I. I just came over to talk to Hudson. If that's all right?"
And then it hit Martha. If he'd heard about Rachel Dunleavy, then that meant.. She tried not to smile. The poor boy. It was bad enough that he probably feared either her or her husband were likely to take their anger out on him for sleeping with their daughter at any moment. But if he was worried that the girl he'd been sleeping with was actually his sister.
She covered her mouth with her hand and attempted to gain her composure. It really wasn't that funny. But it was kind of enjoyable to see Lex squirm. "Of course, it's all right."
After all, with everything going on at the moment in their lives, Hudson's punishment was kind of a moot point. She glanced at her daughter, who apparently hadn't put two and two together yet.
"Go on, honey. I'll start breakfast."
"Okay." Hudson nodded toward the door. "Come on. We'll go up to the loft."
The moment the kitchen door shut behind Hudson and Lex, Martha allowed her mirth to bubble over, wiping at tears as she pictured Lex's face when he heard the news.
***
Hudson held open the door to the barn, allowing Lex in first, frowning a little when he just walked in without saying anything. Normally he got on her case because the man was supposed to hold the door open, and he really didn't like it when she took on the masculine role. It never made any sense to her - whoever got to the door first was supposed to open it, right? Besides, she was just as capable as he was at opening doors.
But that wasn't the point at the moment. The point was that Lex was obviously very upset about something not to notice and rag on her about it. Hoping he wasn't coming down with something - which was silly, really, because she'd never seen Lex get sick or even hint at being sick - Hudson followed him inside and up the stairs to the loft.
What if he was here to say he never wanted to see her again? Hell.
Scuffing her boot against the landing before the next set of steps, Hudson watched Lex closely as he stood in the middle of her loft and then slowly turned around. She worried her lower lip and cocked her head to the side. "Lex, what - "
"Rachel Dunleavy came to see me."
"Oh?"
Oh! Hudson's eyes widened. Poor Lex.
"She says you and I have a few chromosomes in common," he continued, paying little attention to her as his gaze dropped to the floor. "My father's chromosomes to be exact."
"Lex - "
"Personally, I think I got all the looks in the family."
Hudson couldn't help but smile at this attempt at levity. She could see his hands were shaking. "Look, I don't know what all she told you, Lex, or what happened between her and your father, but she's not my mother."
His shoulders seemed to sag instantly with relief. Still, there was hesitance in his stance. "Trust me, I'm as skeptical about her as you are. For all I know, this is some elaborate scheme to win a paternity suit against my father."
"Did you ask him about it?
Lex shook his head. "I didn't want to make any accusations until I had more facts." Shrugging, he sat down on a nearby crate and steepled his fingers. "It's not hard to imagine. In the annals of extramarital exploits, my father probably has his own chapter."
Hudson made a face at his words and climbed the last few steps to join him. "It doesn't bother you? I mean, I know how close you were to your mother."
"To the extent that it caused my mother pain? Sure, it bothers me." Lex nodded and glanced up at her. "But, unfortunately, not every marriage is quite as Rockwellian as Jonathan and Martha Kent's."
It was difficult to imagine marrying someone you didn't love with every fiber of your being. Hudson couldn't understand anyone not having a marriage like her parents had. After all, it was what she wanted. Total love, total honesty, total companionship. But she couldn't help but wonder if Lex, brought up in the household that he was, would see things differently. Sure, it hurt him to see his mother go through that, but would he have the same consideration with his own wife?
"Anyway, I told Ms. Dunleavy that in the 21st century, people shouldn't be making claims like hers without the DNA evidence to back them up."
Hudson tried not to snort at the information. So that was where Rachel got the idea for the test. Thanks, Lex. She made a face at him when he wasn't looking.
"I. I have to admit that I would rather you took the test, and it came out negative." Lex raised his gaze to hers.
"Well, then you can relax." Hudson sat down beside him. "I took the test last night. And, though the results aren't back yet, I can guarantee that they'll be negative." She touched his arm. "I'm not your sister, Lex. Relax."
His eyes dropped to the ground and he fidgeted with his hands for a moment. "I was beginning to worry that I might be acting out one of my father's many history lessons," he admitted.
Wrinkling her nose, Hudson remarked, "That would be wrong on so many levels." The more she thought about it, the more she began to understand why Lex was freaking out. "Talk about making the headlines in the papers."
Lex turned to look at her. "I'm glad you're able to find so much humor in this."
She grinned and pushed against him with her shoulder. "Oh, come on. You know you have some secret incest kink."
He raised an eyebrow. "Not that I'm aware of. But I do have a secret kink regarding tying up a certain farm girl and tickling her until she cries."
Hudson barely got out a squeak as Lex launched himself at her, and they rolled to the loft floor where she allowed him to pin her. His fingers flew over her sides and she squirmed only slightly, giggling as the gentle tickling sensations swept over her. It was difficult to balance her strength against the desire to really get away from the torture he was causing. In the end, she always allowed him to win because there was really no other choice. And sadly, she thought it was one of those lies he might never forgive.
"Stop! Please! Lex!" She half-giggled, half-sobbed beneath his onslaught.
"Give me one good reason why." He straddled her hips slightly and continued his attack.
"You love me?" She burst out, before squealing and squirming once more.
Lex grunted. "Not good enough."
"You're getting your pants dirty on the dusty floor!" Another squeak, and then Lex was climbing off of her to his feet, brushing at the dirt on his knees.
"Dammit," he muttered. "And I have a meeting this morning."
Rising up on her elbows, Hudson smirked up at him. "You're such a priss. I bet if I put a pea under your mattress, you'd feel it."
Lex flashed her a glare. "Would not."
"Too."
"Not."
"Too."
He shook his head. "I can't believe I'm having this conversation with you." He held his hand out to help her up.
"I can't either." Standing, she took a step closer and looped her arms around his waist. "I thought you were never going to forgive me or some such."
"I never said any such thing," Lex protested, pulling her closer. "You always twist my words. It's annoying. Stop it."
Hudson grinned. "You love me."
Lex rolled his eyes and exhaled a long-suffering sigh. "There you go again."
No matter his protestations, Hudson knew the truth. Lex might never tell her, but she could see it in his eyes, feel it in his touch, hear it whenever he said her name. She knew it because he acted differently when he was with her, he smiled more, laughed more, held her and teased her and seemed to shed the Luthor mantle that always haunted him. He never did that for anyone else. So she figured that meant he loved her. That, and the whole destiny thing that, the more she thought about, the more it made sense. Lex had no choice in the matter, in her opinion. Her parents thought she somehow found them when she landed here. And Hudson thought she'd found Lex, too.
"I've missed you," she told him, pressing her cheek against his shoulder and closing her eyes.
"You brought this on yourself, Angel," he replied, kissing the top of her head. "You're lucky it's only two weeks. And after that, we're following all of your parents' rules, is that understood?"
She nodded.
"Good."
Lex's fingers moved through her hair slowly, threading through the strands as they continued to stand there in silence. Sighing a little, Hudson turned her head, kissed his neck where the faint pulse of his heartbeat could just be seen beating against the skin. He tasted like soap and cologne. As if hearing a silent cue, Hudson lifted her head to meet Lex's kiss, a sigh of happiness escaping her as his arms tightened around her and the kiss deepened. She lifted a hand, curling her fingers around the back of his neck, brushing over the soft skin there. Her entire body seemed to thrum with excitement, with his nearness, with the warmth of his tongue against hers. It was when she whimpered with need that Lex pulled away.
"You have a way of making me forget myself," Lex whispered, and though he smiled as he touched her cheek, it didn't reach his eyes.
Hudson didn't understand the comment. "That should be a good thing."
"I guess that all depends on who you are." Lex stepped back and slipped a hand into his pocket, removing his keys. "I should get to work. Do you need a ride?"
She shook her head. "No." She was used to Lex going cold like this, so suddenly, but usually it happened when they'd been around one another for awhile. Not when they'd been separated. "Lex - "
"I'll talk to you later, Angel."
Leaning in for another quick kiss, Lex gave her a half-smile, then turned and made his way down the stairs.
***
The day went by blessedly quick for Hudson. She had trouble staying awake throughout her classes after the night spent breaking and entering, and glared at Lana when she commented that she felt just fine. Of course, she did. She slept through the entire drive back to Smallville.
When she got home, Hudson grabbed the mail on the way up the drive, waved to her dad out in the pasture where he was working on the tractor, and then headed into the house for a snack. Luckily, there was left over chili from the night before, which she piled high with cheese before slapping it into the microwave. She just pulled a Pepsi out of the refrigerator when the phone rang.
Snatching up a cookie on her way past the cookie jar, Hudson took a quick bite as she placed the receiver against her ear. "Kent Farm. Hudson speaking."
"H.C., Lex has been kidnapped."
"What?" Hudson tossed the cookie to the counter as she focused her full attention on her mom. "When? By whom?"
"Rachel Dunleavy," Martha responded. "She just called Lionel. Told him he had to put a press conference together to claim you as his legitimate daughter. or he would never see Lex again."
Of all the stupid --- "Does he know where she is? Or anything?"
"No." Martha paused briefly and her voice dropped to barely above a whisper. "H.C., I knew you would want to hear about this but don't do anything stupid, all right? Lionel is. he's angry. He keeps talking about not letting her push him around. There's no telling what he's going to do."
"Has the press conference been called?"
"Yes. It's in thirty minutes."
Hudson glanced at her watch. That should be enough time. "Thanks, mom. Bye - "
"H.C. - "
Tossing the phone to the counter, Hudson raced out the door toward town. She tried not to let her anger override her better judgment. First, she had to find Lex, make certain he was all right. Then she planned on giving Rachel Dunleavy a sound piece of her mind. After all, it seriously seemed as if she could use a sound mind from somewhere. Who the hell did something like that? Kidnapped someone else to prove the identity of their child?
It wasn't until she neared Main Street that Hudson realized she had no idea where to begin looking. Hell, she'd grown up here and still came across hideouts she never would have considered. It would likely take longer than thirty minutes to search the entire town, every nook and cranny. And if Lionel held his press conference and said things that Rachel didn't like, there was no telling what she might do in retaliation.
Then she remembered the house in Smallville that Rachel told her she purchased. And she knew the one person who would be able to find the address for her.
Slowing to a normal run as she neared Smallville High, Hudson hurried up the steps through the front doors and made her way down the halls. She finally spied Chloe beside her locker, setting her books away from her last class. Sighing with relief, Hudson jogged over to her.
"Chloe, I'm so glad I found you."
Chloe looked over at her and blinked. "Okay, there's a sentence I never thought I'd hear again."
Hudson shook her head, immediately contrite for the way she left things between them. "We both did and said things that we regret." She paused and watched her friend for a moment. "I know I did."
Closing her locker door, Chloe turned to Hudson, her gaze intent. "Look, you have to believe that I would burn my press pass if I thought it would come between us."
Smiling, Hudson replied, "No, you wouldn't. It's too much of who you are. " She touched her arm. "And right now, I need it."
"What is it?" Chloe searched her friend's gaze, apparently recognizing the desperation. "What's wrong?"
"Rachel Dunleavy has kidnapped Lex."
"What?!" She placed her hand over her chest and suddenly appeared ill. "H.C., I'm sorry. "
"No time for that." Hudson grabbed Chloe's arm and started steering her toward the Torch.
"But if I hadn't emailed her - "
Ignoring the guilt, Hudson told her, "Rachel told me she bought a house here in Smallville but I don't know where. I need you to track down the address for me. She's threatening Lex's life and I'm not going to sit back and wait for his father to do whatever. You remember the Plant incident?" She frowned, recalling how Lex had to put his own life in danger to insure that everyone walked out of there alive. "I need to find Lex myself."
"And do what?" Chloe demanded, eyes wide as she flipped on the lights in the office as they moved through the door. "Make a citizen's arrest??"
"Something like that."
Shaking her head, Chloe quickly took her seat in front of the computer, opened a couple of browsers and began typing. Hudson paced behind her, glancing at the screen occasionally, trying to hold her impatience to a minimum. She looked at the clock. According to what her mom told her, Lionel would be holding his press conference in twenty-five minutes. She wondered what he would do. Claim her as his daughter to save Lex? It's what she was hoping for. She could handle pretending to be a Luthor for a day if it meant making certain Lex was all right. They could clear everything else up later, once they sat Rachel down and explained to her that there was absolutely no truth to her allegations.
Hudson just couldn't understand why Rachel refused to accept the proof of the DNA results.
"If Rachel Dunleavy did buy a house in Smallville, she'll be listed with the county clerk," Chloe commented, hitting the enter button and leaning back in her chair. "It's just going to take a minute to get a hit."
Hudson looked back down at her friend, noting the slight tensing of her shoulders. She watched as Chloe fidgeted uncomfortably in her seat, the conflict between them still unresolved. Sighing, she grabbed a nearby chair and moved it over to Chloe, sitting down beside her.
Softly, Hudson began, "Chloe, what I said about your mother... I was way out of line."
She watched as her friend shrugged, as if it were nothing, pretending that it was nothing. "It's cool." She glanced at Hudson with a forced smile. "We all have family secrets I guess." Pausing, she focused her gaze back to the monitor, though her eyes seemed unseeing. "She left when I was five, so... I came downstairs and... There was my dad, trying to make waffles. He never even really explained why she left. It was weird."
Hudson remained silent a moment as Chloe laughed nervously beside her, obviously trying to hide the fact that there were tears in her eyes.
"I'm sorry," she told her quietly.
Chloe just shrugged once more in response. "It's just hard thinking you weren't good enough for someone to love."
Instantly, Hudson reached out and laid her hand over her friend's. "Don't ever think that." Her tone was firm but she gave Chloe a smile that was slowly returned.
Unfortunately, Hudson knew the feeling. Every night she sat and stared up at the stars and wondered if her real parents simply hadn't loved her enough.
A quick beep from the computer started them both from their reveries. Chloe focused her attention on the monitor and frowned.
"Oh. Uh, there is no record of Rachel Dunleavy."
Damn.
Frustrated, Hudson got to her feet and resumed her pacing. Why would Rachel say she purchased a house in Smallville if she hadn't? Certainly she meant for Hudson to come and visit her. It didn't make any sense. Just like the entire situation.
Wait a minute.
Turning back to Chloe, Hudson told her, "Um... try the name Lucinda Luthor."
Chloe raised her eyebrows. "Okay. You're going to have to explain that one to me later."
As soon as she typed in the name given to her, the computer beeped. Hudson quickly leaned over her shoulder to read the screen: Lucinda Luthor 1436 Blueberry Park Lane, Smallville, Kansas, 67254. Making certain that Chloe's attention was still firmly fixed on the monitor, she sped out of the office, through the high school corridors and outside toward Blueberry Park Lane, located on the south side of town.
Seconds later, Hudson skidded to a stop in front of the house marked 1436. Focusing her gaze, she peered in through the outside wall to Lex lying slumped on the floor, apparently unconscious, and Rachel standing over him, axe raised above her head.
"Shit!"
Speeding up the walk, Hudson burst through the front door, splinters flying around her as she threw herself forward, directly into the path of the swinging axe. She barely felt it as the blade slammed into her stomach, completely missing Lex as it bounced off of her and flew out of Rachel's hands at the impact. With the loss of momentum, Hudson crashed into the opposite wall, glancing up as she slipped to the floor to see Rachel staring at her empty hands in shock. Her gaze flickered quickly to Lex, who was still unmoving on the floor, before she quickly climbed to her feet.
"Who are you?" Rachel whispered, her tone slightly fearful as she took a step back from Hudson's approach.
Feeling momentary sympathy for the woman, Hudson replied quietly, "That's what I've been trying to tell you. I'm not your child."
"No!" Rachel cried, breaking into tears. "Oh no..."
Hudson hurried over to her as she collapsed to the floor, sobbing hysterically. Gently she pulled the woman into her arms, attempting to calm her as she once more glanced toward Lex. She couldn't decide who needed her most - the obviously disturbed woman in her arms or her unconscious boyfriend slumped at the foot of the stairs. She frowned as she noticed what had to be an entire roll of tape wrapped around his body, holding him to the chair.
"What did you do to him?" She asked.
Rachel only continued to cry.
Shaking her head, Hudson brushed the woman's hair a moment, whispering to her that everything would be all right before carefully pulling away. Rachel curled up into a fetal position against the floor, sobbing. Watching her carefully a moment longer, Hudson finally turned away and hurried over to kneel beside Lex. She tore the tape off, frowning when she accidentally tore the sleeve of his shirt in the process. Once he was free, she cradled him into her arms and checked for any signs of injury, x- raying him for any broken bones.
"Lex?" She called out, brushing her knuckles against his cheek. "Lex, can you hear me?"
It was a few moments before he finally stirred, eyes fluttering open to stare up at her. The barest hint of a smile flickered over his face.
She returned it, curious as to the reaction. "What is it?"
He started to shake his head, wincing at the movement as he reached up to touch his scalp. "I was thinking, before I blacked out, that I was either going to die, or wake up to see you."
Hudson smiled at his faith in her. "How do you feel?"
"Like I smashed my head against the floor."
"Smartass." Hudson rolled her eyes and helped him to sit up. "Will you be okay while I call the police?"
Lex nodded, staring ahead at the woman on the floor with a thoughtful expression as he rubbed the back of his neck. "Ever wonder exactly how many people's lives my father has ruined?"
Pausing, she followed his gaze, knowing she had nothing to say in reply.
***
Jonathan peered over Hudson's shoulder as she worked over a math problem, tongue pressed firmly between her lips as she concentrated. He didn't have the slightest idea what the solution was when she asked him. In fact, he'd simply responded "Call Lex", only realizing after he'd spoken that he, like his wife, so easily slipped into the role of enabler when it came to his daughter's relationship with Lex Luthor.
And maybe that was something he was going to have to grudgingly accept. He knew in his heart that Lex cared about Hudson, that beyond his initial investigation into the accident, he'd never made any intentional move toward hurting her or their family. Admittedly, there was something about the guy that rubbed Jonathan the wrong way, but he couldn't decide if it was simply because of who his father was, or that Lex was dating his daughter, or something else entirely. What it all boiled down to in the end was that Lex made Hudson happy. She enjoyed being with him, talked about him incessantly and really, Jonathan would rather have his daughter around, gushing over her boyfriend, as opposed to driving a wedge between them like the one that had existed between himself and his father. Or Martha and hers. It might not be the right thing to do, but truthfully, Jonathan wasn't certain what was right when it came to Hudson anymore. Her life was so different than any other girl. Why begrudge her a moment's happiness, when he could just as easily keep a sharp eye on Lex and let things run their course?
"Rachel's been admitted to a private psychiatric clinic." Martha's voice broke through the silence as she climbed up the steps of the loft to join her family. Her gaze rested on Hudson as she added, "Even if she tries to explain what you did, nobody will believe her."
Jonathan watched his daughter frown, gaze dropping to the floor sadly. "I really feel sorry for her."
Martha nodded as she moved to stand beside her husband.
"I can't even imagine what it must've been like having to give up that baby," Jonathan commented, eyes flickering over his daughter. No, he couldn't imagine that at all.
"I'm just glad our own family is still in one piece."
Jonathan looked down at his wife and smiled. "Not even Lionel Luthor could tear us apart."
Silence fell over the loft, and Jonathan could feel Hudson's gaze focused on him intently. Smile falling away, he dropped his arm from around Martha, and started toward the stairs quickly.
"But Lionel helped us," Hudson called out before he could get away. "Dad, why do you hate him so much?"
Jonathan shook his head. He didn't want to share that part of the story. He knew his daughter, knew that she carried enough guilt around with her on a daily basis - guilt that shouldn't be hers to worry about. And she would take this and run with it, blame herself for even more circumstances that she really had nothing to do with. He couldn't do that to his child. But Martha was looking at him, expression encouraging, and Jonathan knew he didn't have a choice. Hudson would continue to ask, and Martha believed she had the right to know.
Biting his lip thoughtfully, Jonathan began, "The morning he came by with the adoption papers, I.. thought I'd never lay eyes on him again..."
Jonathan finished fixing the plank in the loft, satisfied that it wouldn't break through the next time someone stepped on it, when he turned to see Lionel Luthor walking in through the entrance of the barn. Sunlight streamed in behind him, casting a halo around the long, dark coat that masked his lean figure.
"Mr. Kent," he called out, shifting his briefcase from one hand to the other, as he started up the steps of the loft.
Jonathan picked up a hay bale to move out of his way, then started down the stairs to meet him. "Mr. Luthor."
Lionel chuckled. "Call me Lionel. Please."
They met on the lower landing where Lionel extended his hand and Jonathan firmly grasped it in a shake. "Lionel."
Nodding with a smile, Lionel turned and placed his briefcase on the top of the railing, flipping it open. "I think you'll find everything in order," he said as he pulled out a slim stack of documents, which he handed over to Jonathan.
Jonathan stared at the papers in his hands, elation spreading through him. It was final. Hudson was theirs. No one would ever contest it now. They really and truly had a daughter all their own!
"Oh, thank you." He lifted his gaze to meet Lionel's unable to truly express his appreciation for the favor that the man had just done for them. "And thank you for bringing it out here yourself. You really didn't have to do that."
Lionel smiled in reply. "We're taking Lex back to Metropolis today."
"Hey, that's fantastic!"
Jonathan, Martha and Hudson had been by once to visit the boy while he recovered at the Smallville Medical Center. He'd been resting at the time but Hudson had left him a stuffed rabbit for when he woke up.
"I'm glad your son is going to be all right."
"Thank you," Lionel nodded. "Thank you."
Smiling once more, Jonathan unfolded the documents and studied them quietly, making little sense of the legal jargon but not really caring. After all, the only thing that mattered were the lines that read 'Hudson Clark Kent' and 'Parents: Jonathan Kent and Martha Kent'.
"There is one thing I'd like you to do for me."
Jonathan glanced up to find Lionel looking over his shoulder. He'd almost forgotten that the man was there. "Yeah"
"I'm sure you've heard that the, uh, Ross brothers are having second thoughts about selling me their factory. They don't want to sell to an outsider. They're friends of yours, aren't they?"
Frowning a little, Jonathan shifted his feet uneasily, looking down at the papers in his hand once more before back up to Lionel. "Yeah. Yeah, they are."
Lionel shrugged. "Talk to them. Convince them that I only have Smallville's best interests at heart. I think it would make a difference."
"I-I really don't think that's... really any of my business, Mr. Luthor," Jonathan hedged. He didn't like the idea of outsiders moving big business into town. And Lionel Luthor was big business. If the Rosses were having second thoughts, then there had to be a reason.
"I understand." Lionel smiled for a moment before turning around to close his briefcase.
Figuring their business together was concluded, Jonathan started back up the steps to the loft. He couldn't wait for Martha to get back from her trip in to town with Hudson. Then they could celebrate as a real family!
Suddenly, Lionel's voice broke out across the stillness. "I'd be careful with that certificate if I were you. I wouldn't want the Department of Family Welfare to find out young Hudson's adoption is a sham. "
Jonathan stopped mid-step, heart slamming wildly against his chest in shock. He spun around to watch as Lionel descended the steps to the barn floor, heading for the door.
"W-wait. Are you threatening me?"
Chuckling, Lionel continued on his way out of the barn. "Of course not. I'm just asking for a small favor."
Jonathan swallowed, glancing once more at the adoption papers in his hands. Pausing on the upper landing, he looked toward Lionel, watching as the man walked back out into the sunlight, his long shadow slowly disappearing around the corner of the barn.
"So you did it. You convinced the Rosses to sell."
Jonathan looked up at his daughter's voice and nodded solemnly. "I helped the Luthors get a foothold in this community." He waved a hand. "The smokestacks, the toxic dumping, all the people who were cheated. including Pete's family. None of that would've happened if it weren't for me."
Shaking her head, Hudson told him emphatically, "Dad, you couldn't have known."
"Nah, I should have known, H.C.," he argued. "I knew exactly what kind of man Lionel Luthor was."
Hudson sighed and glanced down at her hands, studying her fingers for a moment. "Why didn't you tell me?" she asked.
Jonathan frowned, noting the familiar expression on her face, the sudden slump of her shoulders. "Because I knew that you would do exactly what you're doing right now, which is blame yourself."
She looked up, eyes flashing. "You were trying to protect me. It is my fault."
"No," he told her firmly, mentally chiding himself for giving in to his wife's whims. Hudson didn't need this. She deserved a regular life. "You never believe that. This was my decision. This is my fault." He glanced at Martha, then back to Hudson, hoping they both understood. "Mine alone."
Before either could reply, Jonathan turned and hurried down the steps of the loft, out into the darkness.
***
Sometimes, the light coming from Hudson's loft window was like a beacon calling Lex home. At least, that was how it felt that night as he parked the Ferrari alongside the shed and stared up at the softly glowing light above him. This barn, this farm, this family had become his refuge, his peace of mind. And no matter what manner of secrecy might lie between them, he hoped that would never change. That the light above him would always be on, beckoning him inside to safety and warmth.
Pocketing his keys, Lex stepped quickly to the barn door, the chill more distinct than it had been previously through the season. Breathing out a puff of air, he stepped into the barn, pausing for a moment as he breathed in the sharp scent of hay, old wood and engine oil. Music floated down from overhead, and Lex smiled momentarily as he listened to Hudson singing along with the lyrics.
"Somebody saaaaaavvve me! Let your warm hands break right through. Somebody saaaaaaaaaavvvveee me! I don't care how you do it."
He shook his head. Her singing was awful. Her parents should have invested in some voice lessons for her, or at least encouraged her to join the choir at school so she could learn the difference between holding a tune, and trashing one.
"Just staaaaaayyyyy, staaaaaayyyyyy.. c'mon!"
Lex chuckled softly. God, he loved her.
Climbing lightly up the steps, Lex paused on the lower landing as he watched her, flopped on her belly on the couch where she was glancing through a textbook. She was tugging at her bottom lip between her singing, legs swinging back and forth in the air along to the music. Well, at least she could keep a beat, even if she had no idea what a tune was.
"You should keep your day job," he announced as he moved up the final few steps.
"You're like, the biggest jerk, I've ever had the misfortune of knowing," Hudson quipped, flipping him off as she continued to study without glancing up.
"Honesty is important in a relationship." Lex walked over to the couch and promptly sat down on her ass. "I'm just being honest."
She grunted. "You're heavy. Get off of me."
"I am not."
She wriggled beneath him, trying to throw him off. Slipping a little to her thighs, Lex grabbed hold of her right butt cheek and held on.
"Hey!" She looked over her shoulder at him with a glare. "I don't remember telling you that you could grab my ass."
Lex grinned. "But it's such a cute ass."
"You're intolerable."
"You learned that word from me."
Hudson snorted. "I do know what a dictionary is, Lex Luthor. And, when I was flipping through it, I saw your picture beside the word. Intolerable."
"Frankly, I think you tolerate me just fine." Lex grabbed hold of the back of the couch as Hudson flipped over beneath him and he slipped between her thighs.
"Did you hear about Rachel?"
Lex glanced over at her, silent for a moment before nodding. "Mmm. I heard my father speaking with the hospital. Apparently, she was only recently released."
"I feel so sorry for her."
"Yeah. I always feel sorry for people that attempt to hack me into pieces." Lex frowned.
"That's not what I meant."
Silence. Lex brushed at a piece of lint on his slacks, ignoring the weighty stare he could feel coming from Hudson. Just because he felt better in her presence didn't really make the outside world disappear. Or his life.
"Lex, what's wrong?"
And she read him far too well. He needed to work on that. It wasn't that he believed she would ever use their familiarity against him, but. well, there was a danger in anyone being able to understand you better than you understood yourself. It was how his father conquered the people around him. And no one seemed to understand Lex the way that Hudson did. And no one seemed to not understand him the way Hudson did. It always frustrated him how sometimes she got things, and other times she just didn't.
"Lex?"
He lifted his gaze, staring at the loft railing. "I confronted my father tonight about Rachel. and the baby."
"And?"
"His name was Lucas. He died before his first birthday."
"I'm so sorry," Hudson whispered, her fingers brushing over the sleeve of his coat. Then Lex felt a slight tug. "C'mere."
Glancing down at her, Lex stared at her open arms quietly before finally giving in to the urge and stretching out across her body. He tucked his head against the crook of her neck, cheek pressed against her breast, and closed his eyes as her arms went around him. Safety and warmth engulfed him. Her fingers stroked the back of his neck, and her lips grazed his scalp. Lex found himself wishing he could just die then, because his life would never get better than this.
"Do you want to talk about it?"
Did he? He wanted to say no. He wanted to say nothing. He wanted to just lie there and listen to the sound of her heart beating beneath him, smell the apple scent of her, let the silence between them make everything that was ugly and wrong in his life go away. But with Hudson, things were never the way that Lex wanted them to be. He opened his mouth and couldn't stop it.
"When Rachel came to see me. when she told me that you were my sister. Fuck, I was so stunned. Between thoughts of your parents killing me and the fact that I would never be able to touch you again, I." Lex shook his head and sighed. "The worst of it was, there was this part of me that wanted it to be true. When I came to see you, a small voice inside kept begging you to say it was true."
Her fingers stilled against his skin. "W-why?"
Lex opened his eyes and stared into the darkness of the barn. "Because, if you were my sister, you could never leave me. We'd be bonded by blood. We'd. I'd always have you."
More silence and Lex closed his eyes again, anger filling him at his admission. He always said too much when it came to Hudson, always shared things that were better kept inside. But he would never tell the main reason he wished she was his sister - that he always seemed to forget who he was when she was around. If she was a Luthor, she would be just like him. And he wouldn't have to feel himself splitting apart any longer.
"I'm never going to leave you, Lex."
The question is, will I leave you? "You can't be so certain, Hudson. You're young. You're - "
"I'm in love with you." She shifted beneath him. "Lex, look at me."
He hesitated, wished he hadn't come here, wished he'd just driven somewhere, anywhere but here where the light beckoned and blinded him.
"Please?"
A plaintive plea he could never ignore. Lex lifted his head to meet her gaze, instinctively moving against her touch when she touched his cheek. "I won't leave you. I don't need your blood to give you my loyalty."
Lex met her kiss, savoring the taste and feel of her mouth against his, her hand moving around to cup the back of his head, pulling him closer. He wanted to believe her, wanted so much to pretend that he'd finally found someone who was truly on his side. Someone he could always believe in. It was tempting - but there was a niggling feeling in the back of his mind that what he wanted, and what he ever actually deserved, were two different things.
Hudson loved him, yes. But did she love him enough to forget who he was?
Lex didn't hold that much faith.
KINDRED
Where did you come from, baby dear? Out of everywhere into here.
Where did you get that little tear? I found it waiting when I got here.
~ Where Did You Come From?, George MacDonald
More than once, Lex had been surprised by Jonathan Kent's actions. This latest tidbit from the Kent family history was one of those times.
On the surface, one would believe Jonathan to be the ultimate family man, someone who encouraged enormous family get-togethers for the holidays and sent Christmas cards to everyone who somehow made it onto a branch, or even twig, of the family tree. One would assume that being related to the Kents would be a lot like the mafia - once you got in, you never got out.
At least, that was the Jonathan Kent that Lex always imagined.
So when Hudson showed up that evening with an unbelievable tale of family strife that included Jonathan punching his father-in-law, and subsequently ending all ties with the Clark family, Lex was more than a little fascinated with the story. He couldn't help but commiserate with Martha's father - he knew how it felt to be rebuffed by Jonathan Kent, to receive the thousand-yard glare and wonder all the while what you did exactly to stimulate such animosity.
"You see, Lex, it isn't just you that dad refuses to accept money from."
Somehow, the thought of being lumped into the same category as Jonathan's father-in-law didn't seem to help much.
Too, Lex couldn't help but feel a little angry toward Mr. Clark and Jonathan. Were they too selfish to see that the one being hurt here was Hudson? She had every right to have the chance to get to know her grandparents, to have a large family around her, with the appropriate outpouring of love and support that she deserved. And maybe he was just a little upset because he'd always pictured her having something he didn't. Instead, it seemed as if in this instance, Hudson and Lex shared a lot in common.
"So, what's your grandfather like?" Lex wrapped his arm around Hudson's shoulders and pulled her close, kissing the top of her head. She seemed so miserable.
She sighed. "I don't know. Kind of grumpy and gruff. In fact, in a way he reminded me of your father."
Lex frowned. "Well, maybe it's better that you don't know him, sweetheart."
"I didn't say he was exactly like Lionel." Hudson pulled at one of the buttons on his shirt. "Where is he anyway?"
"His room. I guess he and your mother attended quite a few meetings today."
It was still more than a little strange to realize that Martha Kent was working for LuthorCorp. Again, the Kents never ceased to surprise him. Or anger him. He couldn't really decide which it was. He'd pretended not to be hurt by the fact that Martha Kent would rather work for his father than receive any kind of help from him, but Hudson had seen right through the act. Lex tried not to think about it too hard after that. He almost convinced himself that the real reason Martha now worked for LuthorCorp was simply because she wanted to, and not as a personal rebuff against him.
Hudson tilted her head back to look up at him. Meeting her gaze, Lex smiled slightly - more than he would give to anyone else. He watched her silently, gazing into her pale green eyes where the firelight reflected, as her fingers moved up to trail along his jaw. Sometimes it was beyond amazing to him that Hudson was his. That this sweet, beautiful, intriguing young woman loved him, wanted to be with him.
Chose to be with him.
He wanted to give her the world, and he couldn't. Not because it wasn't in his power -- someday he very well planned to have the world at his feet, so that wasn't stopping him from giving it to her. No, the simple fact was she wouldn't accept it. She would try to give it back; say it wasn't right, that it didn't belong to her. But it did. The world and everything in it belonged to Hudson Kent, including his heart. And he wished he had the strength to tell her so.
"What're you thinking about?" She asked, finger moving lightly over his chin.
Her gaze dropped to his lips and Lex struggled to keep from licking them in anticipation of the kiss he knew was coming. "How beautiful you are," he responded quietly. "How lucky I am."
Hudson smiled and then her lips were against his and Lex greedily drank in the taste of her, the soft fullness of her mouth, the smooth glide of her tongue over his. Her fingers brushed against the back of his scalp in a gentle, soothing touch that even now surprised Lex when he felt it. It was like every minute of every day, she was still trying to show him that she loved him. And he wished he could tell her how much he appreciated it.
Pressing her back into the couch, Lex slipped his leg between hers, pushing it up against the apex of her thighs, rubbing the material of her jeans. Emitting a sharp sound from her throat at the contact, Hudson raised her hips automatically upwards in a silent request. Lex smiled against her mouth. She was such a sensual creature. He'd always known it, expected it, in the back of his mind, but to actually see her reaction, the craving need of his touch she seemed to exhibit, never ceased to make Lex ache with responding desire. He devoured her mouth in reply, hand moving to slip beneath her sweater, petting the soft skin of her belly before moving upwards to brush against the underside of her bra. Hudson sighed and seemed to melt beneath him, her body becoming totally relaxed and pliable. Lex loved her best like this, when it was as if she were completely his to do with as he pleased.
He kissed her jaw, her neck, nibbled at her earlobes and collarbone, painted a line with his tongue along the neckline of her sweater. Hudson craned her head back against the cushion, hands playing over the front of his shirt, tugging at buttons.
"I should really go home," she whispered. "It's almost curfew."
"Stay a little longer," he replied, sliding down her body to push the edge of the blue sweater upwards and circle her belly button with kisses.
"It's very late, Lex. I've really got to go."
Lex undid the button on her jeans, nipped at her abdomen. "But look at the weather," he cautioned, referring to the snow that had begun earlier that evening. "You'll catch a cold or something. And I would never forgive myself."
Besides, he couldn't help but make note of the fact that she hadn't made a single attempt to get out from under him. Lex moved her sweater further up, kissing her ribs.
Hudson laughed. "I've really got to go. Dad's probably pacing the floor already."
He nudged the material of her bra with his nose, traced the edge with his tongue while his fingers ghosted over the top of a breast, feeling the nipple harden beneath his touch.
"Your father's likely in bed, sweetheart. Just a few minutes more."
Hand slipping to her shoulder, he tugged a bra strap down, lifting his head to watch as he exposed one perfect breast to his gaze. The hard bud of skin tightened even further as he stared, tempting him like some forbidden fruit. Mouth practically watering, Lex leaned in, kissing it once before capturing it between his lips and suckling greedily.
Another sigh and her hands cupped the back of his head, holding him in place. "Okay. Just a few minutes more."
Smiling at her acquiescence, Lex continued worshipping her body, exposing the second breast, using hands and mouth until Hudson was writhing beneath him, soft sounds of pleasure uttering from her mouth with each touch. As if reading his mind, she sat up slightly, allowing him to remove her sweater and toss it to the floor, before they both collapsed back against the couch. He caught her eye and they grinned at one another before he dove in for another kiss. Her fingers worked at the buttons on his shirt, eventually slipping it from his arms and laying it over the back of the couch.
"You're cold," she whispered, nibbling at the edge of his jaw.
"So warm me up," Lex suggested. "I heard body heat works best."
Grinning at his implication, Hudson pushed him away to kick off her shoes then quickly began working at her jeans. Enjoying her enthusiasm, Lex turned his attention to removing his own clothes and within moments, it was skin against skin on the couch. Reaching into the left pocket of his slacks, Lex pulled out a condom packet and slipped it into Hudson's hand. She gave him a smirk.
"You always carry these things around with you?"
Lex nodded. "One never knows when an over-sexed Hudson will appear."
She poked him in the ribs with the corner of the packet. "You know what you need?" Hudson commented, wrapping her arms around him as he sat up, pulling her into his lap. "A big, thick rug in front of the fire place."
"Oh, sure. That would go well with the décor."
"You're such a snob."
Lex grinned as he cupped a breast in his palm, thumb flicking back and forth over the nipple lazily as Hudson squirmed in his lap, her wet heat brushing against his thighs. "Somehow, I don't think you mind that I'm a snob."
"Mmmm," was the only reply he received as she leaned in to kiss him, tongue tracing the scar of his upper lip before delving deep into his mouth.
Her hand wrapped around the shaft of his cock, squeezing slightly as she moved up and over the tip. The tease. She continued to play, fingers dancing over him, alternately squeezing and caressing, until he thought he was going to lose his mind. Finally she turned her attention back to the condom, removing it from the packet and slipping it over him. That was all the impetus he needed.
Lex grabbed hold of her hips, lifting her upwards slightly until he felt the head brushing against her entrance. Balancing herself on her knees, Hudson pulled away from the kiss, catching his eyes as she slowly slid herself down his length, engulfing him completely in her warmth. They remained unmoving for a long moment, her fingers dancing over his bare shoulders, his hands sliding over her thighs possessively as they stared at one another. Lex loved these moments, when it wasn't the culmination of the act that was important so much as the meaning. They were connected now, he was a part of her, as close as he would ever be to her, closer than anyone ever had been, and that meant everything to him. It was during sex that the lies didn't matter because he didn't believe at that moment that Hudson was hiding anything from him. She was at her most vulnerable, her eyes showing everything behind her thoughts, her emotions, love shining through them so brightly he almost felt ashamed to look at it. And, Lex believed, if he could get her to speak at that one crucial moment in time, he would know her darkest secrets. It was the only time he knew she was prepared to let him inside.
"You're thinking again," Hudson whispered as she began rocking against him slowly, hand curving around his neck as she kissed the corner of his eye. "Stop it."
"I'll blame you," Lex replied, half-joking as he lifted his hips to meet her.
Hudson nuzzled his cheek with her nose in response before leaning back, hands settled flat against his shoulders, neck arched, eyes closed. Lex looked his fill, gaze consuming every inch of her as she moved over him -- dewy skin glowing in the firelight, breasts pert and high and perfectly shaped, the slim column of her neck, the arousing shape of her collarbone. Holding her at the base of her back with one hand, he touched her in silent reverence, skimming his palm over her shoulders and breasts and slightly rounded belly, so soft, so warm. She was like a drug, something he couldn't get enough of, something he had to have or life became too fucking frustrating and cold. There was no substitution; work and alcohol only dulled it for a little while. Hudson made it beautiful.
Moving his hand down over her abdomen, searching out the swollen nub between her thighs, Lex pulled her back to him, latching on to the side of her neck where he bit lightly at the skin. She whimpered, but he couldn't tell from which sensation.
"God, Lex. "
His thumb pressed firmly against her before rubbing in time to their movements, faster, then slower, gentle and hard, until Hudson was gripping his shoulders a little too firmly, nails grazing over skin a little too deeply, and the sounds - fuck, he could live off the noises that she made. Whimpers and gasps, sighs and soft little moans that slowly increased in volume the closer she got to orgasm. She was vocal, and Lex loved that because she was making those sounds due to him. Normally repressed and shy, Hudson became a sexual animal when he touched her. And it made him feel as if he could conquer the world.
Her movements were becoming faster now and Lex leaned back against the couch to watch her. Hudson's flesh flushed under his gaze, the modesty never quite leaving her completely, and god it was the sexiest thing on earth when she dropped her eyes just slightly, slow smile curving her mouth as if she knew his thoughts. And did she know that he sometimes considered making a mold of her breasts just so he could touch them whenever he pleased? And that he jacked off at work to thoughts of her kneeling under his desk, mouth on his cock, sucking him off during an important business call? Poor Hudson. She would turn four shades of crimson if she knew how his mind worked, how often he imagined knocking just a little more of that innocence from her.
"Lex. " She gasped and he felt her body begin to shudder.
"Feel good?" He asked, leaning forward to whisper in her ear as his hands grabbed hold of her hips once more. Taking control, he sped up their movements, each thrust harder than the last. "Are you ready to come, Angel?"
"Yes! Oh, Lex. yes! God, fuck!"
His spine tingling at its base, Lex surged upwards once more as he felt Hudson shudder almost violently around him. She cried out with the onset of her climax, and he felt his entire body tighten and explode as he stiffened beneath her, gasping her name, his hands clenching against her skin. Hudson seemed to melt over him, body relaxing against his as her head slumped to his shoulder. Lex didn't think he'd be able to keep either of them up for very long. His muscles were like jelly at the moment.
Shifting slightly, Lex leaned back onto the couch, pulling Hudson with him, her long body stretching out over his. Finally finding the strength to lift his arms, he wrapped them loosely around her waist, fingers gently caressing her back. His eyes drifted closed.
Long minutes passed in silence and Hudson's breathing was slowly changing, signaling the oncoming call of sleep. Lex smiled and whispered, "It's way past your curfew, Hudson Kent."
He felt her smile against his chest. "You're an asshole, Lex Luthor."
Grinning, Lex held her a little tighter, and contemplated an excursion to the bedroom.
***
Hudson stared at the clock on the nightstand as it clicked over to four forty-three. She sighed softly, knowing that if she planned on getting home before her parents woke up, she should probably leave. But the bed was soft and Lex was warm and, instead of climbing out of bed, she scooted closer to him, tucking her head against his shoulder.
He smelled like her. She loved it. Loved knowing that she left her mark on him, in any way possible, and there was something magical about smelling her perfume or shampoo lingering on his skin. But then, she'd spent most of the night curled against him, cheek rubbing against his chest and shoulder, so it made sense that her scent lingered there. Likewise, Hudson was always tempted to sneak off in one of Lex's shirts, just so she could walk around smelling him all day. There was something about his scent that drove her absolutely insane with desire.
The word 'desire' caused her to recall the evening before and her face immediately flamed red with the memory of her behavior. A few days ago, Lex made a comment regarding opening Pandora's box the moment they'd had sex, and maybe he was just a teensy bit right about that. Two years ago, out of curiosity, she'd asked her mom what sex was like. They'd had a great discussion about it, but what stood out in Hudson's mind the most was when her mom told her that the first time was kind of like taking your first bite of chocolate - you've never tasted anything like it before and suddenly, it's all you crave! Eventually, you'll grow used to the taste, and occasionally become a little sick of it, but in the beginning, you can't get enough.
That's how Hudson felt. Only, she doubted she would ever stop craving Lex.
These nightly visits were becoming a habit. Even with Lionel now living under the same roof as Lex, there was little that could convince Hudson to stay away. Thank god Lex's father tended to retire early at night.
Lionel. Hudson was still finding difficulty in getting used to his presence. It made the time she spent with Lex just a little less relaxing, to the point that she sometimes waited until very late before coming over. It wasn't fair to Lex, and she knew she had to get over it but sometimes. well, she knew Lionel was blind and all but she could swear that he watched her. Last week, she came over to have dinner with Lex while his father was in Metropolis, and then they went back to the study where Lex worked and Hudson went over her notes for her history exam the next day. An hour later, Lionel returned, entering the study to have a drink with his son and catch up on the day's events. Hudson excused herself to leave but Lex asked her to stay and how could she ever say no to his requests? So, she'd sat back down on the couch, tried to ignore the conversation between the two Luthor men, and went back to reading.
Not long after, when the conversation dwindled and Lex returned to his work, Hudson glanced up to find Lionel staring at her. Right at her. It really hadn't been a figment of her imagination - he'd been watching, and slightly smiling, twirling the half-filled glass of scotch in his hand. She'd only convinced herself to relax when, after making certain Lex wasn't paying any attention, she'd stuck her tongue out at his father. Lionel's expression hadn't changed, reassuring her that, yes, the man was still blind, and no, he hadn't been watching her. Still, it had been creepy and twice since then, the same situation occurred.
The worst of it was, Lionel was now a fixture in the lives of the Kent family, almost as much as he was for Lex. It'd been two weeks since Hudson's mom accepted a position with LuthorCorp as Lionel's assistant, and peace had yet to return to her family. Her dad spent almost every waking hour working on the farm, as if attempting to forget his wife's absence and returning to the house in time for dinner too tired to talk. At first, Hudson looked at her mom's new job enthusiastically; she hoped that it would be the turning point that would cause her parents to accept the Luthors, and the change in her relationship with Lex. She quickly discovered though, that it just wasn't meant to be. While Martha Kent was more accepting, Jonathan Kent seemed even more opposed.
Sighing, Hudson forced the thoughts of Lionel and her parents from her mind and kissed the shoulder beneath her cheek. Lex's near-flawless skin was dotted with freckles over his shoulders, a reminder of his red hair that fascinated her to no end. She enjoyed kissing each one and playing connect the dots. Only she quickly learned that Lex didn't enjoy that game when she used a real pen to do it. After that, he'd introduced her to body paints and Hudson couldn't imagine that there was anything more fun on earth than drawing smiley faces and bunny rabbits all over Lex Luthor's body. Well, other than having Lex draw dollar signs and cars all over hers. He'd even painted a perfect heart on her left hip. She was sad when he'd quickly licked it away. Well, at least for a short time, anyway.
"Shouldn't you be gone?" Lex mumbled, half-asleep, before rolling over and pinning her to the bed with one carelessly draped leg.
Hudson laughed softly. "Yes. Although, you've just made my getaway a little more difficult."
"Mmmm." Lex buried his nose into her hair, breathing against her ear for a moment. His voice was muffled when he asked, "What time is it?"
"Almost five."
"You really should go, Angel."
"I know."
Neither of them moved.
Seconds ticked by and Hudson frowned as she considered how much easier this would be if she were older and could stay with Lex all of the time. Of course, she had the feeling that even if she were thirty, her dad would find some kind of objection to voice. She just wished she could get them to accept the fact that she loved Lex, for good or bad.
Even when he was snoring in her ear.
She swallowed back the laughter that threatened and decided it was definitely time to get out of bed and head home. As gently as she could, she extricated herself from underneath him and slipped out from between the sheets. Gathering her clothes, she quietly dressed, casting occasional glances at Lex as he continued to sleep peacefully beneath the covers. He was still snoring, and it threatened to put her back to sleep - soft, even sounds that drew her into a slight lull. It was even better when she felt his warm breath blowing over her ear or cheek. It certainly beat getting out of bed to muck stalls and milk cows.
Pulling on her jacket, Hudson walked back to the bed, leaning over to kiss Lex's cheek softly. He shifted a bit at her touch, causing her to smile before whispering, "See you later. I love you."
Tucking the sheets up around his shoulders, Hudson turned and quietly exited the room, shutting the door behind her. She glanced at her watch; if she hurried, she would get home and start her chores just in time to make it look as if she got up early. No one would be the wiser. Smiling, she jogged down the steps and into the hall toward the main door.
"H.C.?"
Spinning around at the voice, Hudson's eyes widened in surprise as she came face to face with her mother, smartly dressed in a grey pantsuit, briefcase in her hand. "M-mom," Hudson stammered. "What are you doing here?"
"I was just about to ask you the same thing," her mom replied, eyes narrowing as she moved up to her daughter. "Lionel has an early meeting in Metropolis that I am accompanying him to. I doubt very much that you have the same excuse. Care to explain yourself, Hudson Clark Kent?"
"I. er. " Hudson glanced around, hoping the roof would cave in or something but no such disaster was forthcoming. "Ummm. Lex called because he was having trouble sleeping and he wanted to talk. "
Her mom's gaze narrowed further in obvious acknowledgement of the lie. Grabbing hold of Hudson's wrist, Martha turned and started up the staircase, dragging her daughter along behind her. "Lex! Lex Luthor! Get out here this minute!"
Hudson flew into a panic. "Mom! Mom, don't! Please, I'll explain everything!"
"It's a little late for that, don't you think?" Her mom replied, stopping on the third floor just as Lex came bolting out of his bedroom, slipping on a lavender dress shirt hurriedly.
"Mrs. Kent, is something. wrong. " He trailed off, staring at Hudson for a moment before his gaze moved back to Martha, his expression blank.
Martha remained silent, glaring at Lex for a full minute before rounding on her daughter. "Hudson Kent, we trusted you! All your father and I have ever asked of you was to be honest with us. And this is what we get in return? Lies? Sneaking behind our backs?"
"Mom, I. " Hudson couldn't think of anything to say in reply. She found it was kind of hard to breathe, with how fast her heart was beating. She glanced at Lex for help but his expression was no friendlier than that of her mother. In fact, he looked downright pissed off.
"Care to explain yourself, Lex?" Martha demanded, ignoring Hudson. "Or have you forgotten that my daughter is only sixteen and still lives under the rules of her parents?"
Lex swallowed and focused his gaze over Martha's shoulder. "No, Mrs. Kent. I haven't forgotten. Hudson," he cast her a quick look, "promised me that she would inform you as to the change in our relationship."
"She did, did she?" Hudson shrank back from the gaze her mother focused on her. "Apparently, she forgot." Martha looked back at Lex. "But that still doesn't excuse you from allowing her to sneak over here, Lex! You are just as guilty as she is!"
"Mom." Hudson broke in, situating herself between Lex and her mother. "It's not Lex's fault. I told him I'd be honest with you and. and I wasn't. Don't blame him."
"Lex is the adult," Martha pointed out. "And as such, he's going to take his share of the responsibility."
"But mom - "
"Hudson!" Lex snapped, eyes flashing at her angrily as she turned to look at him. "Do not argue with your mother. Accept that you got caught and stop acting like a baby."
And they were suddenly ganging up on her why?? Hudson glared back at Lex a moment before turning to her mother. "I'm sixteen now. You can't always tell me what to do."
Apparently that was the wrong thing to say. She watched as her mom straightened even further, somehow suddenly seeming much taller than Hudson could ever hope to be. She found herself wishing that the floor would just open up and swallow her whole. Never had she seen her mom appear so angry.
"As long as you live under our roof we most certainly have every right to dictate the rules, young lady," Martha informed her daughter in a clipped tone. "And you'd better rethink that statement before we discuss this situation with your father. I doubt he'll be any more receptive of this sudden independence of yours!"
Hudson was about to reply when the sound of approaching footsteps drew their attention down the hall. Lionel turned the corner, gaze trained forward, head slightly cocked as if listening. Beside her, Lex took a step forward, either in preparation to do battle or to protect her, Hudson wasn't certain.
"Martha, is there a problem?" Lionel made his way carefully toward them, cane stretched out in front of him. "I heard loud voices."
"Unfortunately there is, Lionel," Martha replied, hooking her purse over her shoulder as she flashed another quelling look at Lex and Hudson. "Apparently, your son has taken it upon himself to allow my sixteen-year old daughter to sneak out of the house and spend the night here. And who knows how long this has been going on!"
Lionel pursed his lips and lifted his head slightly. "Is this true, Lex?"
Hudson glanced at Lex as she felt him bristle beside her. It was just like her mom to get Lionel involved in this.
"I don't see how this is any of your business, dad."
"It is when it affects one of my employees," Lionel replied.
Lex remained silent and expressionless.
"We'll talk about this tonight when I get home, H.C.," Martha told her before turning to help Lionel down the stairs.
Worrying her lower lip, Hudson watched her mother go before glancing up at Lex. He shot her a quick look before moving toward his room.
"Lex, wait." She hurried in after him, sighing at the straight set of his shoulders. "Aren't you going to at least let me explain?"
"Explain what, Hudson?" Lex demanded as he practically tore his shirt off in his anger, tossing it to the chair. "Are you going to explain this outrageous habit of lying that you've developed? Or why you think it's right to keep something as important as this from your parents?"
"I was scared," she admitted, wringing her hands together nervously.
Lex turned to look at her, frowning. "Yeah? Well, I was scared, too. Scared of attempting a relationship like this with a child. Apparently, my fears were justified."
"I'm not a child!"
"Really?" He walked over to her, eyes narrowing as he leaned in close. "Then why don't you stop fucking acting like one, Hudson, and grow up."
Hudson looked away from Lex, fighting back the tears that stung her eyes. How was she supposed to explain to him that telling her dad that she was having sex with the son of Lionel Luthor was like signing her own death warrant? Or that lies were really all she had, all she'd ever had. Lying was becoming so easy for her that Hudson was beginning to fear if one day she wouldn't be able to tell the difference between reality and fabrication. Lex and her parents deserved better from her. But how was she supposed to balance the lies she was expected to tell, with the truths that everyone wanted to hear from her? What made it right to lie to Lex, and not to her mom and dad? She just didn't understand anymore.
"I'm sorry," she whispered miserably.
Lex grunted and moved away toward the bathroom, undoing his slacks. "I suppose you expect that to make everything better? An apology from Hudson Kent puts the world at rights again."
"That's not fair." Hudson brought her gaze back to him, allowing the first stirrings of anger to sweep over the pain. "What else am I supposed to say?"
Throwing the light switch on a little too hard, Lex turned back to her. "Has it even occurred to you that you're only seven months off from landing my ass in jail? Have you even once considered what I might be sacrificing for this relationship?"
"But I am sixteen," Hudson argued. "And there's nothing my parents can do - "
"Do you have any idea how hard I've fought for their respect and acceptance, Hudson?" Lex yelled, stalking toward her. "And now, with your lies, you've effectively sealed your parents' opinion of me completely. Thanks a lot," he told her flippantly. "I really fucking appreciate it."
Hudson dropped her gaze as the wave of guilt engulfed her. It was true - she'd never really considered their relationship from Lex's point of view or what it might mean to him, both good and bad. Maybe she'd been too blinded by the whole idea of how in love with him she was, and that she didn't care what the consequences were, as long as she got to spend time with him. Obviously, Lex didn't see it in the same light. Was that what he meant by facing their relationship as an adult? Was there supposed to be something else beyond the simple joy she felt at being in his presence, having him touch and kiss and make love to her? Why anyone would possibly want there to be anything else was something Hudson didn't understand, and likely never would. If you loved someone the way she loved Lex, then nothing and no one else should matter. Love was sacrifice. Right?
Lex was staring at her, expression unreadable though the anger he was feeling still flickered in his eyes. She kept wanting to reach out to him but knew that in doing so, she might possibly lose a limb. "I never meant to upset you," she commented quietly. "I just. I wanted to be with you."
He looked read to yell at her again and Hudson fought back to the urge to cringe. A moment passed in silence, and she watched as Lex took a deep breath, shoulders relaxing a little. "You need to start considering the consequences of your actions, Hudson," he finally replied, voice calmer. "Not everything you say and do should be based on emotions."
"But then I'd be like - " She stopped herself abruptly from saying 'you'. Her mouth fell open a little at the pained expression that flashed through his eyes.
Lex set his jaw, shoulders tensing once more. He turned from her and started back toward the bathroom. "Go home, Hudson."
Realizing it was futile to argue, especially when she'd likely only dig herself a deeper hole, Hudson waited as he slammed the door behind him before she left the room and made her way home.
She didn't really want to go there. She wanted to run away. There was something completely impossible about facing both of her parents and Lex, having them all angry at her, especially when she had no idea what to do to make it better. Lex wouldn't accept her apologies and she doubted that her parents would either. She'd never seen her mother so angry. And she was afraid to imagine what her dad's anger would be like.
Slowing as she neared the farm, Hudson stopped to watch as her dad moved from the barn toward the south pasture. She glanced back out toward the road, once more considering just not going home, but Lex's comment regarding her need to grow up echoed through her mind. If she was going to prove to him that she was grown up and could make mature decisions, then she needed to start doing so. Taking a deep breath, Hudson sped onto the farm, stopping when she reached the gate where her dad was headed with a bag of feed over his shoulder.
Jonathan glanced up at her and smiled in greeting. "Good morning, sunshine. Did you wake up when your mom did?"
Hudson swallowed and shook her head. "No, I. " She trailed off as her dad came to a stop in front of her, frowning a little.
"Where have you been?"
"At Lex's," she admitted quickly. As her dad's frown deepened, she added, "All night."
Jonathan's shoulders slumped with her words and Hudson had trouble not bursting into tears at the look he flashed her. Disappointment. Not anger, not sorrow, not resignation. Just disappointment. And she couldn't remember the last time he'd looked at her like that.
"I see." He moved past her, toward the barn.
"Dad." She hurried after him. "Dad, please talk to me."
"There's nothing to talk about, H.C.," he snapped, walking past the barn toward the chicken coop. "Besides, I've got work to do."
"But - "
"Go get ready for school."
"I have chores." She stopped, feeling miserable, staring after her dad as he continued on his way.
"I'll do them," he replied before disappearing behind the coop.
Hudson silently remained where she stood. The full extent of how angry the people she cared most about were with her finally seemed to hit. Her dad didn't want to talk to her, Lex didn't want to talk to her, her mom seemed more than willing to talk - or yell - but she had to go to work. Now there was nothing left to do but wait. And waiting meant dwelling on what was to come, which would only make the inevitable 'Talk' that much more frightening to contemplate.
She really did want to run away.
***
"Hey, what's up with the long face?"
Hudson glanced to her right as Lana walked up beside her in the hall. "Oh. nothing. Just thinking about things."
"Oh? Must be some pretty dire thoughts. What's wrong?" Lana continued to stare intently at her as they stopped beside her locker.
"Everything."
Though frowning a little at her reply, Lana flashed her an amused smile. "That's dramatic. How could 'everything' be wrong? What happened?"
Worrying her lower lip, Hudson glanced over her shoulder to make certain no one was listening before leaning closer to Lana. "This morning, mom caught me coming out of Lex's bedroom. She and dad know that. well, that Lex and I have been. that we're -"
"You're having sex and you didn't tell me!" Lana exclaimed, slapping Hudson's shoulder. She winced the instant she did so, shaking her hand painfully as she glared at her friend.
"Shhhh!! Tell the world, why don't you?" She admonished, casting another look around the corridor. Only a few students were milling about, and they seemed deeply engrossed in their own conversations.
"I can't believe you didn't tell me." Her friend pouted.
Hudson shook her head. "Why is it suddenly necessary for me to tell every living, breathing person business that only matters to Lex and me?"
"You don't need to tell everyone, H.C. Just those of us who care about you." She leaned back against the lockers, silent as she seemed lost in her thoughts for a moment. Finally, she commented, "I'm sure your parents are just worried about you. They'll calm down once they realize Lex won't hurt you."
"That's just the thing. I don't understand what they're so uptight about. Lex can't hurt me," Hudson remarked, dropping her voice to a whisper. "No one can. It's one of the reasons they've never really forced a curfew on me - because they know that unless I've run into a pile of meteor rock, I'm fine. But suddenly with Lex there are all of these stupid rules and guidelines I have to follow."
"It's probably just because you're their little girl and you're growing up." Lana shrugged. "I doubt it has anything to do with Lex. They'd be acting this way no matter who you were with. Although, the fact that Lex is so much older than you probably adds a little more caution to their approach."
"But why?"
Another shrug. "No idea, hon. Adults have this whole hang up with age. Maybe they're just longing for their own youth or something."
Hudson sighed but remained silent.
"I'd better go. Jeni's sick so I have to cover her shift for her today at the Talon." Lana started off then stopped to reach out and touch her friend's arm. "Are you going to be okay?"
"Yeah." Hudson flashed her a quick smile.
"Call me if you need anything. Or stop by if you just want to hide out," Lana told her as she disappeared into the mass exodus of students.
"I might do that," Hudson called out with a brief smile before turning back to her locker.
Once she had the books she needed, she slammed the locker door shut, jumping slightly when she discovered a red-headed woman standing on the other side of the door.
"Hello, Hudson."
Smiling slightly in greeting, Hudson stared at the woman in confusion for a moment before asking, "Do we know each other?"
The woman glanced away at the question, a hint of sorrow reflected in her eyes. "No." Then she looked back up and a smile suddenly bloomed across her face. "Well. yes."
Hudson was having trouble deciding which of them was the most confused. She raised her eyebrows a little at the strange reply, waiting for an explanation.
"Hudson, I'm your mother."
Well, that hadn't been the answer she was expecting. Blinking, she peered over her shoulder down the now empty hall, wondering if this wasn't some sick trick one of her friends was playing on her. She looked through the corners of the walls and into a few of the classrooms, but no one was hiding out with a camera. Finally, she turned back to the woman in front of her.
"I'm sorry, ma'am, but there must be some mistake. I - "
"It's okay, Hudson." She reached out and touched her arm, eyes drifting to Hudson's sleeve, which she petted gently in silence. Raising her eyes, she added, "I've shocked you. It's just going to take you some time to get used to the idea."
Hudson opened her mouth to reply but couldn't think of a word to say.
"My name is Rachel. Rachel Dunleavy." She touched Hudson's hair, eyes misting slightly as she stared at it.
Stepping back, Hudson flashed another tentative smile. "I'm sorry, Miss Dunleavy, but I'm sure you have me confused with somebody else. I. I have to get home now."
"No. No, I'm not confused." Rachel hurried after her as Hudson moved down the hall. She followed alongside, still looking up at her with a brilliant smile. "I wasn't allowed to keep you, you see." She shook her head sadly. "I didn't even get to look at you or hold you when you were born. That bastard - "
Hudson looked over at Rachel, eyes widening at the vehemence she heard in the woman's voice. "Ma'am. "
Another smile. "I'm sorry, Hudson. It was a difficult time period in my life. You're father wouldn't let me keep you, no matter how much I wanted to. He didn't want to run his marriage. Please don't think of me as a bad person." She took Hudson's hand in hers and squeezed it. "I thought he loved me. But I should have realized that Lionel Luthor loves no one but himself."
Lionel Luthor?!
"Miss Dunleavy. I really am sorry for whatever you've been through, but I'm not - "
"Oh, but you are!" Rachel moved in front of the school doors before Hudson could exit through them. She reached up to touch Hudson's face, running her fingers over her cheek, eyes filled with wonder. "I never even knew if you were a girl or a boy. He never even gave me that much. You've grown up to be so beautiful. So much like your father."
She was like Lionel Luthor?? Hudson tried very hard not to be too offended by that remark. Shaking her head with impatience, Hudson asked, "Excuse me for asking, ma'am, but if you don't know the sex of your child, then how can you be so certain I'm your daughter?"
"Because I found out that Lionel set up the adoption through Metropolis United Charities, and yours is the only adoption that went through that organization." She stared up at Hudson for a moment, smiling softly. "If you were a boy, I wanted to name you Lucas. And a girl. Lucinda."
Lucinda? Good god!!
"I really have to get home, ma'am." Hudson moved around her and pushed through the doors.
"Hudson. Wait." Rachel caught up to her at the bottom of the stairs. She pressed a piece of paper into her hand. "Here's my number. I've just purchased a house here in Smallville so we can get together whenever you would like."
"A house?" Hudson stared down at the woman in shock. This was serious. She needed to get home and warn her parents. "Miss Dunleavy - "
A honk interrupted her and Hudson looked up to see one of Lex's Porsches parked in front of the school. Well, that was unexpected.
"There's my. friend. I have to go." She hurried past the woman toward his car.
"Call me!" Rachel called out to her in a voice tinged with excitement.
Sighing in relief, Hudson pulled open the car door and slid inside. Avoiding any chance of looking out the window, she glanced over at Lex. "I'm surprised to see you here, considering. "
Ignoring her comment, Lex nodded out the window. "Who was that woman?"
"Huh? Oh. No one. She had me mistaken for someone else."
Hudson leaned back in her seat, peering out of the corner of her eye to see Rachel headed into the parking lot toward her car. This really wasn't the time to get into the whole adoption thing with Lex. Besides, Lionel Luthor?? She just really didn't know what to think of that one. And she really didn't want to be the one to blurt out 'Hey, Lex! Did you know your dad was having an affair?'
"Ummm. so. "
"I'm very angry with you, Hudson Kent."
There was the Lex she was expecting. She couldn't contain her smile. "But?" She prodded, knowing he never offered the full truth so quickly.
He looked over at her, and the hint of a smile flashed in his gaze. "But, we're both at fault. I should have insisted you tell your parents the truth. I should have gone to them with you. Instead, I was hiding just as much as you were."
Relief at the fact that something seemed to be going right today flooded through her. She leaned over to hug him but Lex pulled back and shook his head, causing her to pause.
"I said we're both at fault, but that doesn't mean I'm any less angry at you, Hudson."
"Lex - "
"We're going to go and talk to your parents together. And whatever decision they make regarding our relationship, we're going to uphold. Do you understand?"
"But that's - "
"Not fair?" Lex finished for her, putting the car into gear and pulling out of the parking lot. "You really need to find something new to whine about."
"They have no right to dictate our relationship." She pouted, folding her arms over her chest.
"As your parents they have every right." He glanced over at her once before focusing his eyes on the road ahead. "Look, Angel, I want to be with you, too. But you've got to understand that there are rules to life, and one of those is that while you are young, and under your parents' care, you have to do as they say. Give them the respect they deserve for raising you."
"You never talk about your dad this way."
"That's because he didn't raise me," Lex snapped. "Hudson, your parents care about you. And they have every right to be worried about what's going on in your life."
As much as she hated to admit it, Lex was right. And she really hated to admit it. Sighing, she turned her attention out the window, ignoring for the moment that she wished Lex were the type to say to hell with responsibility and just drive. Somewhere. Anywhere. She would love nothing more than to just go away with him and leave all of the issues of growing up behind. And that included being an alien with no past who suddenly had a woman showing up in town claiming to be her mother. With Lex going home with her, there would be no telling her parents about the encounter until later that evening. So first with the unpleasantness, and then on to the next unpleasantness.
When they pulled into her parents' farm, her dad was outside, loading the grain sacks into the truck for the evening feeding. He stopped as the Porsche approached, frowning at the car as he turned toward it, removing his gloves. A fleeting image of her dad punching Lex the way he did her grandfather flashed through Hudson's mind but she quickly pushed the thought away as she climbed out of the car.
"Mr. Kent," Lex was already calling out in greeting while she grabbed her backpack and shut the door.
"Lex." Jonathan nodded at him, brow furrowing a little deeper.
Hudson moved up beside Lex. She wanted to take his hand, but noted that he had both firmly shoved into the pockets of his coat. "Hi, dad," she greeted, smiling until he fixed his gaze on her.
The disappointment was still there. Tinged with a flash of anger.
Swallowing, she shifted uncomfortably. "Is mom home?"
He nodded. "She's waiting for you inside." Jonathan looked over at Lex. "Lex, I think we would prefer that you stay out of this."
"I can't, Mr. Kent," Lex replied, inclining his head toward Hudson. "We're both responsible for the situation and I - "
"Situation?" Jonathan stepped closer to Lex. "You call sleeping with my daughter - a young, impressionable teenager that I trusted you enough to date - a 'situation'?"
"Dad - " Hudson began.
"Stay out of this, H.C.," her dad cut her off, flashing her an angry look. "In fact, go inside. I'll be there in a moment."
She glanced in concern at Lex. He wasn't looking at her, attention focused fully on the furious man in front of him. Lex can take care of himself, she thought silently, knowing that he wouldn't appreciate her intervention. It would likely only fuel his irritation with her. Instead, she simply reached out and touched his arm before turning and hurrying inside.
Closing the backdoor behind her, Hudson immediately turned around and peered out through the window, watching as her dad yelled and gestured wildly with his hands. He never made any threatening moves toward Lex and that, at least, was a small comfort. Lex remained silent throughout the tirade, expression registering very little reaction. When it seemed her dad was finally done, or at least taking a moment to gather his breath, Lex finally spoke. Hudson found herself wishing she had super-hearing or something so she knew what he was saying. He was stoic as ever as he spoke, never removing his hands from his coat. In front of him, Jonathan frowned, rolled his eyes a few times, shook his head once or twice then finally grew still, brow continually furrowed.
What the hell was going on out there?
"Should we add eavesdropping to your list of infractions, young lady?"
Hudson jumped at her mom's voice, turning quickly to flash a guilty smile. "It's. not like I can hear them or anything. I just. well, I wanted to. "
"Make certain your father doesn't hit Lex?" Martha asked as she waved Hudson away from the door. "Don't worry, H.C. Your father and I are both well aware of who is to carry the full weight of the blame."
Grimacing, Hudson glanced back toward the door. "Then what is he doing out there?"
"Hopefully explaining our position." Martha crossed the kitchen, opening and closing cabinet doors a little harder than usual. She looked over her shoulder at Hudson. "I can't believe you'd have so little regard for your own parents, Hudson Kent."
"I. " Hudson slipped onto one of the bar stools, not knowing what to say. Deciding that changing the subject would be prudent at the moment, she asked, "I thought you were in Metropolis?"
Her mom flashed her a look that told her she knew exactly what she was trying to do. "After the meeting, Lionel felt that I had family problems to attend to that were more prudent than filling out paperwork. So not only has your behavior disrupted this family, it's interfering with my ability to do my job as well!"
"I'm sorry, mom," she responded quietly, dropping her gaze to the countertop.
"Are you, Hudson?" Martha set down the platter she was holding and turned to regard her daughter. "Are you truly sorry? Or are you just sorry for being caught?"
Worrying her lower lip, Hudson looked away, eyes darting to the kitchen door as it swung open. Her father entered, glancing at Martha for a moment before his gaze settled on Hudson. She peered over his shoulder, looking for Lex, only to hear the roar of an engine cut through the silence, and the unmistakable sounds of tires moving down the gravel driveway.
"Did you send Lex home?" Hudson jumped to her feet, prepared to go after him.
"Sit down, H.C.," her father barked, slapping his gloves on to the kitchen counter. "You will see Lex when this situation is cleared up, and not a moment before."
Opening her mouth to argue, Hudson quickly thought better of it and slid back into her seat. At least there was no mention of never seeing Lex again.
Yet.
"Well, what do you have to say for yourself, young lady?" Jonathan moved over to the table and stood there, staring down at her, giving her one of those 'I've never been this disappointed in you' looks.
"I. I don't know." Hudson kicked gently at the table leg. "What do you want me to say?"
"I'd like an explanation as to why you felt it necessary to lie to us? Why you feel you have the right to sneak behind our backs when you know perfectly well you had a curfew regarding the time you spend at Lex's place for a specific reason?"
"Because I knew you were going to react like this if I told you the truth."
"React like what, Hudson Kent?" Jonathan demanded. "Have your mother or I said anything regarding your relationship with Lex?"
No, they hadn't. Hudson glanced toward her mom before returning her gaze to her dad. She shifted slightly in her seat and looked away. "No."
"No. Because what upsets us more than anything is that you chose to lie to us. How are we supposed to protect you when we don't even know what's going on in your life?"
"I don't need your protection," she replied. "Especially not from Lex."
Jonathan threw up his hands in frustration and turned away from the table. Shaking her head, Martha moved over to take his place.
"Hudson, this isn't about Lex. This is about our family being honest with one another. About not keeping secrets. About - "
"I don't understand!" Jumping to her feet, Hudson glared angrily at her parents. "I'm expected to lie to everyone else, to keep secrets from everyone else, including the man I love, and yet I'm supposed to tell you everything that happens in my life?! Where does the hypocrisy end? Fuck!"
"Hudson Kent, you will not use that language in this house!" Jonathan snapped.
"Sorry." She dropped back into her seat, folding her arms over her chest defensively.
With a heavy sigh, her mom sat down beside her and touched her arm. "H.C., I know it's difficult. Everything in your life is just a little more complicated because of what you are. And that makes everything for your father and I just a little more complicated as well. We know Lex isn't going to hurt you. But we also know that there are people in Lex's life who would. And the closer you get to Lex, the more you are around him, the bigger the chance for you to slip up, to let the truth out."
"We're not saying we're pleased that you have to continue to lie to Lex, honey," Jonathan adds, slipping his hand on to her shoulder. "But some things are necessary at the moment. You're young. Lex is still young. He is still very much under the watchful guise of Lionel, whether the man can see or not. The fact that Lionel is living with Lex only makes it that much more dangerous for you."
Hudson blinked up at her parents. "You. you mean, you're not upset that we're having sex?"
Martha and Jonathan glanced at one another before her dad replied, "We're not happy about it, H.C., but we've come to terms with the fact that we couldn't keep it from happening."
"Your father has come to terms with it." Martha smiled. "I've been expecting it. But, Hudson, we would have preferred you told us. There are so many questions that this change in your relationship has caused. What about pregnancy?"
"We always use condoms," Hudson replied with a nod.
Her dad groaned behind her. "I don't think I want to hear any of this."
"Jonathan, we wanted her to be honest about this. So we need to hear all of it." Turning her gaze back to her daughter, Martha asked, "Has a question of you going on The Pill come up?"
"No," Hudson replied slowly. "But, I thought, if it does, I can use some excuse like you and dad are against it, for whatever reason."
"More lies, Hudson?"
She shifted in her seat again and dropped her gaze to the table. "I. I'd like to be able to tell him the truth." She darted a gaze toward her parents. "All of it."
Heaving a heavy sigh, Jonathan walked across the kitchen, opening the refrigerator and grabbing a beer. Martha remained silent in her seat, smoothing wrinkles from the kitchen towel in her hands. Silence settled over the room, with only the monotonous ticking of the grandfather clock from the hallway to break it. Hudson waited silently for someone to say something. A 'yes' or a 'no' or a 'maybe we'll talk about it later'. Anything. Instead, the silence continued and neither of her parents seemed willing to look at her.
"Well?" She prodded after the silence lasted too long.
Her parents glanced at one another again. Finally, her mom replied, "Hudson, if you make the decision to tell Lex the truth, there is nothing your father and I can say or do to stop you."
"But we do want you to be certain about this," her dad added, playing with the cap from his beer. "Once you tell him, there's no going back. Remember what happened to Lana? I just want you to be certain that you're telling him for the right reasons. That it isn't simply because you're tired of the responsibility. That you're tired of being careful. That you're tired of the lies." He held her gaze. "By telling Lex, you free yourself from the lies, but you force him to take on that responsibility for you. Are you prepared to do that to him?"
Well, when he put it like that. Hudson remained silent.
"Honey." Martha touched her hand. "You both have a lot of life ahead of you. If this relationship is truly meant to be, then someday, when you're truly ready to share, the truth will come out. And Lex will understand. And you will work together to keep your secret safe. Your father and I just want you to trust your instincts on this matter."
Nodding, Hudson fingered the placemat in front of her for a few moments before casually asking, "So does this mean everything's okay?"
"You still lied to us, H.C., and you're going to have to face punishment for that," her dad told her, pointing a finger. "For the next two weeks I want you home immediately after school every day. You will do your chores, you will have dinner, you will do your homework and you will go to bed. You will not see Lex or your friends. On the weekends you will help me make repairs around the farm --"
"But - " Hudson was about to argue but a quick look from both her parents quelled that quickly.
"And," her dad continued. "For the next two months, the only time you will be allowed to go to Lex's is for deliveries or with our express permission and timeframe. If your mother or I catch you sneaking out again, we're going to have to rethink this relationship we've allowed you to continue with. Is that understood?"
Hudson stared in shock from one to the other for a long moment. She'd never been so confined in her life. This wasn't fair! But she knew if she argued, it would only get worse. For now, she would have to keep her cool and do as they said and maybe they would be lenient for 'time served' or something.
"And please, please try to be more honest and up front with us in the future," her mom added.
Honest. Hell. She almost forgot. Sitting up a little straighter in her chair, Hudson told them, "A woman approached me after school today. She. she said she was my mother."
"What?" Martha glanced sharply at her husband who moved away from the counter by the sink to join them at the table. "But that's impossible."
"I know." Hudson sighed and shook her head. "I told her she was mistaken but she insisted. What's more is. well. " She let out a deep breath and tried again. "Apparently, Lionel Luthor is. supposed to be my dad." Her gaze flickered to her parents.
Jonathan let out a low breath but didn't say anything as he scowled at his beer.
"She's not your mother, Hudson," her mom reiterated. "And Lionel most certainly isn't - "
"I know. That's what I told her. She said I probably just need time to get used to the idea." Reaching into her pocket, Hudson pulled out the slip of paper and slid it onto the table. "She gave me her cell number. told me to call her if I wanted to talk again."
Her dad grabbed the paper up, frowning at the numbers. "H.C., I don't want you to have anything to do with this woman."
"She's going to be hard to avoid," Hudson replied, studying her nails. "She said she just bought a house in Smallville."
Her mom's eyes widened as she shot a look across the table at Jonathan.
Hudson glanced at her parents. "She also said that the agency that handled the adoption was Metropolis United Charities. That's the same place Chloe told me about."
More silence from her parents.
Growing a little angry, Hudson pressed, "I thought the only adoption they handled was mine."
Another look between her parents.
"So did I," her dad answered hesitantly.
"Dad." Hudson reached across the table to get his attention. "Tell me what happened back then."
"That's not important right now," Martha broke in, rising to her feet.
"Your mother's right. What we need to do is get this woman to back off." He stood as well, shoving the piece of paper into his pocket and heading toward the kitchen door. "We don't want her making people curious about where you came from."
Hudson watched as her mom hurried back into the kitchen to begin dinner and her dad slipped out the door to go back to his chores. Frustration quickly mounted within her at their continual silence.
She was supposed to be honest with them and yet they couldn't be honest with her?
***
The next morning between classes, Hudson ducked into the Torch office, determined to see if she could find any information on this Rachel Dunleavy. Chloe was always telling her that the best place to begin searching for information was on the internet and that was where she would begin.
Chloe's computer was blessedly already signed in. Hudson opened up the browser then, out of habit, clicked open AIM as well. She typed 'Rachel Dunleavy' into Google and began glancing through the options. There wasn't much listed that pertained to the woman claiming to be her mother. Unwilling to give up on the first try though, she continued to look until a message window opened.
Spyder_21: You there?
Smiling with pleasure at Lex's unexpected appearance, Hudson replied:
Farmgirl86: Yeah. Just researching something. Are you at work?
Spyder_21: Yeah. How'd things go last night?
Farmgirl86: Meh. I'm grounded for two weeks.
Spyder_21: Only two? That's surprising.
Farmgirl86: That's what I thought. What did my dad say to you?
Spyder_21: Just guy stuff. Don't worry about it.
Farmgirl86: Are you still pissed at me?
Spyder_21: What do you think??
Farmgirl86: You're talking to me. That has to be a good sign.
Spyder_21: Hmm.
Farmgirl86: Do you think you'll stop being mad at me in two weeks??
Spyder_21: Maybe.
Farmgirl86: *sigh*
Spyder_21: I have to run.
Hudson sighed out loud at the message. She hoped he really had a reason to go and not just because he didn't want to talk to her anymore. Then again, he was the one who sent the first message. She typed:
Farmgirl86: I love you.
Spyder_21: ( See you later, Angel.
Spyder_21 signed off at 10:21AM.
"Goodbye," Hudson said softly to the screen before closing AIM.
Realizing she wasn't going to find much of consequence, she closed the browser and was about to shut down the computer when she glanced at Chloe's email window. Frowning slightly, she maximized the screen, eyes widening as she counted half a dozen emails sent from 'Rachel Dunleavy'. Lips parting slightly, she clicked open the first and began to read through conversations between Rachel and Chloe regarding her adoption.
Damn Chloe! Hudson couldn't believe her friend could do this to her - that she could pry so deeply into her life when she'd already been warned once about doing so. Why couldn't people just leave well enough alone? What made Chloe so determined to know every little facet of her life?
"Sure H.C., you can use my computer." Chloe's voice suddenly rang out across the room as she walked through the Torch door. She teased, "Knock yourself out."
Reining in her temper, Hudson glanced down at her hands for a moment, staring at the chipped nail on her index finger. Chloe moved past her, setting her books down on the edge of the desk before flashing a smile at her friend.
Looking up, Hudson instantly accused, "You've been getting emails from Rachel Dunleavy."
Chloe blinked, staring at her in shock. "You've been reading my emails?"
Ignoring the question, Hudson countered with, "You promised me you'd stop digging into my adoption."
"Wh..." Chloe began, her tone and expression displaying her confusion. "All I did was post a few notices on adoption websites, to see if I could get some hits." She waved toward the computer, admitting, "This Dunleavy woman responded."
Dammit. It was bad enough that Lex used to always dig into her life, trying to learn things that she wasn't ready yet to admit to him. He backs off and Chloe starts in again. Would her entire life be spent trying to bury what others dig up?
Jumping to her feet, Hudson shoved the chair back angrily into the desk before rounding on Chloe, who flinched in response. "Oh, so you said 'Why don't you check out my buddy H.C.? She may be your daughter!'"
Chloe shook her head, eyes wide with fear. "You have to believe me...I didn't tell her anything about you, Hudson."
"So it's just a coincidence she shows up in Smallville claiming to be my mom?" Hudson snapped in sarcasm.
Pausing, Chloe stared up at her, obviously amazed by the news. "She's here?"
The happiness in her voice was unmistakable. Hudson frowned at the realization.
"Hudson, what makes you so sure that she's not the real thing?" She asked, practically bouncing at the thought.
How could she possibly be so happy about this? Hudson wondered, staring at her friend in disbelief. Maybe it was just really exciting to get involved in someone else's life where you know you aren't wanted.
Frowning as her anger grew, Hudson snapped, "I am not giving you an exclusive on my life!"
Chloe seemed to ignore her, following as Hudson started around the desk. "You're not even curious that she might be your biological mom?"
Whirling around angrily, Hudson growled, "Why are you so obsessed about my mother? Do I ask you questions about yours?"
Pain flashed across Chloe's face at the mention of her own mother. Quickly, her body tensed and she glanced down to the floor. "No, I guess not."
"Yeah, that's because she hasn't shown her face in your life in years!" Hudson yelled back at her as she leaned forward, closer to Chloe's face. "If you want to find somebody's mother, find your own!"
Glaring at her friend a moment longer, Hudson spun around, heading for the door.
Tears appeared in Chloe's eyes as she watched her friend start to leave. "I know where she is, Hudson! The difference is, she's not interested in me."
Hudson stopped at her words, guilt suffusing her that maybe she went a step too far. But she wasn't going to back down on this - Chloe had no right to interfere. And now there was this strange woman trying to push her way into Hudson's life, even though she didn't belong there. The complications this situation would cause were too numerous to count. Chloe would never understand that, though. And with her continuing need to pry, Hudson knew that she would likely never allow her to understand.
Shaking her head slightly, Hudson continued to the door when Chloe called out to her. The pain and tears in her friend's voice was almost too much but she remained with her back to Chloe, prepared to charge out of the office.
"Since you'll probably never speak to me again, there's something you might want to know," Chloe cried behind her. "Metropolis United Charities was founded by Lionel Luthor."
Eyes widening slightly, Hudson pondered the information for a brief moment before she continued out the door. Stopping, she leaned against the wall and closed her eyes. Why was it so difficult for her and Chloe to just be friends lately? God, she shouldn't have said what she did but anger had caused her to speak without thinking. Deep inside, Hudson knew how much the disappearance of Chloe's mother hurt her, and still she never said anything, never carried on about it or expected others to give her comfort. And here Hudson just threw it in her face like it meant nothing. She contemplated going in to apologize but quickly changed her mind. Chloe had overstepped her bounds and she should be the one asking for forgiveness.
Opening her eyes, Hudson pushed away from the wall and headed down the corridor. She had just enough time to get home and ask for an explanation from her parents about what role Lionel Luthor really played in her life.
***
When it rains it pours.
Jonathan just began accepting the fact that his innocent little girl wasn't so innocent anymore when he suddenly was forced to deal with this woman claiming to be her biological mother. He couldn't really decide which was worse - the knowledge that his daughter was sleeping with Lex Luthor, or the idea of someone as amazing as Hudson being the biological child of Lionel Luthor. Neither thought was very appealing, but one was fact, and one was fiction, and it was easier to deal with fiction when fact just made him want to wrap his hands around Lex Luthor's scrawny neck and --
"H.C.?"
Jonathan turned at Martha's surprised tone to see their daughter standing behind them, backpack clutched in her hand, brow furrowed. Pulling another feed bag off the back of the pickup, he nodded toward the load, figuring if Hudson was there, she might as well help out.
"Grab a sack, H.C."
Ignoring him, she told them both angrily, "I just found out that Lionel Luthor was the one who founded Metropolis United Charities." Her gaze flashed between her parents. "Why was he involved in my adoption?"
Jonathan froze, bag slung over his shoulder, as he glanced over at his wife. Damn that Dunleavy woman. This entire mess was bringing up questions and situations he would rather not explain. Especially to Hudson. There were some things in life he preferred his daughter never knew.
"Would somebody tell me what is going on?" Hudson demanded in frustration after the silence continued.
"Jonathan," Martha said softly. "She needs to know."
Sighing, Jonathan tossed the bag of feed to the ground and turned to his daughter. "Alright," he began in resignation. "It was the day of the meteor shower, when I realized that nothing was going to be normal around here again."
They were headed back toward the farm, after running a few errands in town, when the first of the meteors struck. The one coming toward them streaked through the air, slamming into the 'Welcome to Smallville' sign, causing both Jonathan and Martha to turn and look over their shoulders.
"What's happening, Jonathan?" Martha gasped beside him.
Unable to reply with any kind of educated guess, Jonathan turned back to look at the road just in time to see another missile of sorts flash across the road in front of them and into the field on their right. Smoke and flames rose up before them as Jonathan threw his foot down on the break, attempting to stop before they reached the inexplicable explosion. Too close to stop in time, the truck sailed through the thick black smoke, obscuring all visibility. Seconds later, as he lost control of the truck, Jonathan reached out for Martha, briefly attempting to recall whether or not she put on her seatbelt before they left tow,n as he felt the truck teeter and finally flip over. The back of his head crashed into the window behind him, and darkness clouded his thoughts.
A few minutes later, the darkness slowly became opaque and finally clear. Jonathan blinked against the sharp pain echoing through his head as he carefully turned his head to glance at his wife. Relief swept through him as he realized she was wearing her seatbelt, suspended upside down as he was, her tulips scattered over the roof of the truck beneath them. She moaned softly, touching her head, signaling that she likely had the same headache he did. Wondering what the hell had happened, Jonathan glanced through the window, staring at the scorched ground around them. The scent of burnt earth and corn wafted through the open windows of the cab.
Hearing a soft scraping sound, Jonathan craned his head further to the right, blinking in shock to see a small pair of bare feet moving toward them. Wondering if he might have hit his head harder than he thought, he called out to his wife for confirmation of what he was seeing.
"Martha?"
Unable to tear his eyes away from the sight, Jonathan simply listened to the astonished gasp from his wife that alerted him to the fact that he wasn't seeing things. Outside, a naked little dark-haired girl, maybe three or four-years old, crouched down beside the window and peered inside the cab of the truck. She immediately offered them an enormous, friendly grin. It was when she dropped to her knees and began the attempt to crawl in through the window that Jonathan finally moved into action, unbuckling his seatbelt and falling onto the roof. The little girl giggled at the action, sitting back as he pushed the door open, stared at her another moment, then reached back inside to help Martha.
"Who is she?" Martha asked, crawling out of the cab and holding her hand out to the child.
Without the slightest hint of fear, the little girl walked right to her and wrapped her arms around Martha's neck.
"Oh, Jonathan! Isn't she the sweetest thing?"
Frowning for a moment at his wife, Jonathan reached back into the cab to pull out a blanket from behind the seat. He handed it to her, watching as Martha carefully wrapped the child inside of it. Sighing, he glanced back toward the dark swath cut into the ground, eyes lingering over the gaping hole from which smoke still spewed.
"I wonder where her parents are?" He mused, starting down the still smoking path.
"Who says she has any?" Martha stood, lifting the girl into her arms, and followed him. "What kind of people would leave a child naked and alone in the middle of a field?"
Jonathan huffed a little. He could already see where this was leading, and it would only end in more heartache for his wife if he didn't stop it now. "Kids don't just fall out of the sky, Martha."
"Then where did she come from?"
"I don't know. But she must have parents."
He came to an abrupt halt, disbelief sweeping over him as he stared down into the hole in front of him, barely noticing as Martha came up beside him.
In her own unique brand of humor, his wife commented, "Well, if she does, they're definitely not from Kansas."
While part of him flatly refused to believe that the object in front of them was indeed a spaceship, every other part of him acknowledged quite readily that there was no other explanation. The fire and smoke, the damaged ground, the naked child who was even now smiling and pointing at the ship below them like a treasured toy.
This was impossible. All of it.
Turning his gaze to his wife, he watched as she kissed the little girl's cheek and hugged her tightly. He sighed. "Sweetheart, we can't keep her. What are we going to tell people - we found her out in a field?"
They might as well say they found her in a cabbage patch.
Martha shook her head and gazed at the child. She pressed her nose into the dark hair and replied, "We didn't find her. She found us."
After situating Martha and the child back beside the overturned truck, Jonathan went in search of someone to either help them turn the truck back over, or provide them with another form of transportation. He still wasn't certain what he was going to do with the. ship. He certainly couldn't leave it there, could he? Someone would find it and take and it belonged to the little girl sitting with Martha and maybe her parents would want it back -
"Okay, Jonathan Kent, get a hold of yourself or you're going to start envisioning alien invasions," he muttered as he jogged along the shoulder of the road, searching for traffic.
Nothing. He could hear distant explosions, sirens. It seemed like the entire world was coming to an end. Maybe it was an alien invasion.
Yeah, and they sent an army of toddlers to 'cute' us all to death.
Realizing he was thinking about it too hard, Jonathan focused once more on the here and now. He had to find them a way to get home. Glancing across the road, he recognized the pickup truck sitting on the other side. Waiting for a fire truck to zoom past him, he hurried across to the blue flatbed, stopping beside the door to peer in the window. Frowning, he pulled the door open to find a longtime friend laying against the steering wheel, unmoving.
"Teddy!" He called out, gently grabbing the man's shoulders and leaning him back against the seat. He felt for a pulse, finding nothing.
Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed the tiny hole in the window, directly in line with Teddy's forehead. Closing his eyes a moment as he collected himself and fought back the tears of frustration over the death of his friend, Jonathan stepped back and took a deep breath. In control once more, he leaned back in and carefully pulled Teddy out of his seat, hefting him over his shoulder and carrying him to the side of the road. Moving into the weeds, he laid the man down on the ground and forced himself to turn around and walk away before he considered what he was doing for too long. As soon as he got Martha back to the farm, he would come back for Teddy and take his body to the hospital.
Martha was pacing near the side of the road with the little girl still in her arms when he drove up. She turned and watched, gaze curious as he pulled up beside her and turned off the truck.
"Isn't that Teddy's truck?" She asked.
Jonathan didn't answer. He started out into the field, toward the ship.
"Where are you going?" She called after him.
"To get. that." Jonathan wasn't certain what to call it. "If we're taking her with us, we can't leave it here."
Jonathan couldn't even come up with a good reason as to why they were taking the child with them. What they should do is take her to the police station and let them handle the matter. But he knew, at the moment, that argument wouldn't hold up well with his wife. Better to give it some time, let the excitement of the day dwindle, and talk about it in the morning.
As small as it was, as delicate as it looked, the ship. or whatever it was. was incredibly heavy. Jonathan couldn't find any place to grab it and pull from, unless he placed his hands in the opening and tugged to the side. As he put his hands in position, he glanced inside, wondering how a child could possibly be carried from God knows where in a contraption that seemed so inadequate. His gaze moved over a strange object tucked in the corner, and before he knew it, Jonathan was reaching inside to grab it and pull it out. It was rectangular in shape, heavy like steel, with strange markings along the edge. Running his finger over it, he was so intent in his curiosity that he didn't realize the ship was closing until it was too late. What once was an opening into the interior was now completely solid, an egg-shaped dome covering the top of the ship.
"Hell," Jonathan muttered, realizing it was going to be that much more difficult to move the thing. He searched for a button or something to open it but quickly realized he was going to have no such luck. There was nothing left but to push it.
Forty minutes later, he'd used enough muscle and ingenuity to get the thing up into the flatbed of the truck. Martha paced around the front, cooing and talking softly to the girl in her arms. The child laughed a lot, pointed at everything around her and seemed fascinated by Martha's hair. Occasionally she would watch what Jonathan was doing, almost as if protecting her ship, and it kind of creeped him out. He couldn't remember the last time he'd seen his wife happier, though, so he mentioned nothing about it.
Tugging a tarp over the ship to hide it, Jonathan swiped the back of his arm over his forehead and looked down to see Martha smiling up at him. She hugged the girl in her arms a little tighter and he sighed. He was going to need a crowbar to pry them apart.
Once they were all situated comfortably in the truck, the child sitting on Martha's lap, Jonathan started the trip to the farm. He tried not to think about the fact that the little girl in his wife's arms wasn't really a little girl at all but an alien and that her ship - the ship that closed all on its own - was in the back of the truck, hiding beneath a tarp. He tried not to think of the implications, or of the fact that this blew away everything he ever thought he knew about life and the universe. Nothing he'd ever seen in his time ever caused him to believe that there was life beyond earth. And now. He looked over at the child who was playing with Martha's hair, at his wife who was smiling at him with such contentment. Everything had changed.
"Jonathan, watch out!"
Looking up at her warning, Jonathan slammed his foot down on the brakes to keep from hitting a man who was standing in the center of the road, waving his arms frantically.
"Stop! Please! Help!" The man shouted.
Once the truck skidded to a stop, Jonathan threw open the door and climbed out. "Are you alright?"
The man ignored his question. "My son... "
"What about him? Is he hurt?"
"He--he--I--I can't... " The man seemed out of his mind.
Reaching out, Jonathan tried to get him to respond to his questions. "Mister, Mister calm down!" He demanded urgently. "Where is your son?"
Blinking at him, the man turned toward the field behind him, and pointed. "He--he's in there."
Wondering what had caused the man to simply leave his son behind, Jonathan broke into a sprint into the cornfield, following the direction pointed out to him. At least, it had been a cornfield earlier that day. Now it was little more than a carpet of flattened cornstalks, like something out of a science fiction film. Was there a section of Smallville that wasn't devastated by whatever had occurred that day?
Spying a dark figure huddled on the ground, Jonathan sped up until he found himself standing over the still form of a young boy dressed in a private school uniform. Kneeling down slowly beside the boy, he glanced briefly at the bare head that had only a small tuft of red hair attached to it before reaching out to feel for a pulse. Relief swept through him when he finally discovered it, irregular but present.
Hearing footsteps behind him and figuring it was the boy's father, Jonathan called out to him, "Give me a hand."
Nothing. Jonathan looked over his shoulder to see the man just standing there, staring at his son in silence. He tried not to feel a little anger, telling himself that the man was simply in shock, and wouldn't he be in the same state if a child of his was lying there?
"Wh-what happened to him?" The man finally asked. "His...hair is... "
The boy's hair was the least of his worries. Frowning, Jonathan peeled off his coat and gently draped it over the child before gathering him up into his arms. Turning, he found the man still staring, an almost horrified expression to his gaze as he looked at his son. Flashing him a quick glare of disbelief, Jonathan pushed past him and hurried with the boy back to the pickup, figuring the man would follow, or be left behind.
Martha pushed open the passenger door as he approached the truck, eyes widening as she saw what he carried. "Oh, Jonathan! What happened to him? Is he all right?"
"I don't know." Jonathan began to lay the boy inside when his father finally appeared beside them.
"I - I - "
"Get in the truck," Jonathan told him, stepping aside to let the man climb in. "We'll take you and your son to the medical center."
"I - thank you." He climbed inside next to Martha, an expression of surprise flitting across his face as Jonathan laid his son in his arms.
Closing the door, Jonathan ran back around to the driver's side and they were under way once more.
Silence filled the cab. There was shock all around - shock over the events of the day, over the things they'd seen, over the two children that were with them. Jonathan gripped the steering wheel nervously, knowing that having someone else in the truck made the ship in the back more vulnerable. There was no telling what someone might do for the information that they currently had possession of. If science fiction films were to be believed, the little girl in Martha's arms would be no more than a bug under a microscope. And Jonathan couldn't allow that to happen. Not to anyone.
"Can't we go any faster?" Their passenger asked.
Jonathan kept his expression neutral. "We're doing the best that we can."
He watched out of the corner of his eye as the man glanced through the back window. "What are you carrying back there? It's slowing us down."
Jonathan and Martha both ignored the question. Sighing inwardly, he glanced at his wife once more, watching as the girl in her arms turned her attention to the boy. As if he knew she was regarding him, for the first time since Jonathan found him, the boy's eyes fluttered open to regard his watcher. Then, out of nowhere, the little girl reached over and touched his head, running her finger down his cheek before pulling back. Beside Jonathan, Martha made a little noise of surprise as the boy smirked weakly at the child before falling unconscious once more. As if having accomplished what she set out to do, the girl sat back in Martha's arms, smiling as she returned her gaze out the window.
It was the darndest thing that Jonathan had ever seen.
When they reached the hospital, Jonathan left Martha and the child in the truck while he lifted the unconscious boy into his arms once more, and led the boy's father inside. Though the facility was overflowing with injured, they were able to find a nurse who took over, and Jonathan watched quietly as the boy was wheeled away. Running a hand over his face, he turned and glanced through the emergency room, taking in the familiar faces. Unable to leave without finding out who might be able to use their help, Jonathan began wandering around the facility, meeting up with friends, talking to neighbors, making plans for the reconstruction to follow in the days ahead. He knew that Martha would understand.
Forty minutes later, on his way back to the truck, Jonathan looked up to see the stranger he drove to the hospital pass by. He reached out to grab his arm.
"Hey...how's your--how's your son?" He asked, hoping the boy was okay.
"He's in shock," the man replied. "But he'll survive. You saved him, acting so quickly."
Shrugging, Jonathan told him, "I'm glad I could help out."
"I'm sorry. I don't even know your name."
"Jonathan Kent."
The man extended his hand, and Jonathan took it in his, shaking it.
"Nice to meet you, Mr. Kent. If there is ever anything I can do for you..."
Jonathan shook his head, silently letting him know that it wasn't necessary.
"Please. Call me."
Glancing down, Jonathan noted the business card being thrust in his direction. Reaching out, he took it into his hand, studying it quietly. Lionel Luthor. CEO. LuthorCorp. He'd heard of him and his company.
"I mean that, Mr. Kent."
Jonathan continued to look down at the card, doubting there was anything he would need from the man or his company.
"Dad, you were a hero," Hudson broke in, pulling her dad from his reverie. "I don't know why you thought you had to keep that a secret from me."
Jonathan sighed. There was so much more to tell her. So much more that she didn't understand. But Martha was right - it was time that she knew the whole story.
Opening his mouth to continue, the sound of a car pulling up on the driveway interrupted him, and Jonathan glanced over the truck to see the sheriff's patrol car roll to a stop. Glancing at his wife and daughter, he started toward Ethan as the man climbed out to join them.
"Ethan, is there, uh, something we can do for ya?" He asked.
"Well," the sheriff began, looking over the family for a moment. "I'm sure you know there's a woman in town claiming to be Hudson's mother."
Jonathan nodded as his wife and daughter moved up alongside of him.
Ethan made a face, shifting uncomfortably. "She's.. uh. she's petitioned Judge Ross to order a DNA test."
Jonathan could feel his wife glance up at him in fear.
"But, that's crazy!" Hudson exclaimed beside him. "She's not my mother!"
"If that's true, then this test will prove it," Ethan replied, tucking his thumbs into his belt. "I can have somebody come out and take the sample, get it to Metropolis Genetics Lab, and. uh. they can run the test in the morning. We can get this thing over with quick." He nodded. "I'm sure you folks have nothing to be afraid of."
Jonathan set his jaw and reached out to lay a hand on Hudson's shoulder.
Nothing to be afraid of. Except what the lab would find when they looked at that sample. Then the real truth of Hudson's biological parents would be known.
***
"Tell me why I'm friends with you, again?" Lana whispered as she followed Hudson down the dark hallway of the Metropolis Genetics Lab. The sound of a door closing somewhere else on the floor caused them both to flatten themselves against the wall.
Hudson glanced over her shoulder at her friend with a warning look. Now really wasn't the time to get all mouthy. Lana rolled her eyes, huffed a little and waited for Hudson to continue moving down the corridor before following.
Moments later, they turned down a second hallway to find a row of windows that opened into a dark room. The sign on the door read Genetic Testing Lab. Hudson placed her hand over the knob, holding her breath as she turned it, and relaxing only when she discovered it was open. Breaking in would lead to investigations as to what was stolen or changed. And she really didn't need that occurring.
After the technician came by the farm to swab a sample of her spit the night before, Hudson's dad let her know that something had to be done to protect her secret. They came up with half a dozen options before Hudson suggested taking Lana with her and simply switching the sample. It would make entering the building a little more difficult without being able to just speed in and speed out, but at least there wouldn't be any questions as to what happened to the sample. They would test her DNA against Rachel Dunleavy, and the results would be exactly what they wanted. Negative. Unless Lana had some skeletons in her closet she hadn't told Hudson about.
"This is it," Hudson informed Lana quietly over her shoulder as she pushed the door open and stepped inside.
Lana followed, carefully closing the door behind them as Hudson narrowed her gaze and quickly x-rayed the room. She peered through drawers, cabinets and doors until she found what she was looking for: a metal cabinet filled with DNA test tubes.
"There." She pointed ahead and walked over to the storage container, reaching up to bend back the locked metal door.
"This 'Mission Impossible' stuff is insane, H.C. Do you hear me? Insane."
"Would you rather it turned into 'Alien Autopsy'?" Hudson remarked as she reached in to search through the tubes.
"That's totally not funny." Lana rubbed at her arms as if staving off a chill.
"You're telling me." She straightened, holding a tube in her hand marked 'Kent, H'. Pursing her lips, she turned and showed it to Lana. "Hopefully, we can keep that from happening."
Lana peered at the tube for a moment, then shook her head. "Okay, so other than enjoying the pleasure of my company - and needing my English notes - I still don't understand why you brought me along."
Hudson smiled and extended the tube to Lana. "I need your spit."
"Wh - eewww!" Lana made a face. "You've got to be kidding!"
"Nope." Glancing around, Hudson spied a sink toward the back and moved over to it, opening the tube and quickly washing it under the hot water. Once satisfied with the cleansing, she walked back to Lana and shoved the tube at her once more. "Go on. The lab needs to be testing your spit against Rachel Dunleavy in the morning. Not mine."
Sighing, Lana snatched the glass cylinder from her. "The things I do for you."
Hudson watched in amusement as Lana moved her mouth around a little, gathering the saliva on her tongue, before she brought the tube to her lips and delicately spit into it.
Smirking, she couldn't help but comment, "You know, Lana, there's no one here watching to correct your manners."
"Oh, shut up." She handed the tube back to her friend. "That has to be the nastiest thing you've had me do yet."
"I'm sure I can think of something worse if you'd like," Hudson quipped, shoving the glass back into its original slot and stepping back to bend the metal door properly into place.
"No, thanks." Lana glanced around her shoulder toward the windows into the hall. "Can we get out of here now? This place is creepy."
Nodding, Hudson led her back out of the room and down the hall in the direction they had entered the building. Sneaking down a back stairwell, they safely made their way to the alley door they broke in through. The Kents' pickup was sitting in the dark alley, thankfully undiscovered. Quietly, they climbed into the cab, remaining silent until they were a few blocks from the lab, and headed back in the direction of I-70 toward Smallville.
"Well, at least tonight has answered one lingering question."
Lana looked over at Hudson, squinting against the dashboard lights in confusion. "What?"
"You spit."
Mouth falling open, Lana stared at Hudson, who was having difficulty fighting a smirk. Finally, the girl quirked an eyebrow and replied, "Not if it's the right person."
They glanced at one another briefly before bursting into relieved laughter.
Once the merriment died down, Lana leaned forward to flip through radio stations before sitting back and glancing over at Hudson. "So, do you think this Rachel woman will leave you alone now?"
Hudson shrugged. "I hope so."
Lana grew silent, staring out the window as the cityscape slipped away into darkness, swallowed up by rolling cattle fields. She tapped her fingers against the door handle in time to the music before looking back over at her friend. "I heard you and Chloe had a fight."
"You could say that. She's the reason Rachel believes I'm her daughter."
"What? How?"
"As usual, Chloe was looking into things that are none of her business when she came across Rachel and decided to tell her about me, and that I might be her long-lost child."
"I'm sure she was doing what she thought was best," Lana defended quietly.
Hudson shifted in her seat and cast a quick look at Lana. "Metropolis United Charities, the adoption agency my parents used to make my adoption legal?"
Lana nodded.
"It was founded by Lionel Luthor."
"Oh. Wow. That's. but your dad hates Lionel Luthor. How - "
"I don't know." Hudson shook her head and stared at the empty road ahead. "I think. I think Lex's dad founded the agency just for my adoption. The day of the meteor shower? When my parents found me? As we were headed back to the farm, Lionel appeared in the road, asking for help." She paused, worrying her lower lip. "My dad was the one who saved Lex. He went out into the cornfield where the first meteor struck, the one that stripped Lex of his hair, and he gathered Lex up and brought him back to the truck where mom and I were."
"It wasn't your fault, Hudson," Lana told her softly. "Just because some meteor rocks decided to follow your ship down doesn't mean - "
"It doesn't matter much now, does it?" Hudson interrupted, glancing over at her friend. "It's done. And one day I'm going to have to tell Lex why. One day I'm going to have to admit to him that we've met before, that we might never have met if he hadn't been so close to that meteor. And then I have to ask him, does the good outweigh the bad? Is what we have strong enough to survive what I've done to his life?"
Taking a deep breath, Lana slid across the seat and laid her hand on Hudson's arm. "We survived it."
Blinking back tears at her words, Hudson forced a smile, exhaling slowly as Lana laid her head against her shoulder. "It's weird. But out of this whole experience, I can't help but think one thought over and over again."
"What's that?" Lana asked, her hand moving in soothing motions against her arm.
"Lex and I. How we met. How we met again. It's like we're. "
"Destined?" She could feel Lana smile against her. "I don't think that's weird, H.C. In fact, I think it makes a lot of sense. And that's why he'll forgive you when the time comes."
"Promise?"
Lifting her head, Lana nodded and smiled before leaning up to kiss her cheek. "I promise."
***
Martha filled a third cup of coffee for her husband, glancing at his strained expression quietly. She reached out and touched his hand, offering a supportive smile when their gazes met. Everything about the circumstances surrounding Hudson's adoption was eating away at him, and they had been so certain the question would never come up. She still couldn't understand why this woman believed her child was Hudson, unless Lionel had given her some reason to do so. She didn't know what their previous relationship had been like, but she knew the tension mounted in their family due to the simple fact that the idea of Lionel thinking Hudson was his child was frightening. None of them spoke of it, but Martha was certain her husband and daughter had to be thinking the same thing she was.
At the opening of the kitchen door, Martha swung around, staring at her daughter in question as Hudson breezed through the doorway.
"You can relax," she announced with a smile. "We switched the sample. No one saw us."
Beside her, Jonathan sighed in relief. "H.C., I-I'm sorry to put you through all this."
Hudson shrugged, brushing a dark strand of hair from her face as she haphazardly tossed her jacket to one of the kitchen chairs. "It's not your fault, Dad." She smiled again. "I guess it just comes with the territory."
Jonathan shifted in his seat uncomfortably, glancing once at Martha before rising to his feet. "Yeah...uh, I'm gonna go work on the combine."
Frowning slightly at his abrupt exit, Hudson slid onto the seat across from her mom. Her cheeks were slightly rosy from the chill outside, eyes brighter than they had been the past few days. She furrowed her brow as she glanced at the door, and then back to her mom.
"Everything's okay," she stated, as if the world were perfect. "Why does Dad still seem upset?"
Martha smiled a little at her daughter and shook her head. "This has been tough on him." She sighed. "He always said making a deal with the devil was going to come back to haunt us."
"Then why did he do it?" She asked curiously.
Standing, Martha walked over to Hudson, reaching out to brush a windblown hair back into place. As always, she smelled like apples and fresh air, and it made Hudson seem younger than she was, as if she should still be in pigtails and white patent leather shoes. Jonathan was railing against the inevitable growing up of their child, and secretly, Martha was, too. She couldn't stand the thought that one day she would lose her daughter to Lex. Or some other man like him.
"Mom?"
Martha shook her head a little, unwilling to tell her daughter everything. There were details that were probably best left to Jonathan when he felt ready to share them.
Hudson sighed and Martha knew she wasn't going to hear the end of it. "Come on, Mom," she pressed, green eyes searching her own gaze intently. "Why'd you need Lionel Luthor's help in the first place?"
They couldn't keep the secrets from her forever.
"You have no idea the kind of pressure we were under... " Martha began, turning away to gaze into the living room. In her mind, she could see her daughter playing there, all dark hair and already too-long legs. "We suddenly had this new little person in our home, and we didn't know what to do with you! We were completely overwhelmed. "
Their young guest seemed quite pleased with the toys they'd dug out of the attic. She was particularly fascinated with the two plastic horses, and Weeble Wobbles that she continually attempted to knock over. Martha watched her closely, eyes roaming over her own blue t-shirt that was far too big for the child, and the little red socks they found in the boxes of old clothes. She was the most perfect little girl Martha had ever seen. Rosy cheeks and cupid's bow mouth, long dark hair that she couldn't stop reaching out to touch, just as the little girl touched her red hair. In fact, they appeared equally admiring of one another, for the child continued to watch both Martha and Jonathan, smiling warmly at them, her entire countenance seemingly screaming that everything would be all right. It was as if she knew everything she needed to know about them, and trusted them fully.
Her smile made Martha want to cry. Was this what loving a child was like?
"Thank goodness your mother was a pack rat," Martha commented to her husband as the child picked up one of the Weeble Wobbles and attempted to stick it into her mouth.
"Sweetheart, she's not ours to keep."
"I just keep feeling there's a reason she's here," she replied, reaching out to pull the toy back and shake her head with a smile. "She's exactly what I wished for in the flower shop."
Jonathan rose to his feet behind her and came to sit on the floor beside them both. He was smiling. "Hey. Since when did Martha Kent believe in magic wands?"
Reaching out, Martha cupped the soft skin of the child's cheek and felt warmth suffuse her at the touch. "Since the moment I laid eyes on this little girl."
A knock on the door caused them both to start. Martha glanced over at her husband, trying not to panic. It was silly to think that there might be someone there to take her little girl away from her, but the fear was there all the same.
"Get her upstairs," Jonathan instructed, climbing to his feet. "Hurry, go on."
Nodding, Martha leaned over and scooped the child into her arms before hurriedly carrying her from the room as she listened to Jonathan head for the door.
"Uh, just a--just a second," she heard her husband's voice call out.
Mounting the stairs quickly, Martha cuddled the girl close as she moved into the hallway. Curious as to who their visitor was, she walked to the end of the hall and peered out the window, eyes moving over the patrol car. From below, she could hear Jonathan's voice, joined by another that sounded like Deputy Ethan. Worrying her lower lip, she glanced down at the bundle in her arms, unable to stop the smile that spread across her face due to the big grin that was flashed up at her. God, she was so precious! Martha kissed her forehead and gave her an Eskimo kiss across her nose and the little girl giggled.
Then she pointed a tiny finger toward the stairs and cocked her head to the side.
Martha smiled and whispered, "We can't go downstairs right now. We have to stay here and be quiet." She held her finger to her lips.
A small frown. The finger pointed again, more insistently this time.
She shook her head.
Then her charge shook her head, mimicking the action perfectly and looking entirely too grown up for her age.
Martha couldn't contain the soft laughter at the motion.
Seeing that she must have done something right, the child shook her head again and grinned up at Martha. Then, just as quick as can be, she began to wriggle out of Martha's arms. She tried to hold on but the little girl was surprisingly strong and quickly dropped to the floor to scamper towards the stairs. Hurrying after her, Martha tried to call out softly, laughing as she watched the tiny feet move faster than she believed possible down the steps and into the living room, where she headed directly for the toys.
Laughing at the predictability of every child - even those not from Earth - Martha caught up to her and pulled her close, glancing up to find Jonathan frowning slightly and Ethan smiling down at them.
"Who's the little cutie?" Ethan asked.
"She got away from me," Martha told her husband. "She's a strong little thing."
Ethan stepped through the door, walking toward Martha and the child in curiosity, still smiling, as behind him, Jonathan appeared to struggle for an explanation.
"That's um... "
"Hudson," Martha said quickly, wondering if Ethan was as in awe of the child as she knew she and her husband were. "I thought my mother's family name would make a good first name. Deputy, I would like you to be the first one in Smallville to meet our daughter."
Straightening, Martha moved to stand beside her husband where they all gazed down at Hudson, who simply returned their smiles with one of her own. Noticing Ethan's sudden expression of confusion, Martha quickly clarified:
"Adopted, of course. Uh. we just brought her back from Metropolis this morning."
The deputy grinned. "Well, I didn't know you folks were planning to adopt."
"Oh, Ethan, you know us," Jonathan replied with a shrug of his shoulders. "We like to keep to ourselves, but it's been in the works for quite a while."
Ethan clapped Jonathan's shoulder warmly. "Well, congratulations. It's nice to see something good happen in the middle of all this tragedy."
That was it. That was all it took. The wish she'd made in the floral shop that morning was now coming true - Martha had a little girl. And she knew Jonathan couldn't tell her no now, he wouldn't.
Smiling down at Hudson, she extended her arms out toward her. Almost instantly, with a smile that seemed to light up the room, Hudson threw herself into her new mother's arms, hugging her legs tightly.
"He was right," Martha finished, turning to move back to where Hudson was sitting at the kitchen island. "You were the one good thing that happened that day."
Hudson's brow was furrowed in thought. "So you just made it up, spur of the moment."
"I couldn't say we found you in a cornfield." Martha smiled. "Once the words came out, I-I knew we'd have to back them up eventually." She worried her lower lip and shrugged. "So we called Lionel Luthor, cashed in that favor. He arranged everything."
"If everything worked out," Hudson began. "Why'd you keep it a secret?"
Martha started to reply when Lex's voice came from the front hall.
"Hey."
Glancing over her shoulder, Martha watched as Lex moved in through the front door and headed toward them with a hesitant smile. Beside her, Hudson was already sliding off the stool, her obvious excitement at his presence almost palpable.
"I hope I'm not interrupting anything important." He glanced between mother and daughter in question.
Giving a small, nervous smile, Martha shook her head. "Uh, not at all, Lex." She had no idea if he knew anything about the adoption - if Lionel had shared any of it with his son. And she didn't feel like answering even more questions. "Can I get you something to drink? Or some breakfast?"
Lex shook his head and looked over at Hudson quickly. He appeared agitated, on edge. "No. Thank you. I. I just came over to talk to Hudson. If that's all right?"
And then it hit Martha. If he'd heard about Rachel Dunleavy, then that meant.. She tried not to smile. The poor boy. It was bad enough that he probably feared either her or her husband were likely to take their anger out on him for sleeping with their daughter at any moment. But if he was worried that the girl he'd been sleeping with was actually his sister.
She covered her mouth with her hand and attempted to gain her composure. It really wasn't that funny. But it was kind of enjoyable to see Lex squirm. "Of course, it's all right."
After all, with everything going on at the moment in their lives, Hudson's punishment was kind of a moot point. She glanced at her daughter, who apparently hadn't put two and two together yet.
"Go on, honey. I'll start breakfast."
"Okay." Hudson nodded toward the door. "Come on. We'll go up to the loft."
The moment the kitchen door shut behind Hudson and Lex, Martha allowed her mirth to bubble over, wiping at tears as she pictured Lex's face when he heard the news.
***
Hudson held open the door to the barn, allowing Lex in first, frowning a little when he just walked in without saying anything. Normally he got on her case because the man was supposed to hold the door open, and he really didn't like it when she took on the masculine role. It never made any sense to her - whoever got to the door first was supposed to open it, right? Besides, she was just as capable as he was at opening doors.
But that wasn't the point at the moment. The point was that Lex was obviously very upset about something not to notice and rag on her about it. Hoping he wasn't coming down with something - which was silly, really, because she'd never seen Lex get sick or even hint at being sick - Hudson followed him inside and up the stairs to the loft.
What if he was here to say he never wanted to see her again? Hell.
Scuffing her boot against the landing before the next set of steps, Hudson watched Lex closely as he stood in the middle of her loft and then slowly turned around. She worried her lower lip and cocked her head to the side. "Lex, what - "
"Rachel Dunleavy came to see me."
"Oh?"
Oh! Hudson's eyes widened. Poor Lex.
"She says you and I have a few chromosomes in common," he continued, paying little attention to her as his gaze dropped to the floor. "My father's chromosomes to be exact."
"Lex - "
"Personally, I think I got all the looks in the family."
Hudson couldn't help but smile at this attempt at levity. She could see his hands were shaking. "Look, I don't know what all she told you, Lex, or what happened between her and your father, but she's not my mother."
His shoulders seemed to sag instantly with relief. Still, there was hesitance in his stance. "Trust me, I'm as skeptical about her as you are. For all I know, this is some elaborate scheme to win a paternity suit against my father."
"Did you ask him about it?
Lex shook his head. "I didn't want to make any accusations until I had more facts." Shrugging, he sat down on a nearby crate and steepled his fingers. "It's not hard to imagine. In the annals of extramarital exploits, my father probably has his own chapter."
Hudson made a face at his words and climbed the last few steps to join him. "It doesn't bother you? I mean, I know how close you were to your mother."
"To the extent that it caused my mother pain? Sure, it bothers me." Lex nodded and glanced up at her. "But, unfortunately, not every marriage is quite as Rockwellian as Jonathan and Martha Kent's."
It was difficult to imagine marrying someone you didn't love with every fiber of your being. Hudson couldn't understand anyone not having a marriage like her parents had. After all, it was what she wanted. Total love, total honesty, total companionship. But she couldn't help but wonder if Lex, brought up in the household that he was, would see things differently. Sure, it hurt him to see his mother go through that, but would he have the same consideration with his own wife?
"Anyway, I told Ms. Dunleavy that in the 21st century, people shouldn't be making claims like hers without the DNA evidence to back them up."
Hudson tried not to snort at the information. So that was where Rachel got the idea for the test. Thanks, Lex. She made a face at him when he wasn't looking.
"I. I have to admit that I would rather you took the test, and it came out negative." Lex raised his gaze to hers.
"Well, then you can relax." Hudson sat down beside him. "I took the test last night. And, though the results aren't back yet, I can guarantee that they'll be negative." She touched his arm. "I'm not your sister, Lex. Relax."
His eyes dropped to the ground and he fidgeted with his hands for a moment. "I was beginning to worry that I might be acting out one of my father's many history lessons," he admitted.
Wrinkling her nose, Hudson remarked, "That would be wrong on so many levels." The more she thought about it, the more she began to understand why Lex was freaking out. "Talk about making the headlines in the papers."
Lex turned to look at her. "I'm glad you're able to find so much humor in this."
She grinned and pushed against him with her shoulder. "Oh, come on. You know you have some secret incest kink."
He raised an eyebrow. "Not that I'm aware of. But I do have a secret kink regarding tying up a certain farm girl and tickling her until she cries."
Hudson barely got out a squeak as Lex launched himself at her, and they rolled to the loft floor where she allowed him to pin her. His fingers flew over her sides and she squirmed only slightly, giggling as the gentle tickling sensations swept over her. It was difficult to balance her strength against the desire to really get away from the torture he was causing. In the end, she always allowed him to win because there was really no other choice. And sadly, she thought it was one of those lies he might never forgive.
"Stop! Please! Lex!" She half-giggled, half-sobbed beneath his onslaught.
"Give me one good reason why." He straddled her hips slightly and continued his attack.
"You love me?" She burst out, before squealing and squirming once more.
Lex grunted. "Not good enough."
"You're getting your pants dirty on the dusty floor!" Another squeak, and then Lex was climbing off of her to his feet, brushing at the dirt on his knees.
"Dammit," he muttered. "And I have a meeting this morning."
Rising up on her elbows, Hudson smirked up at him. "You're such a priss. I bet if I put a pea under your mattress, you'd feel it."
Lex flashed her a glare. "Would not."
"Too."
"Not."
"Too."
He shook his head. "I can't believe I'm having this conversation with you." He held his hand out to help her up.
"I can't either." Standing, she took a step closer and looped her arms around his waist. "I thought you were never going to forgive me or some such."
"I never said any such thing," Lex protested, pulling her closer. "You always twist my words. It's annoying. Stop it."
Hudson grinned. "You love me."
Lex rolled his eyes and exhaled a long-suffering sigh. "There you go again."
No matter his protestations, Hudson knew the truth. Lex might never tell her, but she could see it in his eyes, feel it in his touch, hear it whenever he said her name. She knew it because he acted differently when he was with her, he smiled more, laughed more, held her and teased her and seemed to shed the Luthor mantle that always haunted him. He never did that for anyone else. So she figured that meant he loved her. That, and the whole destiny thing that, the more she thought about, the more it made sense. Lex had no choice in the matter, in her opinion. Her parents thought she somehow found them when she landed here. And Hudson thought she'd found Lex, too.
"I've missed you," she told him, pressing her cheek against his shoulder and closing her eyes.
"You brought this on yourself, Angel," he replied, kissing the top of her head. "You're lucky it's only two weeks. And after that, we're following all of your parents' rules, is that understood?"
She nodded.
"Good."
Lex's fingers moved through her hair slowly, threading through the strands as they continued to stand there in silence. Sighing a little, Hudson turned her head, kissed his neck where the faint pulse of his heartbeat could just be seen beating against the skin. He tasted like soap and cologne. As if hearing a silent cue, Hudson lifted her head to meet Lex's kiss, a sigh of happiness escaping her as his arms tightened around her and the kiss deepened. She lifted a hand, curling her fingers around the back of his neck, brushing over the soft skin there. Her entire body seemed to thrum with excitement, with his nearness, with the warmth of his tongue against hers. It was when she whimpered with need that Lex pulled away.
"You have a way of making me forget myself," Lex whispered, and though he smiled as he touched her cheek, it didn't reach his eyes.
Hudson didn't understand the comment. "That should be a good thing."
"I guess that all depends on who you are." Lex stepped back and slipped a hand into his pocket, removing his keys. "I should get to work. Do you need a ride?"
She shook her head. "No." She was used to Lex going cold like this, so suddenly, but usually it happened when they'd been around one another for awhile. Not when they'd been separated. "Lex - "
"I'll talk to you later, Angel."
Leaning in for another quick kiss, Lex gave her a half-smile, then turned and made his way down the stairs.
***
The day went by blessedly quick for Hudson. She had trouble staying awake throughout her classes after the night spent breaking and entering, and glared at Lana when she commented that she felt just fine. Of course, she did. She slept through the entire drive back to Smallville.
When she got home, Hudson grabbed the mail on the way up the drive, waved to her dad out in the pasture where he was working on the tractor, and then headed into the house for a snack. Luckily, there was left over chili from the night before, which she piled high with cheese before slapping it into the microwave. She just pulled a Pepsi out of the refrigerator when the phone rang.
Snatching up a cookie on her way past the cookie jar, Hudson took a quick bite as she placed the receiver against her ear. "Kent Farm. Hudson speaking."
"H.C., Lex has been kidnapped."
"What?" Hudson tossed the cookie to the counter as she focused her full attention on her mom. "When? By whom?"
"Rachel Dunleavy," Martha responded. "She just called Lionel. Told him he had to put a press conference together to claim you as his legitimate daughter. or he would never see Lex again."
Of all the stupid --- "Does he know where she is? Or anything?"
"No." Martha paused briefly and her voice dropped to barely above a whisper. "H.C., I knew you would want to hear about this but don't do anything stupid, all right? Lionel is. he's angry. He keeps talking about not letting her push him around. There's no telling what he's going to do."
"Has the press conference been called?"
"Yes. It's in thirty minutes."
Hudson glanced at her watch. That should be enough time. "Thanks, mom. Bye - "
"H.C. - "
Tossing the phone to the counter, Hudson raced out the door toward town. She tried not to let her anger override her better judgment. First, she had to find Lex, make certain he was all right. Then she planned on giving Rachel Dunleavy a sound piece of her mind. After all, it seriously seemed as if she could use a sound mind from somewhere. Who the hell did something like that? Kidnapped someone else to prove the identity of their child?
It wasn't until she neared Main Street that Hudson realized she had no idea where to begin looking. Hell, she'd grown up here and still came across hideouts she never would have considered. It would likely take longer than thirty minutes to search the entire town, every nook and cranny. And if Lionel held his press conference and said things that Rachel didn't like, there was no telling what she might do in retaliation.
Then she remembered the house in Smallville that Rachel told her she purchased. And she knew the one person who would be able to find the address for her.
Slowing to a normal run as she neared Smallville High, Hudson hurried up the steps through the front doors and made her way down the halls. She finally spied Chloe beside her locker, setting her books away from her last class. Sighing with relief, Hudson jogged over to her.
"Chloe, I'm so glad I found you."
Chloe looked over at her and blinked. "Okay, there's a sentence I never thought I'd hear again."
Hudson shook her head, immediately contrite for the way she left things between them. "We both did and said things that we regret." She paused and watched her friend for a moment. "I know I did."
Closing her locker door, Chloe turned to Hudson, her gaze intent. "Look, you have to believe that I would burn my press pass if I thought it would come between us."
Smiling, Hudson replied, "No, you wouldn't. It's too much of who you are. " She touched her arm. "And right now, I need it."
"What is it?" Chloe searched her friend's gaze, apparently recognizing the desperation. "What's wrong?"
"Rachel Dunleavy has kidnapped Lex."
"What?!" She placed her hand over her chest and suddenly appeared ill. "H.C., I'm sorry. "
"No time for that." Hudson grabbed Chloe's arm and started steering her toward the Torch.
"But if I hadn't emailed her - "
Ignoring the guilt, Hudson told her, "Rachel told me she bought a house here in Smallville but I don't know where. I need you to track down the address for me. She's threatening Lex's life and I'm not going to sit back and wait for his father to do whatever. You remember the Plant incident?" She frowned, recalling how Lex had to put his own life in danger to insure that everyone walked out of there alive. "I need to find Lex myself."
"And do what?" Chloe demanded, eyes wide as she flipped on the lights in the office as they moved through the door. "Make a citizen's arrest??"
"Something like that."
Shaking her head, Chloe quickly took her seat in front of the computer, opened a couple of browsers and began typing. Hudson paced behind her, glancing at the screen occasionally, trying to hold her impatience to a minimum. She looked at the clock. According to what her mom told her, Lionel would be holding his press conference in twenty-five minutes. She wondered what he would do. Claim her as his daughter to save Lex? It's what she was hoping for. She could handle pretending to be a Luthor for a day if it meant making certain Lex was all right. They could clear everything else up later, once they sat Rachel down and explained to her that there was absolutely no truth to her allegations.
Hudson just couldn't understand why Rachel refused to accept the proof of the DNA results.
"If Rachel Dunleavy did buy a house in Smallville, she'll be listed with the county clerk," Chloe commented, hitting the enter button and leaning back in her chair. "It's just going to take a minute to get a hit."
Hudson looked back down at her friend, noting the slight tensing of her shoulders. She watched as Chloe fidgeted uncomfortably in her seat, the conflict between them still unresolved. Sighing, she grabbed a nearby chair and moved it over to Chloe, sitting down beside her.
Softly, Hudson began, "Chloe, what I said about your mother... I was way out of line."
She watched as her friend shrugged, as if it were nothing, pretending that it was nothing. "It's cool." She glanced at Hudson with a forced smile. "We all have family secrets I guess." Pausing, she focused her gaze back to the monitor, though her eyes seemed unseeing. "She left when I was five, so... I came downstairs and... There was my dad, trying to make waffles. He never even really explained why she left. It was weird."
Hudson remained silent a moment as Chloe laughed nervously beside her, obviously trying to hide the fact that there were tears in her eyes.
"I'm sorry," she told her quietly.
Chloe just shrugged once more in response. "It's just hard thinking you weren't good enough for someone to love."
Instantly, Hudson reached out and laid her hand over her friend's. "Don't ever think that." Her tone was firm but she gave Chloe a smile that was slowly returned.
Unfortunately, Hudson knew the feeling. Every night she sat and stared up at the stars and wondered if her real parents simply hadn't loved her enough.
A quick beep from the computer started them both from their reveries. Chloe focused her attention on the monitor and frowned.
"Oh. Uh, there is no record of Rachel Dunleavy."
Damn.
Frustrated, Hudson got to her feet and resumed her pacing. Why would Rachel say she purchased a house in Smallville if she hadn't? Certainly she meant for Hudson to come and visit her. It didn't make any sense. Just like the entire situation.
Wait a minute.
Turning back to Chloe, Hudson told her, "Um... try the name Lucinda Luthor."
Chloe raised her eyebrows. "Okay. You're going to have to explain that one to me later."
As soon as she typed in the name given to her, the computer beeped. Hudson quickly leaned over her shoulder to read the screen: Lucinda Luthor 1436 Blueberry Park Lane, Smallville, Kansas, 67254. Making certain that Chloe's attention was still firmly fixed on the monitor, she sped out of the office, through the high school corridors and outside toward Blueberry Park Lane, located on the south side of town.
Seconds later, Hudson skidded to a stop in front of the house marked 1436. Focusing her gaze, she peered in through the outside wall to Lex lying slumped on the floor, apparently unconscious, and Rachel standing over him, axe raised above her head.
"Shit!"
Speeding up the walk, Hudson burst through the front door, splinters flying around her as she threw herself forward, directly into the path of the swinging axe. She barely felt it as the blade slammed into her stomach, completely missing Lex as it bounced off of her and flew out of Rachel's hands at the impact. With the loss of momentum, Hudson crashed into the opposite wall, glancing up as she slipped to the floor to see Rachel staring at her empty hands in shock. Her gaze flickered quickly to Lex, who was still unmoving on the floor, before she quickly climbed to her feet.
"Who are you?" Rachel whispered, her tone slightly fearful as she took a step back from Hudson's approach.
Feeling momentary sympathy for the woman, Hudson replied quietly, "That's what I've been trying to tell you. I'm not your child."
"No!" Rachel cried, breaking into tears. "Oh no..."
Hudson hurried over to her as she collapsed to the floor, sobbing hysterically. Gently she pulled the woman into her arms, attempting to calm her as she once more glanced toward Lex. She couldn't decide who needed her most - the obviously disturbed woman in her arms or her unconscious boyfriend slumped at the foot of the stairs. She frowned as she noticed what had to be an entire roll of tape wrapped around his body, holding him to the chair.
"What did you do to him?" She asked.
Rachel only continued to cry.
Shaking her head, Hudson brushed the woman's hair a moment, whispering to her that everything would be all right before carefully pulling away. Rachel curled up into a fetal position against the floor, sobbing. Watching her carefully a moment longer, Hudson finally turned away and hurried over to kneel beside Lex. She tore the tape off, frowning when she accidentally tore the sleeve of his shirt in the process. Once he was free, she cradled him into her arms and checked for any signs of injury, x- raying him for any broken bones.
"Lex?" She called out, brushing her knuckles against his cheek. "Lex, can you hear me?"
It was a few moments before he finally stirred, eyes fluttering open to stare up at her. The barest hint of a smile flickered over his face.
She returned it, curious as to the reaction. "What is it?"
He started to shake his head, wincing at the movement as he reached up to touch his scalp. "I was thinking, before I blacked out, that I was either going to die, or wake up to see you."
Hudson smiled at his faith in her. "How do you feel?"
"Like I smashed my head against the floor."
"Smartass." Hudson rolled her eyes and helped him to sit up. "Will you be okay while I call the police?"
Lex nodded, staring ahead at the woman on the floor with a thoughtful expression as he rubbed the back of his neck. "Ever wonder exactly how many people's lives my father has ruined?"
Pausing, she followed his gaze, knowing she had nothing to say in reply.
***
Jonathan peered over Hudson's shoulder as she worked over a math problem, tongue pressed firmly between her lips as she concentrated. He didn't have the slightest idea what the solution was when she asked him. In fact, he'd simply responded "Call Lex", only realizing after he'd spoken that he, like his wife, so easily slipped into the role of enabler when it came to his daughter's relationship with Lex Luthor.
And maybe that was something he was going to have to grudgingly accept. He knew in his heart that Lex cared about Hudson, that beyond his initial investigation into the accident, he'd never made any intentional move toward hurting her or their family. Admittedly, there was something about the guy that rubbed Jonathan the wrong way, but he couldn't decide if it was simply because of who his father was, or that Lex was dating his daughter, or something else entirely. What it all boiled down to in the end was that Lex made Hudson happy. She enjoyed being with him, talked about him incessantly and really, Jonathan would rather have his daughter around, gushing over her boyfriend, as opposed to driving a wedge between them like the one that had existed between himself and his father. Or Martha and hers. It might not be the right thing to do, but truthfully, Jonathan wasn't certain what was right when it came to Hudson anymore. Her life was so different than any other girl. Why begrudge her a moment's happiness, when he could just as easily keep a sharp eye on Lex and let things run their course?
"Rachel's been admitted to a private psychiatric clinic." Martha's voice broke through the silence as she climbed up the steps of the loft to join her family. Her gaze rested on Hudson as she added, "Even if she tries to explain what you did, nobody will believe her."
Jonathan watched his daughter frown, gaze dropping to the floor sadly. "I really feel sorry for her."
Martha nodded as she moved to stand beside her husband.
"I can't even imagine what it must've been like having to give up that baby," Jonathan commented, eyes flickering over his daughter. No, he couldn't imagine that at all.
"I'm just glad our own family is still in one piece."
Jonathan looked down at his wife and smiled. "Not even Lionel Luthor could tear us apart."
Silence fell over the loft, and Jonathan could feel Hudson's gaze focused on him intently. Smile falling away, he dropped his arm from around Martha, and started toward the stairs quickly.
"But Lionel helped us," Hudson called out before he could get away. "Dad, why do you hate him so much?"
Jonathan shook his head. He didn't want to share that part of the story. He knew his daughter, knew that she carried enough guilt around with her on a daily basis - guilt that shouldn't be hers to worry about. And she would take this and run with it, blame herself for even more circumstances that she really had nothing to do with. He couldn't do that to his child. But Martha was looking at him, expression encouraging, and Jonathan knew he didn't have a choice. Hudson would continue to ask, and Martha believed she had the right to know.
Biting his lip thoughtfully, Jonathan began, "The morning he came by with the adoption papers, I.. thought I'd never lay eyes on him again..."
Jonathan finished fixing the plank in the loft, satisfied that it wouldn't break through the next time someone stepped on it, when he turned to see Lionel Luthor walking in through the entrance of the barn. Sunlight streamed in behind him, casting a halo around the long, dark coat that masked his lean figure.
"Mr. Kent," he called out, shifting his briefcase from one hand to the other, as he started up the steps of the loft.
Jonathan picked up a hay bale to move out of his way, then started down the stairs to meet him. "Mr. Luthor."
Lionel chuckled. "Call me Lionel. Please."
They met on the lower landing where Lionel extended his hand and Jonathan firmly grasped it in a shake. "Lionel."
Nodding with a smile, Lionel turned and placed his briefcase on the top of the railing, flipping it open. "I think you'll find everything in order," he said as he pulled out a slim stack of documents, which he handed over to Jonathan.
Jonathan stared at the papers in his hands, elation spreading through him. It was final. Hudson was theirs. No one would ever contest it now. They really and truly had a daughter all their own!
"Oh, thank you." He lifted his gaze to meet Lionel's unable to truly express his appreciation for the favor that the man had just done for them. "And thank you for bringing it out here yourself. You really didn't have to do that."
Lionel smiled in reply. "We're taking Lex back to Metropolis today."
"Hey, that's fantastic!"
Jonathan, Martha and Hudson had been by once to visit the boy while he recovered at the Smallville Medical Center. He'd been resting at the time but Hudson had left him a stuffed rabbit for when he woke up.
"I'm glad your son is going to be all right."
"Thank you," Lionel nodded. "Thank you."
Smiling once more, Jonathan unfolded the documents and studied them quietly, making little sense of the legal jargon but not really caring. After all, the only thing that mattered were the lines that read 'Hudson Clark Kent' and 'Parents: Jonathan Kent and Martha Kent'.
"There is one thing I'd like you to do for me."
Jonathan glanced up to find Lionel looking over his shoulder. He'd almost forgotten that the man was there. "Yeah"
"I'm sure you've heard that the, uh, Ross brothers are having second thoughts about selling me their factory. They don't want to sell to an outsider. They're friends of yours, aren't they?"
Frowning a little, Jonathan shifted his feet uneasily, looking down at the papers in his hand once more before back up to Lionel. "Yeah. Yeah, they are."
Lionel shrugged. "Talk to them. Convince them that I only have Smallville's best interests at heart. I think it would make a difference."
"I-I really don't think that's... really any of my business, Mr. Luthor," Jonathan hedged. He didn't like the idea of outsiders moving big business into town. And Lionel Luthor was big business. If the Rosses were having second thoughts, then there had to be a reason.
"I understand." Lionel smiled for a moment before turning around to close his briefcase.
Figuring their business together was concluded, Jonathan started back up the steps to the loft. He couldn't wait for Martha to get back from her trip in to town with Hudson. Then they could celebrate as a real family!
Suddenly, Lionel's voice broke out across the stillness. "I'd be careful with that certificate if I were you. I wouldn't want the Department of Family Welfare to find out young Hudson's adoption is a sham. "
Jonathan stopped mid-step, heart slamming wildly against his chest in shock. He spun around to watch as Lionel descended the steps to the barn floor, heading for the door.
"W-wait. Are you threatening me?"
Chuckling, Lionel continued on his way out of the barn. "Of course not. I'm just asking for a small favor."
Jonathan swallowed, glancing once more at the adoption papers in his hands. Pausing on the upper landing, he looked toward Lionel, watching as the man walked back out into the sunlight, his long shadow slowly disappearing around the corner of the barn.
"So you did it. You convinced the Rosses to sell."
Jonathan looked up at his daughter's voice and nodded solemnly. "I helped the Luthors get a foothold in this community." He waved a hand. "The smokestacks, the toxic dumping, all the people who were cheated. including Pete's family. None of that would've happened if it weren't for me."
Shaking her head, Hudson told him emphatically, "Dad, you couldn't have known."
"Nah, I should have known, H.C.," he argued. "I knew exactly what kind of man Lionel Luthor was."
Hudson sighed and glanced down at her hands, studying her fingers for a moment. "Why didn't you tell me?" she asked.
Jonathan frowned, noting the familiar expression on her face, the sudden slump of her shoulders. "Because I knew that you would do exactly what you're doing right now, which is blame yourself."
She looked up, eyes flashing. "You were trying to protect me. It is my fault."
"No," he told her firmly, mentally chiding himself for giving in to his wife's whims. Hudson didn't need this. She deserved a regular life. "You never believe that. This was my decision. This is my fault." He glanced at Martha, then back to Hudson, hoping they both understood. "Mine alone."
Before either could reply, Jonathan turned and hurried down the steps of the loft, out into the darkness.
***
Sometimes, the light coming from Hudson's loft window was like a beacon calling Lex home. At least, that was how it felt that night as he parked the Ferrari alongside the shed and stared up at the softly glowing light above him. This barn, this farm, this family had become his refuge, his peace of mind. And no matter what manner of secrecy might lie between them, he hoped that would never change. That the light above him would always be on, beckoning him inside to safety and warmth.
Pocketing his keys, Lex stepped quickly to the barn door, the chill more distinct than it had been previously through the season. Breathing out a puff of air, he stepped into the barn, pausing for a moment as he breathed in the sharp scent of hay, old wood and engine oil. Music floated down from overhead, and Lex smiled momentarily as he listened to Hudson singing along with the lyrics.
"Somebody saaaaaavvve me! Let your warm hands break right through. Somebody saaaaaaaaaavvvveee me! I don't care how you do it."
He shook his head. Her singing was awful. Her parents should have invested in some voice lessons for her, or at least encouraged her to join the choir at school so she could learn the difference between holding a tune, and trashing one.
"Just staaaaaayyyyy, staaaaaayyyyyy.. c'mon!"
Lex chuckled softly. God, he loved her.
Climbing lightly up the steps, Lex paused on the lower landing as he watched her, flopped on her belly on the couch where she was glancing through a textbook. She was tugging at her bottom lip between her singing, legs swinging back and forth in the air along to the music. Well, at least she could keep a beat, even if she had no idea what a tune was.
"You should keep your day job," he announced as he moved up the final few steps.
"You're like, the biggest jerk, I've ever had the misfortune of knowing," Hudson quipped, flipping him off as she continued to study without glancing up.
"Honesty is important in a relationship." Lex walked over to the couch and promptly sat down on her ass. "I'm just being honest."
She grunted. "You're heavy. Get off of me."
"I am not."
She wriggled beneath him, trying to throw him off. Slipping a little to her thighs, Lex grabbed hold of her right butt cheek and held on.
"Hey!" She looked over her shoulder at him with a glare. "I don't remember telling you that you could grab my ass."
Lex grinned. "But it's such a cute ass."
"You're intolerable."
"You learned that word from me."
Hudson snorted. "I do know what a dictionary is, Lex Luthor. And, when I was flipping through it, I saw your picture beside the word. Intolerable."
"Frankly, I think you tolerate me just fine." Lex grabbed hold of the back of the couch as Hudson flipped over beneath him and he slipped between her thighs.
"Did you hear about Rachel?"
Lex glanced over at her, silent for a moment before nodding. "Mmm. I heard my father speaking with the hospital. Apparently, she was only recently released."
"I feel so sorry for her."
"Yeah. I always feel sorry for people that attempt to hack me into pieces." Lex frowned.
"That's not what I meant."
Silence. Lex brushed at a piece of lint on his slacks, ignoring the weighty stare he could feel coming from Hudson. Just because he felt better in her presence didn't really make the outside world disappear. Or his life.
"Lex, what's wrong?"
And she read him far too well. He needed to work on that. It wasn't that he believed she would ever use their familiarity against him, but. well, there was a danger in anyone being able to understand you better than you understood yourself. It was how his father conquered the people around him. And no one seemed to understand Lex the way that Hudson did. And no one seemed to not understand him the way Hudson did. It always frustrated him how sometimes she got things, and other times she just didn't.
"Lex?"
He lifted his gaze, staring at the loft railing. "I confronted my father tonight about Rachel. and the baby."
"And?"
"His name was Lucas. He died before his first birthday."
"I'm so sorry," Hudson whispered, her fingers brushing over the sleeve of his coat. Then Lex felt a slight tug. "C'mere."
Glancing down at her, Lex stared at her open arms quietly before finally giving in to the urge and stretching out across her body. He tucked his head against the crook of her neck, cheek pressed against her breast, and closed his eyes as her arms went around him. Safety and warmth engulfed him. Her fingers stroked the back of his neck, and her lips grazed his scalp. Lex found himself wishing he could just die then, because his life would never get better than this.
"Do you want to talk about it?"
Did he? He wanted to say no. He wanted to say nothing. He wanted to just lie there and listen to the sound of her heart beating beneath him, smell the apple scent of her, let the silence between them make everything that was ugly and wrong in his life go away. But with Hudson, things were never the way that Lex wanted them to be. He opened his mouth and couldn't stop it.
"When Rachel came to see me. when she told me that you were my sister. Fuck, I was so stunned. Between thoughts of your parents killing me and the fact that I would never be able to touch you again, I." Lex shook his head and sighed. "The worst of it was, there was this part of me that wanted it to be true. When I came to see you, a small voice inside kept begging you to say it was true."
Her fingers stilled against his skin. "W-why?"
Lex opened his eyes and stared into the darkness of the barn. "Because, if you were my sister, you could never leave me. We'd be bonded by blood. We'd. I'd always have you."
More silence and Lex closed his eyes again, anger filling him at his admission. He always said too much when it came to Hudson, always shared things that were better kept inside. But he would never tell the main reason he wished she was his sister - that he always seemed to forget who he was when she was around. If she was a Luthor, she would be just like him. And he wouldn't have to feel himself splitting apart any longer.
"I'm never going to leave you, Lex."
The question is, will I leave you? "You can't be so certain, Hudson. You're young. You're - "
"I'm in love with you." She shifted beneath him. "Lex, look at me."
He hesitated, wished he hadn't come here, wished he'd just driven somewhere, anywhere but here where the light beckoned and blinded him.
"Please?"
A plaintive plea he could never ignore. Lex lifted his head to meet her gaze, instinctively moving against her touch when she touched his cheek. "I won't leave you. I don't need your blood to give you my loyalty."
Lex met her kiss, savoring the taste and feel of her mouth against his, her hand moving around to cup the back of his head, pulling him closer. He wanted to believe her, wanted so much to pretend that he'd finally found someone who was truly on his side. Someone he could always believe in. It was tempting - but there was a niggling feeling in the back of his mind that what he wanted, and what he ever actually deserved, were two different things.
Hudson loved him, yes. But did she love him enough to forget who he was?
Lex didn't hold that much faith.
