Hudson took another bite of the wedding cake on her plate before glancing across the room where Lex was milling around the many tables that were set up for his perusal. There were varying shades of tablecloths, napkins, bouquets, more cakes than even she could possibly scarf down. Earlier she had commented that it was nice to see how rich people went about planning their weddings. When she had added that her 'people' just called up the family on the phone, dressed the cows in their best brass bells and had a ho-down in the wheat field, Lex had appeared more than ready to strangle her with the taffeta that decorated one of the tables.

"So what flavor does Helen hate the most?" She called out, tapping her fork against the china plate in contemplation.

Lex shrugged. "I've never asked. Why?"

Hudson was willing to bet he knew that she hated lemon, were she to ask. What kind of relationship did these two have anyway? Maybe that was the difference between a best friend and a spouse. Or maybe it was just more proof that the entire relationship was total and complete bullshit. Hudson wouldn't accept it; even when they walked down the aisle together, and said 'I do', she would never believe that he loved Helen.

She still refused to believe that he didn't love her any longer.

"Because I think that is the one you should go with."

Lex glanced up from the fabrics the wedding planner was going on and on about and frowned at his friend. "The snide remarks aren't appreciated, Hudson."

"She started it," Hudson muttered, returning to her cake.

Helen hated Hudson, no matter what Lex said to the contrary. Maybe he was just too blinded by the idea of love or whatever to see it. Helen was far too nice to her, always trying to be her best friend, always wanting to get her to talk to her about her problems and school and everything else. Lex would come to Hudson with invitations to dinner that were obviously conceived by Helen, where the three of them would sit in total silence until Helen would try to talk to her about things like boyfriends.

Boyfriends. The bitch just really knew how to rub it in, didn't she?

Lex always excused it, saying she was just trying to be friendly, she was just trying to help Hudson get past the awkwardness of their relationship. Awkward. That was an interesting word choice. She swore Lex had to be one of the most dense individuals she'd ever met, and she wondered how she never saw it while they were dating. How did he not see it? How could he ignore the truth that was right in front of him?

She knew the truth, and the obvious reason why Lex's fiancée didn't like her.

Helen was scared.

Scared because she knew, as certainly as Hudson did, who Lex truly belonged to. Who, in the end, he really loved. And it wasn't Dr. Helen Bryce. The only reason he asked her to marry him was because he almost lost her when her psycho ex tried to kill her. And Lex doesn't like to lose. So naturally, his only response was to secure Helen to his life. But he was deluding himself into believing he loved her, burying his true emotions deep inside where Hudson figured they best remain.

It had been a difficult decision for her to come to. Her mother had convinced her of it when she had explained that Lex needed more in his life than a sixteen-year old girl who had both a lot of growing up to do, and too many secrets to share. Hudson hadn't wanted to give up – she loved Lex so much it hurt – but she understood what her mother was telling her. The time just wasn't right.

Right now, Lex needed someone like Helen. In order to gain the respect of the people around him, to appear stable and strong, to further his business and political aspirations, Lex needed a wife who would create a good match. While Hudson held the personal belief that Helen Bryce was lacking in many ways with regards to what Lex truly needed emotionally, she could accept that the woman held a respectable job, had an impeccable past and would likely never be wrapped up in some sex scandal. After all, she'd seen them exchange a few kisses – the woman was a cold fish. When she was around, it was like having a nun nearby. Hudson had never thought a lack of desire for Lex could be possible, but seeing him with his future wife caused even her to lose interest. Of course, that usually faded the moment Helen left. Take now for instance. Hudson could think of a dozen interesting ways to sample the various cakes – and tables – and make the planning of this wedding a hell of a lot more fun.

C'est la vie. The fact that Hudson and Lex were still best friends after the love and the sex and the accusations and the fights, seemed to say a lot for their future, in her opinion. She gave his marriage to Helen five years tops; at which point she would be in college and hopefully mature enough to engage in a full-blown relationship with the love of her life. It was a little unfair that Lex had initiated her into the wonders and delights that were wrapped up in sex – especially with him – and then subjected her to his relationship with Helen, but when it came to the workings of Lex Luthor's mind, Hudson knew there wasn't a really good answer for anything he did.

"I think I like this vanilla with the strawberry filling best so far," she commented.

"Great," Lex replied blandly. "I'll be certain to remember that information for the caterer when you get married." His tone dripped with sarcasm.

"So does Helen actually know the Assiness which is Lex?"

Lex flashed her a glare.

Hudson shrugged. "I'm just saying…" Licking the rest of the frosting off of her fork, she hopped up from the couch to walk over to the table and toss the empty plate down, lifting up another, this one chocolate layered with cherries. "Explain to me again why your fiancée isn't interested in planning her own wedding?"

Lex glanced over as she devoured her fourth piece of cake. He considered for a moment that LexCorp's next study should be into Hudson's metabolism. If he could replicate it, he would make billions. Trillions, even. "She has more important things that require her attention at the moment."

"Oh. Right. Because there are things out there more important than the intricacies of the ceremony which is binding you for life to the man you supposedly love. I got it."

"I'm not in the mood for this, Hudson," Lex snapped, returning his attention to the four cakes in front of him.

Having grown accustomed to his moods, and knowing that Lex truly deserved every bit of ribbing she dolled out to him, Hudson shrugged at his tone and reached out to scrape some frosting off of the cake in front of him with her finger. "Let me know when you are. It could make for an interesting discussion."

"Don't you have homework or something to do?" He asked as he pushed her hand away.

"Hey, you're the one who invited me over here, pal."

Lex winced at her use of 'pal' and cast her another glare. His glares were usually enough to cause the recipient to cower fearfully. Unfortunately, Hudson seemed to have grown immune to them long ago. "That was when I thought you would be of some help."

"Lex Luthor – Wedding Planner. Never thought I would see the day," Hudson commented with a shake of her head.

There was a long-suffering sigh from the man beside her. "How did I put up with you? You weren't this mouthy when we were dating, were you?"

Hudson shook her head with the last bite of cake. "I developed the ability when I noticed my best friend was ruining his life."

"Hudson, go home."

"I'm just teasing." She wasn't. "Geez."

"Well, there's a lovely face I haven't seen in awhile."

Lex and Hudson glanced at one another as Lionel's voice echoed through the room.

"I think that's my cue to leave," Hudson whispered.

"No. Stay. There's more cake," Lex whispered back.

Rolling her eyes, Hudson turned and forced a smile for Lex's father as he moved towards her. "Mr. Luthor. How are you?"

"I can't complain, Miss Kent," Lionel replied with a smile, stopping entirely too close. "I suppose that I can't dare to hope that my son has changed his mind and is marrying the 'right' woman, can I?" He nodded towards the array of wedding cakes.

"Hardly." Hudson flashed a look at Lex who was already scowling at both of them. "I think my father's shotgun would have something to say about my marrying into the Luthor family… No offense, of course."

Lionel smiled. "None taken. I can understand your father's objections to your marrying at such a young age."

That wasn't what she meant and they both knew it. Hudson forced another smile.

"Well, I'm going to be late for dinner if I don't head home. Have fun, Lex," she told him with a quick wink. She noticed the deadpan expression he returned and tried very hard not to laugh.

"Pity you can't stay longer," Lionel remarked as she walked past him, his gaze moving over her in silent regard.

Hudson turned to walk backwards as she headed towards the door. "Yeah. Pity."

She noticed the way he was looking at her; he always looked at her like he was thinking things about her that maybe he shouldn't be. It gave her the creeps.

Smiling a little, she told him, "You should try the amaretto cake over there, Mr. Luthor. Bye, Lex."

Lex could barely contain the smirk that threatened at her parting words as he turned to his father. She had earlier commented that the amaretto was 'the driest piece of crap' she had 'ever had the misfortune of consuming'. As he watched his father choke on the bite he had taken, Lex's gaze flickered to the smaller cake at the very end of the table.

When Helen asked why he chose the vanilla and strawberry, he would tell her that he thought it would please the woman he loved.