Lex had spent the previous night in a restless sleep. Every time he closed his eyes he saw flashes of what the pictures his father had shown him could lead to. He had spent the night thinking about Clark being forced to live out his life as his father's pet experiment.

Lex knew all too well the evils of Belle Reeve and the implications to Clark and his family once he entered behind the walls of the infamous research center.

Concern for Clark flipped back and forth with anger at him for his deception. How many times had he stared into that young face and given his so-called friend the chance to trust him? How could Clark have lied to him with such ease? Maybe his father was right; maybe Clark didn't deserve his loyalty. Maybe he should help his father derive the benefits from these unexplained abilities. Then his thoughts would trail back to the face of the younger brother he never had. He had seen Clark's eyes filled with hurt, anger, fear and forgiveness more times than he could count. Maybe, just maybe it was Lex's turn to pull his friend from harms way and stop him from drowning in his own secrets.

The next day had been spent walking the halls of Belle Reeve, looking through plexi-glass windows at the tormented souls within. These were the people society forgot. How could he contribute to what his father had planned? To see Clark's innocence chipped at with each new test would destroy Lex and he knew it.

Decision made he waited in the library of the mansion for his father.

Lionel was punctual as always and Lex tried to remain calm as his father closed the distance between them. "Dad." Lex acknowledged his arrival as he lifted his glass of scotch to his lips.

"Hello son, I trust you had had a full day of contemplation. I do hope you slept well, you look a little tired." Lionel mocked as he raised his finger towards his son's face. Anyone on the outside looking in would have thought the motion was one of a concerned father but Lex saw it for what it was, an attempt to establish control at the start of the meeting.

Lex turned his face away from his father's touch, "I'm fine Dad."

"Have you made your decision then?"

"I will never be you, I will never become you and I will never join you if that is what you are asking." Lex announced with a false air of confidence unsure of how true his own statement really was.

"I see. So what is t you are saying then Lex, because you see either option left you doing exactly that. You join me against Clark or you join me to protect Clark."

Lex let the words sink in as he stared at the glass in his hand. "I was thinking I might pay Clark a visit and discuss his abilities. You know clear the air up between us."

"I think that is a great idea son. While you are at it why don't you drop this off in the mail for me?" Lionel agreed as he passed Lex an envelope addressed to the Daily Planet. Lex stared at it, its pertinence to the conversation becoming very apparent. "Go ahead and open it. I am sure you will find it riveting." Lionel finished as he began to pour himself a scotch from the decanter.

Lex tried not to let his fingers tremble as he opened the envelope. Inside was an article with Clark's picture in the inset. "Teen Boy found to have special powers" Lex read the headline out loud. "Bit of a flare for the dramatic, wouldn't you say Dad?"

"Keep reading Lex, get an insight into what the future holds for our young friend."

Lex went on to read about the abilities and powers Clark possessed as well as how they linked to a number of random crimes and murders yet to happen. It continued on to say that Clark had been taken into custody for the protection of the state of Kansas. It also described at great lengths Clark as a diabolic mad-man hell bent and on ruling the world and Jonathon and Martha who it seems harbored this monster would stand trial for aiding a dangerous criminal.

Lex stood, paper in hand, starring at the man who threatened to make this all too real. "You can't do this." Realizing how lame his words were almost before he finished speaking them.

"Come now son, I expected more from you than that. You and I both know that I can and I will if you insist on continuing your rebellious behavior."

Lex simply stood there, not too sure of his next move. Lionel came over and slid the paper back into the envelope. "Well Lex?"

"What do you want from me?" My how Lionel enjoyed hearing that sentence of defeat for the third time in as many days.

"Hmm, what do I want? Let's see, well for starts I want all the Lexcorp shares to be sold to Luthorcorp in a merger. I want this pathetic excuse for a plant shut down for good. Also, I want you back where you belong, in Metropolis with me. Oh, I almost forgot, I want a grandson."

Lex had seen all but the last as a given but was taken back by the request for a grandson. He half choked on the breath he hadn't realized he had drawn in sharply. "What! Dad I-"

"I know, I know. No self respecting Luthor has a child that is born a bastard and since you aren't married that does pose a problem. That is unless you were to get married."

"What exactly are you getting at Dad?" Lex asked dreading what was to come.

"It seems to me son that you have had your chance picking the future Mrs. Luthor only to meet with disappointment. So, in order to ensure an heir to my legacy I have taken it upon myself to pick someone for you."

Lex's lips curled in part with the humor of his father's statement and in part with the fear of its seriousness. "You can't really be serious Dad?" Was all he could think to say.

"Oh on the contrary Lex, I am very serious. In fact, I have the young lady waiting outside in the limo for an invitation when the time is right. You see now is where you earn your young friends freedom Lex." Lionel said as he pressed a green felt jewelry box into his son's hand. He curled Lex's fingers around the box and embraced him with one arm drawing him in close. "Son you are going to be happy whether you like it or not." And he firmly patted Lex on the back and strolled away.

His back to him he continued, "Don't be so surprised Lex an good many well to do families enter their children into arranged marriages. The young lady in question is a Miss Sarah Unrae. I believe you may have met her at one of your many social gatherings or perhaps your last marriage. Her father is Sam Unrae, he owns a number of computer software companies across the country. She is a temptress to say the least. You would be wise to keep her happy."

"I am not marrying anyone, so you can forget your hair-brained scheme and get out!" Lex announced with finality.

"I am sure your young friend and his family will be sorry to hear that Lex but just remember the decision was yours alone to make. Good night." Lionel put his glass down and began towards the door.

Lex looked down past the hand still holding the unopened jewelry box and then to the envelope containing the damaging news article.

"Dad?"

"Yes son." Lionel stopped without turning to face Lex.

"When do I meet her?"

"You know Lex," Lionel started as he turned around, "your indecisiveness is not a flattering quality for a Luthor to possess."

"When Dad?" Lex's temper began to flare up in both his tone and his eyes.

"First things first Lex. On your knees."

"What?"

"On your knees, now." Lionel tapped the envelope that he had crossed the room to pick up.

Lex had nowhere to go but to follow through on the path he had chosen for himself. He slowly lowered himself down onto his knees in front of his father, eye contact never wavering.

"Excellent." Lionel said as he circled around Lex, "Open the box."

Lex slowly with trembling hands opened the box. He could barely make out the ring seated in between the cushioning of the box. At the moment all he could see was a blurry sparkle through his tears of anger and frustration.

He was snapped out of thought by a swift, sharp backhand to the back of his head. The tears that threatened to fall were freed with the sudden jerk forward.

"Pay attention. As I was saying, you know those men who are successful, rich, married and miserable? You are about to become one of those men. You know the men whose wives rule them with an iron fist for fear of losing everything in a divorce. A women scorned and all that. Well my boy you are to be married to a woman who will have the knowledge that she possesses ultimate control over you. If you want to keep your friend safe you will do as she says and keep her happy. Do you understand what I am saying to you Lex?

Lex swallowed hard trying to re-evaluate his decision. He starred off into the distance thinking of the absurdity of the situation at hand.

"Last chance Lex, do I make myself clear?"

Lex licked his lips and glared up at his father, "Perfectly."

"Excellent, let's get the show on the road then." He flipped open his phone and began to dial, "Yes Sarah dear, would you care to join us in the library?" and the phone was snapped shut.

"Given that you have been married twice before I do believe that you are familiar with the proposal part." Lionel sneered at Lex.

"Here? Now?" Lex's surprise was evident.

"No need to dilly dally with matters of the heart."

"But Dad, I-"

"Quiet Lex, focus on the task at hand." Just then Sarah strolled into the room. She was pretty, slender with long brown hair and brown eyes. Lex thought to himself that her features were shockingly similar to that of Helen's his second ex-wife.

"Hello Lex." She smiled as she closed the distance. In an instant Lex felt the sharp sting of being slapped across the face.

"What the-"

"Oh I am sorry son, I forgot to mention Sarah is Helen's sister." Lionel informed his as Lex gently touched his bottom lip and examined his finger for blood.

"You little bastard. You killed her. You let my sister die. You took her up in that plane. You rigged the parachute. This arrangement will let me take revenge for her death and I am going to enjoy every last minute of it." With that she knelt down in front of him and grabbed his balls. "I am going to make you wish you had never met my sister you little fucker." Lex gritted his teeth as she squeezed through her angered words.

"Well lucky for both of us, I already do." Lex shot back, the pain becoming uncomfortably unbearable.

She released her grip and smiled sweetly, "You'll pain for that and any other smart ass comments you make along the way."

"Ahem, excuse me for interrupting your foreplay here but I do believe Lex has something he would like to ask you Sarah." Lionel prompted as he came to stand behind Lex. "Go ahead son."

"Dad"

"Do it Lex or I call the Daily Planet right now," he barked.

"Do it!" he gave Lex a slight shove from behind that almost knocked him off balance.

Lex hoped he didn't look as utterly miserable as he felt in that moment. The thought flashed through his mind that he could marry her and have her meet with an untimely death. With that happy thought in mind he blurted out the words, "Marry me."

"Come now Lex you can do better than that." His father encouraged obviously enjoying watching Lex struggle.

"Yes Lex." Sarah purred as she ran her fingers across his scalp, down his cheek and across his lips. Lex thought briefly that she had the potential to be seductive if it were any other situation. As it was he turned his face to avoid the attempt at false intimacy.

"Lex!" His father warned.

"Don't worry Lionel, he'll learn." Sarah assured as she grabbed Lex's chin and pulled his face back towards her. He glared up at her with pure hatred and she returned his look with a brilliant smile. "You were saying Lex?"

"Will you marry me?" His heart and stomach twisted with the humiliation of the words.

"Yes." She replied as she reached over his head and pulled his father in for a long deep kiss. Wedged between the two bodies he felt completely helpless.

Sarah reached down and took the ring out of the jewelry box and slid it onto her ring finger. She was admiring it as Lionel lead her out of the room, "You'll excuse us son. We have some business to attend to." He smiled as she curled into his arms again, playfully undoing his shirt buttons. She stopped long enough to address Lex one last time, "Lex honey, I expect to be married by Friday evening. Make it happen." She paused, "All of it. I expect you to make any and all of the arrangements and it had better be fantastic."

Then they were gone. Lex slumped to the floor, the events of the last hour draining him. As he lay there he began to formulate the future Mrs. Luthor's demise. His plans were interrupted by thoughts of the sheer magnitude of the tasks before him.