Lex emerged from the bathroom a bit hesitantly, unsure whether or not Sam would still be waiting around for another session. He mentally chided himself for being so paranoid but the last week had taught him to continually be on edge.
He slowly made his way to the bed with minor discomfort in each stride. He saw the tux laid out for him and shoes at the foot of the bed. He momentarily thought of running away. He could live out from under his father's control. The thought was gone as fast as it had appeared as he imagined the life that Clark would live as a result. It wouldn't take long for his father to find him and use Clark to manipulate him back to the mansion. If the last few lessons were any indication, he could only predict far worse as a result of running away.
He slid into the underwear, black socks, pants and crisp white shirt. As he buttoned the shirt up he heard the door open and he turned to face whatever was coming next. He rolled his eyes as his father entered the room.
"Hello son." Lionel crossed the room and took over tying the bowtie around Lex's neck. Lex's hands fell from the tie, relenting control of the task, but he remained silent.
"So today's the big day. You know, you can't imagine how happy I was earlier to see the change in your fortitude. Things will run much more smoothly for you and your friends if you can pull this off today you know."
"I know." Lex agreed softly.
"Why the sudden change of heart Lex?"
"You know why, dad. You just said it yourself."
"I realize that it is out of some false sense of loyalty to Clark, but for the life of me I can figure out why that is exactly. I mean the boy did lie to you for years. He betrayed your trust and your friendship and yet you still protect him. I just find it an interesting approach to building a lasting relationship."
Lionel stared at his son, moving his hands from the completed tie to Lex's shoulders. "You never did have many friends, did you? Is that why the effort now?"
"Dad-" Lex's voice taking on an air of warning.
"Watch your tone son. Let's not start today out on a bad foot." He smiled knowingly at Lex. "As I was saying, is that why? Is it because you lacked friendship in other aspects of your life?"
"Can we please not do this right now dad?" Lex asked as politely as he could muster.
Lionel chuckled. "Since you asked so nicely we will drop the subject for now. But in the meantime I would like you to do some soul searching and have an answer ready for the next time I ask you."
He turned and retrieved a white flower from the side table. He returned to Lex and pinned it securely to the pocket of the black jacket Lex had put on.
"Shall we?" Lionel smiled and waved his hand towards the door.
Lex walked past Lionel and out the door.
The drive to the church was filled with an uncomfortable silence until Lionel finally spoke. "So what would you like your reward to be after today, that is if you follow through with your end of the bargain?"
Lex sat between Sam and Lionel thumbing the crease on his pants. "What do you mean, reward?"
"Like I said earlier, if all goes well today I could see my way to affording your friends a few comforts. What shall it be, hmm? What is the one thing you would like to see them provided with?"
"There freedom." Lex stated blandly even though he was aware that would never happen.
Lionel chuckled, "Come now Lex, what is it you wish for them to have?"
"Put them in a better room, one of the spare rooms with a bathroom. And some entertainment, books or a TV, something."
"Let's not push our luck son, I asked for one thing. If you are a good boy today and do as you are told I will consider your request for the room. Be forewarned Lex, if you so much as stutter at the "I do" part of the ceremony your friends get nothing. Do you understand?"
"Perfectly." Lex answered trying to take the sarcasm out of his voice that he had spent years perfecting when dealing with his father.
"After the wedding I will expect that you accompany me to several business meetings. Of course once you sign over Lexcorp and your shares in Luthorcorp, you will have no real business to take care of per say, but I want you there by my side regardless. You will not speak at these meetings, you will only be there as the token son by his father's side, supporting my business endeavors, or so it will seem to the rest of the board."
"Fine." Lex agreed through his teeth.
"If you continue to behave this way we will discuss the TV and books for Clark again at a later date. One screw up Lex and Clark will find himself right back at square one."
"You mean Clark and his father?" Lex corrected.
Lionel paused briefly thinking about his alternate plans for Jonathon but decided against sharing them with Lex at this stage of the game, "Ah yes, that's right, Clark and Jonathon of course."
"I'll do my best." Lex confirmed.
"Well unfortunately for Clark you have a recorded history of your best just not being good enough." Lionel turned to look out the window at the approaching church. "Oh look we're here."
Once in the church Lex dutifully followed his father to the front to take his place in front of the alter and just off to the side of the aisle. The walk down the isle was agonizing. Lex could feel the heat of embarrassment rise from his shirt collar and onto his cheeks. All the eyes of his father's friends were staring at him.
He wondered to himself how many of these associates knew of his new position under his father? How many were waiting for his promised signature on the documents signing over Lexcorp? They all looked so smug, staring at him. He mentally tried to convince himself that they were just looking on with the happiness that accompanies a wedding, but deep down he still wondered how many of them were privy to his situation.
As the music started his heart felt like it stopped beating in his chest and then resumed at a far faster pace to make up for the delay. All eyes turned to the back of the room as the bride slowly started down the aisle. Sam was at her elbow, walking her down the aisle towards him with a large knowing grin on his face. Lex turned away at the sight of the smile feeling the nausea mixed with anger begin to rise.
It was quickly replaced with self-doubt as Sarah took her place in front of him. He held so much contempt for this woman that he didn't even trust himself to be in the same room with her. He began to have second thoughts for what must have been the tenth time today.
Suddenly, as if Lionel could read his mind, Lex felt his father's hand grip his elbow in unnecessarily tight reassurance.
The priest began the service and Lex fought to keep the words separate in his mind. The room was entirely to hot and he began to feel overheated under the eyes of the onlookers. He reached up slowly and with an effort to remain calm and casual he pulled gently at his tie as if realigning it into position.
Beads of sweat were starting to form on his forehead and he had to struggle to keep his breathing from becoming fast and erratic. He heard the question and responded with the required "I do" before it really registered what he was saying.
"I now pronounce you man and wife. You may kiss the bride." The priest finished after the signing of the wedding certificate and the remainder of the ceremony was concluded. Sarah lifted her vale and reached around, pulling Lex in close. Before she kissed him, she whispered just loud enough for only his ears, "You belong to me." She sealed her words with a kiss for everyone to see and the sound of applause filled the church. Lex kissed her back but only enough to appease his father.
"Lex!" Martha called out from across the dinning hall. She moved around the dance floor and approached him with her arms spread out for a hug. He returned the hug and from his position he could see his father watching him from over her shoulder.
"Oh Lex what a lovely wedding. I do wish I could stay longer, I hope you understand."
Lionel interjected before Lex could think of how to respond, "Of course Martha dear. Lex understands how busy you have been what with running the farm and heading up the search party of Clark and Jonathon. You must be exhausted."
"Not as much as I would be without all your help Lionel. Your donation to the search fund has been a Godsend. I know Jonathon would never approve of me taking money from you but I think in this case he might understand."
Lex cleared his throat, not trusting his voice to be convincing when he spoke, "Any news on the search front?"
"No, I'm afraid not." Martha responded sadly, her eyes began to well up with tears and she fought to save face in front of them. "The sheriff and her team have tried everything, I'm afraid if this keeps up much longer they will pull out completely and all the volunteers will follow shortly after that."
"Well we will have to replace them with some of the best Search and Rescue Teams in the country. Martha with your permission, I would like to call in a few favors and bring in some teams that come highly recommended." He continued seeing her struggle with the idea of taking any more help.
"They are professionals Martha. They get paid to do this sort of thing. Unlike the group of farmers you currently have searching for your family, these men are trained. If they can't find them no one will."
"I'm just," She paused as her voice quit and was replaced with a sob, "I just wish I knew where to start. One minute they were there and the next the are both gone."
Lionel pulled her in close and hugged her tightly, rocking her back and forth. "I know dear, I know." Lex couldn't believe his father's heartlessness when Lionel looked up and winked knowingly at his son.
"I'm, I'm sorry. I really do have to go." She turned her attention to Lex, "I know that Clark will be sorry he missed your big day Lex. He would have loved to have been here."
"I know Mrs. Kent, thank-you."
With that she turned and walked out of the room.
Lionel moved so he was standing beside his son. In a very quiet voice he whispered, "Excellent job Lex, excellent job."
Lex felt his stomach turn at what he was becoming. How he was contributing to Martha's pain. He didn't respond he merely turned and walked away leaving his father to gloat in his success.