We're Not In Kansas Anymore

Epilogue 3

"Begin Again"

Warren didn't know what to think. The last time he had been summoned by this person the meeting had ended in mutual animosity and, as far as Warren was concerned, nothing had changed.

Sure, Lex had helped in the rescue of the Sky High babies, including himself, from Royal Pain then stopped her from killing herself, but that still didn't settle things between him and Warren. In the aftermath Warren had stayed away from Lex as well as the Commander. Neither of them were men he wanted anything to do with.

This time though Lex had sent Warren a cordial invitation along with a ride in his private limousine to the Luthorcorp offices in Maxville. Though Warren was as wary as before, he was willing to give Lex a chance if only for his friend Clark's sake.

The limo pulled up to the imposing building, and Warren got out to be escorted by a smiling young lady in a uniform to a private elevator that led to the sixtieth floor, which held the private office of the company's new owner and ceo.

Warren left the elevator to find himself surrounded by polished chrome and glass, looking out over the city. The view was spectacular, second only to that from Sky High itself.

Warren didn't have but a moment to take it in before his host joined him as Lex appeared, wearing a simple dress shirt and slacks.

"I'm so glad you came," Lex said with an actual smile on his face, "though I'd totally understand if you hadn't."

"I figured Clark deserved a chance to have us at least be civil to each other," said Warren, who cautiously took Lex's outstretched hand and shook it.

"I'm hoping for more than that. First, I'd like you to have this," Lex pulled out a large sealed envelope and gave it to Warren, "I think you'll find it more pleasant than the contents of the last package I handed to you. Go on, open it."

Warren opened the envelope, took out the papers and glanced over them. He couldn't believe his eyes. It was the deed for a house in Smallville with his mother's name on it.

"That's a nice house there in town," said Lex, "it needs a little work, but I figured you and your mother could fix it up in no time. Along with that I'd like to offer you a job at the Talon, which I own by the way. I already spoke to Lana and she had nothing but good things to say about how you helped her during the Fall Festival. That way all you have to do is just keep going to school and maybe get a fresh start for both you and your mother."

Warren wondered if Lex also knew that he and Lana had been seeing each other as much as possible what with the distance between Smallville and Maxville, including the night of the Sky High homecoming.

"Dude," said Warren, stunned by this, "there's no way I can accept this."

"The only thing to accept is my gratitude," smiled Lex, "believe me, it's the least I can do after what you did for me."

"What I did?"

"You grabbed me and shook me awake Warren. You were the first person to actually take me by the back of the neck and force me to look at myself in the mirror and see what I was becoming. I know that as a Luthor I have a dark streak in me, and you were the one that pointed it out to me in no uncertain terms that I was letting it overtake me.

"That's why I wanted to do this for you. You gave me a chance to start over, and I intend to carry on by cleaning out all the corruption and conspiracy in this company that my father had going on. I thought maybe you and your mother would like to start over in a town that could certainly use it's own super heroes to deal with the meteor freaks, because we all know it's only a matter of time before one gets powerful enough to go on a classic rampage. And I'm sure that there are criminals still hiding under my company waiting to get flushed out. To put it bluntly we need you both."

"My mom already has a job. She just couldn't up and move."

"Actually I also have a job offer for her as well. I know she works hard as a nurse here in Maxville, and is actually only a few credits short of being a doctor of generalized medicine."

"She gave up college when my dad…when what happened…happened."

"I'd like to pay for her to finish her schooling and, once she finishes her internship, come to work as a physician in Belle Reeve. I think her…unique situation would give her quite the insight to helping the patients there."

"I think she'd like that," said Warren, "she's always been a sucker for hard luck cases. She's put up with me all these years."

"You're very lucky to still have both of your parents Warren. I admit I'm a little jealous of you on that front. You still have your mother, and even with your father you seem to have a good relationship. I wish I could say the same."

"Maybe some time in jail will help with that," said Warren, realizing how harsh it sounded. But still it was the voice of experience.

"There's hope of that," smiled Lex, not insulted in the least, "now how about we go and you introduce me to your mom and I'll take you both to lunch. I think if we work this right you could be settled in your new place before Christmas."

With that the two young men made their way to the elevator, each looking at the other in a new light that could possibly lead to a friendship both were in need of…a friendship built on understanding one another in ways no one else could.

To be Continued