Lex opened the attachment and sat back in his chair. "Smallville's Romeo and Juliet" was the title. Lex sat forward as he read the article. He pushed his lips together in anger as he closed it down and sat back in his chair. "Sir." A voice said. Lex pushed the answer button. "Yes." "Clark Kent is here to see you." The voice replied. Lex took a deep breath and told them to let him in. He rested his elbows on the desk as he held his head in his hands. Clark walked in and looked at him with concern. "Lex, are you okay?" he asked. Lex sat back. "Clark, you catch me in a rare form." Lex said. Clark looked confused. "I'm physically and emotionally torn." Lex said rising from his chair. He walked to the bar and poured himself a glass of scotch. "Chloe sent you the article." Clark said. Lex nodded. "And you don't like it." Clark added. Lex shook his head and took another drink. "I really like her Clark." Lex confessed. "She's everything that I image my future wife to be. She's attractive, intelligent, spontaneous, head strong, straight forward." Lex said. "But?" Clark asked. Lex walked around the bar and to the pool table. "Today she was visited by my father." Lex said setting his drink on the edge of the table. He continued around to rack the balls. "She said that he was there to warn her against a relationship with me." He added. "She got so upset; she smashed her fist into the door." Lex said. "Is she okay?" Clark asked. Lex nodded. "When she asked me if I'd ever hurt her there was more fear and pain in her eyes than I've ever seen." Lex said leaning on the table with his hands. He pushed himself up. "She showed a vulnerability that I remember admiring in her as a child." He said. He picked up a pool stick and placed the cue ball in position. "I don't think I understand." Clark said. Lex sent the cue ball crashing into the rack. "Vivian is an onion Clark." He said walking around the table. "The more time I spend with her the more layers peel off." He said striking the cue ball again. "You don't like layers?" Clark asked. "Everyone has layers. I'm more afraid of what the final layer will render." Lex said. "Most onions… once you get so many layers off they start to spoil." He said. "You can't even use the last few layers." Clark nodded. "Sir." Lex walked towards his desk and pushed the call button. "You're father is here sir." The voice said. "Send him in." Lex said. He turned to Clark. "I don't mean to kick you out Clark but, I doubt you want to be here for this." Lex said. Clark smiled and left the room just as Lionel was walking in. "Clark." Lionel said as a greeting. "Lionel." Clark replied closing the doors behind him.
"What is this about son? I was about to sit down to dinner." Lionel said. Lex sat down at his desk. "Stay away from Vivian dad." Lex said. "I have no idea what you are talking about." Lionel protested. "I know you visited her this afternoon; warned her about my trust issues." Lex said. "I was just looking out for her. She doesn't have anyone to do that for her anymore." Lionel said. "I look out for her dad, and I want you to stay away from her." Lex said. "You don't love her…" Lionel said. "Whether or not I love her is none of your business." Lex snapped. "She's a very disturbed young woman son. You have no idea what you are getting into." Lionel said. "She's no more disturbed than I am dad. It's the traits we got from overly eccentric emotionally barred fathers." Lex said. Lionel nodded. "You live your life however you please son. Just know that I warned you." Lionel said. He turned to leave but then stopped. "I brought you a little something." Lionel said walking back to Lex's desk. He pulled a manila envelop from his inner jacket pocket and put it on the desk. "I think you'll find it… enlightening." Lionel added with a smile. "I'm sure." Lex said. "Give me a call some time son." Lionel said walking away. "I'd love to know how things turn out." He added turning the corner.
Vivian stood up from her hiding place just behind the door to Lex's office. Her eyes flushed as she walked back up the stairs. She crawled back under the covers and held them tightly at her chest. Lex entered the room shortly after sitting on the edge of the bed. "My father won't be bothering you anymore." Lex said. she managed a smile. "Thank you Lex." She said. "For what?" He asked. "For looking out for me." She replied. Lex smirked and leaned down to kiss her forehead. Vivian switched positions so that he kissed her lips instead. She wrapped her arms around his neck and held him in the kiss. Absent mindedly Lex laid down on the bed beside her and kissed her again. Vivian rolled slightly so that she was on top of him. He wrapped his arms around her as he rolled the other way.
