ch 15
Lex walked purposefully toward the study, he knew that was where Alexander would be. That's where he would be. He also knew that his arrival would probably not be a surprise; he was likely walking straight into a trap with no back-up. He just hoped that he had been right about where Alexander had been keeping Clark and they were able to get him safely.
Lex could feel the butterflies in his stomach; he almost thought they were going to take him away. But, he was not going to let his nerves get the best of him. Some fear is a good thing; it keeps your senses sharp. He was just having a harder time than normal keeping it under control. He could hear his heart pounding away in his chest. He tried to steady his breathing as he reached the top of the stairs.
He saw the double wooden doors and knew he could not turn back, his fate was sealed and he had to continue on. Lex opened the double doors and was greeted by the sight of Alexander sitting behind the antique brown desk with a smug smile on his face sipping scotch from an intricate glass tumbler.
"I'm impressed. Really." Alexander looked up as he spoke. "Came up here after me all by yourself. I didn't think you had it in you." Lex took a cautious step further into the room letting the large, ornate doors close behind him. He heard the thud of the heavy doors closing and to him it sounded like a coffin closing.
Suddenly Alexander slung his glass across the room directly at Lex's head. Lex quickly ducked; only to bring his head back up to see he was staring down the barrel of his own gun. Lex's blood ran cold as the irony of the moment struck him. He had bought the gun for protection in case of an intruder. Now it was going to be used on him. He knew the person holding the weapon would not hesitate to use it. Am I really like this. Could I actually shoot someone like this? Lex's thoughts were interrupted as Alexander began talking again.
"Compassion is a weakness that I do not have. I will get what I want no matter what." Alexander raised an eyebrow in thought. "But, then again if I shoot you I don't know what might happen to me."
Lex watched closely as Alexander laid the gun down on the table facing him. "So, I guess we are just going to have to settle this the old-fashioned way. "
Alexander turned around removing the two swords from the cover on the wall. Lex's eyes flicked between the gun and Alexander. He didn't know if he could reach it before Alexander turned back around. But he knew he had to try. Lex's momentary hesitation cost him as Alexander swung around, the sharp blade of the sword pointing out causing Lex to stop suddenly in his tracks. Lex gulped as the sight of the blade so precariously close to his neck
"You didn't really think it was going to be that easy did you?" Alexander grinned evilly at Lex "As you can probably tell these swords aren't props."
Alexander placed the other sword down on top of the desk, picking up the gun again. "Now, back up and move that chair over there out of the way." Lex remained still for a moment staring at his other half.
"Go on." Alexander used the gun to make a shooing motion to prod Lex along. "I don't want you to fall and hurt yourself before I get to have my fun."
Lex backed up and did as he was told leaving a large empty area between the fireplace and the pool table. Alexander placed the gun back on the table watching Lex's eyes follow it. "To the victor goes the spoils." Alexander picked up the other sword; tossing it over to Lex.
Lex caught the sword expertly as Alexander raised his sword to his face in a salute. They began to circle each other as Lex tried to figure out the best strategy. How does he think this is going to settle anything? We're equally matched at this. Lex knew he had one ace up his sleeve that Alexander didn't know about, but he wasn't sure how to get close enough to use it or even if it would work.
Alexander mistook Lex's sudden pensiveness for worry about his friends. "You don't have to worry about your friends. I won't hurt them. At least I don't think it will hurt."
Anger boiled up inside Lex and he struck out at Alexander unthinking. Alexander knew he had gotten the desired reaction and deftly dodged the blow while returning one of his own to Lex's unguarded side, slashing his arm.
Lex cried out in pain, grabbing his arm. Alexander shook his head at him and in a tone very reminiscent of one that Lionel would use. "Now, Lex you know better than to let your emotions get the better of you and make rash decisions."
Lex looked up at him, fire burning in his eyes. "That's it. Come on. Let's see what you got." Alexander goaded.
Lex stepped forward this time a little more carefully, his sword clashing with Alexander's. Alexander could feel the anger coming off of Lex and seemed to thrive on it matching every stroke that Lex made pushing him backwards across the room until Lex was pushed up against the pool table and could not go any further.
Lex held his sword firmly in place in front of him while Alexander placed pressure on him causing him to bend backwards onto the surface of the table. Alexander looked down at Lex gleefully. "Did you really think you could defeat me? I knew you and your friends would be back. So predictable. That's why I had almost everyone leave from the lab. I couldn't have everyone leave though that would be too obvious. Did you really think I would let them take Clark out of here after everything I done, unless I wanted tehm too. I wanted them to see just how pathetic their friend really is."
Lex had had just about had enough of the speeches. He headbutted Alexander causing him to stumble backwards dazed. Lex switched the sword to his other hand giving him a right cross squarely in the jaw. He followed that up by bringing his knee violently into Alexander's midsection. Alexander continued to stumble backwards now gasping for breath, but Lex's anger was finished yet. He brought his fist up in an uppercut contacting solidly with Alexander chin. Lex watched as Alexander landed hard on the wooden floor.
Lex got the gun off the table, pointing it at Alexander his finger ready on the trigger. "Let's see what happens to you now." Lex began to squeeze the trigger when he heard "Lex, no. Don't do it"
Lex turned to see Clark standing in the doorway. Lex was relieved to see that Clark seemed to be fine other than looking tired and a little pale. "Don't do it Lex. You're not like him."
Alexander could see the confusion going on inside Lex and that Lex's grip had lightened on the gun. He quickly snatched the gun out of Lex's hand while getting up off the floor. Alexander placed his hand to his mouth bringing it back to see blood on it. "Nice shot. You at least know how to throw a good punch."
Clark didn't know what to do. He was feeling a little better but he knew he wasn't at full power yet. He didn't know if he ran in there now what would happen. He cast a glance over at Pete and Chloe and could tell they were also afraid of what Alexander might do.
"Since we have an audience now, I think we should continue the show." Alexander walked up behind Lex holding the gun up to his head. He grabbed Lex around the neck with the other hand to make sure we wouldn't try anything.
"Now, Clark if you would be so kind as to come forward. I want you to see how pathetic your friend is. We didn't finish our conversation from earlier. Are you going to help me or not?"
Clark started to step into the room when he felt Chloe grab his arm. "Clark, are you crazy? What do you think you are doing?" She practically screamed at him, her nerves completely frayed.
Clark seemed unphased by her plea. He keep his eyes on Alexander as he answered her. "Chloe, I want you and Pete to leave."
"What are you talking about? I'm not leaving you." Pete put his hand on Chloe's shoulder. He knew Clark was not going to be talked out of this no matter what they said. "Come on, Chloe." He spoke gently to her to try and calm her.
Chloe just shrugged him off. "No, I left him here one time. I'm not doing it again. You're supposed to be his best friend. How can you leave him?"
Clark finally turned around to face Chloe and saw tears had begun to fall down her face. His face softened as he spoke. "Chloe, please go with Pete. I'll be fine."
Chloe stood there for what seemed like an eternity to her just staring up at those soft eyes. She finally nodded her head before turning back to Pete. He wrapped his arm around her shoulder casting a worried glance back at Clark who tried to give Pete a reassuring one.
"Now isn't that just so touching." Alexander mocked as Clark turned his attention back to him.
Clark glared at Alexander. "What do you want?"
"You know what I want." Alexander growled back. "Power."
Lex knew he had to try his ace now. He just had to let Clark know to keep Alexander talking long enough for it to work. He looked Clark dead in the eyes and held his gaze before looking down at his pocket. He just hoped Clark was getting the message.
Clark saw what Lex was doing but didn't want to give any clue to Alexander what was going on. What little sanity Alexander had seemed to be unraveling. "You already know my answer. You seem to be so smart you wouldn't need my help attaining power anyway."
Lex reached his hand into his pocket carefully so that Alexander would still think he was being the docile hostage.
"Don't you see with my brain and your power we'd be unstoppable. We could have anything we want. Everyone would fall at our knees." Alexander's voice raising with hysteria.
"That is not what I want."
Lex managed to get the stone out of his pocket then quickly brought it, pressing it against Alexander's hand. Clark shielded his eyes as a bright light illuminated the room. What he heard next sent chills down his spine. An eerie scream could be heard from inside the light before all was still.
Clark blinked his eyes trying repeatedly before rushing over to Lex's side. At least he thought it was Lex. There was only one person currently laying on the floor. Clark shook Lex's shoulder gently. "Lex? Lex? Are you okay?"
Lex opened his eyes looking very dazed. "What – What happened?"
"You just got rid of your evil twin." Clark smiled, happy that his friend seemed to be okay, jut disoriented.
"Evil twin?" Lex asked very confused.
"It's a long story." Clark answered. "Here let me give you a hand."
"Clark! Lex! You're okay." Chloe came running into the running and immediately gave Clark a big hug.
"So, what happened to your double?" Pete asked unsure.
"I have a double?" Lex turned to Pete still feeling very strange.
"What you don't remember anything?" Chloe asked incredulous.
"No… not really. My head feels really fuzzy right now."
"That's okay. I'm just glad you're safe and things are back to normal."
Somehow Lex felt like he was really missing out on something
