The smell of fresh linens and the feel of soft bedding disoriented Ashley. For a moment before she opened her eyes, she thought it might have all been a dream.
The last horrible 11 years a freakish nightmare. But no. The dull throbbing of her mouth brought everything crashing back in.
Unable to stifle a tiny sob she opened her eyes. Ashley looked around slowly. Where was she?
Her surroundings were lavish and elegant. Dark wood, brushed chrome, this was wealth. The sound of footsteps on the thick carpet made her look up. There he was, her club-hopping rescuer, the boy in the jag. He was smiling crookedly as he crossed the room and handed her an ice pack.
"The bastard hit you rather hard. I'm sure it will be a vivid bruise." His voice made her skin tingle again.
"How do you feel?" He asked as she took the offered pack. She stared up at him, he looked different now. Changed out of his slick club togs, he wore a long-sleeved t-shirt of soft gray cotton and baggy black jeans. He could have been any college student.
And still something naggingly familiar, like she should recognize him. She closed her gaping mouth and put the pack to her face, responding.
"My face hurts a lot, but my virtue seems to still be intact." Her green eyes shined with sarcasm. He snickered, sitting on the edge of the bed, a respectful distance away leaning on the thick bedpost.
"I'm Lex." He said. " Tell me your name." A light went on in Ashley's brain. LEX. Lex Luthor. Billionaire Bad Boy, heir apparent to Lionel Luthor's Financial Empire. Lex was to Metropolis what Bruce was to Gotham.
Was she that far gone that she had just forgotten what he looked like?
Whoa.
He watched the recognition cross her face and took her worried eyes to mean she was nervous of him. The sculpted lips twitched in a slightly bitter way.
"I take it you've heard of me?" Feeling that strange heat again Ashley blushed and nodded.
"But like I always say, can't believe everything you read." She attempted lightness. He watched her with minor amusement. She looked away from his gaze, focusing on her free hand gripping the indigo silk comforter.
"I-I'm sorry... it's been...well, a hard time for me lately." She spoke in a small voice. He continued to watch her.
"What's your name?" He asked again, gently. She looked up but not at him.
"You can call me Ash." She answered. She saw him smile in her peripheral vision.
"How long have you been...on your own?" He asked in an easy voice. Ashley felt her mind scramble, God was she that hungry? She couldn't focus, had to be careful what she said.
Bruce and Lex ran in a lot of the same circles. She thought that they might even have attended the same prep school. Briefly, as Lex had a history of getting kicked out of the best schools in the free world.
Watch what you say, Ashley. Those were not the eyes of a vapid club kid. He was sharp, and why did the curve of his jaw make her feel jittery?
Lex watched her wondering what she was thinking as fifty different emotions danced over her sharp futures. He tried a new question.
"How old are you, Ash?" His voice still easy. Her eyes flicked up and away before she answered.
"18." His response was immediate.
"Liar." Now his voice was smiling. Ashley felt anger well in her chest. He liked the green fire her eyes flashed at him. Slight smiled widened into a grin.
"HA! There you are. I knew you had to be in there somewhere." He looked rather pleased.
"What do you mean?" She asked angry but not sure why. Pulling his knee up on the bed Lex shrugged.
"No way some timid little girl could survive on The Metro's wicked streets for more then 2 minutes. You've been at this for a while." He arched one brow.
"There had to be something stronger in there for you to have made it this far." He was all easy going and casual conversation. She still felt angry and went to respond, he cut her off.
"But, you are young. Too young to last much longer. And far too pretty so be safe."
She blushed again. Damn Damn Damn!
Suddenly Ashley noticed she was not in her dirty grubby clothes. In their place she wore a t-shirt with the Princeton logo across the front, black silk pajama bottoms that slid pleasantly over her legs.
That emerald fire again as she understood that he had undressed her while she was unconscious. Lex held up his hands before she could stop sputtering.
"You were soaked to the skin and freezing. I did nothing but pull off the rags and put you in dry clothes, I swear. You can still ware your "Untouched by Man" button honestly." Smug, that's what his smile said. He watched her, she watched him.
Ashley was still unsure why she was so mad. Taking a deep breath, she threw the covers aside and swung her legs off the bed. Pushing herself up she gave him a determined look.
"Thank you Lex, you really did help me...but now I think I should...go." She stood up and the room spun, making her stagger. Lex jumped up and steadied her.
"Bullshit." He said pushing her back down on the bed. "Where would you go? When was the last time you ate something?" Silver-blue eyes serious, holding her by the shoulders. Ashley shrugged.
"Yesterday." She lied
"Liar." He snickered. She tried to get up again but he held her in place.
"Stay." He said looking her square in the eye. "I'm going to get you some real food and then we are going to talk about how you ended up in front of Club Zero singing Beatles covers. You're not going anywhere tonight so just relax." A steely edge came to his eyes as she looked like she was going to protest. Ashley thought the better of it. He nodded and walked out of the room.
Shifting back against the down pillows, she considered things, the Luthor's could afford to feed her. It was not the same as taking from the missions and shelters. She could take the offer of food and a warm bed for now.
That settled, she looked around the room some more. On the long dresser, she noticed a watch and a few thick rings. The darker simpler decor made her realize that this was Lex's room.
Turning her head she took in the flawless portrait of Lilly Luthor on the far wall, Lex's mother. Unbidden a memory floated up in her head.
Flashback
Mama and Aunt Martha sitting in Mother's garden room, drinking tea. Mama was talking about her trip to Metropolis and her visit with gravely ill Lilly Luthor. Martha listened to her sister, motioning Ashley to come and sit on her lap.
"So sad. She is fading away. Such a beauty too. I don't know why she has stayed with that beastly man for so long." Mama, sweet and silly but smiling sadly. Martha smoothed Ashley's long chocolate locks back to kiss her cheek. Looking up at Katherine.
"Do they expect it will be a long time?" She asked in a compassionate voice.
Mama nodding silently. Martha hugging her closer.
"What about the boy...Alexander. The poor child has had a terrible time ever since...theaccident in Smallville."
Mama shrugging.
"I expect that devil will simply pack him away in some private school."
The memory faded.
xxxxxx
Ashley sighed. That was another thing she'd forgotten. Lex had been in Smallville Kansas when it was hit by a meteor shower of historic proportions.
That was the reason for his baldness, not a hip fashion statement but physical fact. Keep your wits Ashley, stop thinking about him and start thinking about how to keep him from putting the pieces together and making 'That Call'.
He'd probably be horrified to know that she was once a part of his class, now singing on the street for coins. She didn't want to see the pity.
That fucking pity that crossed the faces of Gotham socialites when they recognized her in passing. The whispering and big-eyed looks made her want to wretch. She didn't think she could bear to see it on Lex's face.
And what about Lex? He was not quite the debauched 19 yr old the newspapers painted him. The Lex they spoke of would not have followed and rescued her. The Lex they portrayed would more likely have done so only so he could ravish her instead.
And while we were on the subject what was wrong with her? Why did she get all woogly when he looked at her with that lazy smile? Why did desire rise up her back? This was a male. A guy, a boy, a man. She was a lesbian, never wanted a boy, and didn't need one. But for some reason this one made her weak in the knees.
It wasn't the power-money thing because she had felt it when he looked at her on the street, no clue who he was. Must be the fatigue and lack of proper nutrition.
Maybe in another time they would have been friends, if that black night had never happened. If she were a wealthy man's daughter still, would she have liked this easygoing young man?
Shaking her head, Ashley stopped her thoughts there. No use wondering, it was gone.
Lex returned, smiling and holding out a hand.
"Feel up to a short walk?" He asked. Pulling her to her feet, he put his arm around her back to support her. She leaned against his firm torso and blushed yet again. Pulling way she tried to walk on her own but staggered.
"Easy. Let me help you." His voice gentle. They walked slowly out of the room and into a long hallway.
He seemed so calm, so nice. She cast a sideways gaze at him. He was extremely good looking. He caught her looking and winked.
She was going to pass out again if she didn't stop blushing, sending all the blood rushing to her head, and other areas.
He led her through many lavish and expensively appointed rooms. The famed Luthor penthouse, how decadent.
Stopping in a large dinning room, Lex sat her at the end of a long table where a place had been set for her. A gilded edge plate filled with cold roasted chicken, at least three different cheeses and costly out of season fruit.
After seeing her seated, he slipped back to the kitchen. Ashley realized with a start that it was very late. The normal staff must be long gone. Lex had prepared this himself. Hummmm...curiouser and curiouser.
He returned shortly with French bread and a crystal wineglass filled with...milk. Ashley ignored his sardonic grin as he placed it before her.
The food called out to her and she wanted nothing more then to do a face plant in the dish. Her mother's dogged training was the only thing the kept her from being a voracious beast. Lex sat next to her and waved a hand.
"Please eat." He purred. She picked up her fork and dug in. Despite her mother's training she cleaned the plate rather quickly. Her shrunken stomach groaned at the stress of being full. The whole time those blue eyes watched her.
When she had finished Lex asked if she wanted more. She did but was afraid she might vomit. Pushing the plate away she smiled. A real smile. Lex nodded and watched her.
She felt a bit more like herself and she returned his stare unflinching. He leaned back in his chair and crossed his long arms over his chest. She fiddled with her napkin.
"Ash, tell me the truth...how old are you?" He asked again. She stared down at the tablecloth and felt the flush rise all the way to her ears.
Leaning out he put his hand under her chin, being careful not to bump her bruised mouth, and lifted her head. Looking into her eyes he spoke again.
"You can tell me. I promise I am not going to rat on you." A twinkle in his eyes that encouraged conspiracy. She felt pinned by his stare. Giving in she turned an even brighter shade of pink.
"16." She mumbled. Lex made a tch noise.
"I thought as much." He replied.
The tears came sudden and unbidden to her eyes. Startled, Lex drew his hand up to cup the side of her face.
"Hey don't cry. I said I wouldn't tell. I will keep your secret." His tone was so even and genuine. She tried to smile but failed. Pulling from his touch with a pang of regret, Ashley covered her face with her own hands and wept like a little girl.
Lex stood quickly and turned her chair, crouching by her knees; he patted her arm and made comforting noises. Not thinking, she slid out of the chair and buried her face in his shirtfront.
Lex faltered for a beat, unsure of what to do with a sobbing underage girl in his lap. Carefully, he placed a hand on her back and rubbed in circles. He held her loosely and let her have it all out.
After a short while, she wound down. Sniffling, she looked up into his face. With a gasp she pulled away, embarrassed that she had shown such weakness and thrown herself into his lap like a puppy.
"Oh Lex!" She could not meet his eye. "I'm terribly sorry." She pulled herself up into the chair again and wiped her face with the napkin.
"You have been so ... helpful and accommodating. And here I am blubbering like a fool." She was hotly angry with herself. Lex watched and listened, bemused look on his face.
He reached up and turned her face to his again.
"Ash, who are you?" He questioned in a deep voice. She paled and darted her eyes away.
"W-what do y-you mean?" She stammered. He stood up suddenly, frustration showing. He put his hands in his pockets and tried to look at her calmly, she still would not meet his eye.
"You are not a street rat, though you want me to think you are." He stated. She continued to contemplate the tablecloth. Lex went on.
"You are extremely well spoken, your table manners, though rusty, are perfect. Ash, you are a well bred young woman." He was serious, she darted a look at him.
"I cannot shake the feeling that your face is somehow familiar." She got even paler. He lifted her chin again. Panic at his touch, white-hot and something else...desire? Desire to rub her cheek against his palm.
WHAT THE FUCK WAS WRONG WITH HER?
Standing abruptly, she pulled away from his hand. Smiling her false smile she affected a sunny mood.
"I should go." She sighed, "You have been more than wonderful, Lex. I can never repay you for what you did tonight." She patted his hand and made to move passed him.
One lean muscled arm shot out barring her way, corded bicep hot against her collarbone. She looked up, steel blue.
"If you try that one more time I will sock you myself." His voice was deep and Ashley remembered the dark, dangerous look on his face in the ally. She stopped pushing and paled again.
Lex sighed with thinning patients. He stepped back from her and walked a few feet before turning back.
"Look, if your running from someone or something I can help you." His tone was calm again. "I promise I will not let anyone make you do anything or go anywhere you don't want to. But if I am going to help you, Ash, you have to tell me the truth." He stopped pacing and looked down at her. She raised tentative eyes and watched.
"You have to trust me." He whispered.
Suddenly her father's voice filled her head.
"Lionel Luthor is the Devil incarnate, and if he has his way that boy will be just like him."
Supermarket tabloids flashed behind her eyes portraying Lex Luthor in Dionysian proportions, sex, drugs, rock and roll. But none of that bore any resemblance to the man before her.
She liked him. Was he a smart ass? Yes. Was he arrogant? Most definitely. But evil? No, not that she could see.
Still there was something ...broken, that he was trying to fix. Something in his eyes that reminded her of another lost boy with too much privilege.
Ash let out the breath she didn't know she was holding. Her shoulders slumped.
"Sit down please, Lex. This is a rather long story."
Lex complied, looking calmer. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath.
"You said my face seems familiar to you. That does not surprise me. Do you remember a friend of your mother's named Katherine Embers?" She almost whispered the name.
Lex's face went slack; the missing piece fell into place. She watched as he put it all together in seconds. Lex raised a hand to pinch the bridge of his nose.
"Fuck me, kid! You are Ashley Embers, Bruce Wayne's little cousin. The one he has been looking for." His voice was rueful. Ashley just blinked.
Bruce was looking for her? What?
Her eyes were wide as dinner plates and she choked a sob back. Lex sighed raggedly. She looked at him shocked. That crooked grin was back.
"I just saw him a few weeks ago in Gotham. Some socially acceptable bimbo's birthday bash. He mentioned to me that he was trying to find his runaway cousin." Lex's mouth twisted ruefully.
"I didn't remember the name he said because well...the E had kicked in buy that time." He cast a glance her way, she stared mutely.
"Every rumor has some small basis in fact." His voice bitter now. Ashley barely hearing him, her mind was going a million miles an hour. Lex thought she might faint again.
"Hey, Ash. What is it?" His voice concerned. She shivered and closed her eyes.
"Is he really looking for me?" She asked in a tear-filled tone. Lex was lost.
"Yeah, I mean, why wouldn't he be?" He asked. "You're his family." Lex suddenly understood, she thought no one cared. That her cousin had written her off.
"Maybe you should tell me the rest of your story." He suggested.
Ashley related her tale of woe in a slow stilted manner. When she had finished she looked very worn. She also looked like she was going to bolt again. Lex stood up.
"Don't think anymore right now, Ash. We both need some sleep. It's almost 5am. Sleep and then you can decide what you want to do." He motioned her to stand up. She did so silently.
They walked back to his room and he showed her to the adjoining bathroom. She mumbled that she was too tired to shower, afraid she might fall asleep under the warm water. Reaching into a cabinet he handed her a toothbrush. With a smile he patted her back and left her to her ablutions. After brushing her teeth, a truly wonderful thing, Ash washed her face.
She looked into the mirror, what now? Returning to the bedroom she saw Lex locking the door.
Fear.
She strode quickly toward him.
"What are you doing?" Her voice was high. Lex sighed and pocketed the key. Turning her around he pushed her to the bed.
"Calm down. First off, my father will be back this morning." His mouth twisted. "And he has this really irritating habit of barging into my room first thing in the morning to extol his pearls of wisdom and what I should be doing. He does this when he knows I have been out most of the night." Lex gave a bitter chuckle.
"I won't take the chance on him figuring out who you are. He will only try to use you. Most likely against you cousin." Ashley looked horrified. Lex shook his head.
"And second, you are jumpier the a dishonest stock broker and I will not give you the chance to take off while I'm asleep." She blushed and looked at her toes. Lex pointed to the bed.
"Go to sleep. We'll figure it all out in the morning." He gave her shoulder a little squeeze and walked into the bathroom, closing the door. She heard the water start up in the shower.
Ashley climbed back into the bed and pulled the covers up. Could she trust him, was this all a ploy to get her here at his mercy? On the other hand, was he telling the truth, was he just trying to help her? Were they right about him?
Too tired to think anymore she closed her eyes and listened to the shower running in the bathroom. She'd think about it when her head didn't hurt quite so much. Her heart thumped against her ribcage.
Bruce.
Is it true? She thought as sleep claimed her. She was asleep when Lex emerged from the bathroom.
Turning off the light, he climbed into the massive bed and kept to the far side. He didn't know what he had gotten himself into but he would see it to the finish. Laying in the dark, he listened to her breathing and hoped he could help her. If she would let him.
xxxxx
Saturday Morning
Bruce Wayne stood in his hotel room looking down on the sun rising over Metropolis. He knew she was here somewhere. Guilt gnawed at him.
He had thought he was protecting her, the one person he had left. Protecting her from the darkness growing inside him.
After his parents murder, he was lost for a long time. Didn't know about the horrendous things the company was doing in his father's name.
He went to school and submerged himself in study. He was unable to face returning to Gotham even for holiday breaks. He listened to Ashley's musical voice when they spoke on the phone and knew he never wanted her to know of the dark voice that spoke inside his head. He took on a double class load and graduated at 16.
By then he had stopped returning her calls, let her be safe, till he could control the thing inside him. He went to collage in England but didn't stay long. Life it's self more educational then any ivy covered university.
On his 18th birthday when he came into his inheritance, Bruce was up to his knees in Himalayan mud fighting off 13 ninjas. Training was all he cared about. Finding the reason for the dark presence.
At 23 he returned to the US. He now had a mission, and the dark voice had a name and knew its place.
Alfred informed him of all the despicable things the board had done to his remaining family. His sweet aunt Katherine, dead. Alfred saw to her grave being relocated to the family plot. Bruce visited the graves and fought the stinging guilt.
He had gone to the address on the edge of Gotham. A dreary little house with peeling blue paint and a sagging front porch. No one answered his knock. A fat woman sitting in the next yard called out to him.
"He ain't there. They took him to the free clinic over on Jersey St. Drank himself almost to death." She gossiped to him. Bruce asked about Ashley.
"The girl? Huh, I ain't seen her in a while. I think she run off." Bruce felt his heart sink to the ground. Ashley, run off, but she was just a child, only what...15?
He thanked the woman and went inside the decrepit house.
Tiny, bottle-strewn front room. Stale air that stank of old booze and moldering garbage. Bit of a hallway that led to two minuscule rooms. Ignoring the one that belonged to his uncle, Bruce entered Ash's room.
Posters of pop stars and pictures torn out of magazines hung on the walls. A few discarded items of clothing and two photos pinned to the closet door.
Was this his Ashley now? This shapely long limbed woman-child? The picture showed her standing by the railroad tracks, violently red hair, over sized denim jeans and a tight black t-shirt with the word dyke in bold red letters. She stared sullenly into the camera.
Guilt.
The other was of her and a tough looking girl, kissing. Was that why she had run? She must have thought he had forgotten her, that they all had.
Bruce took the photos and put them in his pocket. He left the house and headed for the clinic on Jersey St.
His uncle was in bad shape. Bruce had him moved to Gotham general and got him the best care possible. They told him that his uncle's liver had sustained much damage from the years of abuse, but they could help him to recover. When his uncle was conscious again, Bruce paid him a visit.
Joseph was tearful and overwhelmed to see his nephew, told him how much he looked like his father. Bruce let him go on for a while and then asked.
"Joseph, where is Ashley?"
His uncle looked ashamed. Told Bruce how she had tried to talk to him when he had a really good drunk on and he had reacted badly to her coming out to him. He had told her that her mother and her aunt would have been ashamed of her. Bruce gritted his teeth and let the man blame himself.
Back at the manor he and Alfred began the search. They traced her to the bus station in Metropolis. But the trail went cold after that. Considering it had been 4 months since she had fled it was not surprising. He put out feelers everywhere, but she had not turned up, even in the morgue.
He feared he would never find her. The dark voice spoke, telling him to go and search himself.
So, here he was in Metropolis looking for his cousin, fearing he had let her down and was now too late.
Guilt.
Shaking out of his reverie, Bruce dressed himself in average-joe clothes. Faded jeans, a dark sweatshirt and scuffed boots. Pulling a knit cap over his head, he hit the streets.
He had been checking every seedy hotel and boarding house he could find. He showed her picture and asked if anyone had seen her. Nothing.
Hours went by. Frustrated he walked into the last place on his list. A grimy flophouse by the highway. The boorish man behind the desk looked at Ashley's picture and gave him a dirty smile.
"Yeah, I know her. She owes me 150 bucks." He tossed the picture back at Bruce. "I told her she could work it out in trade, but she was too good for that." He laughed.
Bruce felt an icy anger wash over him, but The Bat responded before he could check it. Reaching across the desk, he yanked the man out of his chair by his filthy shirt.
"Where is she?" Deep growling voice. The man nearly pissed himself and struggled.
"I don't know man, she left. Haven't seen her for weeks." Gaining control, Bruce released him and stepped back. The man glared, smoothing out his feted shirt.
"Ask the penguins down at Saint Martin's man, they know were all the street trash hangs out." Bruce stared at him for a long moment before turning and walking out.
The Bat seethed in his head, that piece of filth had actually suggested that Ashley...UGH! The dark voice ranted about going back and beating the man to a pulp. Bruce quelled his darker side and focused on the new lead.
He made his way quickly to the mission and pushed thru the line of people. He got the attention of one sister and showed her the picture.
"Oh, yes she comes in here. Ask Sister Roselyn." She pointed to a younger nun serving soup. "She talked to the girl a lot." Bruce thanked her and approached Sister Roselyn. She smiled and listened to him.
"Ash, yes she usually sleeps here with us. Quiet girl, often refuses to take food, but I did get her to accept some warm clothes." Her brow creased. "But I have not seen her for a few days. I was getting worried myself."
Bruce's heart pounded.
"Sister, do you know where she might be? Any place she spends a lot of time other then here?" The nun thought for a moment before casting a look around, she stepped closer and dropped her voice.
"I know that she plays music on the corner for change. She likes to work Dennison Ave, by the clubs. She told me they tip better there." She gave him a smile. "I will pray to the Virgin that you find her safe. I knew there was someone out there missing her. Ashley is a special girl." She turned back to her work. Bruce thanked her and headed back to hotel.
He changed his clothes and went to Dennison Ave. It was early and the street was just starting to buzz with business. He walked the street a few times looking. The clubs up and down the street were numerous and closely packed. He started on one end, asking the doormen if they knew her. At a place called The Jungle, he got a hit.
"Yeah, she sings on the corner up by Club Zero. Ask Mike, he works the door there, he'd know if she's around." Bruce thanked the man.
Moving faster through the thickening crowds, he went to the club and asked for Mike. The tall, broad young man looked at him warily, he recognized her immediately.
"Nice kid, got a good voice. Haven't seen her for a few days." He stopped to think. "You know I think there was some kind of incident she was involved in the other night." He told Bruce to hold on a minute and consulted a coworker.
Bruce held himself in check and waited until they both came back. So close, these men had seen her just a day ago! The second man was beefier and didn't look very bright. He told Bruce what he knew.
"Yeah, she was here last night. It rained pretty badly. She was singing over there most the night." he hooked his thumb across the street to Ash's corner. "But when the rain started to come down hard, she left." The man paused and scratched his head.
"Then right before last call there was a commotion down the way. That dude, one of our regulars, went after her. Turns out some junkie cornered the girl in an ally. The dude came back carrying her. Looked like she'd been roughed up. He took her away in his car." The man shrugged.
Bruce tried to keep the urgency out of his voice.
"The regular, what's his name?"
The man chuckled.
"It was Lex Luthor.'" He nodded to Bruce. "Yeah, shocked me too. Who new the guy had it in him to be a hero?" Bruce thanked them and left quickly.
Lex Luthor. Talk about ironic.
Bruce knew Lex, well kind of. Their mothers and Bruce's aunt had all been friends.
Before.
Before Lilly had succumbed to the cancer, his parents had been murdered and Kathryn took her life. Bruce had seen him a few times before the Smallville accident.
But it wasn't until they were both at Excelsior that Bruce and Lex spent any real time around each other. Driving through the city Bruce remembered that day.
Flashback
He was coming back from the library, cramming for a double exam. He heard what sounded like a scuffle going on down a side hall.
"Luthor you're a freak." Bruce turned toward the cruel voice and saw three older boys backing Lex against the wall.
Different and sullen, Lex made a perfect target for the bullies. Bruce considered walking away, but something one of them said made him stop.
"Oh poor Alexander, gonna cry now cuz yer mommy's dead?" Bruce saw the pain on the smaller boy's face and felt that dark anger rise in him. They pushed Lex roughly down and started kicking him.
Bruce dropped his books and took a running charge. He hit two of the boys like a ton of bricks. Surprised, the third boy was caught off guard when Lex knocked his feet out from under him.
Scrambling up, Lex and Bruce preceded to kick the living shit out of all three of them. They got in a lot of trouble for it. But after the head master had doled out the punishment. Lex and Bruce had a quiet friendship.
The day Lex finally got expelled, he stopped by Bruce's dorm and said goodbye.
"I owe you, Wayne." He grinned crookedly. "See you around."
The next time Bruce saw Lex was shortly after his return from abroad. They had a brief conversation before Lex wondered off after a leggy brunette.
Then there was the party for Deloris Benton just a few weeks ago. He had told Lex about his search for his cousin. Knowing the Wild Child of Metro had friends in many places, he thought Lex might turn up a lead. But he hadn't hoped for much, it was obvious Lex and the girls hanging on him were on something. But now it seemed Lex had turned up something after all.
Now all Bruce had to do was find him.
Pulling his car into the hotel parking he got out, handed his keys to valet and flipped open his cell phone.
"Alfred, I need the phone number for Lex Luthor. I think he's found Ashley."