Saturday Morning
Lex drifted between sleep and awake. The soft female form pressed against him made his body stir. He fumbled through the haze of sleep thoughts. Who had he brought home last night? Arial...no...Alison...no. His eyes wide open, body ridged.
Ashley!
Lex looked down at the sleeping girl with her head on his shoulder. She had no idea she was snuggled up to him. With feline grace, he slipped out from under her and off the bed. She nuzzled into the pillow but did not wake.
Damn another few minutes and who knows what he would have done in his sleep haze. Standing back, he ran a hand over his scalp and tried to order his thoughts.
Underage, runaway, relative of Bruce Wayne, sleeping in his bed, dressed in his clothes. She would definitely bolt if he gave her location away and...wait, why was this his problem again?
Couldn't he just call Wayne and pretend not to know about it when he came to collect the girl? He looked at her sleeping on his bed, one hand curled next to her face. That deep violet bruise on her chin was why he would not call Bruce.
He had promised her, Lex Luthor stood by his promises that's why he rarely made them, the kid had him by the balls.
She was pretty though...more then pretty if she wasn't so starved. At 16 she should still have baby fat to her face. The hollows in her cheeks spoke of months of struggle.
Her face was heart shaped and had delicate ivory skin. The synthetic red hair did not suit her. Lex noticed the deep warm brown of her natural color at the roots. That was a much better color for her.
Dark hair and those big green eyes. Given time and proper feeding she would be a knock out. Have all the trust fund boys chasing her. Lex grinned, not that she'd care.
She wore her gay pride openly but there was something that made it seem forced. Maybe she wasn't so sure. Maybe he wanted that to be the case, he mused.
Lex sat in the over stuffed chair and thought. He'd had his own period of experimentation. Guys were fun, but nothing compared to women. So he could see her point there. He eyed the buttons on her jacket hanging on the chair back. Still how could she know for sure if she'd never tried it?
A scientist at heart, Lex believed the only way to solve unknown variables was through experiment, at least that was how he saw it.
The designer drug he had consumed the night before reared its ugly hangover head. Yeah, that drug that gave him the courage to run to her rescue.
But it wasn't just the drug, if he was going to be honest with himself. It was that look. The one she gave him as he got out of the jag. Like she had never seen anything like him.
Those bright eyes, made larger by her thin face. That bowed little mouth. Then he had forgotten about her.
That was until he was standing under the awning waiting for his car, Arial was whining about leaving, God she was irritating when she drank. Lance was bitching too, but Lex ignored them watching the girl make her way through the crowd.
She looked scared. Then he saw the creature stalking her with a nasty look on his face and one hand clenched at his groin. She was headed toward Kramer, a dangerous place if you didn't know where you were.
The man's obvious intent made Lex livid. Instantly Fucking Furious! He had left his vapid companions standing in the rain and followed. That fucker was up to no good.
He had almost lost them, would have passed the small ally by had it not been for the crash of her guitar.
He saw her struggle as the attacker punched her in the face. She fell against the bricks, blood on her perfect little mouth. Then the sick fuck pushing her to the wall and pulling her skirt up.
A red haze had filled Lex's vision. He reached them in three strides. Grabbing the man by his throat he pulled him off her. That wicked left hook of his landing soundly.
The man went down. Lex kicked him viciously in the balls. Almost hoping the son of a bitch would try to get up. Therefore, Lex would have a reason to beat him to death.
It was a scary feeling. But it passed when her heard her gasp. Looking up, he saw her eyes roll back and almost didn't catch her before she hit the ground.
She was so light.
He carried her back to his waiting car. Telling Lance to take Arial home. Arial looked like she wanted to stab him, but Lance would probably never stop thanking him. That is until he got Arial into bed. Attractive enough, but a lame fuck. Still, she would let you put it anywhere.
Regardless, the truth was he really didn't know what made him follow. It could have been more then just a dickhead out to rape and pillage. It could have been a bunch of gang bangers. Or cooperating crack heads.
Dumb, Lex, dumb.
However, the chemicals in Lex's brain had had other plans. And lucky for him it was just the one fucker. But man did Ashley present a whole other can of worms.
She shifted in her sleep, making a small sighing sound. If Lex wasn't careful, he could make a mistake here.
A sudden and very loud pounding on the door tore Lex from his thoughts.
"Lex! Open this door. I insist on speaking to you!" A harsh deep voice bellowed. Lex winced as Ashley sat straight up, eyes wide with fear.
Lex brought a finger to his mouth, telling her to be quiet. Ash bit her bottom lip and nodded. Affecting a groggy voice Lex responded.
"What do you want, Dad?" His use of the title was deeply sarcastic. Lionel rattled the handle.
"I will not converse through the door, Alexander. Now open it at once!" His tone was mean.
"I don't care what bimbo you have in there with you." He added pounding the door again.
Lex swiftly crossed the room and pulled Ashley from the bed. He pushed her into the immense closet.
"Stay out of sight until I come back." He whispered to her. She nodded mutely. Lex gave her a small grin.
"It's ok it's just my Fucking Father." He closed the door on her. Breathing shallowly, Ash moved to the back of the vast closet. Finding a shelf behind a row of costly suits she folded up on the ledge and surrounded herself with Lex's clothing.
She heard the outer door open and Lionel entering the room. Putting her head back against the wall she preyed she wouldn't pass out again.
Slinking heat in her stomach, as the rich, spicy scent of Lex enveloped her. This was getting ridiculous.
Lionel walked into the room, glaring. Lex leaning casually against the dresser and glared back.
"Why are you in such a state, Dad?" His voice heavy with sarcasm. Lionel's gray eyes narrowed on his son. Lionel stood with both hands clasped behind his back, eyes taking the measure of his 19 year old offspring.
"I heard about your little adventure last night." He walked to the young man. Lex shrugged. The stared at each other. Lionel put a hand on his son's shoulder and squeezed hard.
"So, where is the little strumpet you risked your life to save?" Lex rolled his eyes and shook off his father's hand. He walked a few feet away, yawned and stretched lazily.
"I gave her a ride to the train station. Poor kid." He hoped Lionel would buy it. Gray eyes watched him.
"If she is not here, then who are you hiding from me?" He demanded. Lex looked at him like he was crazy. With a cruel grin, Lionel walked to the bathroom door and thrust it open.
Empty.
He looked at his son again. Lex shrugged. Lionel turned to the closet and pulled the door open. Ashley held her breath; through the hangers she glimpsed Lionel's stormy face. She suppressed a shudder and ducked her head lower. Lionel stood for a moment and looked around. Turning on his heel he walked back out. Looking at Lex, he smiled, like a tiger.
"Son, I worry about you. You simply cannot go around risking yourself on street trash. You have a vast destiny. It's time you took some responsibility." Lex grimaced and walked to the bed.
"Gee dad, it must be nice for you to have no problem with standing by while the rape and murder of a young woman takes place, but it makes me sick to my stomach." His voice was scathing as he crawled back into bed. Pulling the covers up he yawned again.
"Now, if you would be so kind as to go away. I had a long night and my head is pounding." He rolled over waving his father off.
Lionel 's face closed up.
"Just remember son, emotion for those beneath you is wasted." He walked to the door and looked back. Lex had not moved.
"Close the door." He barked from under the blankets. Lionel slammed the door. Lex remained in his façade of sleep, until he heard his father call for his car. Once the flat was silent he jumped up quickly. Pulling the closet open he looked around.
"Ash, it's ok. He's gone."
Her slender form slipped out of the wall of Armani and Versace. She was bug eyed. Lex chuckled.
"Clever girl." He said with admiration. Ashley shook her head.
"Desperate girl." She corrected. She stood for a moment and leveled her breathing. Lex walked to the bathroom in search of vitamins and painkillers. He spoke to her from the tiled room.
"So, any ideas on what you want to do?" His voice was muffled.
Ashley sighed and sat on the edge of the bed. She was a little ashamed and very confused. She had a thousand scenarios running thru her head.
Bruce wanted to find her so he could put her in a proper school for young ladies, breed the dyke out of her.
Or.
Bruce was looking for her because it was bad for is public image to have a family member on the street.
Or.
Bruce wanted her to be safe and with him, like before.
Truth was she really didn't know him anymore. Too much time, too much pain. Maybe when he saw her he would be disgusted. All she did know was that going back would be like giving up. Stubborn to the last she refused to give up.
Lex walked back into the room and looked at her pondering. Giving her time he went into the closet to dress. When he came back he was the flashy guy she had seen on the street.
The change was slightly unsettling. He picked up his watch and put it on, scrutinizeing her out of the corner of his eye. Standing, she pulled her shoulders back and set her chin.
"I take it you've made a decision." He said turning and leaning on the dresser. She nodded.
"If you do not mind I would like ...to... take a shower." She said, mischief dancing in her eyes. Lex bit his bottom lip in a grin and shook his head.
"You little... by all means. Take as long as you like." She smirked and darted into the room. Lex sighed and went to see about some coffee.
xxxxxx
The shower was an orgy of glass and midnight blue marble. She stood under the hot spray and luxuriated in it. She scrubbed and soaped and scrubbed some more. The red hair dye made pink water run down her back.
Ashley was unable to come to a decision. Fear was so much a part of her now. Fear of failing, fear of success, fear of being sent back, fear of never being able to go back.
Then there was the matter of that DJ who had her one and only demo tape. She had to get that back before anything else.
Finishing her shower Ashley stepped out and wrapped her self in one of the enormous ebony towels. She stood before the mirror raking her fingers through her wet hair. There was a knock on the door.
"Come in." She said pulling the towel tighter. Lex stuck his head in.
"I have left some things I think will fit you for now. Meet me in the dining room when you're ready." He said with a slight turn up at the corners of his mouth. Ashley nodded and thanked him.
When she was sure he had gone on, she walked out of the bathroom. Laid out on the bed were a dark blue cable knit sweater and a pair of drawstring pants. They looked suspiciously to Ash like something Lex wore to work out in.
On the floor were her own scuffed Doc Martins. A pair of warm socks and her leather jacket lay next to the clothing. Ash got dressed and picked up her jacket.
Catching herself in the mirror over the dresser she frowned at the livid bruise. Wishing she had some make up to at least tone it down, she headed for the dining room. Now rested and not starved, she was able to take in more of the penthouse.
In the wide spacious living room, she noticed a grand piano with many framed photos arranged across it. Skirting the steel hooded fire pit in the floor, Ash studied the Luthor Family photos.
Lionel and Lilly on their wedding day. Lilly holding a baby, Ash assumed it was Lex. Lex at maybe 5, auburn hair curling around his baby face. Then, picture of Lilly and Lex, after Smallville. His expression withdrawn, distant.
Lex stood at the archway between the dining room and the living room, watching her. She was adorable in his clothes, the light from the French doors giving her skin a golden glow.
She reached out and ran one narrow finger across a picture of him. He felt a weird tug in his belly. She turned her back to the photos and looked at the Metropolis skyline.
Shaking off the strange feeling, Lex cleared his throat. Ash jumped and whirled around. Blushing in that pretty way she did, he felt the strong urge to kiss her.
None of that Lex, this was not one of your girlies.
"You ready to eat?" He asked. She nodded and walked after him into the dining room.
The cook had put together a nice assortment of delectable things for them to eat. Lex held out a chair for her and she sat. Then the food had her attention, fully.
Lex absently ate a croissant and drank his espresso while he watched her. She had a pile of strawberries and grapes that she ate with her fingers, as well as pan au chocolate she picked apart and nibbled.
Lex was letting his mind wander again; when she reached for the South American banana, he knew it was time to change his train of thought. Getting up for more coffee he avoided watching her eat the phallic fruit.
This was going to be more difficult then he thought.
"Now that you've had your shower, what next?" He queried with his back to her. There was a pause while she swallowed. Lex gritted his teeth.
"Well... I would say just drop me off on Dennison and I will take it from there." She paused as he turned around, shaking his head.
"But I know what you'll say to that. So, want to give me a ride downtown so I can talk to a DJ about my demo tape?" She smiled sweetly and taking a big bite of the banana. Lex ignored the response his brain had to her rounded little lips, and went with the DJ thing.
"You have a demo?" He asked hoping his voice had not gone up. Ash finished her banana and nodded.
"Did you think I came completely unprepared?" She gave him an arched look. Lex smirked and shrugged. Ash felt a little peeved.
"Well I didn't! I had a plan, I hade money too...just not enough." Her voiced dropped and she toyed with the peel. Lex felt bad for poking fun at her.
"I'm sorry." He said wincing a little. "It's my nature. I don't really mean it." Ashley nodded but didn't look up. Lex sat down again. Tapping the table to get her attention.
"Tell me about your demo." He said with a smile. Ashley studied him for a moment.
Why did he care, she wondered.
"It's just something a friend of mine back home helped me make." She smiled slightly. "He had a makeshift studio in his basement."
He leaned back, sipping from his cup. Ashley rambled on about her music, he watched her change. She lit up.
There was a glitter in her green eyes as she explained her influences and where she got her songwriting inspirations. Maybe there was more to this chick then tragedy and bitter sarcasm.
When they had finished eating, they walked to the private elevator and descended to the garage. Lex opened the door for her and she slid into the seat in that self same silver jag.
Blending smoothly into traffic, Lex asked where they were headed.
"Doxy spins at Easy B's." She said looking at the city shifting by her window. It was overcast again. Looked like another wet day and night in the big city. Lex's brow creased.
"Easy B's? Isn't that a gay bar?" He asked. She snickered. Lex made a noise of understanding. "Right, got it. Sorry." He turned the wheel and made for Easy B's.
xxxxxx
The club was quiet at the early time of day and partially lit, but the music wafted out the open side door. Ash nodded to the red-haired girl at the door.
"Hey Ronnie." She smiled, Lex behind her, smiled as well. The girl greeted Ashley with a bright grin but her face dropped when she recognized the billionaire. They walked into the half-light of the club. The décor looked like any other dance club Lex could think of.
The redhead scooted passed them and made for the bar. Two gym toned men with perfectly styled hair sat on stools. The girl whispered to them and Lex felt three sets of eyes rake over him.
Ah Hell.
Ashley crossed the empty dance floor and stood in one of the only lights currently on. She waved at the DJ booth. Lex heard a bouncy voice call out to her.
"Hey! Hey! Baby Girl!" The shadowed figure handed his headset off to the boy next to him and came down out of the booth.
He crossed the floor, thin as a rail, dressed in black leather and bright blue lycra. His spiky bleach blond hair stood up in random tufts. He scooped Ash up in a hug, swinging her around. Setting her back on her feet, his smile faded and he turned her head with a hand.
"Girl, what happened to you?" His voice was shrill as he assessed her bruise. Ash spoke to him in a low voice. At one point she motioned to Lex, both turned and surveyed him. Doxy grabbed her by the arm and gasped.
"Oh you did not just waltz in here with that sexy hunk of billionaire!" He stage whispered. Lex hid his smirk and pretended not to hear.
Ashley blushed and swatted Doxy's arm. She asked him about her demo. He smiled and told her to wait a minute. Winking at Lex he trotted back to the booth. Ashley walked over to Lex, smiling sheepishly.
"Sorry, Doxy is a bit... outrageous." she stood next to him and blushed some more. Lex shrugged.
"No problem. I have known some screaming queens in my time." They shared a chuckle as Doxy came sauntering back. He handed Ash a cd and put one hand on his hip.
"Please let me know if there is anything I can do for you." He gave Lex an openly lustful look.
To both Ashley and Lex's astonishment, Lex Luthor blushed.
There was a breath catching moment then Lex laughed, hard.
Doxy giggled and pushed at Lex's arm. Ashley rolled her eyes at the DJ and put a hand on Lex's wrist. He looked down, her fingers against his skin felt like fire.
"Thanks again, Doxy. Did anyone like it? Or was it booed off?" She asked in a self deprecating way. Lex, glad the focus was off him, listened with half an ear.
Her hand did not moved as the flamboyant DJ went off about how great everyone thought her song was. Ashley smiled looking down at her feet.
That lovely pink in her cheeks. Lex had a mischievous thought. Pulling free of her hand and wrapping his arm around her shoulders, Lex pointed to the disc.
"If it's half as good as you say, I want to hear in now." He said to Doxy. The DJ grinned hugely and snatched the cd from Ash's hand.
"Now that's my kinda man." He said dashing back across the floor and up into the booth. Ashley looked at Lex, burning green flames in her eyes.
"Bastard." She growled. Secretly she knew the anger was a cover to hide her confusion over the electric thrill running down her spin from where his arm held her.
"Not true." Lex said grinning. "My parents were legally married." Ashley cursed under her breath. Lex leaned his head down.
"What was that?" His eyes mocking. Ash lifted her chin defiantly.
"I said YOU FUCK." She said, lips barley brushing the shell of his ear. Lex had yet to hear her curse. The word fuck on those pouting lips turned him on. Straightening up and stepping away he put his hands in his pockets.
"Dirty word... for such a well bred girl." He pretended to be aghast. Ash had the great urge to punch him. That crooked smug look.
Her retort was cut short by the beginning of her song over the speakers. Ash bit her lip and turned her gaze from him.
Lex cocked his head and listened. The music was simple house style beats, not a lot to distinguish it from any other dance song. That is until the vocals cut in.
Ashley had a voice that should belong to a woman, not a 16-year-old girl. Deep, slightly jaded and heavily blues. Lex was blown away. The kid was fucking incredible! The words were clever as well. Sophisticated writing. He looked at her, she was so nervous.
"Did you write the lyrics?" He asked raising his voice over the music. She gave him one of her darting looks and nodded.
Lex raised an eyebrow.
"Not bad." He offered. The two men sitting at the bar had gotten up and were dancing with each other on the wide floor. Ashley felt a surge in her chest.
They were dancing to her music. Hot Damn!
Lex's eyes took in everything, a plan was forming.
xxxxx
They got back into Lex's jag and sat for a few minutes watching the rain begin to spatter the window.
"I have an offer for you, Ashley." Lex's voice was deep and business like. She looked up at him curious and nervous.
"You stay here in Metropolis. I keep a place for when I don't want to be found. You'll stay there. I will take you over to Power House Studios, I know some guys there. They will help you polish your song. I think you should recorded two or three more as well." Ashley stared, shocked. Lex wasn't done.
"Then once you have a good solid demo, I will take you to see my friend Peterson at Metro records." Twist of his lips. "He owes me a favor." Ashley let her mouth drop some more. Lex smiled.
"I have one condition."
She closed her mouth, Oh No.
"You will call your cousin, just to let him know you are safe." His tone of voice said that this condition was not negotiable.
"You don't have to tell him where you are if you don't want to." He paused to look at her. She sat with her hands clutched tight, white teeth chewing her bottom lip. Lex waited for her to speak.
After a few minutes she looked up, there was something new in her eyes.
Hope.
"Why?" She asked softly. Lex turned to look out the windshield. Rain coming down hard now. He shrugged.
"Because I want to help. Because I can help." He turned back to her. "Because you have potential and a real talent." He answered.
She suddenly looked older then her years, struggling with her decision. Then abruptly Ash sat up straight, chin high again.
"Ok, Mr. Luthor, I accept." She gave him a serous look and stuck out her hand. Lex smiled slowly and shook it.
"Deal." He said starting the engine. "Just don't call me Mr. Luthor. Makes me look around for my father." Bitter snicker.
xxxxxx
He drove them up town to the garment district. Ashley let her mind wander as the cityscape passed her window.
Lex Luthor was giving her the chance to make her dream come true. How had this happened? Ashley felt like she had missed something somewhere.
Lex pulled the car up in front of a warehouse. Unlike the other buildings in the area, it had no signs declaring its business or function. Lex smiled his sideways grin.
"This is my secret hideout." He gave her a wink. She smiled wide and suppressed a girlish giggle. There was that heat in her belly again. She had to be ill, that's all she could think.
Yeah, on the street too long. Must be coming down with something.
He led her to a set of steel double doors. He unlocked them and ushered her inside. Once the doors closed he punched a code into the flashing keypad.
Pocketing his keys, he motioned her to follow him down the plain empty hall that ended in a freight elevator. Ashley entered the lift and looked up. The top of the car was a metal grill and the shaft loomed high.
She jumped a little as he brought the large gate down with a crash. Lex pulled a lever and the elevator came to life, with a whirring of gears they began to rise. The ride was short and when Lex opened the gate again, it was like a whole different place.
The hall was wide and carpeted in deep forest green. The walls painted a soft white, it could have been the hall in a posh hotel. She trailed behind him to another set of doors, these were wood. He pulled out the keys again to let them in.
It was a magnificent loft apartment. Ashley let out a gasp of amazement. There were impossibly high ceilings. Lots of exposed brick, wood beams and steel girders.
The décor was extremely different from the penthouse. Trendy but in the most tasteful way. Brighter colors and more steel and glass. She walked into the wide and open space, turning slowly.
Two spiral staircases at opposite ends of the room. One leading to an area that held the biggest entertainment layout Ash had ever seen. The other led to a space she figured must be the bedroom, but there was no way to see from where she stood.
On the main floor there was a sitting area with leather chairs and a long leather couch, a large glass topped desk dominated the other end. The open galley type kitchen was all chrome and glass. There was a great deal of modern art on the walls.
The whole place sat peacefully in the filtered light coming from a bank of windows at the top of one wall and scattered skylights. Lex watched her as she took it all in. Walking into the kitchen area he opened the frig.
"I'll get some staff in here to freshen things up and stock the place as well." He said reaching into his pocket for his cell.
"Go on, check it all out." He said with a small chuckle. Ashley grinned and moved off toward the back of the flat.
She found there were two more rooms on the main floor. One was an elegant reading room with black lacquered furniture and many books. The other was pleasant bedroom, with a small bath attached.
She made her way to the spiral stairs leading to the upstairs bedroom. When she got to the top, she pushed the door open slowly. There was a short hallway illuminated by a skylight in the ceiling. She went to the end and passed thru a set of velvet curtains.
This room was also very different from the one at the penthouse. Rich jewel colors and shiny metals. It had a Middle Eastern feel too it. The imposing bed dominated the room, curtained as well in the same deep plum velvet.
To Ashley the room felt like an opium den in some Arabian Night's tale. Her stomach quivered at the thought of what Lex would want such a decadent, secret place for. Ash left the room quickly and went to investigate the entertainment loft.
Lex finished his calls and stood at the bottom of the stairs.
"I have arranged for a housekeep to come in three times a week. And I can have a cook here everyday if you wish." He called up to her. Ashley gave up her study of the DVD collection and walked to the railing. She smiled down at him.
"Oh that's not necessary. I know how to cook." She started down the stairs. He cocked his head.
"More hidden talents? Are you as good a cook as you are a singer?" He asked teasingly. She made a bratty face and tossed her head.
"Better." She said in a saucy voice. Lex laughed.
"Well you will have to prove that sometime." He said suggestively before he could help it. Ash had her back to him but he could see her spine stiffen.
Oh smooth Lex, he berated himself.
Ashley turned herself around in a circle, arms out wide.
"It's all so...wonderful." She looked at him with gratitude. "Thank you, Lex." She said in a breathy voice. She felt overwhelmed by her gratitude. He tried to shrug it off.
"Don't mention it." He said casually. Ashley crossed to him and took his hand shyly.
"I mean it. Thank You." Her pretty face serious. Lex nodded, trying not to think about how much he liked her touching him, he changed the subject.
"I will have to see about getting you some clothes that fit." Ashley pursed her lips.
"As long as it's not girly shit I'm cool." She answered letting the matter go. She wanted him to know she wasn't taking this lightly, but there would be time to convey that.
Lex was easy once more as he flipped open the phone again.
"We could order Chinese if you like. There is a really good place that delivers here." He offered. Ashley smiled.
"Sounds great."