1. Chapter 12. Chapter 23. Chapter 34. Chapter 45. Chapter 56. Chapter 67. Chapter 78. Chapter 89. Chapter 910. Chapter 1011. Chapter 1112. Chapter 1213. Chapter 1314. Chapter 1415. Chapter 1516. Chapter 1617. Chapter 17
Smallville: Luthor Castle: Lex's Bedroom
Ashley slipped from the empty bed and pulled one of Lex's shirts on to cover her nakedness. Padding across the thick carpeting she pushed open the heavy wooden door and listened.
The hall was empty; there was a very faint echo, it sounded like Lex yelling. Slipping out the door, she tip toed down the stone hall and trotted down the steps to the second floor. Pausing outside Lex's study she bit her lip and gave in to the urge to eavesdrop.
"NO Not Good Enough!" he yelled to someone on the phone. "High School Students have gotten more information then that! What the fuck do I pay you for?" his tone was lethal and his words a little slurred.
In the four days since Bruce had given Lex the heads up on his father, he had been focused on getting all the dirt he could dig up. Ash had been disturbed when he enlisted the help of Clark's young friend Chloe to assist.
Ash was more then a little frightened of this new side to Lex; the darkness was thick and tangible around him. His lust seemed to bring it out more prominently. Since the near shooting of Lionel, he had been colder and more aloof.
When they had sex, Ashley felt that who she was really didn't matter, and neither did her pleasure. Then he would switch, and be the Lex she knew, like earlier when he had made love to her tenderly, apologizing for his inattentiveness.
Now he was back at it, she peeked thru the cracked door and watched him, feeling guilty but frightened as well. He paced in front of his desk, one hand held the phone to his ear while the other gripped the back of his neck as if it was sore. She noted the decanter of scotch sitting on the desk next to a tumbler half filled with the amber liquid. She really disliked it when he drank while in this mood.
Lex's head moved toward her and his eyes narrowed. He closed the cell phone and moved across the floor swiftly. Ashley, startled, skittered backward and lost her footing. She fell on her ass and Lex yanked the door open, his face was clouded with suspicion. His darkened eyes fell on her sprawled on the floor and he was filled with doubt.
"Ashley, what are you doing?" he asked sharply. His hand reached out and wrapped around her wrist, he tugged her to her feet roughly. She sputtered at his treatment of her.
"I-I w-was looking for you...Lex, you're hurting me." She stuttered trying to pry his fingers off her. He blinked twice and looked at her slender fingers pulling on his own.
"Oh." He mumbled and released her. His eyes swept the hall behind her, and he looked her over again. She shivered under his gaze and wrapped her arms around her body. "What are you doing up?" he asked, stepping back. She shrugged and tried to smile.
"I woke up alone and wanted to know where you went." She said softly. He squinted at her, his face a mask, she was suddenly very afraid of him.
"Want to know what I am doing... so you can report to my father?" he demanded, a wicked gleam sparking in his eyes. Ashley looked at him stunned.
"Lex, what are you talking about?" she asked shrilly. His look became more fevered. She backed up until her shoulders pressed against the wall. Lex leaned down into her face.
"I found his card in your clothes, Ashley. You are spying for him." He said as his mouth twisted around the words. Ash pushed her hands against his chest and gave him an outraged look.
"Lex! He gave me that card when he spoke to me here! When he threatened you and Bruce if I did not speak with him! What are you talking about?" she was getting very scared now this was just not rational. She pushed on him again trying not to get too frantic. Lex blinked again and shook his head, his brows furrowing as if he were confused.
"Ash, honey I'm sorry, I don't know why I thought that." He said reach out to her; she flinched from his touch and danced out of his reach. Her green eyes were bright and glassy.
"Lex, you have become obsessed with your father, and it's frightening the Hell out of me. I'm going back to Metropolis." She said then turned and flew up the stairs. Lex chased her into the bedroom where she began to pack her things.
"You're going back right now?" he said, fear fluttering like a bird in his chest. She flung off his shirt and pulled on some jeans and a tee.
"Lex, you have this crusade to fight and I have a tour to plan...I think it's best that I go do that while you do what you need to do." she said refusing to look at him while she finished packing.
"When I get back from Europe we will talk...see where we both are." she said softly. Lex felt his heart drop, and reached for her again.
"Ashley, I am doing this for us." He said his voice almost desperate. She looked up at him with wet eyes and nodded slightly.
"That was how it started but something has changed Lex, something in you. I think this time will give us a perspective that we cannot get while together." She said and leaned in placing a sweet kiss on his lips.
His hands held her tight, unwilling to let her go. The kiss deepened and Ashley felt her tears fall. They both knew she was avoiding the truth, they both knew she was leaving...for real.
xxxxxxx
So, Ash went back to Metropolis and planned her tour. Half way thru it, Bruce called her in Scotland to tell her Lex had suffered a psychotic break and Lionel had committed him to an asylum. She was heart sick and devastated. Had her leaving help this to come about? Or had her leaving made him more vulnerable to Lionel's treachery?
It was all too much for her to take, when the tour finally ended, she returned to Gotham City and her cousin's home. She visited Lex in the hospital because Bruce said it would help.
He had seemed so rational and sound, until he demanded she give him an answer on whether or not she was coming back to him. He had gotten so worked up when she could not answer him; he had even lashed out at her. The orderlies had to restrain him while she fled in tears.
Ashley took some time and sorted out her feelings. She loved Lex, she truly did, but she was unable to deal with the deadly chess game he and his father played. She was unable to face the blackness that grew stronger in Lex every time Lionel pushed him lower.
xxxx
Bruce continued to returned to Smallville at the request of Clark, who had become a new friend, Ashley was faintly intrigued by this unlikely friendship. Bruce stated that the boy was more special then she knew but refused to explain what he meant.
The first time he came to Gotham City to visit, Clark was as saucer eyed as a cartoon. He spent the weekend at the manor, his shy and polite presence making the visit very pleasant. When the subject of Lex came up, as it was sure to, Clark had hedged around a bit. Things were not so tight anymore between the billionaire and the farm boy.
Ashley felt it was just another point taken from Lex; the loss of Clark's pure and loyal friendship could only hurt him. She was saddened but knew that things would go the way they must, her tears would not change that.
Ashley finally let Lex go, she mourned and cried and then moved on. Her life opened a new chapter, and as she turned 21 she vowed to be her own woman from now on. She devoted her energy to her music and her cousin. That was all she really needed.
Right?
xxxxx
Lex recovered from the atrocities Lionel had achieved in his need to cover up the murder of his parents. He survived the shock treatments and the heavy drugs. Getting out of the hospital with a clean bill of mental health and missing seven weeks of his memory, Lex attempted to put back together the pieces of his life.
One thing he did remember was that Ashley had left him, he was unsure why or what had caused her to go. He mulled over the fragments of his memories and came to one conclusion.
He felt he could win her back, given time. He could find a way to rekindle what they had; she had feared the angry thing that grew inside him, that much he could guess.
With a bright determination, Lex held onto the hope that one day he would have her back. He settled back into his life at the mansion, trying to use his new focus to better things around him. The optimism did not last long.
New mysteries continued to pop up, the search for three mystic stones, another meteor shower and the apprehension of an extraterrestrial ship, kept him moving deeper into intrigue. At every turn, it seemed Clark was involved and would never tell Lex how he had come to be so. The lies began to pile up, making Lex withdraw into himself farther with each passing day.
Despite his best efforts Lex could not escape the darkness him family name promised. When his time in Smallville ended, he knew that his friendship with Clark was over and beyond repair. In a diminutive, nearly suffocated part of him, Lex mourned the loss of that friendship. Knowing all he could feel was contempt and malice toward the boy, he decided to leave Smallville... for good.
As he moved into his rightful place at the head of LuthorCorp, he left all that had happened behind him, except for one thing...he would never let got of his bitter hatred for Clark. It grew inside him like a cancer. Like the cancer that would eventually take his left hand. Like the evil that ate at his soul.
xxxxxx
When the mysterious savior of Metropolis made himself known, the world held its breath in awe, they called him Superman.
All were astounded and wondered who he could be, all with the exception of a handful of people: Martha Kent, Chloe Sullivan, Bruce Wayne, Ashley Embers and Lex Luthor.
Martha could not be prouder of her special son, his devotion to helping those in need made her heart large and her soul full. She knew her late husband would feel the same if not more, they had done a very good job. Her little boy was the hope of the world.
Chloe basked in the glow of being one of the precious few who Clark trusted with his secret. She did her best to assist him in anyway she could, wanting to be part of his noble quest.
Bruce advised the young hero, becoming something of a mentor. He admired the boy's unflagging spirit and worried about his sometimes one-sided view of things. Bruce knew that at some point Clark would have to face the fact that not everything was black or white.
Ashley was amused that the shy farm boy had ascended so fast. His use of a simple pair of horn rimmed glasses to hide his identity had given her a fit of giggles the first time she saw his picture by line in the Daily planet. She too admired his righteous nature and need to do 'good'.
Lex HATED Superman.
He hated Clark Kent. He wanted nothing more then the degradation of this alien invader. The pomp and fan fair that followed the new hero made Lex's stomach turn. Since the first sighting of his blue and red clad ass, no one had paid attention to all the LexCorp did for the city and the world at large. In fact, people began to look at the rapidly growing company with more and more suspicion. Lex vowed to do whatever it took to best this 'Man of Steel', there could be only one 'Son of Metropolis'.
xxxxxxx
Years slipped by, leaving its marks, bringing joy and sorrow. There were tragedies and triumphs, and everyone grew from their experiences. Still the things left undone and unsaid had a way of crawling back in the dead of night, to tap at the mind and make them wonder what might have been.
In Gotham City, the criminals feared the Dark Knight, knowing it was only a matter of time until he found them and exposed them to the light of justice. He was grim vengeance on the streets; his enemies were many and almost all deeply insane.
Since allying with Jim Gordon, The Batman had seen to the clearing out of the corrupt police and politicians. The job was far from done, but the average citizen could now trust the local cop more then they had a few years before. Slowly things were getting better, bit-by-bit.
Ashley was having trouble coping with her stratospheric fame; it was becoming stressful and more then she wanted. Having fulfilled the contract that Lex had gotten her, she walked away from Metro records and started a label of her own. Once it had established its self, she took a year off and spent it with Bruce.
She idled at the manor and rode horses during the day. She spent calm evenings with Alfred in the solarium tending to the plants and speaking of times passed. She trained with her cousin just to make him happy, wanting to spend time with him.
The cool demeanor of his alter ego seemed to be creeping in increasingly and it worried her that he would slip away completely. She wrote and visited with friends, enjoying the freedom from her career.
That was how she came to be at home that stormy night, when the thunder boomed in the sky and the waves pounded against the cliffs. The lighting pierced the night casting an eerie light thru the rooms of the manor.
She sat curled in a corner of the sofa in the family room, trying ease jumpy nerves the violent storm summoned in her. She wanted the storm to pass and leave her in peace; she felt an odd sense of foreboding.
Then came the sound of heavy boots thumping down the marble hall and the door burst open. Ashley startled as the Batman, dripping wet, strode into the sitting room and dropped a sodden bundle into her lap.
The bundle felt like a person and it quivered in her alarmed hands. Her mouth moved as if searching for words. Peeling back the blanket, Ash perceived a young boy of about 12, clearly in shock and soaked to the skin. His glassy brown eyes fixed on her and his hands clutched at her sleeves.
"Dead, they're both dead!" the boy mumbled and hung onto her. She looked up at the cowl with wide perplexed eyes.
"He needs comfort." The deep voice said. Ash looked back at the beautiful child shivering in her arms. He was long limbed, his coltish legs curled against her hip and he was crying now. He rolled and buried his face in her embrace. She hugged him and tried calm his shuddering.
"Who is he?" she whispered. The Bat took a single step back and crossed his arms.
"He is an aerialist, his parents were murdered in front of him tonight. As they took their bows before the crowd, a gun man shot them both in the head." The Bat gestured with a hand to her.
"He will be staying here from now on. My attorney will see to it in the morning." He said turning from her. She was slightly appalled and very confused.
What did Bruce want with this orphaned child? Then the connection dawned on her.
'His parents both shot dead before his eyes.'
No wonder her complex cousin had reached out to save this boy. He reminded Bruce of himself, and Ash could even see a physical resemblance to the stoic dark haired boy of her memory.
The child wept, held onto her with a death grip and she rocked him gently trying to ease his agony. Ashley gasped and had a thought. She called out to the retreating back.
"But what's his name?" she asked. There were several beats of silence and just as she decided he had ignored her, the answer came floating back.
"Dick Grayson."
xxxxxxx
They settled the boy into the bedroom across the hall from Ashley's.
Alfred, having unearthed some of Master Bruce's old garments, helped him into the clothes before tucking him under the thick down comforter.
Ashley brought him some chamomile tea and sat with him while he sipped and shivered. She caressed his forehead and made soft soothing sounds, not wanting him to think about the trauma he had endured.
The boy looked at her with wide glassy eyes, one slender fingered hand reaching out to grasp hers. He held on tight conveying his desperation and fear. He was still pale; he did not speak, just held her hand and stared out the rain-streaked window.
The tea was beginning to work, calming him and drawing the much-needed sleep near. Ash watched as his eyes fluttered, his grip went slack and young Dick Grayson slipped into a deep sleep.
Leaving a small light on, Ash crept out of the room; she took the empty cup down to the kitchen. Alfred was still bustling about the room, keeping busy in that efficient manner of his. She rinsed the cup and handed it to him. He gave her his warm smile and nodded his head.
"Is he resting?" he asked her. She nodded back and leaned against the counter.
"Alfred, I want you to let me know as soon as Bruce gets back." She said in a cool tone. "I don't care if I am sleeping, wake me." The butler dipped his head in understanding.
"Certainly, Miss Ashley." He said without pause. She patted the old man on his shoulder and left the room.
She walked slowly through the long halls back to her room, her mind wandering into memory as she went. Recollections of she and Bruce gallivanting up and down the stairs of the original mansion, their playful taunts and shouts ringing against the stonewalls.
Aunt Martha laughing and chiding them to be quiet, Uncle Thomas was working. The afore mentioned uncle emerging from his office to catch Ashley up in his arms, swinging her high and setting her on his shoulder. Bruce chuckling as the trio escaped the high walls to roam across the vast lawns.
Sighing deeply she closed her bedroom door and lay down on her bed. What was her cousin trying to do? What did he hope to accomplish by taking in this orphaned boy?
She lay staring at the ceiling for a long while before sleep took her.
It was nearly dawn before Bruce returned. The Batman's patrol had run longer on this grim night. True to his word, Alfred woke Ash as the tumbler pulled into the cave. She scrambled down the stairs and met him as he stepped thru the Grandfather clock portal.
"What do you want with this boy, Bruce?" she asked bluntly. He blinked at her and shrugged. Moving down the hall, he seemed nonchalant.
"We are the only people who can help him through this." He answered. She sighed and did not follow him. Halfway down the marble floor he stopped and turn to look back at her.
"You have a problem?' he asked his voice edged. Ashley crossed her arms and shrugged.
"I feel you have another idea here, Bruce." She stated flatly. He looked at the floor and pondered his next words.
"There are points in life, Ashley when fate steps in and asks if you are willing to take a chance." He said pulling the cowl off in one swift movement.
"This is one of those points." He turned from her and continued down the hall. "He will make a fine soldier." He said before melting into the shadows. Ashley held her arms close to her body.
"That's what I was afraid you would say." She whispered.
xxxxx
Dick fell into the groove of life at the manor easier then Ash or Alfred figured he would. He took to the tasks Bruce set before him like a fish to water. He studied and trained and became the perfect little soldier, just as Bruce said he would.
Ashley was his touchstone; she was the soft spot in his tough world. When he was finished with his training and studies, he would seek her out for conversation and comfort. He found Bruce to be a source of awe, but there was more yet to come.
The boy was stunned when his afternoon studies were interrupted by the sudden appearance of Superman. The 'Man of Steel' set down on the wide patio slates and stood with his massive arms crossed over the S shield on his chest. His square jaw was clenched tight and his eyes squinting in the sunlight.
"Bruce!" Superman called out. "We need to talk." Bruce set the leather bound book down and walked to the French doors. Dick hopped up as if to follow but Ashley reached out to hold him back.
"No, Dick...this is not a conversation we should be part of." She said leading the boy away.
Bruce walked slowly across the patio to stand in front of the Red and Blue Wonder. He cocked one brow and crossed his arms as well.
"To what do I owe the honor of this visit, Clark?" he asked in his deeper tone. Clark gave a short shake of his head.
"You know exactly what I am here about, Bruce. You cannot do this," he said. Bruce did not react; he stood stock still not even blinking.
"Who are you to tell me what I can and cannot do, Clark?" His voice was like ice. Superman dropped his arms and held his hands in fists at his sides.
"He is a child, Bruce. I know just what you're thinking but to bring this boy into your mission is far too dangerous, Bruce. You cannot make him into a copy of you." The big man said emphatically. "And I cannot believe Ashley is allowing this as well," he added with indignation. Bruce flinched.
Anyone could say what he or she wanted about him and his alter ego, Batman, but not even the Last Son of Krypton could talk shit about his family. Stepping in closer, Bruce ground his teeth, Clark could see the cold darkness drop in the other man's eyes.
"Ashley has no part in this decision, Superman. To be honest she feels the same as you apparently do." He looked Clark up and down with a slightly sarcastic expression.
"I'll thank you to not make assumptions about my family." He stepped back once more and looked at the afternoon sky.
"How is it you know so much about my business anyway?" he asked. Clark let his shoulders relax a fraction; Bruce was engaging him in conversation, which was a good sign.
"When the story about his parent's deaths and Bruce Wayne adopting him came over the wire at the Planet, Lois nearly lost her mind. You should probably call her by the way," he said noting a slight curve to Bruce's mouth at the mention of his fiery co-worker.
"I put two and two together, His parents and yours...the adoption and how you work... please tell me you don't intend to follow thru with this." The younger man was showing deep concern.
Bruce admired Clark's moral code and his farm boy sensibilities, but sometimes, dark things need to happen to keep darker things from gaining control.
He told Clark as much in a few words, he was answered with the tightening of that jaw once more. Superman squared his shoulders and stood stiff.
"Then all I can say is I truly hope you do not live to regret this, Bruce." Clark stepped back and gave him one parting comment. "I will be watching." Then he shot up into the sky. Bruce watched him go and shook his head.
"Never doubted you would, Clark," he mumbled.
xxxxxx
Three Months Later: Gotham City: Wayne Manor
Ashley packed a few last minute things while Dick sat on the edge of her bed looking dejected.
"But why do you have to stay in Metropolis? Why can't you come back with us after the Carnival?" he asked in a confused and heart aching tone. Ashley dropped the cosmetic bag she was holding and sat next to the boy. She wrapped her arm around his firm shoulders and sighed.
"Dick, I explained it to you three times. I have to do some work, and my work is in Metropolis. You know I will be back, and you can call me whenever you want," she said with fraying patience. Dick was being very difficult about her needing to leave for a few weeks.
They were all attending a massive charity gala; Bruce needed to make a public appearance with his new ward...people were beginning to talk. The event promised to be fun, a carnival for the privileged and super wealthy.
Only one thing gave Ash concern; Lex would be there, after all LexCorp was hosting the event. She had encountered him on only two other occasions since they had parted; both times, he had been distracted by heads of state and visiting dignitaries. This time things could be a little less convenient.
She hated to admit it but having Bruce and Dick there would be a kind of excuse to avoid him. She refused to acknowledge that she had taken great care in selecting her attire for the event and had even opted to wear that long ago engagement ring, though not on her left hand. No, Ashley would not think about what these actions meant. Better to just think about calming the boy and helping Bruce.
xxxx
Metropolis: Court Yard of Luthor Towers: That Evening
In the shadows of LuthorCorp Tower and the newly finished LexCorp Tower, a cavalcade of color, lights and music had been erected. Calliope music filled the air as clowns toppled and cavorted for the milling guests. Tents, stages and booths lay in rows across the perfectly manicured grass.
Tasteful and low-key carnival rides spread around the inner circle where games of chance with high-ticket prices enticed the well-heeled patrons to make their contributions. Well-dressed children darted through the crowds, hands fisted around cones of cotton candy and Italian ice.
Young Master Grayson, as Alfred called him now, stood next to his benefactor with wide eyes, never having seen a carnival such as this. These were not the show folk he had grown up around, not his freaks and animal trainers, nor were these the barkers and roustabouts of his past. These were stage and theater performers, elite catering servers and film caliber acrobats.
Watching the pastel garbed tumblers do their routine over a small net, his fingers itched to swing with them. He had forgotten the thrill of performance and the joy of the carnie life. He felt disloyal suddenly, as if he had neglected his roots and what his parents had taught him. A strong, firm hand came down on his shoulder; he looked up into deep chestnut eyes and saw empathy there.
"They are not real show folk, Dick." Bruce said reading the boy's thoughts. He nodded and sighed a small sigh knowing Bruce was right. Ashley looked down at his face and smiled her beautiful smile.
"Why don't we get some popcorn?" she suggested holding out her hand to him. He took it with a grin and they walked off to locate the popcorn stand. Bruce watched them leave and scanned the area looking for people he wanted to avoid and anyone he might want to corner for business purposes. He heard a soft step behind him and a slender arm slid around his waist.
"About time you showed up, Big Boy." Lois Lane's sultry voice filled his ears and caused the instantaneous shift in him. He turned with a bright smile on his face and placed a sweet kiss on her cheek.
"Well, I had to be sure I wouldn't be spending time talking to anyone but you." he said in a flirtatious tone. "And since you are always late for these things I knew I had to time it just right." He chuckled and the leggy brunette made a face.
"Hey, this time it's not my fault." She said casting a mock-nasty look over her shoulder.
"Smallville was late in picking me up." She said snarkily as Clark walked up, tripping over apparently nothing. His tie was crooked and he was carrying a dangerously full soda cup.
"Gee Lois, I told you it was a traffic accident that backed the streets up...making me late." his voice was slightly whiny. This explanation received an eye roll from Lois and Clark gave Bruce a small nod.
"Mr. Wayne." he said reaching out one large hand and managing to spill his drink on his wrist and sleeve. Lois snorted and shook her head.
"Bruce, you remember my bumbling writing partner don't you?" her words were laced with thinly veiled derision. Bruce nodded and took Clark's dry hand in a firm shake.
"Yes, Mr. Kent, nice to see you again." He said giving Clark a miniscule wink. Clark nodded and pushed his horn-rimmed glasses up on the bridge of his nose.
"Yes, you too...this is some show Luthor has put on." He said in a singsong tone. Bruce caught the unsaid indication, Luthor was up to something, or so Clark suspected. He smiled and agreed
"Yes, he knows how to whip up a PR extravaganza." Bruce said smiling and patting Lois' hand. He was letting Clark know that the suspicions could all be smoke and mirrors on Luthor's part.
Before they could continue their coded exchange, Ashley and Dick returned with a striped bag of popcorn and a large frozen drink of a violent blue shade.
"Ah, I see you have found something truly vile to drink, Dick." Bruce said in a jovial tone. The boy blinked for a moment, Bruce's change in demeanor throwing him off. Lois smiled wide and leaned slightly to look the boy in the eye.
"You must be the new addition to Wayne manor." She smiled a genuine smile and stuck out her hand. "Nice to meet ya, I'm Lois Lane." The boy took her hand and returned the smile. Lois hooked a thumb over her shoulder at Clark.
"That's Clark Kent. We both work for the Daily Planet." She said straightening up and taking Bruce's arm again. She winked at Ashley and leaned in to give her a small hug.
"Hey, Superstar! How's life with the wayward Wayne?" Ashley chuckled and returned the hug before shrugging.
"Not as wayward as you'd think." She said and twiddled her fingers at Clark. "Hello Clark, how have you been?" he managed a deep blush and gave her a sideways smile.
"H-hello A-Ashley...I'm fine." He was still shaking the moister off his hand. "Gotten lost lately?" he asked with a sly smirk.
It was a running joke they had; every time he saw her, he'd ask the same question. Lois had no knowledge of the long-standing friendship between Clark and the residents of the castle in Gotham. It would raise too many questions in her inquisitive mind.
"No, but if I do I will be sure to look for a Kansas farm boy to guide me." Ashley laughed. Lois looked from Ash to Clark and back, Her mind working at light speed.
"How do you know each other?" she asked her instincts tingling at the prospect of a mystery. Ashley shrugged and waved a hand.
"Ran into him once while lost in Smallville." She said. Lois looked startled.
"What were you doing in Smallville..."Lois said before she could stop herself. "Oh, yeah... sorry." she made a regretful face and Ash just shook her head.
"It's ok Lois...I'm not sensitive about it." She smiled and looked at Dick's confused expression. She chuckled at the boy and ruffled his hair.
"Why don't we se if we can talk Clark into going on some of the rides with us?" she suggested with a wicked glint in her eye. Clark stuttered and tried to decline. Lois thought it was a wonderful idea, a way to get him out of her hair and leave her alone with Bruce.
"That is a fantastic idea! Come on Smallville, when are you going to get the chance to ride the Ferris Wheel with a Rock Diva again?" she gave the man a push causing him to slosh more of his soda on his arm and he shook his head.
"When you put it that way Lois, how can I refuse?" he cast a witty smile at her over his shoulder and gave Ashley his arm, the dry one. Ashley raised an eyebrow at the stunned couple and took the offered arm.
"See you two later." She winked and sauntered off with Clark and Dick. Bruce smiled before pulling Lois to the side and into the shadow of an oak tree. He leaned down and kissed her deeply. She returned the kiss and pressed her body closer to his.
"Been too long." She mumbled as their lips broke. "What keeps you from my side so much, Bruce?" she asked with a saucy smile. Bruce wiggled his brows and kissed her again. Lois forgot that he never answered her question.
xxxxxx
Ash stood aside and watched while Clark and Dick rode the tilt-a-whirl. She smiled and waved to them, Clark looked like he was going hurl his lunch. She chuckled to herself then suddenly gasped, she took a deep breath as a distinctive scent enveloped her. She turned her head and looked at him.
The years had changed his face; there were deeper lines and harder edges to him now. However, his eyes still shown with bright silver and his voice, she found, was still like silk on her skin.
"Once again, your intrepid cousin did not tell me you would be here." Lex said looking her up and down languorously. Ashley gave him a tight, polite smile and tried not to blush under his covetous gaze.
"Well, you know Bruce..."she gave him a slanted look. "Good with details just not so good on sharing them." Lex parted his teeth in something like a smile that seemed to freeze on his face. Ashley could feel Clark and Dick approaching from behind. This could get ugly.
"Ashley! Did you see..."Dick started to gush when his eyes fell on the predatory grin of Lex Luthor. The boy's sharpened instincts told him this man was a danger. His spine stiffened and he moved slightly in front of Ash. He could sense Clark's agitation as well.
Lex ignored the boy and focused his attention on Clark. Their eyes shot daggers back and forth for a few seconds and Lex shifted his footing to face the taller man head on.
"Clark Kent, I thought I had asked the Planet to send Miss Lane." Lex's tone was frosted and edged. Clark never dropped his gaze.
"Mr. White asked me to attend as well, since I cover international correspondence." Clark smiled the phoniest smile Ashley had ever seen.
Lex's mouth turned down in mounting hatred, he could not stand the innocent and bumbling act Clark always played. In truth, it made Lex sick to his stomach. He knew who and what Clark Kent really was, this bullsh!t performance grated on his nerves.
Ashley took Dick by the hand and put on a bright smile. She didn't like the tone the conversation was taking and she moved to part them from Lex's company.
"Well I think we should find Bruce and try a few of the games." Ash said motioning to Clark. Lex's eyes narrowed then darted from Ashley to Clark and back again. She could see his shoulders square as he made assumptions.
Before anything nasty could be said, Bruce and Lois appeared at Clark's right, smiling like two well fed cats. Lex eased back a small step, Bruce's presence acting like a damper to his temper.
"Lex!" Bruce grinned hugely and pumped Lex's hand, his psuedo jetsetter personality still in play. "Wonderful bash!" He said in a boisterous volume, his dark eyes missing none of the tense faces or defensive postures.
"What do you think of our young Mr. Grayson?" he placed a hand on Dick's taught shoulder. The boy understood his silent command and relaxed to some extent.
Lex smiled back at Bruce, internally laughing at his mock joviality and comparing Bruce's acting to Clark's. He found Bruce a much better actor. He waved a dismissive hand and looked down at the boy at last.
"Had not quite made it to introductions as of yet." Lex said archly. He extended his hand to Dick with much insincerity. He shook the young boy's hand and watched Clark out of his peripheral.
The boy shook Lex's hand and noted the tense feeling this man seemed to inspire in the two most important people in Dick's life. He decided he did not trust this man, even though he knew the influence of the Luthor name. The boy stepped back to stand at Ashley's side, his dark eyes never leaving Lex's face, his hand still holding hers tight.
"Why don't we sit down and have some drinks or something." Bruce smiled his counterfeit smile taking Lois by the hand he waved the group of them toward the cluster of ironwork tables. Before the small assembly could move in that direction, a shrill, slurred voice made all heads turn.
"L-L-LEX! Damn it! Y-you know I hate when you leave me s-standing ...a-alone." A slender blond dressed in expensive couture staggered toward them with a half empty highball glass in one hand and a petulant look on her face.
Lex cursed under his breath while Lois and Clark gave twin gasps of horror. Lex walked to intercept the girl but her eyes fell on the people with whom he was standing.
Blue-green blood shot eyes widened and she pushed past Lex with a nasty smile on her face. She wobbled to the middle of the semi-circle and fisted her free hand on one hip.
"Well, well, well... The Thief, The Liar, The Prince and..."she turned her eyes to Ashley. "The Saint." She spoke the words as if they were dirty. Lex stepped up behind her and grasped her by the elbow. She yanked her arm away and moved closer to Lois.
Ash noted that the lovely reporter's face was creased with a cross between anger and pain. Honestly Ashley had no idea who this girl was but she seemed to be familiar with everyone in attendance. Lois held out a hand toward the girl her palm upturned as if asking the girl to take her hand.
"You've had too much to drink...Chloe." Lois said with sorrowful eyes. The blond made a rude spitting sound and took another swig from her glass.
"Like I g-give a shit what a thieving bitch like you would h-have to s-say." Chloe slurred. Bruce put a comforting hand on Lois' arm, Chloe noted the action and shook her head.
"That's right, make sure she doesn't worry too much, Brucey..." Chloe turned her acid gaze on Clark. She laughed too loud and snorted. Clark would not look her in the eye; instead he stared at her shoes, his face flushed with emotion.
"I don't even have anything to say to you, Mr. Goody Two Shoes." She spat at him, downed the last of her drink and threw the glass aside. They heard it shatter and Chloe stepped in close to Ashley, impolitely too close. She stared into the Rock Diva's face with her mouth twisted into a snarl.
"But you... The Sainted Ashley...y-you I got a few words for." She said in a graveled tone and hiccupped. Before she could continue Lex roughly pulled her away, he pushed her into the grasp of a tall woman in a gray suit.
"Chloe, I think you should go with Mercy and retire to the penthouse." He looked her in the eye and gave the indication he was very angry. She started to protest but Lex's voice dropped.
"You have pushed the envelope too far. Go lay down." His words were colored with disgust. Chloe glared at him with hatred yet allowed the Nordic bodyguard to lead her away. Lex's spine was stiff as he turned back to them.
"On that delightful note I have to excuse myself and attend to some host duties." Lex said. "Thank you all for coming, oh and Miss Lane please see my press agent before you leave." His smile was cold and he gave them a short nod then walked away.
Bruce helped Lois to sit at a table and flagged down a passing server, he ordered a strong drink for Lois. He sat next to her and took her hand.
"How long has she been that bad?" He asked in a low voice. The others sat across form them and looked at each other in uncomfortable silence. Clark appeared to be in great pain, Ashley looked from his anguished face to Lois' welling eyes. It took her a few minutes to remember why the name Chloe was familiar.
"She was not this bad the last time I saw her." Lois said pulling a tissue out and dabbing her eyes. She drew in a shuddering breath and looked across the table at Clark.
"Was she like that when you saw her last week?" Lois asked. Clark held his hands in fists on the tabletop his mouth twisted in a bitter smile.
"Are you asking if she was that drunk or that angry?" his tone was deeply sarcastic. He stood abruptly and stalked away from the table. Lois shook her head in irritation as he disappeared into the crowd. Ash jumped up and caught her cousin's eye.
"I'll talk to him." She said before following Clark into the mix. Lois took the drink that arrived and drank a big swig. She winked at Dick who watched her with big eyes.
"It's ok Kiddo, she's just a family member I had a falling out with." She gave the boy a wane smile. He straightened his slender shoulders and looked her in the eye.
"She seemed like she was very sad to me." Dick said shrugging slightly. Lois gasped and gave a surprised little laugh.
"Kid's really perceptive." She mumbled to Bruce. He smiled and nodded patting her hand once more. Lois downed the second half of her drink and shook off the bad feeling.
"I'm not gonna let this bring our night down!" she said forcefully. "Come on boys, lets go knock down some bottles and win some expensive kewpie dolls." With a determined smile, Lois Lane pulled Bruce to his feet and set off to have fun, damn it!
Ash found Clark behind the funhouse; he was leaning against the back wall, hands shoved deep in his pockets. He looked angry; she approached slowly and stood quietly waiting for him to speak.
"I failed her." Clark said in a soft voice. He raised his head and looked at Ash, his guilt clear on his handsome face. Ashley's heart went out to him; extending a hand, she clasped his arm, pulling his hand free for her to hold.
"Clark, how have you failed her?" she asked gently. He allowed her to hold his hand and looked at the ground.
"She knew my secret, it put her in danger's way far too often." He brushed his other hand across his eyes. "She was trying to deflect attention from me and it cost her job." He let go of Ash and crossed his arms over his chest. Here was something Ashley knew a little about, she stood straight and mimicked Clark's pose.
"You cannot blame yourself for her actions and the effect they had, Clark." He looked up at her with shock. She waved his dismay off.
"Trust me on this, I know about keeping secrets and what it can cost. If Chloe put herself in the path of danger she did so with full knowledge of what could happen." Clark's brow furrowed outrage rippling to the surface.
"How can you say that, Ashley? Protecting me cost Chloe her life long dream and brought her...to this!" he said brokenly and turned his face away, overcome by the pain once more.
Ashley lost her composure for a moment. She reached out and thwacked Clark on the shoulder, more to get his attention then in hopes of hurting him.
"You think I don't know about loss of dreams and the price paid to keep a loved one's secrets?" she demanded, her green eyes flashing. Clark remembered to whom he was talking and blushed deeply. Ash was not done.
"If she has fallen so low then she only has herself to blame. I seem to recall that she has survived greater tragedies and not given in to self-pity. Did you ever think that maybe there is more to her downfall then just you and your secret?" her anger spent she sighed deeply. She looked at him shaking her head slightly.
"You hero types always think it's all about you." she said with a small chuckle. Despite his sorrow, Clark smiled a small smile. Ash hooked her arm in his and pulled him away from the wall.
"Come on Boyscout, consider this," she said as they walked back into the crowds. "Chloe could be undercover...researching the story of her life." She said and Clark blinked a few times.
"You really think so?" he asked and Ashley laughed.
"In this social circle anything is possible." They laughed walking down the contrived fairway.
Lex stood in the shadows of a game booth and watched Ashley and Clark, a deep and bubbling jealousy searing his gut. His mind worked through a million scenarios starring his former friend and his former lover, all making his temper flare hotter.
"Time to break this little party up." Lex mumbled and raised his wrist to his face. He spoke into the concealed transmitter. "Give the go command." He said and slipped out into the bustle of people, moving quickly to fall in step behind the two friends. His eyes never left them as the festive gathering suddenly exploded in fiery chaos.
The concussive blast washed over the crowd knocking people to the ground. Lex picked himself up swiftly watching as Clark scrabbled to his feet. Clark looked at Ashley's dazed expression, worry etched on his face. She shook her head and waved him off.
"I'm fine...GO!" she shouted as another explosion rocked the site. People screamed and fire raced over the pastel tents and booths, pandemonium swept the courtyard. Sirens sounded in the distance and there were sudden gasps and fingers pointing to the center of the fire and smoke.
A shapely woman in black leather floated in the air. Her red hair writhing around her head as if alive as she raised her hands and flames shot into the Ferris wheel. Ashley felt someone grasp her right hand and pull her to her feet. She looked up into Lex's face, the reflection of the flames danced in his eyes.
She suppressed a shudder and he pulled her closer to him. His fingers grazed over the ring she wore on her right hand, his gaze dropped to look at the jewel. The chaos around them dimmed for a moment and he looked at her face once more. Before either could say a word, the cries rang out around them.
"Superman!"
There was a streak of red and blue that struck the fire starter. The force tumbled her down to the ground hard enough to create a deep furrow in the manicured lawn in front of LuthorCorp. Superman hovered over her for a moment waiting to see if she would get up. When she remained down, he turned in the air and focused his attention on the fire raging thru the carnival.
He took a deep breath and expelled frigid air over the burning sight. The fires went out one by one. He pivoted in the air and swooped to catch the swaying Ferris wheel, the trapped people screamed and cried out as the wheel came to a halt. The hero set about moving people from the topmost cars to the ground, righting the disaster as quickly as he could.
As he set the last woman down on her feet, there was a collective gasp and he turned to take a blast of fire right in the face. He was knocked back into the crippled ride, bending the wheel in half with his body.
The woman was shooting thru the air toward him; her eyes alight with vicious pleasure. A slim black cable snaked out and wrapped around her ankle stopping her short and causing her to slam down face first into the ground.
All eyes turned to the figure holding the other end of the cable. The Batman stood on a statue of Lionel Luthor, the grappling hook wrapped around the founder's head just under The Bat's heavy black boot. A murmuring rose up and one woman shrieked before fainting into the arms of the closest man.
"Couldn't stay out of it could you, Bruce?" Lex mumbled making Ashley look at him in suspicion. He ignored her look, but did not let go of her, holding her tight in his grasp as the action picked up again.
The redhead struggled with the cable and kicked it off her foot. She turned her evil gaze toward The Bat and a wicked smile danced over her mouth. She ascended into the air again.
"AH! Two for the price of one!" she bellowed and opened her arms. "Come, Batman! Come feel the heat of Volcana!" her glory was cut short by Superman colliding with her from behind.
He took her to the ground, once more creating another rend in the lawn. There was a scuffle and Superman was joined by the Dark Knight. In short order, they had the would-be terrorist hog-tied. Superman gave The Batman a small nod before the Gotham City Hero slipped back into the shadows and disappeared.
Ashley finally wrenched herself free of Lex's grip and looked at him. There was a malevolent snarl on his face, his graceful hands clenched in fists at his sides.
"What did you hope to achieve, Lex?" she asked in a sibilant voice. He looked at her out of the corner of his eye and arched one brow.
"Whatever do you mean, Miss Embers?" his tone was mocking and he gave her a depraved smile. "It was 'touching' to see you again, Ashley." He leaned in closer to her, his lips scant inches from hers.
"I will see you again soon." He said then stole a kiss from her. Ashley struggled in his arms pushing away from him; she slapped him across the face. Wiping her mouth on the back of her hand, she glared at him with rage and pulled the ring off her finger.
"I don't know you!" she seethed hurling the ring at his chest. "Don't you ever come near me again!" she spat and stalked away. Lex watched her go with a bemused look on his face. He rubbed the stinging side of his face and chuckled to himself.
"Me thinks the lady doth protest too much."