Smallville Virtual (TC) Season – Episode 17 – Eschatology

Eschatology - Part One

By Denise (kdsch123)

Acknowledgments: WB and DC own these characters. I'm just playing at making them do what I want them to do. Also, as of this episode, we are in the beginning of the final arc of the VS.

From Merriam-Webster Dictionary:

Eschatology - a belief concerning death, the end of the world, or the ultimate destiny of humankind.

Headlines from the Smallville Ledger and the Daily Planet:

PLOT TO IMPLICATE SENATOR MARTHA KENT IN CORRUPTION SCANDAL EXPOSED! – Lois J. Lane, special to the Smallville Ledger

LOIS LANE RESIGNS CABINET POSITION WITH STATE SENATOR MARTHA KENT – Staff Writer

MANIPULATING THE MEDIA – OBSERVATIONS FROM AN EDITOR'S DESK.- Editorial by Perry White, Editor

From the Daily Planet Travel Page:

SEEING SEATTLE – Notes from a Kansas Girl's Blog. – Chloe Sullivan, columnist

The offices of the Smallville Ledger were humming. Clark sat at his desk, searching for background on a piece Perry was planning about the subsidizing of crops by the Federal government. The part time job at the Ledger was actually pretty interesting, Clark had developed a new appreciation for journalism and the world of the reporter. He even had access to a police scanner, which in Lowell County seemed to pretty much just provide white noise most of the time. It would chirp to life occasionally to report a pile up on the Interstate ramp, or like this morning, when Mr. Hartley's prize cow was inexplicably found walking up Main Street. It had been a month since he'd started this job, on Chloe's urging as she climbed into Oliver's plane, bound for Seattle. As it turned out, Clark was enjoying this very much, learning a lot and getting needed credit toward his degree. It could have been perfect, except for one not so small thing. Lois.

"Oh, Clarkie…" Lois crooned, tossing a wadded up piece of paper at him from her desk just across the room. It hit his desk and skittered off and onto the floor. "Did you find that stuff I asked you for?" Lois' article about the thwarted scandal had become a national headline, which had both thrilled and frightened Lois to no end. She was currently working on a story about the latest meeting of the Lowell County Commissioners, and Clark, as Perry's editorial assistant also was expected to provide support to the staff reporters when needed. It was a working arrangement that Clark hated. Lois was demanding, spelling deficient and showing quite a talent for finding her story. Clark was methodical, detail oriented and had an eye for the kind of story Chloe and now Perry called 'human interest'. They actually worked quite well together. When they weren't bickering.

"Yes, Lois." Clark eyed the heap of magazines and clippings in her inbox that wobbled at she searched. "I left the research on your chair, blue folder."

"Oh." Lois replied, looking down at her desk again, and then snatched the folder. "Here it is. Thanks, Smallville." She grinned at him brightly, putting the file down on the towering inbox. The pile shifted strongly to the right, promising to litter the floor with the next strong breeze, and Clark resisted the urge to blow on the stack to send the papers scattering all over the newsroom.

"Don't mention it." Clark shook his head, smiling as an alert popped up on his computer screen. Irritation forgotten, Clark looked up and waved at Lois. "Hey, Lois! Chloe just emailed..."

"Oh? Any word from the wandering Sullivan when she'll be home?" Lois asked eagerly, moving around her desk and across to Clark's as he opened the email. "Your desk is so neat, Clark. Don't you ever actually work ?" She glanced over the pristine desktop, and picked up the framed photo Clark had there, a group picture from the last night they were all together. Lois frowned at the picture and then set it down silently. There was something odd about Lori in the picture that bothered Lois very much, although Clark had dismissed it when Lois first told him about it. In the picture, Lori was turning away from the camera, caught between Oliver and Clark, and looked for all the world like she was almost invisible. It was a trick of the light, Lois told herself reasonably, but it unnerved her all the same, because it just shouldn't be. And yet, there it was. In beautiful Kodak color.

"All the time, Lois. I just have a different way of working than you." Clark replied, his attention drawn to Chloe's email. Lois sighed and leaned over his shoulder to read the email too.

"Greetings from (non) Sunny Seattle!

All is well, and I am fine. If Smallville got one tenth of the rain Seattle got, the corn would be massive! I think you need to be part duck to live here. (Quack!) Anyway, Dad is settled in his new place…he's got a houseboat in town, walking distance to this huge marketplace where the fish guys THROW fish at you. I wish you would just come on out here with one of your mom's peach pies and see the town with me. :( Oliver is good too. He's been really, really busy with the doings at work. Big things happening, and I can't (I WANT TO TELL!) fill you guys in, but it will be on the news in the next day or so.

I'm really liking it here. Seattle is such a big city, with tons to do. My internship is going well, and other than the clippings I've sent to you, I've had two or three little articles in the paper. The University of Washington at Seattle is amazing too. I know I said I'd be back before the new semester started, but I haven't decided what to do about coming home…"

"Hi." Clark looked up from the e-mail and Lori smiled back at him. "Brought you lunch from the Talon. Lana suggested the chicken salad." She held a large white bag and a drink carrier. Lori set the bag on Clark's desk and fished out a clear bowl filled with dark green leaves. "I brought you a spinach salad, Lois, extra bacon." Lori wrinkled her nose, but the other girl took the offering with enthusiasm.

"Thanks, Lori." Lois said gratefully. "Is that an iced coffee, too? You're the best. That's not yours is it, Smallville?" Lois snatched the cup and walked back to her desk, carrying it and the salad greedily. "Yum."

"Thanks." Clark smiled up at his girlfriend, embarrassed by Lois' behavior. "Sorry. She was raised by wolves." They both looked at Lois, who had set her salad on the desk and as soon as she sat down, the inbox pile slid to the floor in a fluttery heap. Groaning, Lois got up again to pick up the papers, grumbling to herself. Lori laughed softly and sat down in the chair next to Clark's desk, moving slowly and deliberately as if each step were an effort.

"It was hers anyway. I never drink coffee." Lori smiled, taking a large bottle of water out of the white bag. She looked over at the computer screen. "Is that from Chloe?"

"Yeah. She's said it's rainy in Seattle." Clark unwrapped his sandwich and then looked over at Lori, who was sipping daintily on her water. "Aren't you eating?"

"I bought myself a sandwich, too, but I don't feel like eating right now.." Lori replied, looking at the water with a frown. "Nothing tastes right." She smiled, and then closed her eyes, seeming to sag in the chair. "I'm so tired lately."

"Tired?" Clark asked, putting down his sandwich. "You've been sort of pale the last couple of days. Are you feeling okay?"

"Oh.." Lori raised her hands to her face. "Studying too much, I guess. I'll go to the lake tonight and swim. Why don't you come with me?"

"Sounds good." Clark grinned, reaching for her hand. "It's a date. I'd love to go swimming with you."

"That would be wonderful, Clark!" Lori's smile grew wide and happy. "Under the full moon." She squeezed Clark's hand. "That's just what I need."

"Me too." Clark replied. "It's been a busy few weeks. Are you sure that's all it is? Being tired?"

"I am positive." Lori took a big drink of her water and nodded toward the computer screen. "What else did Chloe have to say?"

Clark nodded. "Chloe said...she's not sure when she's coming home..." Clark sighed. "She's vague about what's going on with Oliver, and it sounds like she likes Seattle a lot." He looked over at her, slightly deflated.

"You miss her." Lori said matter of factly, with no trace of jealousy at all. "It's hard to have your best friend so far away. But Chloe seems happy, right?"

"I'm happy she's happy and I like Oliver. But I'm used to having Chloe around." Clark said. First Pete, now Chloe. "

Lori sighed. The inevitable forward motion of growing into one's destiny was a hard process for Clark. She sometimes found herself wondering if it was a challenge for all Kryptonians, or just for Clark. Her increasing physical weakness was a sign that her time with him was growing even shorter. "They have chosen their paths, Clark. Eventually you will either choose yours or you will find yourself on one, without having a choice."

"From the Daily Planet Business Section:

QUEEN INDUSTRIES REGROUPS AS HOSTILE TAKEOVER LOOMS. – OLIVER QUEEN CONFIDENT FAMILY COMPANY WILL WITHSTAND CRISIS. – Chloe Sullivan, correspondent.

LUTHORCORP STOCK JUMPS FIVE POINTS ON RUMOR OF POSSIBLE ACQUISITION OF QUEEN ENTERPRISES. - courtesy of Bloomberg News Wire

From the Smallville Ledger "Around Town" Section:

DESIGNING A NEW FUTURE: The potential sale of the Talon brings up new questions for the look of downtown Smallville. – Clark Kent

A DAY WITH MARTHA KENT, STATE SENATOR, MOTHER, BLUE RIBBON WINNER AND FRIEND. – Perry White, editor

Lex set the Smallville Ledger down on his desk with a snort. The White piece about spending the day with Martha in the Kent Farm kitchen was sentimental and completely perfect. In the ubiquitous polls that hovered over every politician, Martha Kent's approval rating had shot through the roof, and her literacy bill had swept the State Senate almost unanimously. Failure hadn't been expected, but Lex smiled anyway. White's article was proof positive that Lex had been successful in the arena that mattered most. The last thing on Martha Kent's mind was a relationship with his father, and that's the way Lex wanted it. And not because he objected to Martha as a person, either. In fact, it was Martha Kent that Lex found he objected to least out of the Kents right now or ever, for that matter. Lex had always thirsted for any word of approval from Jonathan Kent, and wished to God that his mother had been as stable and constant as Clark's mother. Martha Kent was one of the things Clark Kent had that Lex coveted. However, she was also a powerful weapon against his father. Placing obstacles between Lionel and Martha Kent was a game Lex enjoyed tremendously. It kept Lionel occupied and less inclined to ask questions and that was what Lex really wanted. Also, it wasn't often that such leverage over Lionel presented itself, and Lex knew that careful exploitation of his father's weaknesses could only continue to keep the old man off balance. Lex had also expected another visit from Clark when after the corruption scandal news had broken, but the younger man had not burst through the study doors full of righteous indignation. Instead, there had been silence. That in and of itself had shaken Lex to his foundations.

If any other two events this month had thrown him off, they were the re-appearance of Callista in his life, which was a still unfolding event, and the "For Sale" sign in the Talon window three days after he had signed the place over to Lana. Lex had wanted to ask what was going on, and finally, a mention in Clark's debut article in the Smallville Ledger about the surprising renaissance of downtown Smallville had given him the answer as to why. Lana was going to design school in Gotham City. Lex found himself slightly annoyed at Lana's planned defection from Smallville. He had resigned himself to losing her as part of his ongoing research into Clark Kent. There was no avoiding that and it wasn't a huge loss considering Lex was now completely aware of Clark's secret. But Lana leaving Smallville was something Lex had never considered. And the knowledge that Lana's life would go on without him knowing about it first was quite disturbing. Lex had orchestrated most of the significant events of Lana's young adulthood, and having her grow up enough to leave was unnerving. The sudden maturity of Clark and now Lana was something Lex had never prepared for. He supposed it had to happen sometime. However, there were some issues of family business that needed to be addressed, and Lex went to his wine cellar purposefully, thinking of Edgar Allen Poe and that particular cask of Portuguese brandy that had spelled death for one unhappy traitor. He knew exactly what brandy would be perfect for this little get together with Lionel, and Lex smiled. It wasn't every day that he and Lionel could meet and settle their differences. And today was a very significant day in the Luthor family history books.

"This is all very interesting, Lex." Lionel said later, holding the brandy glass under his nose. "A Lafitte, you say?" He swirled the thick liquid around the glass and sniffed again, his eyes gleaming with pleasure.

"I knew you'd appreciate the vintage, Dad." Lex smiled. "You know, you and I have been very distant lately, Dad. I've missed our little chats, in spite of the fact of how vicious they can be. This summer has been hell."

Lionel paused, the glass hovering just near enough to his lips that he could taste the brandy. He moved the glass and raised it to his son. "To repairing family ties."

Lex saluted Lionel as well. "To family and family traditions." They both drank.

"This year has been hell, hasn't it son?" Lionel said, after savoring the cognac on his palette and swallowing it. The warmth rushed through him, and he smiled. "I have to say, Lex, I've been concerned for your mental state."

"I wondered." Lex replied, setting his glass down on the bar. "Your involvement in my love life has been equally intriguing to me. But then, you never could quite resist interfering."

"Now, Lex." Lionel's voice was as silky and smooth as the brandy they were drinking. "Lana Lang had such a soothing influence over you, I had hoped to encourage her to look past whatever transgression you'd committed and stay. It was fatherly concern on my part."

"I gathered." Lex opened a bottle of water and drank, eyeing his father carefully. "Because you've kept your distance from Callista."

Lionel nodded. "I hardly know the girl, Lex. Lana Lang has been acquainted with our family since we came to Smallville. I had no problem discussing your welfare with her. This Callista person is entirely new."

Lex smiled, and offered his father more cognac. "Dad? I can't drink anymore of this now…I have a meeting. But you?"

"It's not every day you come across a Lafitte." Lionel replied, accepting another snifterful. "I wonder that you didn't save it for a special occasion."

"Oh, I did." Lex said neutrally, and Lionel felt his body grow very heavy. He staggered into a chair, dropping the glass on the floor. The heavy crystal snifter struck a note before it shattered, and Lionel sagged in the chair, his lungs seeming to fill with fluid. "Keeping an old family tradition alive and well." Lex tipped his head, and smiled. "Although the tradition was never about living, was it? Even on the same day, too."

"Lex…." Lionel gasped, and Lex knelt down and looked into his father's face. "What have you…"

"You were right to question my mental state, Dad. Right, but for all the wrong reasons. It wasn't LEX that was here after the whole Zod fiasco. He was stupid enough to trust the aliens. No, no…I'd never be that foolish." Lex blinked. "Still trying to figure it out, Dad? Well, let me illuminate you. I'm Alexander. But everyone can call me Lex. It's easier."

"Alexander?" Lionel choked, reaching out. "What the hell….?" His eyes widened. "Your mother…"

"Was unstable. I know." Lex stood at parade rest and watched as the color drained from Lionel's thin face. "You had so much fun testing her limits, didn't you? Well, you created me in the process. Testing my limits when you pushed her to the end of hers." He leaned forward again. "Your 'Lex' couldn't have taken that pressure alone. So, Darwin was right. The strongest did survive. ME."

"Help me…" Lionel's voice was barely a whisper. "The bottle, poisoned…"

"I know. Poetic, isn't it?" Lex smiled. "I saved it. All this time. It's one of the ones you tampered with for my sake a few years ago. I even developed a small tolerance for the toxin, too. Just like the medieval princes who took a dose of poison every day to protect themselves from assassins. Funny you never thought of doing that, Dad." Lex's face changed, the mask of civility gone, and Lionel could see his own father staring coldly down on him. "But I wanted to give you one last gesture of respect. One you denied your own parents."

Lionel wheezed, trying to sit up in the chair but only managed to slide further down. "What is it…"

"I wanted you to look into the eyes of your murderer as you died. Just a little token of affection you denied your own parents." Lex's voice was flat and emotionless as Lionel began to writhe in pain. "You let them burn to death in a slum apartment. It took them hours to die. Very crude, Dad. You are in pain right now, but it won't last long. I'll even stay here with you."

Lionel managed a smile. "….should have strangled you in your crib…."

"Like Julian?" Lex's reply was swift, and Lionel's eyes, now nearly black as the pupils had dilated to almost their maximum fluttered in pain. "I wondered why I survived at all. But I did tell you the truth when you were in jail, Dad. Remember what I said?"

Lionel nodded. "…don't.…wound…what….you…can't….kill….."

"That's right." Lex sipped at his water. "Did you know there is a mineral in this water that counteracts the effect of the toxin? I discovered that after you tried this on me. Unfortunately, this is the last bottle." Lex smiled. "Goodbye, Dad." He saluted his father with the mineral water and walked around to sit down at his desk again. "I'm going to finish this up for my meeting. Then, I'll call for help." Lionel rasped and leaned forward choking, and Lex smiled beatifically. "Don't try and thank me, either, Dad. You deserved the Lafitte." He looked back at his laptop screen and counted to ten. Lionel gasped, shuddered and fell forward, hitting the carpet under the desk with a soft, thick thud.

"...it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair..."

Charles Dickens, "A Tale of Two Cities"

Part II - 9/10/06

Lana was sitting in the Talon, at the counter, going over the offers she'd received for the place. Her acceptance package from the Gotham Institute of Design lay on the counter nearby. The figures for tuition had nearly given Henry a seizure but he had written the check for the first semester's tuition and board anyway. Nell had first mourned the loss of Lex Luthor in Lana's life, but when the plan of school in Gotham City sunk in, Lana could feel Nell's disappointment turn into hope once more. Of the offers on the table for the Talon, none stood out as a major contender. Lois, Martha and Lori had all encouraged her to keep it, to depend on the profits as an income so she could focus on school. Chloe, Clark and Oliver, all a bit concerned about Lex's minimal involvement, were of the viewpoint that the place should be sold and Lana's fresh start completely free of the Luthor family shadow. Lana's reasons for selling the Talon were more inline with that of Clark, Chloe and Oliver. She wanted the money for her tuition, so she wasn't a burden to Henry or Nell. Getting out from Lex's shadow wasn't really something Lana had even considered. Clark had his reasons to be suspicious of Lex, and they were valid, Lana thought, seeing Lex's Clark Kent trophy room in her mind. Not for the first time since she learned the truth about Clark, Lana regretted every harsh word she had spoken to him during the days after their break up. Clark was happy with Lori now, and Lana was glad. It was hard not to like the tall blonde, with her calm manner and ready smile.

The sound of sirens screaming down Main Street toward Smallville Medical Center drew Lana out of her thoughts, and she looked out the windows as the red and white ambulance passed. A familiar low slung silver blur followed behind and Lana slid off her stool, eyes wide. She swept her papers into the large totebag she'd been carrying them in.

"I'll be back in a little while..." Lana called to no one, and ran out the door to her own car. Lex following an ambulance couldn't be good, and even if they were over, she thought, he might need a friend.

Lana saw Lex's car parked out in front of the Emergency Room, so she pulled her Jeep into an actual spot and made her way in. The emergency room was practically empty, except for a young woman Lana recognized instantly from the night at the Metropolis Grand and Lex's office not all that long ago. Except she looked very different now. Callista sat in one of the purple plastic chairs, tapping her booted foot on the floor anxiously. She was paler than Lana recalled, her spiky black hair grown out softer and more feminine looking, the intimidating leather clothes exchanged for a soft grey blouse and faded jeans. Her eyes had not changed, and Lana felt a chill race up her spine as they took her in and gave away none of the other girl's thoughts. It was the surprised and slightly ironic smile that let Lana know that Callista recognized her too.

"I hope you don't have someone in this place." Callista said by way of greeting. "It's awful."

"Is Lex alright?" Lana asked, catching her breath. Callista's almond shaped eyes widened and then she nodded.

"Lex is fine. It's his father." Callista rose, walking to the windows. "He collapsed today in the study at the mansion. Lex said they were talking and suddenly Lionel just fell out of his chair. He was barely breathing when the ambulance came." Her tone was guarded, but Lana set her bag down and walked over to Callista, peering over at the other girl as if trying to read her thoughts.

"You don't sound like you believe him." Lana said, and Callista nodded. "You don't trust him..."

"I don't." Callista pushed her hands into her pockets. "I can't explain it to you, but I don't. But that doesn't matter sometimes, does it?"

"I understand." Lana replied wisely. "Lex has a way of making you attached to him."

There was a long silence and the girls just stood at the window, watching activity in the parking lot, both lost in their own thoughts. Callista sighed, and hugged herself, turning away from the sun to sit back down in the purple chair.

"I have failed again." Callista muttered, dropping her head into her hands sadly. "And I have lost sight of my other task."

Lana frowned. "You aren't responsible for saving Lex or Lionel from themselves." She sank down into the blue chair next to Callista. "You can't believe that for a second."

Callista looked up, and stared at Lana as if she was seeing her for the first time. "I have no reason to doubt it, Lana Lang. If not for me, Lex would have been dead and you and I would not be sitting here now."

Lana's frown grew deeper. "What are you talking about?" She asked, and Callista shrugged her shoulders, unwilling to say any more. "Why are you here?" Ever since the days of Isobel, Lana had flashes of what she called intuition. And that instinct was warning her now. This girl beside her was not human. Before Lana could speak, Lex appeared through the swinging doors that led to the examination area of the Emergency Room. If seeing Lana sitting beside Callista was a surprise, Lex gave no sign. Callista didn't rise to meet him, but Lana did. He walked toward them with his hands in his pockets, looking down at the floor.

"Lex?" Lana asked hesitantly, unprepared for the emotion in his eyes when he looked up. Pain lingered there, but Lana saw something else too, something that having lost her own parents so young she could barely comprehend it's presence in his face. "How's Lionel?"

"Lana." Lex said, nodding. "My father died. About ten minutes ago."

"I'm so sorry, Lex." Lana told him, forcing herself to not reach out to hug him. Something in his behavior was off. Peering up at him questioningly, Lana put her hand on his arm gently. "Are you okay?"

"It's all so sudden. We were talking about the company, and the new direction I want to take things and he sat down. I thought he'd maybe had a little too much brandy…he was excited about this unique vintage he'd found…and next thing I knew he was on the floor."

Lex's voice was sincere, and he took his hands out of his pockets to take Lana's hand. "It was good of you to come. I wondered if when we passed the Talon…"

"Lex, we may not be together anymore, but that doesn't meant that I don't care." Lana said, and then she turned to Callista. "I don't want to intrude, so I'll go." Callista nodded, and Lana shouldered her bag and walked to the waiting room doors.

"Lana.." Lex called out to her quietly, and Lana stopped, closing her eyes before she faced him again. His grey eyes were neutral, expressionless. "Dad thought very highly of you. He trusted you."

Lana nodded, holding onto the strap of her bag tightly. "Goodbye, Lex. I'm really very sorry." She waved awkwardly and turned, going through door and out into the beautiful summer afternoon, taking large gulps of fresh air.

Clark sat at his desk, staring at the email Chloe had sent, working on a reply.

He was worried about Lori, and not having Chloe to turn to was hard. She had been right, as Chloe often was, that they depended on each other almost too much, because now Clark was lost without her. He looked up at Lois, who was furiously tapping away at her article, a pencil clamped between her teeth. Clark studied her for a moment and wondered what crime he had committed to be here in this place with Lois instead of Chloe. His instinct to trust her was juxtaposed with her complete capacity to annoy him.

"Kent! Lane!" Perry bellowed from his office. "Get in here!" Clark stood to go, but Lois stayed in her seat, frowning at the computer screen. Perry's head appeared from around the doorframe. "KENT! LANE! While we're young!"

"Smallville and I are young, Chief, but don't you think it's a bit of a stretch saying you are?" Lois retorted, dropping her chewed pencil on her messy desk. Perry grimaced, and ducked back into his office. She stood and walked around her desk, past Clark and into Perry's office. Clark sighed, and followed, closing the door behind him.

"Nice of you to finally drop in." Perry said, fixing Lois with a stern glare. "I just got off the phone with a source at the Medical Center. Lionel Luthor is dead. I already called down to the printing room to scrap the evening edition for the special edition going out instead. 'LOCAL BILLIONAIRE FOUND DEAD.' It's prosaic but it works for the moment. I already put together a quick piece for the front page."

"What?" Clark gasped. "There has to be a mistake." Lois nodded, putting her hands on her hips as if to steady herself.

"No, no mistake." Perry shook his head. "The coroner hasn't started an autopsy yet, either. So, you two need to get out to the mansion and find the story. Because it's there."

"Can't we just say that being a nogoodnik caught up with him?" Lois quipped, and Perry and Clark both looked at her questioningly. She sighed. "Did your source say how Lionel might have died?"

"Nope, only that he was dead, not a mark on him and found on the floor of the study in that haunted house they live in." Perry waved at Lois, dismissing her. "Go find the story, Lane. It's there, I can feel it. Kent, I want you to cover the funeral."

"Okay, Perry." Clark nodded and then looked up, surprised. "Why?"

"Listen kid,I want you to write that funeral the way only you can. Make me cry, and you'll be the king of human interest pieces. I want Lois investigating because she's got no prior history with the Luthors. I don't want any former friendship blocking up the truth, no matter how well meaning it would be." Perry looked at Clark over his glasses. "Okay?"

"I understand." Clark replied, and Lois nodded, pushing past Clark to leave Perry's office. She was already on the phone. Perry watched her go and then turned back to Clark.

"I already called your mother – she's on her way home now. Go on. See what you can find as background for your assignment. I'll look through my old files and see what I have." Perry took off his glasses. "I gotta tell you, this is as big a shock for me as it is you, Clark. I thought that bastard would live forever, or outlive me, anyway." Perry's phone rang, and when the editor answered it with, "Yeah, Sheriff, it's Perry White, at the Ledger...", Clark left the office.

Back at his desk, his cellphone was ringing. Chloe. Clark answered it on the third ring. "I was just going to call you." He said in greeting. Clark could hear her on the other end of the line, holding her breath.

"Clark. Lois just called. I can't believe it." Chloe's voice was music to Clark's ears. "We all are flying out to Smallville tonight. Oliver just called the airfield get the plane ready."

"Chloe, they found him without a mark on him." Clark told her, and he could hear her rapidly typing on her keyboard. "What are you doing?" he asked and Chloe giggled.

"Just trying to hack into good ol' Smallville Medical Center's patient files." She was quiet for a moment. "Damn! Gone for a month and the encryption codes are changed. "

Clark laughed. "What about your friend, the one that works at the morgue? Perry said there was going to be an autopsy."

"Chad? Yeah..." Chloe replied. "Lois went out to the mansion to see if the police found anything, but let me call Chad and see if he can get you in to see Lionel's body before the autopsy. Maybe you can do that thing you do and find something."

"Great. You're a lifesaver, Chloe." Clark smiled and he could hear her smiling back. "Got your email earlier. Glad things are going well out there."

"Yeah, they're blissful, when I can see Oliver. Otherwise, it's just a city. Dad's houseboat is nice, bigger than anywhere else we've ever called home. I love it." Chloe replied. "Okay. I'm going to call Chad and get packed. We should be flying into Smallville around ten, Oliver said. Meet us, okay?"

"Of course." Clark agreed, and then remembered. "I can't, Chloe. I have a date with Lori…"

"Oh. That's okay." Chloe sounded a little disappointed, but it passed quickly. "We have reservations at that inn, you know the one near the library?"

"Right." Clark nodded. "I'll see you all there later."

"Good. See you later." Chloe said and hung up. Clark hung up his phone and looked down at his desk again. He thought for a moment and then headed out to the morgue. Chloe would be calling Chad right now.

"Well, well, Lois Lane." Lex said, as Lois walked up the driveway toward him, followed by an older man with a camera. "I don't see a delivery from the Talon. Or are you here on a mission for Martha Kent? Oh, that's right, you are a reporter now. You look a little old to keep changing your mind about what you want to be when you grow up."

"Cute, Lex." Lois smiled at him humorlessly. "But then, I didn't just ride my daddy's coattails to the executive washroom like you did. Not much of a challenge there, right? I'm here about Lionel. A source at the hospital said he came in DOA this afternoon." She turned to the man with her. "Get some outside shots, Frank." The man nodded and moved off, snapping pictures of the police cars in front of the house.

Lex's eyes sparked at the challenge. "So, this is a reporter visit. Well, Lois, as your cousin could tell you, I don't give interviews that easily. And this really isn't the right time for one. And that photographer is an invasion of my privacy."

"Funny, Chloe wasn't handing out pointers on getting interviews with you when I got the job on the Ledger. We're not in the house, so your privacy is still sacred, Lex. But, since you're here, and I'm here, why not just tell me what happened today?" Lois took out a small recorder and pressed record.

Lex leaned over and spoke into the recorder, carefully annunciating every syllable.

"No comment at this time." Lois snapped off the recorder, and Lex smiled. "That was clear enough, wasn't it? Should I use smaller words?"

"Perfectly clear. No problem." Lois slid the recorder back into her bag and took out a notepad. "Hmm. Already spoke to the servants, and the police. I have a copy of the preliminary police report. More than enough for the start of my story." She flashed a smile at him. "Cooperate or not, Lex. I'll get the truth about what happened here one way or another." She pushed the notepad back into her purse as well, and walked away toward the sheriff and his deputies. "See ya, Lex."

Frank hurried to catch up with Lois, but Lex stopped him, and reached for the camera. Callista blinked as Lois turned quickly and stalked back, pushing herself between Lex and the photographer like a blooded warrior. Eye to eye with Lex, Lois did not waiver at all, and Callista found herself very impressed with this human. She had nerves of steel.

"Let go of that camera, Lex." Lois growled. "You maybe got away with that crap before I was around, but not anymore." She closed her hands around the camera and yanked it away from Lex, and then placed it firmly in Frank's hands. "Go ahead, Frank. Get back to the paper." Lois never broke eye contact with Lex and they stared at each other like two wolves.

"This is no game, Lois. Even if you get bored with reporting and decide to become a stripper, if you are on my wrong side, you'll regret it." Lex said neutrally, adjusting his jacket smoothly. "Oh, that's right, you've already been a stripper, haven't you?"

"I don't think I'd call it stripping, Lex. I was helping clear the name of a good friend of the Kents. And getting on your wrong side?" Lois replied calmly, an eyebrow raised over her dark hazel eyes. "The more I think about it, that's a risk I'm willing to take. Buh-bye, Lex." Lois turned on one heel and marched down the driveway to speak to the waiting sheriff.

"When Chloe called, I was sort of surprised." Chad told Clark as they walked down the hall toward the examination room of the morgue. "It's been awhile."

"She's been busy." Clark said in reply, and Chad shrugged in acknowledgement.

"I know it. Chloe's awesome." Chad noted. "Figures she'd end up with someone rich."

"Yeah." Clark agreed, smiling at Chad's comment. This was the first time he was meeting the famous Chad. However, Chad was no longer a Goth. He was simply dressed in the uniform of most hospital workers, cotton scrubs, and they weren't even black. Chad looked down and grinned.

"Oh, yeah. Green's not my usual color, I know. But, I met a girl…" Chad told Clark confidentially. "Shelly, in medical records. "

"Oh." Clark nodded politely and went through the doors into the examination room. Chad moved ahead of him and walked to the wall of drawers. Muttering to himself, Chad opened one of the heavy drawers and then another, until he reached Lionel's.

"Damn!" Chad exclaimed. "They used the high security drawer." He pointed to the padlock. "I'll have to get the key. Mind waiting here?"

"No." Clark shook his head. "I can wait." When Chad left, Clark walked over to the drawer and flicked the lock open with one finger. He carefully pulled the drawer open and then unzipped the burgundy body bag. Somehow, Clark expected to not find Lionel there. But there he was, pale as chalk, his mane of hair flattened around his angular face. Clark unzipped the whole bag, and quickly scanned Lionel for anything unusual. There were no broken bones, all of the organs seemed to be where they should be and not at all damaged. Scanning up to the brain, Clark looked for anything resembling a blood clot, but again, everything there was as it should be. Quickly, Clark zipped up the bag and closed the drawer, pushing the lock together until it snapped back in place, just as Chad returned with the key.

"Okay, here we go..." Chad put the key in the lock and it popped open, while Clark stood there watching. "And there he is." Chad unzipped the bag. "Did you want a picture for the paper or something?"

"No." Clark scowled slightly at the idea. "Looking for any sign of why he might have died."

"Oh…" Chad nodded wisely. "Well, Shelly hasn't picked up the charts yet, but I printed out the last labs from the ER, so Dr. Maxwell would have them for the autopsy." He zipped the body bag shut and closed the drawer. "Come on. I'll give you copies. Strictly on the QT and only as a favor to Chloe."

"Thanks, Chad, I really appreciate that." Clark smiled, as Lionel's drawer slid shut and Chad snapped the lock tight. Ten minutes later, Clark was on his way back to the Ledger offices with the lab reports and a copy of whatever information he could get from the hospital chart. It was time to do some homework.

LIONEL LUTHOR, 58, FOUND DEAD IN LOWELL COUNTY MANSION – by Staff Writer

The day of Lionel's funeral was bright and sunny, a perfect summer afternoon. Clark stood alongside Martha and Chloe. Oliver and Perry were right behind the women, both silent in dark suits as Lionel's impressive black casket was placed into the brown stone Luthor family crypt. Lex Luthor was impassive, his face pale and his eyes cold as the casket slid into place. He had chosen not to speak at the funeral, allowing the Chairman of the Board give Lionel's eulogy. Callista stood beside Lex, a wan figure in unrelieved elegant grey, already at home in the Luthor world. Lucas Luthor had come from Edge City, looking seedy and run down, his suit looking ashy and worn. The girl with him was a completely unnatural red head whose ample chest threatened to be freed from the neckline of her skin-tight black dress. She chewed gum loudly and yawned while the minister had spoken over Lionel's casket. Lex had barely spared a word to his prodigal half brother, instead spending his attention on Martha Kent. The Senator was perfectly composed, no trace of emotion crossed her pretty face. Instead, she eyed him curiously across the grass, as if she knew something about the reason why they were here.

Soon enough, the funeral was over, and the house opened for the mourners, and they milled around respectfully, speaking of Lionel at his best, his charitable endeavors, the charming Lionel Luthor who graced dinner parties and opera benefits with his cultivated wit and open checkbook. Lex stood by the fireplace in the study, speaking to guests.

"Excuse me, Mr. Luthor." A slender man about his father's age shook Lex's hand. "I'm Charles Whitcomb. Your father's personal attorney."

"Personal attorney?" Lex repeated, surprised. "I'm sorry, eh, Mr. Whitcomb, you have me at a disadvantage. I didn't know my father had a personal attorney."

"I expected not. Your father and I knew each other in college and he was my first client. If you don't mind, I have his will here and since it seems everyone involved is here, it will only take a minute to go over everything."

"His will?" Lex asked, and Lucas, as if summoned by the hint of his possible inheritance, appeared at Lex's side.

"Yeah, Lex, let's hear what four-eyes here has to say." Lucas said, overly jocular.

Lex nodded and gestured to a uniformed servant. "Please go with this gentleman to the dining room, and collect all the people he has on his list. Bring them all there, and I'll get there when I can."

Twenty minutes later, Clark and Lori, Martha, Chloe, Oliver, Lana, Lucas and his girlfriend were gathered in the dining room with the lawyer, waiting for Lex. Lex arrived alone, and took the seat at the head of the table.

"Well, since we're all here, I'd like to get started. I have to get home to Granville tonight." Mr. Whitcomb said, after clearing his throat. "It's simple enough. About a month ago, Lionel contacted me to make some changes to his will. I was surprised at that, because he'd been in excellent health. But, being an old friend, I obliged him. I'll skip all the legalese and get straight to the business. First, Lionel left both Ms. Sullivan and Ms. Lang $25,000.00 toward their educations. He felt that knowing the girls as long as he had entitled him to encourage them toward their futures." Mr. Whitcomb looked over at Chloe and Lana. "The appropriate taxes will be paid by Mr. Luthor's estate." He sipped some water. "Now, Mr. Kent. Lionel gave me this to hold on to earlier this year." Mr. Whitcomb produced a key and handed it to Clark. "The contents of that vault belong to you. I have no idea what they are or what their value is. Additionally, Lionel bequeathed you $50,000.00 toward your education and has forgiven the note on your parent's farm." The attorney looked at Martha Kent. "You own your farm free and clear now, Senator. Lionel purchased and held your mortgage some years ago from the Smallville Bank. They continued to service the loan for him. My office will send you the appropriate paperwork." Martha nodded.

"What about us?" Lucas asked, yawning. "I have a drive to get back to Edge City myself."

Mr. Whitcomb stared at Lucas silently. "I'm getting there. Be patient, young man. Now, the issue of several thousand shares of Luthorcorp stock. This is where Lionel's request concerned me, but I am complying with his wishes. Mr. Queen, you are the beneficiary of this particular legacy. And, I believe it gives you controlling interest in Luthorcorp." Lex and Lucas both gasped, and Mr. Whitcomb handed Oliver an envelope, and a white chess piece. "These also belong to you. Oh, Mr. Kent, these are for you. He said you gentlemen would understand what they meant and that the contents of those envelopes were for your eyes only." He gave Clark a similar envelope and a white chess piece.

"This is outrageous." Lex said, his voice controlled despite the fuming rage that poured from him. "My father would have never left controlling interest in Luthorcorp to Mr. Queen."

"But he did." Mr. Whitcomb said simply. "The proceeds of the shares are to fund the Literacy programs they were working on together, since Mr. Queen is quite wealthy on his own. Additionally, they give Mr. Queen voting power on the board of directors, which was something your father felt Mr. Queen deserved."

Oliver smiled at Chloe and sat back, placing the white chess piece on the table. He pierced Lex with an amused glare and winked. "Checkmate, Lex." He slipped the envelope into the inside pocket of his jacket and Clark did the same, holding the chess piece in his hand. It was a knight, and Clark thought back to the conversation he'd last had with Lionel. Chess. The game was just beginning. Clark looked up at Lex in shock. The awareness was chilling. Lionel had somehow suspected that Lex would be the one to kill him and in one fell swoop, Lionel had checkmated him and with Clark and Oliver's help, planned to keep Lex that way for a long time. Clark closed his hand around the chess piece. Thank you, Lionel.

"What about the money?" Lucas' girlfriend whined. "Honneee…" Lucas hissed at her to be quiet, but not before Lori, Lana and Chloe giggled quietly at the girls scandalized expression.

"Lucas Luthor, I have the unfortunate duty to inform you that your father felt he'd shelled out ample funds bailing you out of several misadventures these last few years. You have been left an annuity of $10,000.00 per year, tax free. This money will be accessible to you once you have obtained and held a job for a year, and will be revoked when you lose that job. Additionally, it cannot be touched for legal fees of any kind, including bail. If you are arrested and convicted of any crime, you will lose the annuity. Do I make myself clear, young man?" Whitcomb looked at Lucas over his glasses.

"Crystal, man." Lucas said, grimacing. The red head looked at Lucas mutely, pulling at his jacket but he shook her off brutally and scowled. "Shut up, Candy. We're leaving soon."

"And now, Alexander Joseph Luthor. Before this will, you were very nearly the sole beneficiary of your father's estate. But even with these bequests, there is still a sizable estate left. However, your share of it is nothing." Mr. Whitcomb handed Lex a copy of the will. "You will receive what is left of your mother's estate, which is sizable, but the rest of Lionel's money will be put into trust, the Lionel Luthor Trust. It was your father's wish that children from impoverished neighborhoods were given the opportunities he did not have."

"You are talking billions of dollars." Lex looked up from the will incredulously. "Billions of dollars, real estate and other holdings. And he left it to a trust?"

"Yes, he did. Irrevocably, too, I'm afraid. You are still CEO of Luthorcorp. This house is yours. The penthouse in Metropolis, the yacht, and house in Aspen all belong to you. You are young, and your mother's money will be more than enough to help you build another fortune. But you recognize your father's signature, and that completes our business."

Mr. Whitcomb closed his briefcase and stood. "I'll be going now. One by one, everyone left, and Lex sat alone in the dining room of the Luthor mansion, holding the blue backed copy of his father's will. Checkmate, Son.