Chapter 8: More Questions than Answers

"Okay, we're finished with the questions. We'll let you go home and get some rest." The sheriff and his deputy shook hands with Lex and I before leaving us in the small interrogation room.

I yawned, covering my open mouth and shaking my head. Next to me Lex filled out paperwork. He was signing the statements we had made, and when he finished, he pushed them to me, and I signed my name under his. We said little to each other since he had taken the gun from my hands back on the road. He had asked if I was okay, and shuffled me to a patrol car. He sat next to me the whole ride back to the police station.

In our interview I recounted the events that led me to go out on my own, and for Clark to come looking for me. No one seemed to bat an eye that I was out on my own, and no one questioned it. I wondered if people in town had been thinking I would at one point try and find my attacker, and see if I would be a "hero". Man, they were so wrong, and that probably wasn't a good thing.

The Kent's had followed us as well to give statements. They were waiting in the lobby after giving their own accounts of what had happened. I imagined Clark had told his parents about the Prowler's meteor rock gaze and how it had weakened him.

Lex stood up, rolling his neck and stretching his arms a bit. He headed for the door, but I remained seated, staring at the table in front of me. He stopped with his hand on the doorknob and turned to look back at me.

"Are you coming?" He asked. I looked up with an eyebrow cocked. I had just been thinking about where the authorities were going to send me next when he had stopped. "I'm still your temporary guardian." Lex added, giving me a small smile while I gaped at him with my mouth open slightly. He motioned with his head for me to follow.

"O-okay," I stood up and followed him out of the interrogation room and into the lobby of the police station.

I felt a little dazed as we exited the bullpen and were approached by all three of the Kent's. Mrs. Kent embraced me, telling me how thankful she was that I wasn't hurt. Mr. Kent and Clark repeated the same sentiments, both of them smiling warmly at me. I told them how grateful I was for Clark showing up when he did, and that he wasn't hurt either. Out of the corner of my eye I could see Lex watching me closely during the whole exchange. It wasn't the same look he had given me when he had taken the gun from my hands, which was seared in my mind. I couldn't get it to go away; it felt ominous and a little foreboding.

I shook the idea from my mind, instead basking in the moment of calm I had finally achieved. The Prowler was in the back, confined to a cell and with a bandaged knee, which I did not feel bad about. He deserved more, but I was extremely above taking a life, as I had been even in the MCU. It had been interesting to see my SHIELD training come back to me so easily in a different universe. It was also something I may have to explain later to Lex.

We headed back to the mansion after that, and the Kent's returned to their home. I was too tired to speak, so Lex and I rode in silence. I must have fallen asleep, because the next thing I remembered was Lex gently shaking me awake, and the car was parked in front of the mansion.

Lex escorted me back to my room and stayed with me for a long time. We both say on the bed, me at the head and him at the foot. We sat in silence, until Lex cleared his throat; I looked up at him, waiting.

"Do you want to talk about it?" He asked softly, and I had to stop myself from giggling at how uncomfortable he sounded.

I did think for a moment about what I wanted to say. There were a lot of things I wanted to talk about, but I had to be careful exactly where it went. I wanted to talk about how he thought I was a crazy man's accomplice, and if he still somehow thought that, and to talk about the look he had given me after I had fired the gun. I didn't know where to start, or what subject was safe to start with.

"What do you want to talk about?" I countered. He sighed and looked away, tapping his chin thoughtfully.

I watched him closely, steeling myself for whatever loaded question or statement he was going to make.

"There's a lot I don't understand," he said finally. "But I guess I could start backwards with the whole shooting the man in the knee." I took a deep breath and nodded; I was okay with that starting point.

"Well, first, we did a lot of hunting in my family," I lied quickly. Though it was true, I never participated. Lex nodded, and I inwardly celebrated.

"And would you think I'm crazy if I told you that, from the short time I was with you, and met your dad, I understood that weakness isn't something tolerated in your household?" I rambled out quickly. Lex raised his eyebrows in mild interest, thinking about what I had said.

"That was all I could think about when we yelled at each other, and I stupidly ran away, I kept telling myself how weak I was. When that man had his gun pointed at me, I just felt so tired of being weak, and for letting this man making me feel that way. Right then I just went blank and the next thing I knew I had shot him, and you were taking the gun from me." I looked to my hands, folding them in my lap as Lex said nothing. He just sat and let my words sink in, the rest of the room falling into silence.

"You're right, about the weakness and my family." He mumbled. "But I never once thought that you were weak."

"You did accuse me of being Mr. Psycho's accomplice." I interrupted. He gave me an apologetic look, though I could still see a hint of disbelief. I'm sure that question would be answered tomorrow when he did his solo interview with the police. I heard that little tidbit before we left, and hoped he would feel a little foolish when I was proven right.

"What I'm saying is that I understand the whole going blank and doing anything to survive. I've had to make snap decisions like that, and they've ended almost in the same way." He looked away, and I assumed that "almost" meant that he had actually killed them, which didn't really bother me.

"You should get some rest." He patted the bed and stood up to leave.

"Lex," I stopped him, and he looked back toward me. "Thank you," for the first time I felt genuinely thankful for the future super villain.

I was reminded how much I did like Lex Luthor's character in the Smallville television show. He was a kinder, more thoughtful person before being twisted into his evil self. Well, at least he was that way for the first few seasons, which is where I seemed to be. I recalled that somewhere between the fourth and fifth seasons Lex made his dramatic change, and he and Clark were no longer friends. I preferred the earlier seasons version of Lex, but of course I couldn't ever tell him that, or about the psychological journey he was going to undertake.

This world and my experience here was vastly different than that of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The MCU was personal for me, and more about my growth as a person than changing storylines to fit me. I created lasting bonds and memories with characters that I had always loved in my universe. Though those types of bonds and memories could be built here in Smallville, I knew that my part in the story would be more about survival and staying low than any type of personal growth. Zeed thought that he could easily take me down, but he forgot the w whole reason that Watt used to put me in these situations: to remind myself who I was, and to help me be that person.

In times of depression, I was weak, and I needed to be reminded that I could take charge and be strong. Even though Zeed changed critical things: my age, taking my powers, and placing me in a different reality, he couldn't destroy who I really was. Also, there were the friends and aspects of myself that came to my rescue. Dagon and Craven had really saved me, and set my fears at ease. I had a new hope that everything would turn out okay, for once.

Lex gave me a smile and told me goodnight, leaving the room and closing the door gently closed after him. I let all of these thoughts envelope me as I got into bed and laid in the nice, clean sheets and puffy blanket. For the first time since coming to Smallville I felt content and truly safe. In the back of my mind, I knew that Zeed was somewhere out in the cosmic darkness, fuming that his plan had been a complete failure. I didn't look forward to what he would try to pull next, but I knew that I would be a little more prepared to deal with it.

XXXX

I actually slept peacefully through the night. No on trespassed in my dreams, and any dreams I did have were rather mild. When I did have a dream, I was with Craven, who just sat next to me, listening to soft music playing from somewhere in the distance. We chatted to about everything that happened, and what I had learned from it all. Having Craven there with me gave me the reassurance I needed to keep going in Smallville. He also reminded me (both figuratively and literally) that he and Dagon were always watching me, and were also prepared to go to battle for me.

I woke up the next morning on my own, not afraid or startled by someone standing next to my bed. I took my time getting ready for the day: taking a shower and getting dressed (actually choosing a nice gray blouse instead of a t-shirt), and doing some make up. I had surprised Lex with my thick eyeliner, but I assured him that I wasn't that intense with it. When I was ready, I made my way through the mansion, stopping by to poke my head into Lex's office He wasn't there, so I headed towards the dining room instead.

Lex wasn't there either, but I didn't panic about it. He had said something previously last night about going to the police station to talk to the man who had tried to kill me. I wondered what sort of answers Lex would get from him, or anything in general from a man who was crazy like that.

There was a covered plate on the table that contained a small plate of breakfast for me. There was no note, but I saw the bottle of Dr Pepper sitting next to it and knew it was from me, and that Lex had gotten it ready. Clark must have told Lex about my desire for my favorite soda, and it made me chuckle to myself. I sat down and began to eat in the comforting silence. As I ate, I felt a small breeze, like some window had been left open somewhere in the mansion. I looked up from my food to find Zeed sitting across from me on the other side of the table. He looked less than pleased to be there, seeing me.

"How did you do it?" He asked. The tone of his voice made me shiver; it was angry, but also so much more, like frustration and sick determination.

"How did I do what?" I gulped the food I had been chewing, trying my best to stay calm.

"Change my storyline; you were to be mortally injured and then die by that man's hands."

Watt had always said that his plans for me, the storylines he created, never quite turned out the way he planned. He called it a strange and curious phenomenon, since the only force that could have changed it was a cosmic being of some sort. He had speculated that a part of my own consciousness had become melded with his plans, and that was how changes had been made. It concerned Watt at first, but then he came to welcome whatever strange changes happened, curious to see what would change and happen on its own. He had been experimenting with it the last time I had seen him, and I didn't mind them at all. Sometimes I got extra time with Cap, which I always enjoyed. But there was also the time I had been falsely arrested and sent to the Raft to be tortured…

It seemed that the same thing had somehow happened here, which made sense to me. How else would I have gotten that note from Watt, or the one about my family situation? Or how Craven and Dagon were able to cut a way into this world. If they hadn't have showed up, I probably would have died just like Zeed had wanted and planned it. I straightened in my chair and gave Zeed a cold look after thinking about it.

"I think you underestimated me, Zeed," I told him. "I'm a lot tougher than you think," I smirked as he rolled his eyes and glared harder at me.

"Don't you want to go home?" He asked skeptically, as if I would say no, though I knew it was a ploy for me to beg.

"We both know that you won't just let me go home." I air quoted the last part to match my sarcastic tone.

"Well, you shall never know now, won't you?" It was my turn to roll my eyes at the apparent arrogance in the Watcher's voice.

To be honest, I wanted to badly to tell him how I had really beaten him. I wanted to gloat and tell him about Dagon and Crave, and the message from Watt, but I knew I couldn't. Zeed didn't seem to know about them, and I had to keep my aces hidden for a while so that me and my friends could figure out Zeed's exact plans. If I have to live through more Smallville shenanigans, then so be it.

"Celebrate your victory now, Maddie. You won't be so for the next battle." I clenched my jaw and said nothing. We glared at each other before the devious Watcher shimmered away, leaving me alone once again in the dining room.

I tried not to let Zeed's ambiguous threat dampen the rest of my day. I didn't mind being left alone in the mansion now that I didn't have to worry about some random maniac attacking me. I wandered freely, even venturing outside later in the afternoon. I was sitting on a bench under a tree listening to my MP3 player when Lex showed up again, coming down a set of stone steps casually.

"Hiya," I called as Lex came and sat next to me. He reclined a little, stretching his arms against the back of the bench. "Learn anything new?" I couldn't disguise the hope that came from tone. I was curious to hear if anything new had come up.

Lex pressed his lips together and thought about it. He furrowed his brow and sighed, and I was starting to fear the worse. Was there more bad news? Or did Lex really not want to tell me about it?

"Marcus Leeper, that's the Smallville Prowler's real name." He began. "He was some local drifter. He had meteor rock fragments embedded in his eye, some kind of accident, I guess. Leeper could make others feel pain when they looked him in the eyes. I guess that's what built your connection.

"Marcus said he caused the accident that killed your parents, and took you in Metropolis. He claims a voice commanded him to keep you and torture you, and when he thought you were dead, he dumped you out in that field. He kept you around the same time he killed those other people. He's on his way to Bellevue Psychiatric now, as we speak."

I stared at Lex, swallowing hard as the truth of everything came crashing down on me. Lex didn't ask why Leeper would have caused the accident that killed my "parents", which was good, since I didn't really have an answer in the first place. I also didn't want to make up some stupid story right there on the spot. My thoughts turned to what would be happening next, since it was obvious that I had no real home to go to. At fourteen I could literally do nothing, and my true adult self-suffered with that.

"I have some more business to do in town," I blinked and looked up at him. Lex stood and jerked is head to the side. "I figured you wouldn't want to stay stuck at the mansion all day."

I hesitated for a moment before getting to my feet and agreeing. I followed Lex up to the garage and into one of the plainer cars. There were a million questions I still wanted to ask him. The most important one being where I was going to go now that everything was over. I couldn't see Lex giving up his busy independent life to play guardian, and I didn't know if even Clark and his family would be willing to take me in. The uncertainness of everything hung between us the entire car ride into town. It followed us all the way to The Talon, where Lex dropped me off and promised to be back as soon as possible.

I headed inside the historic café and mulled over the problems stacking up against me. I was greeted by Lana, who was happy to see me safe and sound after hearing what had happened with the Prowler.

"Clark really saved me," I told her as she brought me a glass of Dr Pepper full of ice.

"Clark does that for a lot of people here," Lana winked at me. "He's like the town's personal superhero." I chuckled, and tried to drink my soda nonchalantly.

If only you knew! I couldn't help thinking.

"Maddie!" A hand clapped me on the back, and I sputtered on air. It was Clark, and he gave me an apologetic grin as he sat next to me at the counter.

"Hi Clark," I wheezed, shaking my head at him.

"Is Lex here with you?" Clark asked and I shook my head.

"He's probably taking care of stuff with the state, so I can get out of his hair." I realized what I said and flinched with wide-eyed embarrassment. Clark and Lana just laughed as I mumbled that they knew what I meant.

We sat at the counter for about an hour and a half, talking and doing nothing. Lana of course worked between the conversation, taking orders and sending them out. I noticed that once in a while Clark would turn and look towards the entrance. It was a little confusing, and I found myself looking too, expecting Pete or maybe Chloe, Clark's other friends, even though I hadn't been formally introduced to them yet.

"Why do you keep looking to the door?" I asked after he did it for the twentieth time. His face brightened into a grin, and he turned back to face me.

"Just so you know, I think Lex can be surprisingly kind." He told me cryptically.

I gave him an exasperated look. He always seemed to talk in riddles! I worked through the confusion until I noticed Lex striding into the Talon with a small pile of papers in his hands. He greeted Clark and Lana, standing in between me and Clark. Lex smiled confidently, first to Clark, and then at me.

"What?" I asked nervously.

"Temporary guardianship has been upgraded to permanent guardianship." Lex said proudly, giving me the stack of papers, he had come in with. "There's some things for you to sign, Maddie, but then it is official."

I stared wide eyed at the papers, reading over the official title of Guardianship, and then spotted Lex's fancy signature confirming it. My mouth opened a little in surprise, and I looked back up at him.

"Are you sure about this?" I asked softly.

"Absolutely," We locked eyes and I knew he was being serious. My heart pounded in my chest with familiar anxiety, though it wasn't unpleasant. It was almost exciting. I hadn't been expecting this, but I knew that it was something I could handle.

Lex pulled out a pen from his jacket pocket, and I took it, flipping through the documents to find the highlighted places where I needed to sign. When I was finished, Lex was my new, permanent guardian.

When in Smallville, right?

End Part 1

Author's Note:

Thank you for joining me on this first part of the story! I am so grateful to those everyone who has read through to this final chapter and left reviews. It's been very encouraging for me to see people reading my writing. I've had a lot of anxiety over writing and posting in general, and now I can say that I am in a better place because of this "silly" fanfiction. Yeah, I know it's not silly, but that is how I usually describe my fanfiction writing.

Part 2 is already done and ready for posting, so please join me next Tuesday for chapter one of A Switch in Realities (Part 2: Messing Up Expectations). The title is a work-in-progress, and may change. :D