Ch21- Big wheels keep on turnin'….

Lex straightened his designer tie for the fifth time in the last hour, feeling foolish for resorting back to the nervous tic. Lex, never forget that first impressions are ultimately the difference between being the pawn or the player in this game of chess we call life. Who will you be, son? He sneered as he recalled his father's pathetic excuse for parental advice. What good did it ever serve him, except for the manifestation of his nervousness into the form of someone who constantly feels the need to fix his tie?

"Gee, thanks, dad." His voice was low and full of contempt for the man that sired him. He felt the need to vocalize how Lionel Luthor viewed every relationship in life as an opportunity to exert power over another, even when it came to his own family. The remark never left his lips, however, as he was interrupted by the crackle of a voice through his speakerphone.

"Mr. Luthor, it is time."

Straightening his tie once more, he replied. "Good, show him in."

He stood to greet his visitor, arranging himself at the center of the room. It was yet another chapter in his father's lessons in power. 'Waste no movement. Use everything to subvert those around you, Lex.' He chose to heed his father's advice this time. He would need everything in his arsenal of cerebral warfare against this new…acquisition. The grand double doors of his study opened inward seemingly of their own accord. He schooled his reaction and only quirked an eyebrow at the occurrence. A dark mist floated in ominously afterwards and seemed to suck all movement and sound out of the entire mansion. The eerie quiet was deafening as the mist filled every crevice in the study, Lex found he was enshrouded in total darkness and complete silence. Suddenly, two glowing embers of red appeared mere inches before his face; he clenched his fists in his pockets in an effort to keep from reacting outwardly. He stared directly into the fiery orbs before him.

"Very good, Luthor. It's good to know you don't scare so easily." A disembodied voice spoke.

"It would not serve me well to fear a business partner, would it?" Lex spoke with more confidence than he felt.

Almost as quickly as it filled the room, the ominous mist disintegrated and Lex could make out the hulking frame of the imposing being before him. I have to hand it to him, he certainly makes a better entrance than Ares.

"It would serve you well to remember that I will not stand to be compared in any way, shape, or form to any of these pathetic Gods you serve." The booming voice suddenly spoke.

Lex was momentarily baffled. How?

A dark chuckle bubbled in the being's chest. He turned his back to Lex as he gave himself a tour around the study, taking in all the opulence around him. "I am a God, Lex. An all-knowing God. You think I would enter into a relationship with you without using precaution? I've been tapped into your mind since you first contacted me."

"I wasn't aware that was part of deal." Lex was seething inside. How could he have not anticipated this? "It appears I am the one at a disadvantage in this…arrangement. Care to level the playing field?"

The figure did not even bother to respond to such a request. Continuing his self-guided tour, stopping to admire what looked to be a glowing green rock encased in an opulent display. Humans worship the oddest things.

"I asked you a question, oh great and omniscient one." Lex could barely hide the contempt in his voice.

Still no response.

"Well, perhaps I am the one who should rethink this relationship. I can find any two-bit God intent on taking over the-"Lex suddenly found himself upended and sprawled across his own desk, held down by a massive hand at his throat. How do I keep ending up in this position?

"Hear me well, Luthor. You are but a puny human in this tiny universe. You have the right to request nothing from Gods!" The being loomed over him until their faces were scant millimeters apart.

Lex ground his molars to keep down the rising bile as the putrid breath invaded his senses. He could feel the mark on his chest begin to burn. Sweat formed at his brow as he fought off the pain.

The dark figure stared at the human beneath him for a moment before ripping his shirt open. He mildly admired the vicious looking scar before slamming the palm of his hand onto it. Lex's screams were like music to his ears and he continued to apply pressure to the wound. Lex fought to maintain consciousness as the pain overwhelmed him.

"I see Ares has made you promise yourself to him. How…touching." The being spoke in a bored tone. "Well, I was never one to keep promises, although I do like the idea of you belonging to me."

With that, the being waved his hand over the brand of Ares and it disappeared from his chest. Lex's relief was short-lived as he saw the God tear a piece of his finger from his hand. Lex's eyes bulged as he took in the sight before him as the finger regenerated itself mere seconds later. The previously removed digit was waved before his face teasingly.

"Lex, I want you to be my right hand man…literally." A maniacal grin spread on the being's face.

Lex had no time to decipher his meaning before his felt his abdomen being sliced open, he looked down in horror as he saw the being insert the digit into his body and wave a hand over the area, effectively sealing the digit inside. Lex immediately began to writhe in pain as he felt the offending particular move within his body, pushing aside his organs without a care. He fell to the floor, panting as he began to heave, emptying his stomach of all content. His body convulsed violently until he lost consciousness. He must have woken seconds later as he found himself sprawled on the floor of his study, face-deep in his own vomit. He was so weak from his ordeal; it took all of his energy to merely roll himself over onto his back. He looked up to see his guest seated comfortably atop his desk. The figure tsked and shook his head as if disappointed.

"Rise and kneel, Luthor. No peon of mine will roll around in filth unless I order it."

Lex was surprised to find his body responded to the command. His body rose, only to kneel before the being. He struggled to stand upright, but it was as if he no longer had control over his own body.

"I control you now, Luthor. Never forget that. Now, whom is your Lord and ruler?"

The responding answer slammed to the forefront of his mind, but Lex ground his molars in an effort to keep the words from passing his lips. His eyes shut from the effort and he felt something warm trickle over his lips. Blood.

An amused chuckle sounded from above him.

"Look how he tries to resist you. How…noble." Lex heard the melodic voice and strained to open his eyes to see the newest intruder. He opened his eyes and only saw darkness. He spat blood as he realized he'd been blinded.

"Ah, uh-uh…no peeking. I'll reveal myself to you when I'm ready, Lex." The chiding female voice intoned. "Your vision will return when I deem it so. Now…answer the man's question."

Lex continued to fight against the command until he felt the agonizing protest from the particle now inside his body. His body was covered in a sheen of sweat as pain wracked his entire frame. He finally decided to give up the battle, relieved when all pain immediately left his body. This is so not how I planned to spend my day. He raised blind eyes and finally responded, "My Lord and ruler is you…Darkseid."

Meanwhile, elsewhere…

Diana hummed along to Lady Gaga's Speechless as she exited the shower, a sly grin on her face.

"So…not…fair…" Kal sputtered through gasps as he leaned against the shower wall.

"What was that? Afraid I couldn't hear you through those gasps of air, Kal." She teased as she wrapped the soft towel around her body. She supported her body against the door frame and took in the humorous—but still impressive—sight of her beau in the nude.

He swallowed several deep gulps of air before finally regaining some composure. He looked up at Diana with a look that she could not describe. She put up her hands in mock surrender.

"Now, now, Kal. Remember it was you that bragged about the unmatched stamina of Kryptonians. I am an Amazon, and we back down from no challenge. You know that," she defended.

Kal finally emerged from the shower chamber, his breathing now normal. "This must be what the guy felt like in Kung Fu," he stated in resignation. Noticing Diana's brow raise in question, he enlightened her. "Kung Fu? The TV show—you know, the whole 'student becomes the master' thing?"

Realization dawned on her face, "Well, in that case I guess you could say I'm a fast learner, right?" She teased as she sauntered back into the bed chamber.

Kal watched her walk away, reliving the last twelve hours in his mind. They'd made love at least three more times during the night and twice this morning. Their most recent episode had only ended moments before in the shower chamber. I'll never be able to look at that shower the same again. He smiled at his reflection in the mirror, Diana had surprised him with her responses, varying from soft and sensual to wild and untamed as they made love. He was sure he had praised every deity known to man as she demanded he give her more, thinking back to when she decided to mount and ride him. That appeared to be her favorite position. He recalled how passionate she was, the epitome of a wild Amazon Princess above him. At the memory, he felt his nether regions begin to stir in response. Again? Now? He grabbed a towel and wrapped it tightly around his hips in an effort to calm himself. No such luck. It was as if his body was insatiable now that he'd had a taste of Diana. Great, how is Superman going to defend the world with a perma-woody? He closed his eyes and supported himself on the sink as he drew on all of his Kryptonian teachings to quiet his raging loins. He expelled a low breath at the effort.

"Kal, are you need of my assistance? Your heartbeat is erratic." Diana asked from her seat stop his bed. She stopped brushing her hair as she awaited his reply.

"Uh, no! I'm fine, just…can't find my toothbrush. You know how I am about dental hygiene." It was the best he could come up with at the moment.

Diana chuckled at the obvious untruth. "Well, hurry with your hygiene"- she accompanied with air quotes-" so we can get to the Watchtower. You're monitoring shift starts in three hours." She reclined on the bed, intending to catch a quick nap before heading back to the satellite with Kal.

Kal breathed in and out slowly in an effort to calm himself down, his grip tightening on the sink's edge as he could feel another wave of arousal threatening to overtake him. How was he possibly going to be able to concentrate on work when all he could think about was last night? You are Kryptonian. Cool, calculated, unfeeling. He breathed a sigh of relief as the mantra seemed to take root, his erratic heartbeat calming down. He finished his bathroom routine in no time and entered the bedchamber. His breath caught in his throat as he took in the sleeping form of Diana on his bed. At that moment, she turned on her side, giving him a full view of her nude backside. Just as quickly, the tent reappeared beneath his towel.

Kal looked to the heavens and shook his head, "It's going to be a looooooong day."