Smallville
Since it's Valentines day I tossed in a few love interest things.
Errors in writing, typ-os, all. I may have to come back and edit this later since I didn't read it over much, but I posted it anyway because I wanted to post it as my valentine to all of you.
Ours-Taylor Swift
Lex sat in his desk chair, unable to focus on his work, rocking back and forth. Asthma had not been a problem for him since boyhood but his lungs had felt tight for some time now. He was fidgety, unable to relax thanks to the sheer unease running amuck in his system. He tapped the pen in his hand against his knee in repetition, tapping out a beat to an old song he played as a child.
"My birth name was Kara." He still heard her voice echo in his mind even a week and a half after.
"Where is Kara-El? Are you Kal-Zor El?" He could still hear the big, strong, man demand as he held him aloft by the neck in that hidden room of the caves. The woman was calmer, less agitated, even sultry, "If it was him, he would not bleed. Kara-El is not here."
The night she came to him, he would swear she said the "supposed" cousin - indicating he was not the real one - her father killed was named Kal. Maybe he was wrong, maybe it was coincidence. He never believed in coincidence though. It had to be a trick of his mind but what if it wasn't? Kara-El must have been one of them if they were looking so intently for her, or at least she was someone worth an alien's time to track down. Even if she was not one of them she must have been... less than human. What had they wanted with Kara-El? No one knew what happened to them. They had not left the way they came, he should know since he had the ship for some time after the fact. They simply vanished and he doubted after the entrance they made that either of them would bother with subtlety and suddenly decide to blend in with the natives. Something, or someone happened to them and maybe it was the same someone that vanished from the room with no more preamble than a gust of wind. Had that someone killed them? He could not picture it but his perception of reality had come into question since he moved to Smallville.
That aside entirely it was still quite a puzzle he never had enough pieces to. An invasion like that would leave earth in ruins if more like those two arrived, or were already hiding on the planet. They did not even need masks to blend visitors mentioned two potential kin of theirs, though admittedly he doubted they were on friendly terms since they were none too gentle with him when they thought there was even a scant chance he was Kal-Zor El. Enemies then. So were the two they were looking for hiding on earth, masquerading as humans to escape some sort of capture? And capture for what purpose? What did the galactic travelers want with the girl they were after?
He did not want to entertain the notion but... could they - if Clair and Kara-El were one in the same - have been sent by her father? Were they there to drag her away by force? Or were they the reason her father had tried to make her leave? Were they the enemy to her family? Were those more dangerous than the illusive father figure? Though, maybe he did not need to worry about those invaders considering they obviously lost to Kara-El or Kal-Zor El. They were the ones that fell of the face of the earth and he was again not one to believe in coincidence.
He huffed through his nose in frustration. He just did not know. He was also afraid to ask the logical source, but he intended to get some answers and he had a few ideas about who to track down. Those might not be easy either but it could be well worth the effort. Starting with the most obvious target of interest, the man that lingered entirely too much around the warehouse and happened to disappear the same day as the black ship. His assistant had unearthed a few very interesting facts about an awol professor.
The buzz of his phone drew his attention and he reluctantly answered.
"We have a situation at the lab." No returned hello, directly to the point of the call. Scientists were never good at social graces.
"I pay you to handle situations."
"Yes, but-"
"If you don't feel competent in your position, Doctor, I can find someone to take over." Lex realized he was in a foul mood and his own social graces took a hit.
"Dr. Hong released the subject! Stone is on the street, in public!"
Lex paused a minute, thinking, "Was his treatment complete, Dr. Krieg?"
"I still had some upgrades I intended to implement."
"But is he healthy and fully able to function?" Lex persisted.
"Yes, he is fully functional but-"
"Then leave Victor Stone alone for now. We gave him a second chance at life, it's time to see how he uses it. Let him adjust for a while. Find him and keep him under surveillance, but as long as he's not a threat to others or himself the situation will resolve itself since he has no choice but to come to us eventually."
"You can't be serious!" Krieg sputtered, "Do you know how much money was invested in him? He can't be allowed to roam free! Besides, anyone could find out about him!"
"I was the one supplying money, Doctor, I know how much he is worth." Lex reminded the other man blandly, "But he's useless if he can't function in the real world. We saved his life, regardless of the mechanics, I would think that should be a good thing, ethically speaking. Besides, he should be easy to find. He's young and in love; he has more than enough reason to want to live a normal life. If that changes we will revisit his case, I trust you can handle keeping close tabs on him. Consider it the next stage of testing, just moved ahead of schedule. I expect detailed reports on his integration process and any potential points of interest in his progress." And Lex hung up on the 'but' he already heard coming.
There were more pressing issues vying for his attention. Stone might be a scientific marvel but he was a teenager with a girlfriend. How hard could it be to track him? He would not go to the authorities, not if he wanted to live out his life the way he probably always dreamed. Happy endings with the girl were still in his future, no reason to keep them apart. So long as the kid did not go crazy he would consider the case a total success and a step toward superior soldiers the could stand a chance against hostile planetary visitors... and world peace, of course. The better the soldiers the better chances they had for some security.
A mindless army was not exactly conducive to that dream. Maybe they would be easy to control but the human element made or broke a soldier. Humans were able to accomplish some pretty amazing things if they were motivated to protect something they loved. There was a way to control them in case the power went to their head, but he hoped he would never need to put that plan into place with a kid like Victor.
Lex knew a thing or two about near death experiences and being saved to start again. Admittedly, Victor's case interested him mainly for all the potential that would have been lost if he died... and the picture found in his pocket. In the past he might not have cared much over the boys personal health but he had recently gotten a new perspective on lab subjects. He could not help thinking, after his discussions with Clair, how differently he would view things if he knew - loved- the subject.
If someone caught an alien... had no personal knowledge of them or connection, how concerned for humanity over the goal would they be? How would they view cruelty to a specimen like that and would they be merciful? The answer was obvious. He was none too sure he would have been vastly different, concerned for their well being, if someone simply dropped an alien into his lap. They were not human, they were an obscure thing that people made movies about. He, like many, would view it as an opportunity for advancement in the scientific sense.
Truthfully, he could not stomach dwelling long on the subject, too horrified by the mental images his mind helpfully supplied. But after the subject occurred to him he had set about hiring a lot more scientists; the brilliant potentially dangerous ones that would think little of moral obligations just so he knew what all of them were doing at any given time. If his father sunk any saying in his mind it was probably; "keep your friends close, but your enemies closer." If you knew what dangerous people were doing it was like controlling a threat. It meant he felt a little safer.
But, now to his own matters. He had a long trip to make and a girl to say goodbye to.
He found said girl shooting hoops with herself when he drove up to the Kent Farm. She looked his way, smiling and waving to him as he climbed from the car and made his way to her. By the look of her, she seemed in high enough spirits, though he did not know why. She tossed him the worn, orange orb and then he knew, as he gave it a few bounces, that she was in a decent mood. It made him smile even though he missed his shot.
Clair missed her shot as well but he had a nagging thought that she missed intentionally to save his ego. "I came to tell you I'll be away for a few days." He told her.
She frowned slightly, bouncing the ball to him, "Oh yeah? Where to?"
"Oh, just a little place out of the country. I'm looking into some new investments."
Green eyes studied him doubtfully, but she shook it off when she caught his successful basket. "Well, I would tell you to be careful but I'm sure you intend to be. Though, if I were you, I would travel out of the country a lot less considering the amount of trouble you always get into."
He nodded absently to her point. "Additionally, I have a bit of a favor to ask of you."
Clair tossed and sunk the ball before offering it to him again, "All right, shoot!" She grinned at him.
He took the ball and her advice, scoring what would have been a miss if it hadn't spun the rim the second time, "In a couple months I have a reunion to attend. My old school, Excelsior Academy."
"I thought you hated your school." Rather than trying for a basket, she simply threw it back to him, like she thought he might need the distraction.
"I do but liking or hating it has nothing to do with attendance. When there is a reunion it isn't really optional unless you like having your name dragged through the mud behind your back and having clients stolen from you because you refused to be part of the grand networking." Lex bounced the ball several times before he made a shot.
"Sounds like a blast." She remarked sarcastically, "But what does it have to do with me?"
"I want you to come with me." He cut right to the point.
She arched a brow, "The farm girl?" Clair shook her head, like she could erase her accidental reference to their unmentionable conversation, "I'm not really the kind of company you would take to something like that. I'm no refined society harpie, you know that, I'm not cut out to be giggling, air-headed arm candy."
"You're a thousand times better. You're my friend, that's why I want you there, need you there with me to make it just a little less like torture. I would buy you a dress and anything else you needed, since I'm inviting you, obviously, but I... really hope you'll agree to go with me." Maybe his desperation was showing because she did not fight him.
"All right." She agreed like it went against her self preservation needs but she had always been selfless.
"When I get back, I'll take you shopping."
"I thought it was not for a few months." She sounded almost perplexed.
"I know, but the alterations always take a while. You can't just pick one off a rack."
At that she looked like she regretted agreeing, "You're going to make me have some dress altered for this party I'll only wear it to once?"
"Most girls don't complain about a new dress." Lex pointed out.
"I think we established that I'm not 'most' girls, but I guess I can live through a fitting or two for you."
He smiled brightly at her, pulling her into a hug she did not seem to have been expecting, "You're still my best lady."
Clair slid her arms up so she could drape them around his neck, "I would do anything for you, Lex." And he knew she meant it, which frightened him and made him happy all at once. She had always been his best lady. He should have realized that years ago. He would do anything, go to any lengths at all, bar none, to keep her with him. It did not matter who he had to kill or save, he would make sure that she was safe and happy. It was a strong emotion but he was afraid to name it in anything less than a multitude of lyrical lines. So, instead of speaking, he held her close.
The tropics were rainy and humid maybe all year round. Water just seemed to hang in the air and it made his clothing feel saturated the moment he stepped off the jet. He did not really enjoy the climate this time of the year but he was not on a pleasure cruise. When a guide had taken him to the camp he found nothing overly surprising. The items in the tent were rather interesting, exotic collectables of all kinds. Everything was neat and orderly, quite a feat considering it was nothing but a tarp and some sticks in the middle of nowhere. Great care had been taken in the organization and set up. It spoke volumes about the owner and his habits. Order in chaos. The items were well made too, by locals, no doubt. Some of them might have been rather old.
"I would have had tea and petits fours waiting, but I didn't expect you so soon." Milton Fine, if that was his name, strolled into the tent seeming without a care.
Everything about the man was harsh, nearly unrefined, but at the same time he seemed worlds above everyone else around him no matter where he was. He always looked put together whether he was standing in a classroom or in the middle of a jungle. His hair was well behaved and his clothing was unwrinkled and set to right. Obsessive compulsive disorder screamed off him but he was still somehow fluid. The stark intelligence was a tangible thing that hid under his quietly malicious, though contrasting peaceful nonchalance. He did not care what anyone thought and it showed. The man was wound tight yet wholly imperturbable and it was difficult to adjust to him.
"You knew I was coming." It was not a question and Lex did not bother to make it one.
"You leave a trail of breadcrumbs, no surprise when the crow comes calling." He replied sardonically.
Having finally found the man, Lex was not perturbed by the indication that he had been allowed his victory, he knew he worked for it. "I think a simple phone call would have sufficed. Why the lesson in persistence? You think I don't have enough to do?"
"I couldn't reveal the truth about myself until I was sure you were dedicated to your cause. Anyway, nothing worth having is handed to us, and I never made it a habit to shirk my scholastic responsibilities to encourage effort for a grade."
Oh, he was dedicated alright, and motivated.
There was no way he planned to let the charades continue when he traveled this far for a confrontation and having the upper hand made him almost giddy. "Well, I hate to disappoint you but I already know what you are. And it's not a professor of history, is it? No, it's something much more exciting. Tell me, what's the benefits package of a government operative working for a covert branch of the State Department?"
Emotions flickered rapidly over Fine's face until they finally settled. He almost, almost seemed shaken. The man looked moderately pleased if not impossibly taken back, "Very good. You found that breadcrumb on your own."
Lex nearly preened at the realization that he threw the other man off balance so totally, "I want to know what you were doing posing as a college professor in a Kansas farm town."
Fine eyed him, seeming to drop any pretense he held before, but there was still something veiled about his manner. "I was investigating the possibility of an extraterrestrial presence."
Lex forced his muscles not to tense and kept his expression carefully blank. There was no room to tip his hand with a man this intelligent and perceptive. He had to know why the man had gone to Clair's school, hired her, and if there were any unfortunate connections he knew about between any of those lines. He did not yet know what he would do with the answers but he needed to have them. "This investigation, did it bear any fruit?"
"Well, we believe a spacecraft of unknown origin touched down during the recent meteor shower. But an individual with quick reflexes and vast resources was able to get to it before we could."
The ship, just the ship, he wondered. Hiring Clair might have been coincidental and merely a way to get closer to LuthorCorp information. It was by far no secret that there was a friendship between the Senator's daughter and himself. There was no reason anything had anything to do with the farm girl but there was no guarantee either. It might have been a relief if he felt he could be sure nothing else was in play.
He did not know that he could trust the answer held full disclosure but he could not ask directly unless he wanted questions being thrown at him, "So that's why you were investigating LuthorCorp?" He hoped that was the extent. There was a certain chill creeping into his body that had nothing to do with cold.
"Yeah. And I admire the remarkable advances you've made in the name of science. Too bad you couldn't get into that ship when you had a chance. Now it's back into play, up for grabs."
Lex eyed the other man warily, "You know where it is."
Fine answered the way most teachers would have, making the audience draw their own connections rather than handing them an answer. "The ancient Mayans believed they were visited by great beings from the heavens."
"You think 'visitors' like the two in the ship have come to earth before?" Lex knew he would need to step carefully. "You think there will be more?"
"There is evidence that they have, right here and in places all over the world, including Smallville. I think there already are more, living among us. And yes, we suspect more will come. The man seemed to like to pace a bit as he spoke, another teacher habit.
Lex's heart rate must have been speeding up but he tried not to think about it. "You think the ship's in Honduras."
"Well, I'm certainly not here for the coffee." Fine nearly trotted in another direction, "Come with me. I'll show you what I found."
He did follow, of course. There was a great deal he wanted to see. The little village was nothing he had not expected. Children were everywhere but they looked well enough, clothed and seemingly happy as they played. Nothing to terrible had happened here if that was the case. Aliens had not raise the huts at least so that was something.
Milton chattered with the natives but Lex did not bother to pay attention and actually try to listen to what he was saying to them until they neared a hut with a boy sitting on the doorstep. A bit of the man actually seeming the kindly American visitor with the child and he handed the man his toy. Fine then offered it to Lex, and it was astonishing to see exactly what it crudely, though somehow beautifully represented.
"His father carved it." Fine told him, "After claiming to have seen a carroza de los dÃoses land from the sky."
Now Lex was really paying attention. "Chariot of the gods."
"Yeah." The older man said simply.
"I wanna talk to him." Needed, desired, absolutely thought it was imperative to see the man, was more accurate but Lex did not think it wise to seem quite that intent.
With a guiding hand on his shoulder, wordless urging to come away, Fine lead him from the children as if they would actually be able to understand what was being said, "I know you can do many things but I'm not sure you can communicate with the dead. Days after the sighting, his wife came home to find his charred remains."
That would just be perfect. He should expect no less at all, should he? Nothing was ever easy.
Lex's irritation showed in his acerbic response, "Despite urban myths, human beings don't spontaneously combust."
"No. We believe whoever or whatever was in that spaceship incinerated the man. In fact, we suspect this alien race poses a grave threat to the entire planet. This incident alone proves that they are here, and maybe they have been for some time. Perhaps all the way back to the myths origin."
"If they've lived peacefully among us so long, why would they suddenly become hostile?"
Fine seemed almost eager to speak now, "It's like terrorist sleeper cells, biding their time until conditions are right. With the ships arrival, it might have inspired these disguised aliens to act."
"You can't know they are here or that they would turn on us. Some of them could even be helping humanity for all you know, peacefully living quiet lives." He was drastically straying off the lines of safety and he needed to dial it back in, he could not afford to let it seem personal.
"That they might be but it won't last forever, not for them or us. Someday they may not have a choice."
Lex did not like the sound of that, it made his stomach drop to his tones, "What do you mean?"
Fine was in full professorial tilt now, "Well, there have been whispers of a device kept secretly, hidden away by an organization, fabled to have the power to control out guests. If it's true and it fell into the wrong hands... can you imagine the raw destructive power of even one of them turned puppet? Imagine if there were even just three like the two that crashed to earth in the shower? Obviously we would very much like to get our hands on the device but we have yet to track down any names, or even the name of the secret society. But as long as the device exists, it would be our salvation or our downfall as an entire civilization."
Oh good God! Something existed to control aliens? Take away their will? How many could it enslave? What type of aliens could it ensnare? Would this fictitious device rob them of all that made them what they were or just lock them away in their own body? Would it work on Kara-El? How did it control them? What did it do to them? He had to find it and lock it away so far beneath the ground that no one and nothing would ever reach it! He had to do it now! He had to... he had to calm down, that's what he had to do. His heart was racing and he was starting to breathe harder. If he did not control himself the professor would have more than enough reason to become very curious about too much.
"Well," Lex managed, "how do you defend against a threat of that magnitude?"
"It presents a great challenge. We are working on a potential weapon, a weapon that would greatly benefit from LuthorCorp's assistance. We're well aware of your tireless quest for extraterrestrial life. Your tenacity is impressive."
A weapon! What kind of weapon? What would it do to... Kara-El? No, he would not allow it! But he really had to, didn't he? Kara-El or even Kal-Zor El were not the only aliens, there were the killer duo as well. They might have been the ones to torch the boy's father. Who knew? If they all looked like Clair they did not even need masks, they could walk around free as the breeze. Humans would never know.
He was going to be sick, he really was, "I'll help in any way I can but I want unrestricted access to all your data."
The answer took the other man by surprise and he glared a bit, "That's a bold request."
Of course it was, he was desperate, "Well, without it, this discussion is over."
That both seemed to perturb and amuse Fine, "I'm not sure you understand me, Mr. Luthor. If we don't work together, there may not be a LuthorCorp or a government left. Think about that on your flight home."
"Why are you telling me this?" Lex finally asked.
Fine's response was solemn. "To help you understand my urgency."
Lois was busily tapping away at her computer and Clair intentionally did not let the other girl know she was in the living room. She was in a decent mood and saw no reason at all to kill it with one of many banter sessions with Lois. The girl had seen Lex visit and had seen them hug, which would have been alright if she had not had the gal to casually bring it up around Jonathan Kent-Luthor loathing force of nature. At least she must not have seen Lex kiss Clair on the lips before he left for parts unknown. For whatever reason, Chloe's cousin had allowed some comments from the billionaire get under her skin and it turned into something close to unadulterated hate.
When the knock on the door came she moved to get it but Lois was quick to spring up and Clair saw no reason they both should rush to the door. After the clash of wills she did not want to be around the other girl any more than needs be. She watched the uninspiring flirting between the Queen Industries courier and a less than smooth Lane. Sun bleached blonde and tan skin, a strong jaw and nice physique, Lois could do worse.
The man was infatuated the moment she opened the door but Lois was not greatly improved over his tongue tangled mess. Love at first sight? Who knew that was real? Well, it probably wasn't love, just attraction. Lois Lane was pretty enough to catch the eye of any man she wanted.
At least his default was not blatantly rude though she knew the other girl was not trying to insult him with every word, but it worked out that way. The tip part was very clearly a blunder with the way he looked so totally baffled and embarrassed. Maybe he was used to a lot better tips or he was not used to them at all. He seemed to have more of an agenda to the visit as well but Lois was no good at waiting for things like explanations.
So he left rather hesitantly after the door was shut in his face. Not much he could have done but leave and Clair had a feeling there was more to the story than flirting but she had no reason to care.
Martha hurried down the steps, already eyeing Lois, "Thought I heard the door."
"Yeah, your pledge finally sailed in from Queen Industries." Lois stated proudly, like she delivered the envelope herself.
"Where's the man that came with it?" Martha seemed less impressed about the answer than expected.
"The courier? Oh, I gave him his tip and sent him on his merry little way."
Clair was already smirking, realizing that there must have been more to the encounter, just like she suspected. It was morbidly amusing to over hear the eldest Lane daughter being cut down a few notches. Oliver Queen, rich prodigy of an old family line, had been tossed out on his ear after a failed attempt at flirting. The world was a wondrous place indeed. Senator Kent might have a few words of righteous fury to offer Lois this time. And Lex was out of the country, pity, she was sure he would have enjoyed hearing all about it. She missed him already.
True to his word, Lex did whisk her away to Metropolis, and the expensive part of it, no less. The posh dress shop he paraded her into was nothing she could afford in a million years. They had runways, for goodness sake! Like she was supposed to be a model? She felt very out of her depth and trailed behind him like a shy child, even tugging at her shirt unconsciously. It felt like one of those dreams that started out normally but turned horrible very quickly, like suddenly being naked in a crowd. There was champagne for them and she was not a drinker but she was fairly sure it would be good quality if they served it to rich people. The nicest places she had been in offered soda or water while their guests waited. It was culture shock for her though he seemed to have no problem with any of it.
Lex seemed distant since coming back to Kansas, distracted, but still attentive. Clair was uncomfortable and out of her depth with the ladies in grand what she guessed were Armani suits and skirts. She at least knew what Armani was, though she had not previously known they had perfume as well as clothing. Live and learn. Lex probably wore everything in the Armani collection.
When she knew they would be shopping in nice places she had not expected this, though she wore something she considered nice; obviously not nice enough by the way they touched her like she was dirty. One of them actually wiped her hands after she took her measurements. It was insulting but Clair tried to be the bigger person and took it all in stride.
Lex invited her, not them. It was special and she was going because he needed her so she could put up with a few snobs. She could literally run circles around them all so that helped. They did comment on how fit she was, though she doubted it was a complement, she decided to take it as one. They did not have to approve of her, they just had to get her a dress to wear.
"Don't worry, Mr. Luthor, we will make her look like a princess." One of them, the manager, she thought, told him.
"No," Lex admonished, "you will make her look like a queen, she's second best to no one. There is a difference."
Maybe he had noticed the way they handled her because that sounded very much like harsh chastisement. Something told her he was taking up her part and it was rather nice.
Lex was proud of her and that was all she could need. He knew her, they did not. She might not have been the princess sort, not the pretty girl that everyone lifted up as the ideal, like she always wished she was, but he thought she was above that. She was no damsel in distress, most of the time she was the one saving the prince. She was strong and her body showed it, but that was who she was. Lex didn't mind her muscle lines and her hard curves, if he did, he kept the thought to himself. She was as normal to him as she would ever be, so she would take it gladly.
It was nice to be cared for. That was what he was doing for her, the best way he knew how. There was nothing normal about his life either but he was sharing it with her all the same and that somehow made a world of difference.
When they shoved her toward the stage from behind the curtain, she was not at all interested in stepping out in what they put her in. Now she felt a little sympathy for Lois and how she must have felt being shoved onto stage in the stars and stripes costume. They had to shove her again, and then one more time, harder, to get her out from behind the safety of the material shield.
She shoved away from the curtain a step, and that was all they were getting out of her. Lex looked up, the serious look on his face vanishing when he took a look at her. He pocketed his phone and stood, smirking at the clear reluctance showing in her entire posture. He knew her too well because he strolled over and perched on the edge of the stage. His eyes made a few sweeps of her figure.
"It's just us, Clair, no need to be so tense. If they bother you, show them your fangs, that's the only way to deal with people like that." Lex reached out and fingered the glittering sequined hem of the skirt. "A little 80's. Not really your style, is it?" It was also very green and she had not been fond of shiny green things for a long time.
She shook her head, feeling like she had digressed to kindergarten.
He waved at one of the attendants, "No, this is terrible! Hate it! Burn it! Get something else, something better than this tripe. I said make her look like a queen, not a drag queen."
They nodded, almost bowing as they ushered her away once again. He was very good at fangs and also drama. Having grown up with rich kids he knew exactly how to play like a spoiled rich boy. Maybe he used to be that way too.
As time wore on she began to enjoy the dress up game, she even put on a bit of a show for him, twirling and occasionally dancing just a little, because he would smile and laugh when she did. It did not make sense to act like the stage was a death trap when they might as well enjoy the day. He was right, it was just them, and staff members that could not care less. She could be a girl, play dress-up, and play it up. It had occurred to her that he would feel guilty if he thought she was miserable, so she needed to do better. After she lost her self conscious attitude it became fun anyway.
They did not end up picking a dress from that shop, though she modeled enough for him to surely have been able to decide on something. He waved away all of them, saying they were not capturing her essence, not doing their subject justice. Clair thought that was ridiculous, it was only a dress. Though she had not honestly cared for any of them either, it still seemed a lot of effort to go through for no reason.
He took her out to lunch and said they could try another day. If she were of a more petite, delicate, and lovely nature, she might have guessed he just wanted to draw the occasion out as long as possible. There was not much for him to look at though, she thought, so that could not have been his reason. He was probably simply nervous and did not want her to embarrass him in front of all those wealthy, important people. He needed to dress her for the part she could not really play. Not that she minded, she understood completely. The day had been nice all the same, especially since he had been away.
"Did you like that red one?" He asked suddenly, between bites.
"It was a bit... revealing. I would never subject humanity to that much of my skin exposure. I'm not Lois, you know. I don't have the figure for things like that. She would have liked that dress." Come to think of it, she never had told Lex about Lois' under cover work as a stripper, but that would be unkind.
"It was too revealing, but not because of that, but because you would have men panting after you all evening," Clair scoffed but he continued, "and I don't like to share."
That felt like an awkward declaration so she instinctively made light of it, "Never learned that in pre-school, did you?"
"It never stuck. I was always a bit too possessive."
"Well, I can assure you no one would look twice at me to steal. I'm not the stealing kind. I never even got picked for dodge ball." She grinned at him but he did not really smile like she thought he would.
Instead, he shook his head a little, "You really are a wonder, Clair. Sometimes I wonder if you ever got your sight back after the accident."
She frowned, "What is that supposed to mean?"
Then he did smile, "Nothing, only that I adore your innocence. But we will find you a different dress."
"If anyone could make a silk purse out of a sow's ear, I'm sure it's you, Lex." She was trying for humor, but fell short again.
"Don't say things like that." He admonished lightly.
"All right." What else could she say?
"Thank you for agreeing to come with me. You're the best friend I have ever had, Clair. You mean the world to me." He said it so frankly, so honestly, that she understood him loud and clear.
He loved her, treasured her. She belonged to him and always would. The kind of love he had was obsessive and consuming, but it was beautiful in that intensity, and she didn't hate it. He would probably do anything for her though that was admittedly a little more than she wanted to think about.
"You mean the world to me too. I would go anywhere with you, you know that." And she hoped he really understood.
She was unworthy of his devotion, she had no idea how to deal with it, it frightened her, but she felt it directed onto her all the same. To love was to be frightened by it, she thought. The emotion was dangerous. She loved him too and no one could make her stop, not even Lex himself. She had absolutely no idea what she would do without him in her life. It would be so empty and she felt very deeply that she might be lost without him. They sort of kept each other balanced. Maybe he needed her to pull him from the darkness, and she would do that with all her power, but maybe she needed to keep working to hold his darkness away to save herself from the darkness in herself. They needed each other and they always would, she had a feeling. Balance... that sounded about right. Keeping the world in balance. That was their destiny.
In my world, Victor and Clair never even met, though he will find Oliver without question. Lots of stuff that happened because of Lana won't even happen now because Lana was the catalyst. Also, Victor's girlfriend never left him because I liked her and I don't see why it's only Lois and Chloe and Lana that seem to be able to handle super powered men. I call bull and say she was just happy he lived. Happy ending, /
I think knowing what Lex does in my world would have given him some new perspective on what he was doing to lab experiments too, so maybe they won't want to hunt him down as much. Angering you lab projects is always a bad /
And I actually looked up some dialogue for this chapter. I wanted to get some of those banter parts right even if I alter the directions and motives. I told you all Zod would still happen, so here is the explanation of WHY Lex would be reckless enough to get involved in my world. Just because Clair is being more honest does not mean the two secret keepers of the world would suddenly share all and it doesn't mean they would stop going off on crazy quests to try protecting each other. Good intentions, bad choices.