DISCLAIMER: I do not own the rights to "Smallville," DC comics, or any of
the Superman characters. I just borrow them for my own enjoyment. Please
don't sue me. My imagination is wilder than my possessions.
Author's notes: Wow, I actually made it by my own deadline! WOO! I hope to have the entire "Pilot" episode of my universe finished before too long. Hope, hope, hope, hope!
THANK YOU!: MitchPell, you are a LIFESAVER! And I'm not talking about the hard candy although you are awfully sweet to beta so swiftly. : )
Feedback: Please review! I like to know what you all think of my story. Is it the best thing ever? Is it crap? Let me know! I need the help, trust me! : )
MitchPell, thank you! Lana and Liz are interesting. I think they will remain close throughout this fic. : )
HuffyTheCampfireSlayer, thank you for IMing me and letting me know what you thought. : )
AHobbitLassRosie, Thanks for taking the time to read my fic! I hope you continue to read it! : )
How soon is now: The fourth chapter is going to take me longer. I hope no longer than two weeks, though, "Smallville" is new now and I will be watching it religiously. *squeals*
For future chapters: I promise that Clark will be in the next chapter. That's all I'm going to say. Oh! It will be entitled, "Impact." Wonder what that will be about......... : p
***
Liz looked up at the tall, gray building of LuthorCorp and couldn't help feeling a little intimidated. It was quite an eyesore just sitting there in the midst of several cornfields, but that was her father's way. It would stand out for miles and mark Smallville as his.
She parked in one of five, "Reserved for Luthor" spots and stood up from her motorcycle while taking off her helmet. The ridiculousness of her father having five parking spaces made her laugh.
A quick check in the mirror confirmed that her hair was still on top of her head in a loose bun. "Wouldn't want to scare the locals." She joked to her reflection.
Smiling nervously, Liz smoothed the wrinkles from her black leather business jacket, pale-pink button-down silk shirt, and a knee-length black skirt then walked towards the front entrance.
***
Once inside, a gentleman with dark-blond-hair, who couldn't have been much younger than her father, greeted Liz. He extended his hand and smiled warmly. "Hello Miss Luthor. Welcome to LuthorCorp. My name is Gabriel Sullivan, but you can call me Gabe."
"It's nice to meet you, Mr. Sullivan." Shaking the hand briefly, she ignored the offer. Being on a first name basis was too personal for Liz, especially at work. "I know my father wanted you to give me the grand tour, but right now I would just like to see my office."
Gabe nodded in understanding and started leading her into the factory. He stopped once they got to her office. "If you need anything or have any questions, I'm right down the hall."
Liz nodded. "That won't be necessary. But thank you." She replied then watched him leave. After the door was closed, she continued to stare at it, unable to look away. What was she doing here? Was this her future? Her father said she wouldn't be here for long but she wasn't stupid.
She glanced at her desk, and noticed a stack of folders waiting for her. Lionel had left her with a lot of paperwork showing her just how badly the plant was doing. She couldn't see how she would be able to get it all done in six months. Just the thought of having to clean up the mess set before her made her feel exhausted. Meeting with the employees, some of whom she may have to let go wasn't going to help matters.
Taking a deep breath, Liz walked over to her desk, laying her small, black leather purse on its shiny surface. The desk was much like her father's except smaller, of course. His assistant had taken the liberty of decorating the room according to Liz's tastes. Ivory, emerald, and rust were the colors used and she had to admit the woman did a good job. A few accessories from back home were added to make the office more complete.
A picture of her mother when she was about Liz's age and her father, who was a few years older, sat in one corner of the desk. Liz picked it up and stared at it for a moment. She loved her mother and there wasn't a day that went by where she didn't think about her. As her fingers gently caressed the image, she wondered briefly how different her life would be if her mother was still here. "Would she be proud of me?" She questioned aloud.
She set down the brass frame and berated herself for dreaming of the "what if's." Right now she needed to focus on making her father proud.
Sighing, she took off her jacket and placed it on the chair. She started in by organizing the different tasks into their own groups then opened up her laptop and typed with practiced ease, getting completely lost in the numbers and figures set before her.
***
A shrill ringing made Liz jump out of her skin. She had been absorbed in her work and the sound was unexpected. She picked up the phone after the third ring and answered it. "Elizabeth Luthor."
The voice on the other side of the phone spoke with a hint of humor. "Oh! I'm sorry. I must have the wrong number. I was looking for Liz."
Elizabeth recognized the voice immediately. "Aaron?"
"The one and only, beau of Liz Luthor, 'Sexiest Man of 2001,' greatest lover in the world. Oh, I could go on but you sound like a very busy woman."
"I'm sure you could," Liz said coyly. "And um, what would Liz say if I told you that you have the sexiest accent I've ever heard and just listening to it makes me want to come through this phone line and show you just what it is doing to me?"
"She would understand. No one can resist me."
Liz laughed and couldn't stop the joy she felt from hearing his voice again. "I'm so sorry I haven't called."
"It's ok, Liz, I know why you didn't call. I just needed to get in touch with you."
Aaron sounded a little hurt to Liz's ears. Their relationship had been on again off again throughout the two years they'd known each other. This past year they became closer than they had ever been and when she left it was hard on them both.
"How did you get my telephone number?"
"A man can find anything, when he's desperate enough."
"Really? And why are you so desperate to talk to me?" Liz tried to sound nonchalant.
"Why, 'Smallville,' Liz?"
Liz sighed. He wasn't going to answer her question. "My father..."
He cut her off. "Your father needs to understand that he can't control your life. And you need to stand up to him."
"Aaron, please."
"Are you still having nightmares?"
Liz paused for a few moments. She hadn't been able to block the dreams with her sleeping pills and being at the one place that caused them didn't help. "Yes. But that doesn't mean I can't handle living here." She lied.
"Just say the word and I'll fly over there and bring you back here."
"I need to face my fears. I can't go back and hide again."
"Is that what Lionel said?"
Liz paused and the silence answered what words did not.
Aaron sighed over the receiver. "I'm still waiting for an answer."
"Aaron, you sprung that on me after graduation."
"I love you." There was a pause then he continued. "I need you here with me."
"I really wanted to say yes. I still do."
"It's just one word, Liz."
"But one that could alter my entire future."
"Our future."
Liz closed her eyes and smiled sadly. "It would be so easy to marry you, live the perfect life in England, and just be happy being your wife. But I can't hide from my father forever."
"No, neither can I." He said the words in a menacing tone.
"That sounded rather cryptic."
"I called the bastard and told him the reason I needed to get in touch with you and he let me have the number." He paused for a moment then continued. "Along with my agreement to break up with you."
Liz shook with emotion over those words. "He doesn't have control over my personal life, Aaron. And he never will."
"But if he has control over any aspect of your life he can use that to manipulate the people around you."
"What are you trying to tell me?"
"Maybe we should see other people."
"Don't do this Aaron."
"I don't want to, but I don't think we have a choice."
"Then my father has won."
"No. This isn't about him. This is about us."
"If he hadn't sent me here..."
"You would have stayed in Metropolis. I always knew that. I never expected you would want to stay here with me."
"Aaron, I never said that. Don't think that."
"Stop lying to me!" He replied angrily then took a deep breath. "I knew it was a long shot."
Liz licked her suddenly dry lips and tried to speak over the lump in her throat. "What?"
"Asking you to marry me was the end for us, wasn't it?"
"That isn't true."
"But you never wanted this relationship to go any further. When it gets too serious you pull away."
"That isn't fair." Liz said softly.
"It isn't fair to me." Aaron agreed.
An awkward silence fell over the two of them before Liz broke it. "I never knew you to be a quitter, Aaron. I guess you've changed." She shook her head and stared out the window of her office. "This is goodbye then?"
Aaron swallowed then spoke in a deeper voice. "Yes." All of his feelings came through in the one word. "Goodbye, Liz."
"Goodbye, Aaron."
A click then the dial tone was heard over the phone line and Liz's heart broke.
***
Gabe walked out of his office and wondered if Liz had ever left hers that day. It was close to closing time and he didn't remember seeing her take a lunch break. Knocking, he waited patiently for Liz to answer.
***
Liz hesitated for a second and glanced at her clock. Time had slipped away from her. After the phone call she had thrown herself into her work. She rubbed at her eyes and hoped she didn't look as bad as she felt. "Come in"
Gabe entered and Liz addressed him calmly. "Mr. Sullivan, did you need something."
Gabe smiled slowly then answered. "I wanted to let you know your father wished for you to meet the employees before the end of the day."
Liz sighed and started straightening the papers on her desk. How could she have forgotten? Her father knew just how much she hated meeting new people and this was just icing on the cake. Taking a deep breath she mustered up a smile. "That's right, I'm sorry. Give me one minute."
After Gabe left Liz looked up at the ceiling, trying to will herself to just get through the day. Aaron couldn't have picked a worse time to call and break up with her.
Taking a small mirror out from her purse, Liz looked at her face. Her eyes were a little puffy and her cheeks were red. She applied a small amount of makeup and decided she looked presentable enough to go out.
She stood up, put on her jacket, and walked out the door to find Gabe waiting patiently. She continued moving down the hall and spoke over her shoulder. "Let's get this over with."
Gabe nodded and followed her.
***
"This is Mark Herndon, and this is Greg Madison. They are head of..."
Liz tried to listen to what Gabe was saying, focusing on the names of the different people and what they do, but it was becoming increasingly difficult with every stare and handshake. Aaron's words cut deep and she could still hear his voice in her head.
It seemed everyone was glaring at her and that they were not at all pleased with her presence there. She silently agreed with them, but instead of admitting that, she plastered on a smile her father would be proud of and shook everyone's hands as they were offered to her.
Out of the corner of her eye, Liz saw a man starting to approach her at a rather fast pace. His face was beet red, the veins in his neck were popping out, and she thought that his head would explode in any minute. "So, you think you can just waltz in here and give everyone orders because your father owns the place? Is that right?"
Liz was taken completely aback and wasn't sure if she should answer the question. Apparently not, because the man started speaking again before she could even think of a response.
A short laugh came out of the tall man. Liz thought he had to be in his thirties. "I had a good job, before your father decided to have you come here. Now I'm stuck in a lower level one, not earning what I deserve, just because Daddy's little girl wanted to own a big company! Make herself feel real important!!"
Liz shook her head and wanted to ask for a security guard but seemed glued to the spot. The man was invading her personal space and she could feel his hot breath on her face. If he didn't move soon she was going to panic.
Gabe immediately walked over to a phone nearby and dialed a few numbers. Within minutes two security men came over and Gabe instructed them to take the disgruntled man out of the building.
"I won't give you the satisfaction of firing me, Miss Luthor! I quit!" The man shrugged off the security guards and stormed out of the building yelling that she wouldn't get away with this. Liz just stood there shaking and her face drained of color. Gabe walked over to her and laid a hand on her shoulder. "Miss Luthor, are you all right?"
Liz looked at Gabe and then the rest of the group of employees, who were staring at her with odd expressions on their faces. "I'm fine, Mr. Sullivan. I think I'm through for the day. If you'll excuse me."
She tried not to think about what had just happened. When she reached her office, Liz ran for her desk. Grabbing her purse, she took out a small prescription bottle of Valium. Four pills spilled out and swallowed them down dry then opened her office door and started walking out of the building.
Her whole world seemed to be crumbling and she didn't know what to do.
The sight of her motorcycle was a pleasant one and she almost could smile when she started the engine.
She needed to forget everything.
Liz placed her helmet on then pealed out of the parking lot at a break-neck speed.
***
Author's notes: Wow, I actually made it by my own deadline! WOO! I hope to have the entire "Pilot" episode of my universe finished before too long. Hope, hope, hope, hope!
THANK YOU!: MitchPell, you are a LIFESAVER! And I'm not talking about the hard candy although you are awfully sweet to beta so swiftly. : )
Feedback: Please review! I like to know what you all think of my story. Is it the best thing ever? Is it crap? Let me know! I need the help, trust me! : )
MitchPell, thank you! Lana and Liz are interesting. I think they will remain close throughout this fic. : )
HuffyTheCampfireSlayer, thank you for IMing me and letting me know what you thought. : )
AHobbitLassRosie, Thanks for taking the time to read my fic! I hope you continue to read it! : )
How soon is now: The fourth chapter is going to take me longer. I hope no longer than two weeks, though, "Smallville" is new now and I will be watching it religiously. *squeals*
For future chapters: I promise that Clark will be in the next chapter. That's all I'm going to say. Oh! It will be entitled, "Impact." Wonder what that will be about......... : p
***
Liz looked up at the tall, gray building of LuthorCorp and couldn't help feeling a little intimidated. It was quite an eyesore just sitting there in the midst of several cornfields, but that was her father's way. It would stand out for miles and mark Smallville as his.
She parked in one of five, "Reserved for Luthor" spots and stood up from her motorcycle while taking off her helmet. The ridiculousness of her father having five parking spaces made her laugh.
A quick check in the mirror confirmed that her hair was still on top of her head in a loose bun. "Wouldn't want to scare the locals." She joked to her reflection.
Smiling nervously, Liz smoothed the wrinkles from her black leather business jacket, pale-pink button-down silk shirt, and a knee-length black skirt then walked towards the front entrance.
***
Once inside, a gentleman with dark-blond-hair, who couldn't have been much younger than her father, greeted Liz. He extended his hand and smiled warmly. "Hello Miss Luthor. Welcome to LuthorCorp. My name is Gabriel Sullivan, but you can call me Gabe."
"It's nice to meet you, Mr. Sullivan." Shaking the hand briefly, she ignored the offer. Being on a first name basis was too personal for Liz, especially at work. "I know my father wanted you to give me the grand tour, but right now I would just like to see my office."
Gabe nodded in understanding and started leading her into the factory. He stopped once they got to her office. "If you need anything or have any questions, I'm right down the hall."
Liz nodded. "That won't be necessary. But thank you." She replied then watched him leave. After the door was closed, she continued to stare at it, unable to look away. What was she doing here? Was this her future? Her father said she wouldn't be here for long but she wasn't stupid.
She glanced at her desk, and noticed a stack of folders waiting for her. Lionel had left her with a lot of paperwork showing her just how badly the plant was doing. She couldn't see how she would be able to get it all done in six months. Just the thought of having to clean up the mess set before her made her feel exhausted. Meeting with the employees, some of whom she may have to let go wasn't going to help matters.
Taking a deep breath, Liz walked over to her desk, laying her small, black leather purse on its shiny surface. The desk was much like her father's except smaller, of course. His assistant had taken the liberty of decorating the room according to Liz's tastes. Ivory, emerald, and rust were the colors used and she had to admit the woman did a good job. A few accessories from back home were added to make the office more complete.
A picture of her mother when she was about Liz's age and her father, who was a few years older, sat in one corner of the desk. Liz picked it up and stared at it for a moment. She loved her mother and there wasn't a day that went by where she didn't think about her. As her fingers gently caressed the image, she wondered briefly how different her life would be if her mother was still here. "Would she be proud of me?" She questioned aloud.
She set down the brass frame and berated herself for dreaming of the "what if's." Right now she needed to focus on making her father proud.
Sighing, she took off her jacket and placed it on the chair. She started in by organizing the different tasks into their own groups then opened up her laptop and typed with practiced ease, getting completely lost in the numbers and figures set before her.
***
A shrill ringing made Liz jump out of her skin. She had been absorbed in her work and the sound was unexpected. She picked up the phone after the third ring and answered it. "Elizabeth Luthor."
The voice on the other side of the phone spoke with a hint of humor. "Oh! I'm sorry. I must have the wrong number. I was looking for Liz."
Elizabeth recognized the voice immediately. "Aaron?"
"The one and only, beau of Liz Luthor, 'Sexiest Man of 2001,' greatest lover in the world. Oh, I could go on but you sound like a very busy woman."
"I'm sure you could," Liz said coyly. "And um, what would Liz say if I told you that you have the sexiest accent I've ever heard and just listening to it makes me want to come through this phone line and show you just what it is doing to me?"
"She would understand. No one can resist me."
Liz laughed and couldn't stop the joy she felt from hearing his voice again. "I'm so sorry I haven't called."
"It's ok, Liz, I know why you didn't call. I just needed to get in touch with you."
Aaron sounded a little hurt to Liz's ears. Their relationship had been on again off again throughout the two years they'd known each other. This past year they became closer than they had ever been and when she left it was hard on them both.
"How did you get my telephone number?"
"A man can find anything, when he's desperate enough."
"Really? And why are you so desperate to talk to me?" Liz tried to sound nonchalant.
"Why, 'Smallville,' Liz?"
Liz sighed. He wasn't going to answer her question. "My father..."
He cut her off. "Your father needs to understand that he can't control your life. And you need to stand up to him."
"Aaron, please."
"Are you still having nightmares?"
Liz paused for a few moments. She hadn't been able to block the dreams with her sleeping pills and being at the one place that caused them didn't help. "Yes. But that doesn't mean I can't handle living here." She lied.
"Just say the word and I'll fly over there and bring you back here."
"I need to face my fears. I can't go back and hide again."
"Is that what Lionel said?"
Liz paused and the silence answered what words did not.
Aaron sighed over the receiver. "I'm still waiting for an answer."
"Aaron, you sprung that on me after graduation."
"I love you." There was a pause then he continued. "I need you here with me."
"I really wanted to say yes. I still do."
"It's just one word, Liz."
"But one that could alter my entire future."
"Our future."
Liz closed her eyes and smiled sadly. "It would be so easy to marry you, live the perfect life in England, and just be happy being your wife. But I can't hide from my father forever."
"No, neither can I." He said the words in a menacing tone.
"That sounded rather cryptic."
"I called the bastard and told him the reason I needed to get in touch with you and he let me have the number." He paused for a moment then continued. "Along with my agreement to break up with you."
Liz shook with emotion over those words. "He doesn't have control over my personal life, Aaron. And he never will."
"But if he has control over any aspect of your life he can use that to manipulate the people around you."
"What are you trying to tell me?"
"Maybe we should see other people."
"Don't do this Aaron."
"I don't want to, but I don't think we have a choice."
"Then my father has won."
"No. This isn't about him. This is about us."
"If he hadn't sent me here..."
"You would have stayed in Metropolis. I always knew that. I never expected you would want to stay here with me."
"Aaron, I never said that. Don't think that."
"Stop lying to me!" He replied angrily then took a deep breath. "I knew it was a long shot."
Liz licked her suddenly dry lips and tried to speak over the lump in her throat. "What?"
"Asking you to marry me was the end for us, wasn't it?"
"That isn't true."
"But you never wanted this relationship to go any further. When it gets too serious you pull away."
"That isn't fair." Liz said softly.
"It isn't fair to me." Aaron agreed.
An awkward silence fell over the two of them before Liz broke it. "I never knew you to be a quitter, Aaron. I guess you've changed." She shook her head and stared out the window of her office. "This is goodbye then?"
Aaron swallowed then spoke in a deeper voice. "Yes." All of his feelings came through in the one word. "Goodbye, Liz."
"Goodbye, Aaron."
A click then the dial tone was heard over the phone line and Liz's heart broke.
***
Gabe walked out of his office and wondered if Liz had ever left hers that day. It was close to closing time and he didn't remember seeing her take a lunch break. Knocking, he waited patiently for Liz to answer.
***
Liz hesitated for a second and glanced at her clock. Time had slipped away from her. After the phone call she had thrown herself into her work. She rubbed at her eyes and hoped she didn't look as bad as she felt. "Come in"
Gabe entered and Liz addressed him calmly. "Mr. Sullivan, did you need something."
Gabe smiled slowly then answered. "I wanted to let you know your father wished for you to meet the employees before the end of the day."
Liz sighed and started straightening the papers on her desk. How could she have forgotten? Her father knew just how much she hated meeting new people and this was just icing on the cake. Taking a deep breath she mustered up a smile. "That's right, I'm sorry. Give me one minute."
After Gabe left Liz looked up at the ceiling, trying to will herself to just get through the day. Aaron couldn't have picked a worse time to call and break up with her.
Taking a small mirror out from her purse, Liz looked at her face. Her eyes were a little puffy and her cheeks were red. She applied a small amount of makeup and decided she looked presentable enough to go out.
She stood up, put on her jacket, and walked out the door to find Gabe waiting patiently. She continued moving down the hall and spoke over her shoulder. "Let's get this over with."
Gabe nodded and followed her.
***
"This is Mark Herndon, and this is Greg Madison. They are head of..."
Liz tried to listen to what Gabe was saying, focusing on the names of the different people and what they do, but it was becoming increasingly difficult with every stare and handshake. Aaron's words cut deep and she could still hear his voice in her head.
It seemed everyone was glaring at her and that they were not at all pleased with her presence there. She silently agreed with them, but instead of admitting that, she plastered on a smile her father would be proud of and shook everyone's hands as they were offered to her.
Out of the corner of her eye, Liz saw a man starting to approach her at a rather fast pace. His face was beet red, the veins in his neck were popping out, and she thought that his head would explode in any minute. "So, you think you can just waltz in here and give everyone orders because your father owns the place? Is that right?"
Liz was taken completely aback and wasn't sure if she should answer the question. Apparently not, because the man started speaking again before she could even think of a response.
A short laugh came out of the tall man. Liz thought he had to be in his thirties. "I had a good job, before your father decided to have you come here. Now I'm stuck in a lower level one, not earning what I deserve, just because Daddy's little girl wanted to own a big company! Make herself feel real important!!"
Liz shook her head and wanted to ask for a security guard but seemed glued to the spot. The man was invading her personal space and she could feel his hot breath on her face. If he didn't move soon she was going to panic.
Gabe immediately walked over to a phone nearby and dialed a few numbers. Within minutes two security men came over and Gabe instructed them to take the disgruntled man out of the building.
"I won't give you the satisfaction of firing me, Miss Luthor! I quit!" The man shrugged off the security guards and stormed out of the building yelling that she wouldn't get away with this. Liz just stood there shaking and her face drained of color. Gabe walked over to her and laid a hand on her shoulder. "Miss Luthor, are you all right?"
Liz looked at Gabe and then the rest of the group of employees, who were staring at her with odd expressions on their faces. "I'm fine, Mr. Sullivan. I think I'm through for the day. If you'll excuse me."
She tried not to think about what had just happened. When she reached her office, Liz ran for her desk. Grabbing her purse, she took out a small prescription bottle of Valium. Four pills spilled out and swallowed them down dry then opened her office door and started walking out of the building.
Her whole world seemed to be crumbling and she didn't know what to do.
The sight of her motorcycle was a pleasant one and she almost could smile when she started the engine.
She needed to forget everything.
Liz placed her helmet on then pealed out of the parking lot at a break-neck speed.
***