A/N - Thanks for all the kind words and all of you want Lex to admit his feelings. How cute and so not him. Please don't flame me after this chapter - give me some credit, but still r/r. Anyway, on with the story.

Chapter 19 – Dad's Revenge

"Dad?" Lex turned as he saw his father standing in the middle of a large auditorium.

"Son," was all that his father responded as he looked around the room at the banners hanging from the ceiling. Lex admired the banners as well when he realized he was at the end of a rally.

'ANOTHER FOUR YEARS' they read. Lex had become president and was running again.

"Dad, no offense, but…"

"You were expecting your mother? I know that she has been visiting you. You know I am very disappointed in you. I thought I had taught you to not let your emotions take over your life. You let your mother take over your thoughts and take you down this path that you have built."

Lex turned and faced him, "What are you talking about? I'm the President of the United States – how in the world can I still possibly be a disappoint to you? Are you talking about the fact that I found someone that stood by me regardless of what kind of ass I could have turned out to be. Or the fact that I didn't turn out just like you?"

Lionel's face didn't change. He stared at his son and gazed again at the empty room. "Son," he spoke as he put his hand on Lex's shoulder, "I'm disappointed in the fact that your emotion and your care is going to be your downfall."

"Dad," Lex turned to take his hand off and jumped when it had suddenly turned to be his wife's. "Honey."

"Lex, are you ok? I swear you were talking to your father."

"Uhh, I …never mind." He watched as the not so little girl ran across the steps followed by two smaller boys. "Alexis," he called as the girl jumped into his arms.

"They've been such a hassle today when they found out they couldn't come until the end of the rally. Gabe and Julian have been driving the secret service nuts in that holding room behind the stage." Lex looked down as the twin boys wrapped around each one of his legs. He looked around as he noticed the secret service agents started moving into the auditorium.

"Mr. President, we need to get going," one of the agents spoke as he signaled for him to follow with Chloe and the children. "Sir, you are supposed to meet with Pete Ross when you get back to the White House. He's says it's urgent." Lex looked at Chloe as he followed with his family.

"Pete, your vice president?" Chloe whispered cautiously. She looked at Lex as he looked confused. "Maybe it could wait until tomorrow."

"No, that's ok; we'll meet tonight if it's important." The five exited the building surrounded by secret service to the limo and a few selected fans waited to shake hands. Lex obliged as he walked slowly down the steps, stopping for photos and handshakes while watching his family climb into the limo. He watched as Chloe signaled for him to get into the car. Then she heard the large pop.

"NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO," she screamed as the agents covered Lex and grabbed the man with the gun. The limo door closed as the agent shoved her back in the limo, and it sped off with the family, leaving Lex on the steps bleeding.

She walked with her hand in Lucas' as they made their way down the avenue. Dressed in all black, she held back the tears and watched as her three children walked two steps in front of her, ten steps off the casket. They walked for what it seemed miles until they made their way to the motorcade to take him to the airport and then home.

Back in Metropolis, Lex was buried opposite of his mother on what would end up being a family plot in the middle of Luthorcorp plaza. Laying their single roses on the casket, Chloe shivered as her boys saluted their father. She had all three holding onto her arms as the Marine laid the flag in her lap. Clark and his wife, Gabe, Jonathon, and Martha stood behind her, holding the children back slightly as Chloe jumped at every gunshot.

"What's going to happen to them?" Lex watched as he was buried and saw the reactions of his children and wife. He turned and looked at his father.

"Lex, son, you are destined for great things but turning into this caring man only gets you killed. Ruthless, cunning, your roots son – that's what makes great leaders and you will become a great leader." Lionel paused and watched as Lex continued to stare at the moments unfolding. "She dies of a broken heart that you caused. Your boys forget you, being shuffled from boarding school to boarding school– your daughter dies in a drunken driving accident in one of your old Porsche's."

Lex bit his lip and turned away and stared at his father. "But,"

"We were always meant to be alone – alone and powerful. That's the Luthor way – always was and always will." Lex watched as Chloe knelt to his casket and kissed it. He watched his children follow his wife's motions. Sitting back up, he saw her drag her hand across the side of the casket, "I will always love you…regardless."

He sat up in bed and looked over at the woman who had turned over to face him sometime during the night. He felt of his face and it was damp with tears. He gently pulled the hair out of her face to see her eyes. She was so peaceful, and he was damned if he would hurt her like that. Again, his mother was well intentioned, but he cursed his father for being right. He wouldn't put her through that.