Chapter Twenty-Five

Clark sat on the balcony, enjoying a cup a coffee and two slices of apple pie. He had calmed down considerably after spending the day with Lex. He was glad Lex had been there when he toured the lab. For all the years he had feared being stuck in one, the lab didn't look so scary. There hadn't been a dissection table or jars filled with body parts. No hacksaws or chainsaws dangling from the ceiling. Dr. Hamilton did have that small box of sharp kryptonite instruments. Still, he figured it would have been much scarier if he hadn't been allowed to leave. No memories came back from that visit. But maybe that was for the best.

His thoughts were broken as the security guard called his phone, explaining a guest was at the door. Clark gave permission for them to use the elevator.

"Lois?" Clark asked as the doors opened.

"Hiya, Smallville!" Lois grinned obnoxiously, showing off a set of fully blackened teeth. "Sweet digs." She invited herself in and began to look around.

"I have so many questions." Clark followed behind her.

"My teeth? I give you the Loomis Dental Gel 2000. Guaranteed to turn teeth black for no less than forty-eight hours. Odorless and tasteless, just put it any dark colored beverage of your choice. Soda's the most recommended. Sells for $5.99. Why do stores do that? Does it really trick people into thinking it costs less? I mean, go with $6.01. That'll really throw people off."

"Isn't it a school day?"

"It's senior skip day."

"You're not a senior."

"What's your point?"

Clark groaned. "Why'd you do that?"

Lois shrugged. "To prove it's possible someone could turn your teeth black. Don't suppose the Loomis Prankster Emporium rings any bells."

"No. Is it in Smallville?"

"Nuh uh. Metropolis."

"Did you really come all this way just to prove you have black teeth?"

"No." Lois seemed to get serious. Which was hard with her black teeth. "I got the results back for your fingerprints. They're a match."

"So, I really am Julian."

"It still doesn't explain your memory, though. So, I want to track your body when you were in a coma."

"What would that prove?"

"I don't know. All I'm saying is that if something happened, it would have happened while you were sleeping. Chloe gave me some tips on how to get the footage when you were at Metropolis General, but before then you were at Cadmus. They have higher security. I'm thinking maybe you can pull some strings and get the footage."

"I know someone who might be able to help." They headed to the elevator. "I don't suppose there's a way to make your teeth go back to normal?"

"Unfortunately, no. Just goes to tell ya to always read the back."

Clark and Lois went to Luthor Corp. Clark wanted to walk, but Lois talked him into getting them a chauffeured ride. Thanks to Clark's all access pass, he got Lois to Marci's desk without any problems.

"Hi, Marci."

"Hey, Julian. Who's your friend?" Marci gave a weird look once she caught sight of Lois' teeth.

"This is Lois Lane. She's been helping me investigate my memory mishap. We think it might help if we can view the footage of when I was at Cadmus. Without Lex knowing. Please."

Marci leaned over to grab a box filled with paperwork and discs. "Video footage from Cadmus, Metropolis General, and the official police report regarding the accident. Lex told me he thought you'd ask for these sometime, so I had them ready. Before I hand them over, though, I want to show you something." She looked at Lois. "Alone might be best."

"Lois can see it."

Marci set them up in an empty conference room. On the laptop screen was footage of Clark's body lying on a hospital bed. The video had no sound, but soon there was a flurry of activity as Dr. Hamilton, along with two other doctors, rushed over. It looked as if they were using defibrillator on him. Lex entered the room as the doctors worked and stood in the corner. The activity stopped and Hamilton walked over to Lex. His brother raced over to his body on the bed and hugged him tightly. It took several people to get Lex out of the room.

"I don't understand."

"You died, Julian." Marci said gently. "You were officially dead for eight minutes. I remember the day after this. Lex went to your bedroom at the mansion and stayed inside all day. Or, somewhere in the mansion. I got in the room once and he wasn't there. Didn't stop him from insisting that when I found him later. I had to cancel so many meetings and reschedule for people who don't like hearing the word 'no'."

"So, Julian dies at Cadmus, a high-tech facility, and then gets moved to Metropolis General? Arguably lower quality. Why?" Lois questioned.

"Oh, I don't know. Maybe it's because the hospital is closer to the Luthor Corp headquarters? After that scare, Lex wanted you closer, that's all." Marci touched Clark's hand. "I get that you have questions about your memory. And I don't blame you. I'd want answers too if the same thing happened to me. But Lex isn't the bad guy. He cares about you so much. Just keep that in mind as you go about doing this."

Loomis is a nod to the name Oswald Loomis, the name of the Prankster. I guess I'm implying he owns a joke shop before becoming a supervillain.