Usually when Eve woke up in a strange room, there was a moment or two of confusion before she put the events of the night together. That morning, however, as the sunlight streamed onto her face, her first waking thoughts were about Lex and everything that had happened the night before.

He woke up a few moments later, and rolled over so that he was facing her. He appraised her with his eyes for a few moments, as she waited for him to say something—hopefully a repeat of what he'd said before.

"Jesus, I must have been out of it last night."

She rolled her eyes and moved away from him, but didn't get too far before he grabbed her around the waist with that powerful grace she'd always loved.

"But since you're here" he dragged her back towards him and started kissing her.

"Since I'm here, huh?" She kissed him back delicately.

She'd hoped that sleeping with him would make her less enthralled with him, but it had the opposite effect. It just gave her more things to love him for, from the easy muscularity in his arms to the bit of plumpness at his stomach, to the way he went down on her. Even the fact that he didn't have hair was endearing.

She kissed him again, afraid that if she didn't, she'd tell him how she felt, tell him that she would do anything for him. Kill for him, die for him, anything he asked, and he would ask, that was the terrible thing.

"Hey, Mr. Luthor, I checked to make sure that the—oh, I'm sorry!"

Philip stood in the doorway to the bedroom, slightly slack-jawed at the sight of Eve naked in bed. "I'll—you know what, it's not that important, I can just tell you later."

"Yes, Philip, why don't you do that. Oh, and call up Hendricks; tell him that Lauren McAfee's quit, or she died, or whatever idiotic excuse comes into your mind." Lex rolled his eyes at the departing figure. "Sorry, Miss Teschmacher, he's not always good with"

"Knocking?" she supplied.

"Exactly." He brushed her hair back and kissed her neck.

"Mmm, I hope I haven't traumatized the poor kid. I think he's sweet."

"Yeah, well, I wouldn't get too attached to him if I were you. There have been quite a few people in Philip's position and they tend not to last very long."

"Oh, you mean they quit a lot?'

"Something like that."

"All right."

She watched him get up and start looking over his wardrobe. "What are you doing today?"

"I'm free, if that's what you want to know. It's already 10:30, so do you want me to take you out to lunch in a little while?"

"Really? Yeah, of course!" She stretched and instinctively groped around the floor, before sitting up again. "Oh, Lex!"

"What is it, Miss Teschmacher?"

"I don't have any clothes!"

"You have a coat, don't you?"

"I can't wear a coat inside a restaurant!"

He conceded her point, and after some deliberation, tossed a pink suit onto the bed. "I think that should work. Just make sure to have it back to me next time."

"Thanks, Lex." She buttoned she shirt, enjoying how big it felt on her body. "Can you help me with the tie?"

She could see the annoyance in his face, but he sat next to her on the bed and gave her a demonstration while she mirrored his movements. It took a few tries, and more than a little patience on his part, but she finally managed a decent knot. He straightened it for her, and gently kissed her on the lips, before they both went back to getting dressed. It took him far longer than it did her, but she enjoyed spending the extra time admiring herself in the mirror. As she fixed her hair, she wondered how soon they were going to get married, and what kind of ring he was going to buy her. It seemed like proposing was the only logical thing for him to do, and if he didn't of his own volition, well, she could always go off the pill and make him marry her that way. Anything, as long as she had him.

They went to Walch's for lunch, and as always, she enjoyed the way everyone fawned over the two of them. They got the best table and faster service than anyone else. He started telling her about the time he had to use a yacht as a getaway vehicle, and ended up in North Carolina. As he was in the middle of the part where he had to find someone to help him without letting them see the contents of his luggage, he paused for an instant.

"Miss Teschmacher, put your head down."

"What?"

Unhesitatingly, he gave her a shove so that her face was squished against the booth. Before she could comprehend what was happening, she heard gunshots, one from farther away, followed by two or three from right next to her. She stayed down and squeezed her eyes shut, praying harder than she ever had before. After the last gunshot, she was pulled up with a sharp yank on her hair. It was Lex, thank god, and he didn't look hurt.

"Come on, let's get out of here."

Without any further prompting, she scrambled out of the booth, unheeding of the other screaming patrons. All she could see was the body of a waiter and of a man holding a gun, both of whom had perfect bullet holes through their foreheads. She carefully dodged the blood on the floor, and when she got outside, she felt Lex grab her arms and quickly lead her to the waiting car.

"Philip, home" he yelled, as she felt herself starting to cry from shock.

"Philip!" He repeated, before putting his hand on the boy's shoulder. "Oh, shit" he said mildly, as raised voices and gunshots could be heard behind them. Lex got out of the car, and threw Philip out.

Eve screamed. Philip had been shot in the neck.