CHAPTER 8: The Truth

Lex woke up at seven o'clock the following morning to find Lana still sound asleep in his arms. He revelled in the picture she made and couldn't tear his eyes away from her. He thought he could actually get used to it and was upset when the phone on the bedside table rang. He picked up the receiver fast so as not to disturb Lana and heard the PI's voice on the other side.

" Luthor, I've got news. I've traced the number plate and I've got you a name ... and the testimony of an eye witness."

Lex transfixed when he heard the information. The knuckles of the hand he was using to hold the receiver turned suddenly white. His eyes strayed to Lana's sleeping form and he felt the bile surging signs had been there for him to read but he had wanted so badly to be wrong. He should have killed him...he should have killed Paul Hayden when he had got the chance. If he had let the darkness in him vanquish, none of this would have happened. Lionel had been right all along, sentimentality was a weakness he couldn't afford. Hayden was a psychopath capable of doing anything to secure Helen's love, and she knew how to play on his feelings for her. Lex's error of judgement had cost Lana dear,it had cost her her innocence and almost her life.

" Good work. Bring me everything you have to the mansion this afternoon. I'll have your payment ready, " he said hanging up.

Lana stirred and fluttered her eyes open to find Lex staring at her with his full of unshed tears. " I can't begin to tell you how sorry I am, Lana. It's all my fault. Everything. Everything he put you through... I mean " everything "... I'm to blame. I should have killed him... I should have killed them both when I had the opportunity four years ago. A taste of her own medicine was not enough... ," said an embittered Lex.

Lana's body started to tremble uncontrallably once she realised the meaning behind Lex's words. He knew. He knew her secret and she had nowhere to hide. She retreated from him ashamed of what he might think of her. Lex misread her reaction and stared at her with a look of hurt in his eyes , " You must despise me. I'll understand, Lana, if you don't want to have anything else to do with me. I'll make the arrangements for Nell to come to pick you up. I'll take care of the medical bills, it's the least I can do..., " he said with a heavy heart.

" Aren 't you mad at me ? " she whispered.

" Mad at you ? Why on earth would I be mad at you ? "

" I lied to you. I hid ... "

" It's me who needs your forgiveness, Lana. "

" You didn't attack me, he did. I feel so dirty... "

" Oh, Lana, ... I wish I could turn the clock back ...I feel so responsible. I swear to you Lana, ...they can both count themselves dead for what they've done. This time they won't get away. "

" Promise me something, Lex. "

"Anything . "

" There's already been too much suffering in our lives... It's time to say " Enough ". Promise me. Promise me you won't cross that bridge no matter what. I don't think I'd be able to live with myself if I knew you've lost your soul because of me, " said Lana amidst tears.

" Do you care that much ? " responded Lex in disbelief.

" You once said you were sure the right guy for me was out there, " answered Lana blushing. " And ... in the last few days...I've finally realised... he's been there all the time. He's shown me his love in every gesture, every look and every touch. I wish you could forgive me, Lex. "

" Forgive you ? " asked Lex baffled.

" Yes. Forgive me for being blind. Dr Garland was right... she didn't know you before that night and she could read you like an open book. I was so engrossed in my relationship with Clark... "

" That's the past, Lana... I don't know what to say, now. This morning's been full of surprises, I ... "

"You don't have to say anything, Lex..., " she said placing her fingers on his lips. " I've prayed so many times to find true love in my life... "

" When Dr Garland asked me if I was a believer I told her I wasn't a religious man but that I still believed in miracles... Thank you for making a believer out of me, Lana. "

" And thank you for making me feel whole again, Lex. "

A/N: The sequel, Revenge Redux, is already up and complete. Simply consult my profile to find the story on this site.