METROPOLIS 2004-Friday12th- Morning
Lex was getting impatient. There had been no flashbacks and no news from Julie for eight days. He thought of hiring a PI to trace her but decided otherwise- he trusted no one. Although Lionel was in prison, he could still have a few tricks up his sleeve and Lex wasn't willing to run the risk of losing Julie for ever.
Lex arrived at his office later than usual due to a traffic jam downtown. Jennifer was already working on her word-processor preparing the files to be distributed at the board meeting that afternoon.
" Good morning, Jennifer. Any news ? "
" Good morning, Mr Luthor. Miss Lang called. She said she'd appreciate if you could drop by The Talon today. "
" Did she say what it was about ? "
" Something about the coffee supplier, sir. "
" Right. I'll see to it. Is there anyhting for me to sign ? "
" Not yet. I've left the mail on your desk. Will you need me, sir ? "
" Don't worry, Jennifer. I see you've got your hands full. I can do without you this morning, " he said closing the door behind him.
He took off his jacket, hung it on a peg and let his eyes stray to his desk where the mail was in a neat pile. Would there be another letter from Julie this time ? He shuffled through the correspondence and came across a lilac envelope addressed to Alexander Joseph Luthor. He put the rest of the post aside and took the envelope that smelled vaguely of jasmine. He brought it to his nose and smelled the perfume with his eyes closed, eager to stir up any dormant memories.
" Are you sure this is what you want ? " Lex remembered asking.
" I've been sure since the first time I saw you, " said a femenine voice.
" Then, before we go any further, there's something that must be done. "
Lex opened his eyes and stretched out his hand to take the paper knife. He made a clean cut and took the contents out of the envelope. He had been right in his assumptions; it was sheet music again. Her neat handwriting read: You once asked me if there would be a second movement-
" Precious- Second Movement- The Night you Played for Me. "
There had been a second movement and it had been sweet if the music wasn't lying- and he knew in his heart that it wasn't. Julie couldn't be that twisted-she wasn't a Luthor. Lex felt the tears gathering in his eyes. He'd never be able to forgive Lionel for this. He had found happiness with someone so unlike Helen and all those two-faced women that had used him and ultimately betrayed him. The tears started to smudge the paper.
" You're crying. Have I hurt you ? "asked Lex, kissing away her tears.
" No. It's just that I never thought it'd this sweet, " said Julie with a smile.
Lex stood up and looked out of the window to the little café across the street. There had been too many inconsequential one-night stands in his life not to recognise the real thing when he saw it. Julie wasn't a girl to toy with, and he knew himself well enough to guess he wouldn't have gone beyond kisses without a formal commitment. The question remained: how had they pulled it off without alerting his father ?
SMALLVILLE 2004-Friday 12th- Evening
THE TALON
It had been a busy day at the café and Lana was refilling the sugar pots and wiping the tables when Lex arrived.
" Hello, stranger, " said Lana when she saw who had come through the door. " I was starting to think you'd stood me up. "
" I'm sorry, Lana. I've got a lot on my mind. "
" Is everything all right ? "
" Nothing that a good cup of coffee couldn't solve. "
" You look exhausted, Lex. Why don't you sit down ? Let me lock the front door and I'll pour us two cups. "
" Jennifer told me you've been having problems with the coffee supplier. "
" Yes, that's right. But, you know, I think they've come to and end. I threatened him to buy from his competitor at a better price and he turned up this afternoon with a business proposition. "
" He did, did he ? "
" Having a Luthor as a partner must be rubbing off on me, " she said smiling while placing a cup of strong black coffee with two sugars in front of him.
" What's that you're wearing round your neck, Lana ? I've never seen it before. "
"Oh, it's a present from Clark to go along with something I found. You know, last week I was rummaging through a chest Nell left behind when I came across my parents' ... , " started to say Lana when, suddenly, Lex was struck by a flashback.
METROPOLIS 2003
" What's that you're wearing round your neck, Julie ? "
" It's a chain I found at the antiques fair. I bought it with my savings. "
" You don't need to explain how you spend your money, darling. It called my attention, that's all. "
"I thought it was perfect to keep them together, close to my heart. "
" I should have thought of it myself. You seem to be always one step ahead of me, " he said placing a kiss on her lips. " I promise everything'll be over soon. "
SMALLVILLE 2004-Friday 12th-Evening
THE TALON
" Lex ? Lex ? Are you all right ? " asked a concerned Lana.
" What ? " responded a disoriented Lex.
" I was talking about my chain and explaining what I found in Nell's chest when you kind of blacked out... "
" I'm sorry, Lana. Your story triggered some distant memory, that's all. "
" Clark told me you were frequenting Dr Garner again. "
" How did he find out ? "
" I don't know, Lex. He's just a worried friend, I guess, like we all are. "
" Tell him he can put his mind at rest. I discontinued the treatment a few days ago. "
"Hasn't the procedure got dangerous side-effects ? "
" I still have the occasional flashback but it's nothing I can't handle. "
" Talking about flashbacks. Our conversation's reminded me of something. A courier dropped by this morning with a package for you. Let me go for it. "
Lex stayed sitting at the table, toying with the spoon and empty coffee cup to keep his hands busy while Lana was looking for the parcel.
" Here you are, Lex. It looks like a present if you asked me. "
" I've been getting a lot recently. "
"It was high time someone gave you something for a change. "
" Thank you for the thought. "
" You're welcome. Well... I'll go and check the gas mains tap and the back door. "
" Stay, Lana. "
" Wouldn't you like some privacy to unwrap the gift ? "
" I'd rather have a friend when I open it if it is what I think it is. "
Lex tore the paper and revealed a velvet case. He flipped it open and looked inside. He had been right all along. " With love from LJL to JAL " said the engraving inside the gold band.
" Lex, there's also a card, " said Lana, handing a small envelope over to him.
" COME BACK TO ME " it read.
METROPOLIS 2003
Lex was so close to nailing Lionel he could rarely rest in his sleep, and that night was no exception. Julie had sensed his restlessness when he was awake- she could read his moods like an open book- and had talked him into staying the night with her.
It was about three o'clock in the morning when Julie was suddenly awakened by Lex's screams. She sat up in bed to find him covered in sweat, screaming his little brother Julian's name. She wrapped her arms around him and, murmuring endearments in his left ear, managed to soothe him.
" Julie ? " said Lex coming out of his trance.
" I'm right here, love. "
" I'm not sure I'll be able to protect you if you stay here any longer. "
" I don't want to leave. "
" We've got no choice. Remember what we've talked about ? You'll be safe there. We just have to make a call and they'll welcome you with open arms. "
" Will you come back for me ? " she asked clasping the wedding rings that were dangling from her gold chain.
" You know I will. "
SMALLVILLE 2004-Saturday 13th- Early afternoon
LUTHOR MANSION
Lex was sitting at the piano playing Julie's Second Movement, which he had committed to memory after spending a sleepless night going over the chords, when he felt he wasn't alone in the study. He stopped abruptly and, stretching his left hand, stashed away the open velvet case that lay on the piano.
" I'm sorry, Lex. It wasn't my intention to trespass but the door was wide open, " said an apologetic Martha Kent.
" Mrs Kent, come in. There's no need to apologise. Yours is a welcome interruption- I was too wrought up. Please, sit down."
" I never heard you play before, you do it wonderfully. "
" My mother was the gifted musician. I'm a mere player not a true performer. "
" I don't know about that but there was a lot of sentiment in that piece. "
" The composer's the one you should be praising, I've just played what was on the sheet music. "
" Lex, why are you always trying to underplay your achievements ? I agree the composer's truly gifted but there was a lot of you in that composition. "
" Mr Kent wouldn't agree with you. "
" That's because the Kents can be blindly stubborn. Your performance was passionate and sweet. No matter how hard you try, Lex, that cool facade of yours can't hide what's inside. "
" Do you believe there's still a Luthor that can be saved ? "
" You know there is and, if I'm not mistaken, you've already found out the way to save him. "
" I think my mind's been under a lot of strain recently and I'm done with riddles, Mrs Kent. "
" You couldn't have chosen better, Lex. Julie's the kind of girl I'd love to see Clark married to one day. "
" You know her ? "
" I do. I met her a year ago when I visited St Agnes' to see an old friend from university. "
" St Agnes' ? "
" Yes, the convent. My friend's now the Mother Superior and ... "
" Julie's at a convent ? Has she ... has she taken the veil ? "
" No, Lex ! The nuns have given her sanctuary. You don't remember that part, do you, sweetie ? "
" How long have you known about us ? "
" For almost a year but... "
" For almost a year ! Why did you do it ? Why did you keep me in the dark ? "
" It wasn't a decision I took on my own, Lex. Julie was starting to despair when she had no news from you and it wasn't until I paid my visit and talked with her that she learnt what Lionel had done to you. Once you were discharged from Belle Reve you were so fragile we both feared a fatal relapse. Julie was terrified of what Lionel might do and so was I."
" Is she... is she OK ? "
" She's blooming, Lex, but she wants her husband back. "
" I didn't remember, Martha. How could I have forgotten someone like her ? " asked Lex with misty eyes.
" You've never forgotten her, Lex. No amount of correspondence would have helped if you hadn't kept her safe somewhere in your mind ... She gave me something for you some time ago. I've kept it under lock and key for the last three months. I guess it's time for you to have it."
ST AGNES' 2004
Dearest Lex,
The fact that you're reading this means you've already remembered who I am. Please, don't judge the bearer of this letter harshly; she's a wonderful person- the kind of mum I hope I'll be.
There are so many things I'd like to tell you. My staying at St Agnes' has been filled with so many special moments I'd have loved to share with you. I feel guilty in part for having deprived you of such precious memories but I trust you' ll understand why I had to keep you in the dark this long.
Now that your father's out of our lives I think the time has come for us to be together again. Please, hurry back. I'm dying to show you the Third Movement-it's so beautiful ! Maybe I'm biased but I think it's the best we've composed so far.
For ever yours,
Julie.
SMALLVILLE 2004- Saturday 13th - Early afternoon
Julie's letter had left Lex shaky and confused. He was eager to discover the last piece of the puzzle before the weekend was over, but that would mean driving all night to get to St Agnes' first thing in the morning- and he didn't trust his reflexes, not with so much on his mind.
Martha had been a marvellous friend and confidante to the woman he loved and hadn't betrayed their secret, so he turned to her for help.
" Mrs Kent, could I ask another favour of you ? "
" Tell me. What can I do ? "
" Would you drive me to St Agnes' ? "
ST AGNES' 2004-Sunday 14th-Morning
Martha was a careful driver and, as much as Lex would have liked her to step on the gas, he valued her for getting them to St Agnes' in one piece. They arrived soon after Mass and were welcomed by Mother Superior herself.
" Martha ! What brings you to St Agnes' on a Sunday ? "asked a surprised Mother Superior.
" I've brought someone along. This is Julie's Alexander. "
" How do you do. It's a pleasure to finally meet you, Alexander. "
" How do you do, Mother. I can't thank you enough for what you've done. "
" Our Lord's put us here to serve. It's been a pleasure to be of assistance. Julie's in the garden. Let me show you the way. "
" Are you coming, Mrs Kent ? "asked Lex imploringly.
" If that's what you want, Lex. I wouldn't like to intrude on such an intimate occasion. "
" My father'd lecture me if he heard me say this- we Luthors aren't supposed to show we're mortals like the rest of mankind- but I'm scared, Martha. "
" You shouldn't be, sweetie.Something wonderful's waiting out there for you. Go and take it and never let it go. "
Lex walked amidst the colourful flowers until he spotted Julie's graceful back. She was wearing her beautiful long chestnut hair down just as he loved it and seemed to be in a world of her own.
" Julie ? " called Lex quietly.
"You've kept your promise, " he heard her say.
The young woman turned round softly and Lex got lost in her warm chocolate eyes.A couple of minutes elapsed, and neither of them uttered a word, until a subtle movement called Lex's attention.
" I told you in my letter I thought the third was the best movement we've ever composed. "
" She's got your eyes, "said Lex in a strangled voice.
" And she's got your beautiful smile, " said she.
" Do you think there'll be a fourth movement, Julie ? "
" I have faith in you, Lex. "
" Mrs Kent was right. I think there's still a Luthor that can be saved. "
THE END