Thank you far2kool2003 and FastFuriousChick for reviewing =)
A huge part of this chapter will be from Lex's point of view, though I will write some in Clark's POV, and a little bit of a spectators view. I hope it won't be too confusing
Enjoy
Chapter 3 – Lost
"I do care Lex." Clark said with emotion "And there's a side of you that knows what's right"
"Wow… Now what would I do without Clark Kent, voice of reason?" I replied, hiding the fact that I was starting to feel uneasy.Why did he have to look at me like that? With so much longing, so much determination?Why did I feel like Clark was right? Why do I let him affect me anyway?Why did he make me feel like somehow, a part of me agrees? How did he make me feel guilty, when I haven't done anything this time?Lex tossed and turned in bed. He really couldn't sleep. His conversation with Clark was haunting him some reason, he had healed up without problems that day.
But he was hurt more in such a different way…
Clark's words had stung…Really bad…Lex turned to his back, staring at the did they have to end up at different sides? Why did he have to become Clark's bane of existence?
And somehow, Clark still believed they could go back to a semblance of friendship.
But their friendship was ruined a long time ago. That day that he gave in to Clark. And started a relationship…
"That voice isn't me Lex. It's you… There's still good inside of you. Let that voice lead you back to it."
"I didn't know it would only take a brush with death to see your softer side" again, I tried to hide my confused emotions.
"Trust me Lex. There's nothing that's lost that can't be found again." He said with sad eyes, throwing my own words at me. Words I never said to him…
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Flashback:
"Lex. Can we talk?" Clark asked barging into my office as I was having a video conference with quite important clients.
"Just a minute Clark" I said as I smiled apologetically at my clients.
"My deepest apologies" I said in not that flawless Japanese
"But it seems a personal problem has come up. Please allow me to contact you again later?"
This could ruin everything. Japanese businessmen often thought their business more important than personal issues… But at least the only woman among the group seemed to look at him with sympathy.
"Of course Luthor-san. We will look forward to our next conversation" she spoke up.
I sighed. Luckily they didn't mind. But even if they had, Clark was more important.
"Until next time then gentlemen, ma'am" I said in English again, signalling Clark I was wrapping it up.
They bowed as the connection was severed. And I was left alone with an anxious farm boy.Clark was never scared. What had happened?How can I be angry at a boy so gorgeous? A farm boy with a greater heart than I have ever damn…Just when I had myself convinced that I would never get what I wanted. When I'd convinced myself that in no million years Clark would return my feelings…Why did I say that? I've never made myself this vulnerable before…Clark is kissing me.
I thought like a giddy schoolgirl. I had finally gotten what I wanted.
"Clark? What seems to be the problem?" I ask interlocking my hands, resting my chin on them. A habit I know Clark detests.
"Please don't go all business-like on me Lex…" Clark said avoiding my eyes.
"What's wrong Clark?" I ask. Weary.
"It's just…" Clark sighed as he sat down on the leather couch. Drawing me from my desk.
"I've just realized something. And I'm scared"
"Clark?" I ask, not understanding.
"I…Promise me you won't get angry…" Clark said, again avoiding my eyes.
"I could never get angry at you Clark" I stated. The truth.
"I…I like you Lex."
"Are you serious?" I blurt out, just too stunned to come up with anything else.
Apparently Clark took my comment the wrong way, for he stood up, a hurt look in his eyes.
"I'm sorry to have bothered you Lex…I'll just l-"
I interrupted him by standing up quickly and grabbing his hand.
"It's not like that Clark. You surprised me. Because I never expected you to feel the same."
"You…What?" Clark asked turning confused eyes my way.
"I like you too Clark Kent" I said, letting my true emotions seep through my mask for the first time in years.
Before I knew it, Clark had stepped closer and leaned in. I was in heaven.
End Flashback
I had gotten what I wanted all right. But I had lost a lot more.
I had lost the most valued friend I ever had.
That day he was replaced with my very much under-aged lover. A lover that became my ex in the end...
My friend lost forever…
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Lex tossed around again, growling.
Adding to his worry over his own personal turmoil; the fact that the Green Arrow was out to destroy him again.
And in stead of Dinah Lance getting rid of the green nuisance, she actually joined the man.
It agitated the hell out of him.
He knew Dinah Lance's secret. But he couldn't do one damn thing about it. For he knew the Green Arrow and his little friends would be there to protect her.
And not only did Dinah Lance join the merry band of thieves, also this new one…
Phoenix the guy had called himself.
He had seemed so damn familiar…
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Clark groaned as his phone started ringing.
"What?" he said picking up. It was way too bloody early to be calling…
"Clark? You were still asleep?"
"Oliver…This had better be good." Clark said groggily.
"It's almost ten…I figured you'd be awake by now" Oliver said somewhat guilty
"I work at night. So I came home about…five hours ago…" Clark said sitting up and stretching.
"You up to some work?" Oliver asked, a mischievous tome to his voice.
"Now?" Clark asked getting up form the bed and exiting his room.
"I've just found a message addressed to the green arrow." Oliver said
"So?" Clark asked entering the kitchen and opening the fridge.
"It's from Lex."
Clark almost tripped over his own feet
"What? What does he want?"
"The message says that he wants a meeting. Without tricks, on our terms."
"You know a message like that can't be trusted…" Clark said ignoring Jake's curious looks.
"Normally not. But I think we can arrange this safely." Oliver said thoughtful.
"How?" Clark asked, glaring at Jake when he saw Jake had finished off the last of the orange juice.
"He said it could be on our terms. We can choose the location, we can decide how many members will be present. And we have you."
Clark arched an eyebrow
"How so?"
"Last week. During your 'initiation', you said you heard and recognized his heartbeat. If you're there, you can hear if he's nervous. You might even be able to hear it when he's lying."
"I don't know…I really can't promise…"
Silence was his answer for a while until Oliver spoke up again.
"You have company don't you? You've refrained from mentioning anything important…Someone can overhear your part of the conversation, am I right?"
"I'm just agitated because my roommate stole my orange juice" Clark said dismissingly, making it sound like he was answering a totally innocent question.
"I see…" Oliver said "Why don't you come over here? You can have breakfast here. And you have your disguise here anyway…"
"Breakfast? That would be nice" Clark said returning to his room to change.
"I'll prepare you something. See you in fifteen minutes?"
"Sure. I'll be there" Clark said before hanging up.
He dressed into a pair of jeans and a red t-shirt before he left his room again.
"I'm going out. I'll be back for dinner" Clark said in the direction of the living.
"Have fun honey" Jake said, causing Clark to roll his eyes
"Do some groceries would you?" Clark asked as he put on his coat.
"But you usually do them…" Jake whined
"I wasn't the one who drank the last bit of orange juice…"
"Do you have a list?"
"Do you have to ask?" Clark said sighing "It's on the fridge as usual. Just add the orange juice to the list and you'll be fine…"
"Will do" came the happy reply.
Clark was about to close the door behind him when he heard Jake
"Have fun on your date!"
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So the Green Arrow would meet him…
In the alleyway behind Starbucks? What was the man thinking, meeting in such a public area?
Then again, if he wanted to turn this meeting into an attack, he'd have to take the public into consideration.
He sent out a reply. He would agree to his terms. They would meet in an hour.
The Green Arrow had set a short deadline, figuring that Lex wouldn't be able to prepare an ambush in such a short time.
Not that he had to worry. Lex was genuine when he had said he wanted to meet without any tricks.
He was just curious to see why the Green Arrow inspired such loyalty in his team mates.
With powers like theirs, they could surely chase their own dreams?
Lex took out the keys to his Porsche before leaving his office.
He would make sure to be there early.
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"Are you sure? It's really just the three of us?" Clark asked as he put on his mask.
"We can hardly turn up with the whole team, now can we?" Oliver replied as he took out his bike.
"The bike can only hold two…" Dinah said, stating the obvious.
"Phoenix can run. We'll take the bike" Oliver replied starting up the green machine.
Dinah smiled as she climbed on behind Oliver.
"You sure he can keep up?" She asked teasingly
Clark huffed. "I'm almost as fast as Impulse, thank you very much…"
"Ah…Almost…" Oliver said with a chuckle.
Clark rolled his eyes.
"Let's go"
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"Alexander Luthor…You're early" Lex heard from above, before a man clad in red flamed leather jumped off the Starbucks building, not bothered at all by the height.
So they brought the new guy…
"So we meet again" Lex said just as he heard a bike pull up behind him.
"Why did you want to meet?" Phoenix asked, voice distorted by some sort of device.
Lex didn't answer his question but turned around. Not liking the fact that the Green Arrow was at his back.
"You know. It's rude not to answer a question" Dinah said getting off the bike.
"I didn't feel like keeping my back turned towards you" Lex replied.
"And you don't mind Phoenix standing behind you… What, you trust him or something?" Green Arrow taunted.
"I have to admit that he doesn't feel as threatening as you and miss Lance." Lex said shrugging.
He faintly heard a sound like growling behind him, causing him to spin around.
Phoenix looked at him, agitated.
"Is that what this meeting is about? Planning on ratting Dinah out?" he asked, letting Lex know that the team members knew of each others identities.
Lex took a step to the side, making sure he also had the Green Arrow in his line of vision.
"I wanted to meet because I wanted to know what I'm up against." Lex said sincerely.
The Green Arrow and the Black Canary approached, stepping closer to Phoenix
"And you thought we'd just tell you everything?" Dinah Lance asked him.
"Honestly? I don't know what came into me. I just wanted to meet the persons that try to stop my projects."
Phoenix chuckled at that
"So you though you could take us out fore some tea?" he asked sarcastically.
"I have no intentions for making this difficult…" Lex said glancing at the Green Arrow.
While he was occupied with watching the green clad man, he didn't notice Phoenix approaching until he felt the man's hands on the collar of his shirt.
He was lifted a foot above the ground and pushed into a wall.
"Don't mess with us Luthor. What is it that you really want?" Phoenix demanded angry.
The man looked at him with such anger. But the anger was not directed at Lex. This 'Phoenix' character was angry at himself for some reason.
Lex could see it. Because he had seen eyes like this before.
Clark used to look at him like that…
Green eyes, just like the ones staring at him now.
Then suddenly, Lex's fear for the violent man disappeared and was replaced with surprise and realisation.
"I should've known you'd go about playing the hero…Clark" Lex said looking Phoenix right in the eyes.
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"Damn it Clark! I brought you along because I thought you could keep your head cool!" Oliver said as he pounded his fist on the surface of his desk.
"The meeting was completely useless. And you had to go and give him clues to your identity!"
"I can't help it that Lex seemed to recognise me! And don't you blame me for this failure. It's not my fault Alexander wouldn't talk." Clark replied prying of his bright red leather vest.
"You're just pissed that Alexander was hiding something"
"Don't assume you know what I'm thinking" Oliver said heatedly
"Oh. So I'm just to let you accuse me of something I couldn't control? You just can't take it that I've been right all along. Alexander isn't completely lost" Clark said accusingly
"No one is completely lost. But we don't know if he can be saved. We do not know if there's still some good in there" Oliver said, the fire in his eyes not subsiding.
"But there is! When he recognised me, he was relieved. He wasn't scared. He was just glad to see me. Even if I am his enemy as Phoenix"
"If you tell yourself that often enough, you'll certainly start to believe it" Oliver scoffe
"Boys. Calm down, please. You won't get anywhere with this discussion…" Dinah interrupted meekly.
Oliver huffed and turned to the window. Clark however sighed and responded
"Sorry Dinah. We both just expected so much from this meeting…"
"We at least learned one thing today…" Dinah said sitting down next to Clark "You really need to keep your guard up around him. We can't have him suspect you more than he already does…"
"Yeah… I really need to take Chloe out for dinner as a 'thank you'. She really saved me back there…" Clark said thinking back on the moment Lex put the pieces together.
Luckily Oliver distracted Lex enough to allow him to super-speed off. He had dragged Chloe to the Starbucks and started a quite loud conversation. Making sure Lex could hear him talking to Chloe.
Then, before Lex noticed, he had sped back, taking up the position of Phoenix again.
It had at least made Lex double track his theories…
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He was disappointed…
Green Arrow just seemed agitated today. He had in no way whatsoever revealed why he was considered the leader…
And then the new guy, Phoenix.
He could've sworn he was Clark…
Clark had often enough looked at him like that. Anger in his eyes, but directed at himself.
Clark had always seemed to blame himself for everything Lex had done wrong in the farm boy's eyes.
He thought back on that conversation again…
"Trust me Lex. There's nothing that's lost that can't be found again"
He had seen the same anger there. But mostly, he had seen longing.
Clark wanted him to be the same Lex again.
But he couldn't. He had chosen his own destiny. And no one would keep him from it.
But what if…
What if, he did try to become his old self again? Would Clark become his friend again?
Would he love him again? Make him feel whole again?
Of course not.
But, after so many years, Clark still held a place in his heart. He had tried to deny it, tried to kill the emotions buried deep inside. But it was undeniable.
He still loved Clark Kent.
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"Do I have to mom?"
"But I don't have a date…No I'm not just picking a girl…"
"Mom! He's just a roommate! … But it'll be boring on my own…"
"Just a second mom… Jake is acting oddly…"
"What is it Jake?" Clark asked in a false calm voice
"Can I come?" his roommate asked eagerly
"What?"
"I would love to be present at such an event…" Jake said looking at Clark hopefully
Clark sighed.
"I'll ask mom, ok?" Clark said before turning to the phone again.
"Mom? Were you serious when you said I could take Jake?"
"No! He's not my boyfriend!"
"He's a reporter too, he wants to know what it's like……But won't it start the rumour mill a bit too much?"
"You're devious… Yes, you can put us on the list…What was the theme again?"
"Great. Jake and I will go shopping right away" Clark said happily
"I can shop!...And I'll ask Ollie if he wants to help."
"Love you too. See you tonight"
"It's tonight?" Jake asked surprised
"Don't tell me you didn't know about the ball?" Clark asked incredulously
"I thought it was for an upcoming dinner! I still have a report to finish…" Jake said pulling his hair.
"You don't have that finished yet?" Clark asked raising an eyebrow. Leave it to Jake to stall to the very last night when everything certainly would go wrong…
"Not everyone is such a bookworm as you are…" Jake muttered, inaudible to human ears, but Clark heard.
He chose to ignore it.
"Why don't you finish that report as soon as you can, and I'll get Oliver" Clark suggested as he pulled his coat on.
"Why do you need him?" Jake asked surprised
"Because he deals with costumed balls more often. He knows the right places to look" Clark said opening the door.
"Get moving. And that report had better be finished when I get back" he said before he closed the door behind him, locked it, and sped off.
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"So…What's the theme?" Jake asked as he followed Clark and Oliver into a shop at the outskirts of Metropolis.
"Controversy" Oliver replied as he instantly walked deeper into the shop.
"So that's why tour mother asked you to take me?" Jake asked as he latched himself onto Clark's arm.
Clark rolled his eyes but allowed the gesture.
"I think so…But It'll be hard to find a fitting costume…" he said as he steered Jake towards one of the aisles Oliver had just entered.
"What costume do you have Mr. Queen?"
"Oliver, please. 'Mr.' makes me sound old…And I think I'll stick to my old costume…" Oliver said pulling several things from the racks.
"Isn't the Robin Hood thing a bit old? And not controversial?" Clark asked
"Not if my date is going as Will Scarlet" Oliver said with a wink, thrusting the items into Clark's hands.
"Try this on" he said with a mischievous smile
"But they're skirts!" Jake was the first to exclaim.
"They're Egyptian kilts. Now put them on" Oliver said pushing them in the direction of the stalls.
"You just want to ogle…" Clark muttered, taking the fabric anyway.
"I can't wear this" Jake whined "my black boxers are shining through"
"Then take them of" Oliver said sniggering
"In your dreams richboy" Jake said sticking his arm out of the stall and making a rude gesture.
"Seriously. It won't kill you to buy something not black" Clark butted in.
"How are you fairing?" Oliver said turning towards Clark's closed curtain.
"I don't think I want to walk around in this tonight…" Clark said unsure
"It's not like you don't have the body for it…" came from Jake's stall
"I heard that! Have you been checking me out?" Clark asked poking his head out from between the curtains.
"Who cares" Oliver said before pulling the curtains aside "Let me see"
Clark yelped as he lost his balance, toppling over Oliver.
"If you wanted to kiss me that badly. You could've just asked" Oliver said with a smirk as he looked Clark right in the eyes.
Clark sputtered as he got up, extending his hand to help Oliver get up.
"Thanks" Oliver said as he brushed dust off his pants.
"All protest aside. It does look good on you" Oliver said looking Clark over.
Clark was wearing a simple white linen kilt, a red sash tied around his middle. He had woven sandals on his feet. But for the rest, he was quite exposed.
"I really don't know Ollie…" Clark said as he looked himself over in a mirror.
"If I may sir…" a voice startled him "There is some jewellery that comes with that costume. Shall I show it to you?" A young woman asked, obviously working there.
"Yes thank you" Oliver replied before Clark could protest.
"But Oliver. I really couldn't afford-"
"That's why I'm paying" Oliver interrupted "Just look at it as a…donation to your mom"
"Ollie…"
"Clark? Do I look Ok?" Jake asked as he exited his stall
Clark turned around, noting that Jake was really slim, but still muscled.
"You look great. But you really need to wear white boxers" Clark said with a smile as he too saw Jake's black boxers shining through.
"Sirs? Why don't you try this jewellery on?" the young woman suggested as she returned with a handful of jewellery that glittered in the light.
"This was jewellery worn by people high in status" she said as she laid it out on a nearby table.
The most prominent item on the table was a necklace, a sort of collar, made of gold with different colours and sizes stones laid into it.
There were also a few golden arm bangles, earrings and rings.
"You two will look brilliant tonight" Oliver said with a smile
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"I wonder if the guy at the door can pronounce this" Jake said sniggering as he handed over a card with the names of the Egyptians they were representing.
Clark rolled his eyes and took Jake's hand as the signal came that they were about to be called.
"Clark Kent and his date Jake Tyler as Khnumhotep and Niankhkhnum" a man at the doors called as Clark and Jake entered the ballroom, all eyes on them.
"Mom wasn't kidding when she said people would be surprised by my date…" Clark whispered as he leaned closed to Jake.
"Who cares? Let's just enjoy the show, why don't we?" Jake replied with a mischievous smile, right before he pecked Clark on the cheek.
People started murmuring, but not long after commotion at the door signalled the arrival of the last guest. Oliver and his date.
"I wonder who he's taking… I can't remember him ever being in the company of a man before…" Clark wondered
"It has been rumoured for a while now that Oliver is bisexual…So it's not that surprising really…" Jake said as they made their way to the side of the hall.
"Oliver queen and his date Micah Richards as Robin Hood and Will Scarlet" the man at the door called out. Seemingly relieved that he could pronounce it properly.
But as soon as Clark laid eyes on Oliver's date all colour drained from his face.
He knew that man.
And that man knew him as Kal
He was screwed…
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Damn…that was…chaotic to write.
Sorry that there's not much action in this chapter. But I really want to delve into Clark's social life a bit more.
I'm not planning on adding much more new characters, but some of them will prove to become very interesting ;)
please let me know what you think, and I'll try to update soon =)