Chapter 4
Tess led Paul into the lab. "There have been a number of government projects that Luthorcorp has been working on," Tess explained, "Of course we had to bid on them just like everyone else when Lex Luthor was President. Even so through honest bidding, Luthorcorp has been able to win a fair bit of those; the President of course had nothing to do with selecting those winning bids." "This is our Physics research facility, which I believe is right up your ally Paul. You first assignment for Luthorcorp is to write up an engineering proposal to duplicate the apparatus your father build for transdimensional travel." Tess said.
Paul sat in Lex Luthor's laboratory in front of a computer terminal, it was after hours. Supergirl flew in an open window, a window that was deliberately left open by Paul. "Hello Supergirl, I was expecting you, and not to worry, I put away all those fragments of kryptonite I found in the lab, they are in a lead lined safe under concrete," Paul said, "seems Lex Luthor had an obscession about you and Superman."
Supergirl looked disappointed, "I had high hopes for you, and you decided to work for Luthorcorp, how could you?" Paul explained, "I had no choice, if I wanted to work as anything other than a burger flipper at McDonalds. Luthorcorp has the resources to build my equipment to get me back home again. I have high aspirations, and working for McDonald's or some other fast food joint is not going to get me there, and as you know Lex Luthor's reputation has preceded me, and its making my life difficult as no one will trust me. I have another idea, there is something I want to show you." "Alright then show me," Supergirl said.
Paul walked up to computer terminal he was working at, he called up a document. An orange and yellow suit of armor appeared on the screen. "Are you familiar with a superhero named Ironman?" "No, I never heard of Ironman," Supergirl said. "I got this idea from a comic book in my own world, and since I now live in a comic book world, and work for a company similar to Stark Industries, I could become Ironman." Supergirl looked up at the ceiling, "Paul, do you have any idea of what your doing?"
"Well if I have the intellect of Lex Luthor, while the real Lex Luthor is safely in Jail, and I have the resources of Luthorcorp behind my back, Tess has offered me a position that is practically tantamount for CEO of the company, well I'm Vice President of operations, so I have a lot of pull, if I can divert some resources to get this suit made then I could become Ironman, as the position of Ironman in this universe is currently vacant. "Paul what you propose is dangerous!" Supergirl said. "And being with you is dangerous too," Paul countered, "and I very much want to be with you! You see you have lots of enemies; people and creatures that might want to take me as hostage or kill me just to get to you. If I have to be a superhero to spend time with you, then I'm going to be a superhero!"
"This is a bad idea Paul!" Supergirl said. "Are you going to stop me?" "No," Supergirl admitted, "I have to see where you go with this first." "Yeah, I know, you are going to see if I turn to evil first and then try to stop me," Paul said, "Don't you get it Supergirl, I'm in love with you! I'm going to do what it takes to get you to love me. "I'm telling you right now this is a bad idea, not only is being a Superhero dangerous, Luthorcorp is full of Lex's people, they are dangerous!" Supergirl said. "Superman gave you a chance, so did Batman eventually, I'm just asking you to please give me that same consideration that is all!" Paul said.
Supergirl gave up, "Alright Paul, have it your way, just be careful will you?" "But of course," said Paul Luthor, "Look I can match wits with Lex Luthor any day of the week, and he's in Jail, what harm could he do?" "You'd be surprise Paul!" Supergirl said, "Just be careful, that's all I'm asking, naturally Superman sent me to watch you, so I'll be dropping in from time to time." "I'm looking forward to it," Paul said, "Maybe I can win your affection."
"I like you as a friend Paul," Supergirl said. "And time will tell if it turns into anything more. First things first is to get Lex's reputation out from under me. I am not Lex Luthor!" Paul insisted. "But you could be!" Supergirl continued, "You are 16 years old, and people can change. Lex did after all, and you got Lex's DNA and fingerprints!" "DNA is not destiny, you know that! All I'm asking you do to is give me a chance!" Paul said."Alright Paul, its just possible that you may be right," Supergirl said, "but I'm keeping an eye on you just the same, You understand?"
"I wouldn't have it any other way." Paul replied. Supergirl kissed him on the cheek and flew out the window. Paul sighed thinking, maybe she is already in love with me but doesn't want to admit it, though that is a dangerous line of thinking. What would I be thinking if I was her? I might be thinking that or I might be thinking 'Get this creep away from me!' Time will tell. At least I can try to get home if nothing else works.