Disclaimer: I don't own Smallville. If I did, I'd be at the beach right now.

A/N: This next chapter finds the family and friends pulling together against a common enemy. Lex is a tough character for me to write. I guess with Lex nothing is over the top! Thanks go out to my betas on this chapter. *hugs* Please R&R. Thanks.

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Act II: Lex Luthor Returns

Chapter 6 – The Enemy

Previously:

It had been several days since his visit to the house, and Lois was beginning to have her doubts about her father again. Lois and Clark hadn't heard a word from him. They were at a coffee shop when Lois received a call. It was her father. "Hello, Daddy. Yes, Clark is here with me. What did you find out? Oh, I see. Yes, Daddy," Lois said, sighing into the phone. "Yes, Clark heard you. We'll be in touch when we can talk about this. Yes, goodbye, Daddy. Thank you for your help." Lois hung up the phone.

As soon as she hung up, it rang again. It was one of her sources. Apparently, there were rumors that Lex Luthor had returned to Metropolis and was planning to make a public appearance to the media about his miraculous return.

End of Act I: Awakening.

##

Shaking his head, Clark couldn't believe what he had just heard. "I guess it was too much to hope for that he would be gone from our lives forever," Clark said and immediately sighed. I can't believe this is happening. Was Lex somehow responsible for the kryptonite being on the base? It was just too much of a coincidence to ignore. He's back and just as powerful as ever. How long has it been? More than eight years since that fateful day.

"Now, Clark, we can handle Lex. He's not going to try anything. We'll expose him first before he can get sympathy from the masses and the press. He won't get to us or our children."

Clark's head snapped up at that remark. "Oh, no, the children. We have to go get them, Lois. They're vulnerable at that school. What if Lex is watching them, waiting to get them alone to take them or, or…?" Clark was getting very upset by just the thought of Luthor anywhere near the kids.

"Clark, calm down. The kids are alright. Lex won't be able to get to them. Come on, we'll head back to the office and make some calls to your friends. I'm sure they'll be excited to finally bring Luthor down."

"You're right, Lois. I'm letting him get to me already. It feels as if I've been fighting him my entire life, except for the past six years." He took her hand. "Thank you, Lois for being in my life. I don't know what I would have done without you and the kids. I'd probably be some place all alone, fighting demons inside, not living my life at all, not being the superhero everyone can look up to and inspire. Thank you, honey." He kissed her hand.

"You're very welcome. Now, let's get moving."

##

After setting up a meeting with the gang that evening, they decided to meet at the farm, away from Metropolis. Oliver, Chloe, Bart, Victor, and Art were all there.

"Thank you all for coming on such short notice. As you all know, Lex is back in Metropolis," Clark said, getting their attention. "We need to put together as much evidence as we can against him and do it as quickly as possible. We should do this before he makes a public appearance, and before he can gain any sympathy just because he's returned from the dead. I don't need to remind you, Lex knows all of our secrets."

"Clark, we have evidence against him, but we can't prove that he's the main man, that he's responsible for everything that happened in Smallville, or that he's responsible for the kryptonite being on those army bases," Oliver said.

"What we need is a smoking gun, a witness, something that will pull it all together, so we can go to the police," Chloe said.

"Why do you think he came back now?" Bart asked. After all these years, there can only be one reason.

"It's pretty obvious," Victor said. He nodded at Clark. "He hates you, Clark."

"Lex hates everyone, including himself," Clark said. "We have to be vigilant, stay on our toes, and don't let our guard down for a moment. I have no doubt he's been planning his miraculous return for a long time. I don't know if his plan is to hurt me, the ones I love, or the entire planet. I can't tell you how important it is that we move and move quickly. We need a plan, so let's get at it."

##

The next day all the news wires were abuzz. Lex Luthor was back from the dead, and would be doing a press conference later that day.

That morning, Lois, Clark, Detective Jones, and Chloe were all in a Daily Planet conference room going over all the evidence they had put together over the past twenty-four hours. Lois thought it was enough to get him arrested on suspicion of his involvement in all the crimes, but Lex was so clever at covering his tracks, it may not be enough.

"What do you think, John," Clark asked. "Is it enough for an arrest warrant?"

"I think it is. It's enough to grant us more time to find something that will make all this evidence fall into place." From everything Detective Jones had seen, Luthor needed to be put away for a long time.

"Chloe, what do you think?" Clark really valued her opinion.

"I think Detective Jones is right. Look, we have to try. We need more time, and I think it's enough to have him sit in a jail cell for a day or even a few hours, and it could make a difference." Chloe hoped it would be enough time to get the evidence they needed to nail Luthor.

"I still can't believe he would just show up here in Metropolis again after all this time. What did he think would happen? We have no choice but to neutralize him, Clark, no matter what it takes," Lois said.

"I agree, honey. Alright, it's settled." Clark gave the file to John. "Guard this with your life. We'll be waiting to hear from you about the warrant."

Detective Jones took the package and headed out, telling them he would be in touch as soon as he got the warrant.

Now, they would wait to hear that Luthor would finally be arrested and made to pay for his crimes. Perry told Lois and Clark both to go down to LuthorCorp and cover the news conference. Clark didn't think he should go, because Luthor would probably recognize him. Luthor could blow his cover in front of the entire world, and everything he had worked for and achieved could go up in smoke.

##

That afternoon, Lex Luthor feeling confident and assured about all the plans he had made over the past several years, stepped up to the podium in front of the LuthorCorp building to make his speech. Luthor could see all the faces in the crowd. He could see Lois Lane, Clark Kent, and a few other members of the press he recognized. "Ladies and gentlemen, I have an incredible story to tell you that many people will find unbelievable, but I assure you it is all true. It was not my choice to leave Metropolis, but now I'm back."

Lois and Clark glanced at each other. Lois whispered, "well, did he recognize you or not?"

"I'm not sure. Do you think it's possible he doesn't remember ... everything?" This is too much to hope for, Clark thought, but then the doubts came back. I wouldn't put it past Lex to fake amnesia to get what he wants.

Detective Jones stepped forward. "Alexander Luthor? You're under arrest."

"What is the meaning of this?" Lex couldn't believe this was happening, not today of all days.

A police officer stepped forward and put Luthor in handcuffs.

Detective Jones continued. "You are under arrest for the murder of Lionel Luthor, conspiracy to commit murder, attempted murder, illegal cloning activities, money laundering, and racketeering. Shall I go on?" Detective Jones asked. "You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law. You have the right to an attorney present during questioning. If you cannot afford an attorney, one will be appointed for you. Do you understand these rights?"

The color drained from Lex's face. "I want a lawyer now!" He hollered.

"Take him away." As Luthor was led away, Detective Jones stepped up to the podium. "This news conference is over. Have a nice day."

Lois and Clark looked at each other, both barely able to believe what had just happened. "Now comes the hard part," Lois said.

"I know," Clark said. "Let's return to the office, make a few phone calls and begin the next phase of our plan."

##

Luthor was sitting in the police station feeling like he could strangle every single person he set eyes upon. He was so angry, he felt as if he could spit fire. Why didn't I see this coming, he asked himself. They can't pin all those charges on me. They have no proof, not one shred of evidence against me, so how did they get that warrant? Was it possible they had a witness or someone in my past that turned against me? He couldn't remember everything. It was so frustrating. His mind was the one thing that was always constant, never doubting, never hesitant, but now everything was different. It was hard for him to accept that his mind was a jumble of images and feelings that weren't as clearly connected as before. He had accepted the fact that there were gaps in his memory, and that fact was driven home when he had seen Lois and Clark.

He remembered Clark Kent, the boy who had saved his life, becoming friends with him, good friends. But now, because of all that had happened with Lana, they weren't friends anymore, but he could not help but think, there's more to Clark than meets the eye. He also remembered Lois Lane, a meddlesome reporter always in his business; Chloe Sullivan, another thorn in his side; and then there was Lana, his former wife. He had loved her in his own way. Those feelings were clear in his mind, but it had ended badly, very badly. She hated him now. Then his mind went to the last moments of his father's life. Lionel Luthor hated his own son, and it was mutual. Lionel needed to die, and he didn't regret it, not for a moment. He looked around the police station, and thought back to his 'major' crimes, and there were many, but he knew that he had covered his tracks. He hated this, hated being here, but Metropolis was his home. He had plans, big plans, and this little hiccup wasn't going to stop him.

Where is my lawyer, the incompetent, sniveling, money-grubbing …? Luthor's thoughts were interrupted with the arrival of his attorney.

"Mr. Luthor, James Dennison, at your service." He held out his hand in greeting.

Lex waved him off. "I know who you are. When can I get out of here?" he asked, glaring at him.

##

Meanwhile at the farm, later that evening.

Lois and Clark were the first to arrive. They were in the living room of the farmhouse waiting for Chloe and Oliver. Clark was wearing his work clothes for his other job, a three-piece suit and glasses, of course.

Lois tried not to stare at him. He did look particularly good today. "Come here, you." Clark came into her arms. They kissed for a few moments. This is nice, Lois thought. What is it about this 'farm boy,' this 'normal guy,' that so attracted me? Lois was amazed that she actually used to think of him that way, but now after all these years he was still all of those things, and much, much more.

"Lois, what are you thinking?" She seems to be in a strange mood, Clark thought.

"I was just thinking about the past and the way I used to categorize you, so I wouldn't think about how much I was attracted to you. I think giving you the nickname "Smallville" was definitely a diversion. Every time I said it, you were right there, back in that category, problem solved." Why am I telling him this now? Lois wondered.

"But I like the name Smallville." She was definitely in a mood. I wonder what brought this on, Clark thought.

"Yeah, you do now, but you didn't, well not in the beginning anyway. I knew it, but I kept calling you that, but you never complained, just got that smirk on your face. I like those smirks, you know." She touched his cheek. "Don't ever change." At times, Lois felt regret for treating him that way.

"Lois, what is going on with you? What are you trying to say to me?" Clark was confused. He hoped she was ok. "Are you feeling alright? You're scaring me."

"Clark, I'm fine. I just wanted to ... apologize for treating you the way that I did. It was just my way of keeping my distance, keeping you at arm's length, and it was my way of denying my feelings for you. Say you understand and forgive me." She hugged him close.

Clark didn't know what to think, but he didn't think he could love her more than at this moment. He tilted her chin up to face him. "Come here, you." Then he kissed her, drawing forth moans and caresses that were slowly becoming hard to stop. "Apology accepted," Clark said between kisses.

Oliver and Chloe saw what was happening through the front door. Oliver barged in without knocking. "Break it up you two. Wait just a minute. Clark, is that you?" He chuckled.

Chloe swatted his arm. "Hey, Lois, hey Clark. How are you? We want to hear all about the news conference. We saw what happened; it was all over the television." Chloe wanted to hear everything.

Lois and Clark glanced at each other. "Hey, Chloe and ... what was your name?" Lois asked, chuckling.

"Ha, ha," Oliver said, as he shook his head, chuckling. "That was some news conference. It couldn't have been more perfect, just as we planned. Right, guys?"

Lois and Clark glanced at each other again, not saying a word.

Chloe and Oliver didn't know what was going on with these two. Oliver said, "Ok, what gives? What's with the glances? Did anything else happen at the news conference?"

"Lois, Clark? Don't keep us in suspense," Chloe said, starting to worry.

"Lex didn't seem to recognize me," Clark said. "I don't know if he's faking or what's going on in that mind of his. And if he did recognize me from the newspapers and television, why didn't he call me on it? It would have made his day. There can only be one explanation."

"Oh, my, god," Chloe said. "Do you think he's lost his memory of your abilities? It makes sense somehow."

"I was there," Lois said. "It definitely looked that way to me." Lois couldn't help but hope that it was true.

"We can't be sure about that, Lois. We have to be very careful about what we do next." Clark didn't want to take any chances until they could find out the truth. Clark hated feeling this way, and he still couldn't believe he and Lex were ever friends.

"Well, I can just imagine seeing Lex alive after all this time, and it must have been disconcerting for both of you," Chloe said.

Lois watched Clark for moment, and she could tell that seeing Lex again had affected him more than he was saying. She took his hand in hers, telling him with her touch that she understood. Clark squeezed her hand, understanding. "It was, Chloe," Lois said. More than you know, Lois thought.

"So, what's our next more?" Chloe asked.

"Change in plans." Clark knew Lois wasn't going to like this. "I have to go see Lex myself to be sure."

Everyone just stared at him as if he had lost his mind.

##

A/N: Lex is back! Tell me what you think. Next up, Lex and Clark come face to face again after eight years. Thanks for reading.