"How do you know me?" Audrey looked startled.
"I saw you on T.V this afternoon," the man smiled. "How could I not recognize that hair? It's unique, like you mothers,"
"A friend of my mother's? " She hesitantly asked.
"Yes. she worked for me for awhile," Lex explained. "She was a splended woman. Simply charming. But, I haven't seen her in such a long time," He reminised.
Venus's eyebrow burrowed. "And why should I trust you?" She asked warily. "I know you don't like Superman,"
"An why should you trust the justice league?" Lex rebuttled calmly.
"What are you talking about?" Venus's eyes widened. She looked defensive, but hit words hit a chord.
"What, you thought someone like Claire would be under their radar? They know more then you ever did," He took a step closer, kneeling on one knee. "And do think it's fair they never told you anything?"
" I..." Venus answered, unsure of herself.
"I can help you, Audrey. I too know what it's like to come from hard backgrounds. Where everyone takes everything from you," He explained. "But, I can help you, help Claire; She was a good employee and friend; I owe her," He insisted.
" Does the justice league really know?" Audrey asked. All her caution and distrust had melted away into confusion.
"Yes. More then you and I," He got up from his kneel, beckoning Venus into his car.
"I know you don't trust me, but what would I gain in harming you?" He insisted. He placed a hand on her shoulder.
"You've been crying,"
Venus stared at him, holding her breath. Her legs wanted to run, but her head wanted to keep listening to the soothing words of the stranger.
"A girl like you shouldn't be crying. Helping the world all the time, shouldn't someone be helping you too?"
Venus stared at him, then the car. Even a child knew it was dangerous to get into a car; but his words of comfort were enticing, like candy to a kid.
The car had seats facing each other, and another compartment held a separate driver.
They sat in a long silence before Venus quietly spoke up
"Could you Tell me about my mother?"
Lex grinned. "I remember your mother well. Pretty girl. She came looking for the secretary position that was opening. She worked hard and diligant, I liked that. So, I gave her the job," He started.
"Is that all?" Venus asked. Despite her stoic face, her voice sounded dissapointed
Lex laughed. "Of course not," He said.
"I remember seeing her once; using those power's if hers. It was incredible. She enwrapped herself in flame and flew into the sky," He smiled.
"She could fly?" Audrey's eyes widened
"Oh yes. She was very powerful in her skills. One day, I offered to help her become even stronger, but she refused," He said. "I asked why, and she said she wanted to stay under the radar; she had bigger priorities,"
"Priorities?" Venus asked.
"You."
Venus was taken aback. Did she ever hinder her mother's abilities? Her growth?
She felt guilt flood into her stomach. It made her feel slightly naucious.
Lex suddenly took Venus's hands. "But, like your mother, I can help you! I can help you hone your skills," Lex said enthusiastically.
Thought's went though Venus's head. He could make her stronger. She could finally end being a burden to the team.
She could be as strong as Miss Martian, or Zatanna, or Nightwing.
Suddenly, her head snapped to reality.
"Why should I trust you?" She remarked weakly, pulling her hands back.
"You don't have to trust me," He remarked. He reclined into the seat. "I'll have the driver drop you off right now. But, here."
Lex placed an flash drive and card with a number in her hands. "This will locate any information, just put in a name. Find the right computer, you might just find what your looking for. Also, if you would like to take up my offer of training."
Audrey walked the halls of Mt. Justice, conflicting thoughts on her mind. Could the Justice League really have denied her information about her mother? Then again, would she actually go so low as to believe it?
"Venus?" Wonder girl's voice came from down the hall. Venus turned to her a friend, a lifeless smile on her face.
"What's up?" Venus remarked quietly
"Whats up?" Wonder girl floated over. "You were gone all night. No one knew where you were,"
"It's alright," Venus smiled. "I was just visiting some familiar places,"
Wonder girl gave a concerned smiled. "Alright; But you know you can come to me for anything."
"Thanks," Venus smiled. " Your a good friend, Cassie."
Venus stared into the control room, looking around. Nightwing usually had this placed pretty secured, but he seemed to be gone at the moment. She walked in quietly, stopping at the computer.
She felt the computer's keyboard. Was she really going to sneak into the computer database?
She took a deep breath. She plugged the USB drive in. The computer screen blinked, opening the villain files and running threw names, before it stopped on one: Volcana.
Audrey's eye widened.
Her mother was a villain?!
She took a step back, shocked. Her mind was racing with thoughts. She could feel her own breathing, herself panicking. She grabbed the USB, nothing downloaded. The program instantly closed and she raced off, terrified.
She finally reached her room, panting and leaning against her her wall.
Venus's head was spinning. Her mother was right there. On the Villain files. Villain files.
Audrey slid down the door crying. She wiped her cheek's, but she couldn't stop. Tears ran down her cheeks. covered her mouth with her hand, trying to mask the sound of her heavy breathing
Despite the shock in learning who her mother really was. She felt some kind of relief. Something about it just made her feel relief, almost happy. There her mother was, on that scree. She wasn't just a thought, a memory; she was there, and all Venus could do was cry.
Impulse ran threw the halls, before stopping on a door. "Hey Venus wanna hang? It would be totally crash? Got any money-" He stopped, pulling his hand before he knocked. He could hear her hushed crying on the other side
He stopped. Should he go in there? He stood for a moment, before taking a step back and turning away.