Chapter 18 [Luthor Mansion—2018]

Lex sat in the library and fumed over the unexpected guests in his house. After all, when he'd brought Clark back there, he did it for safety reasons. He wanted to keep his former friend/current nemesis off the radar not attract a holiday convention. He could deal with Martha being there.

But the Moores too?

Who would be next? Pete Ross and his wife? Oliver and Chloe?

He poured himself a Scotch and guzzled it in one shot. "A party upstairs and nobody asked me. Love when people take over the house."

"Good for Clark, Luthor," Byron growled from the hidden passage's entrance. He glared at the house's owner while stalking into the room. "We won't say anything about him. Deal with it!"

The billionaire considered his father's first big experimental mistake from LuthorCorp. "Byron, stop with the threats. I don't need them. My father did this to you not me."

"And Clark's our friend. He's not going to pass into that deep night alone! All right?" the dark poet snapped back. "You've wrecked so much, Luthor! You just can't stand it, can you? Let Clark have this last Christmas with us. All right?"

"That's why I'm not throwing you all out, Byron. I'm also instructing my staff to make the best feast possible. I trust that your wife's making Clark comfortable?" Lex pointed out. "I've instructed Dr. Reardon to give her total access."

"It's a start but not enough!" Byron bellowed.

Before Lex could respond, a brilliant light filled the room. A brunette in white flowing robes appeared between them.

"LANA?" the two men queried in shock.

Yes. It's me. Byron, calm down please. Clark is in good hands. I know you care. Know we do too, she assured him.

Byron bowed his head; his pulse already calming down. "I am deeply sorry to have troubled you, Milady. I only do so because I care for him."

I know. She smiled warmly. And I thank you for that. Why don't you return to the others? See if Sandra needs help up there?

"I shall. Thank you." With a simple bow, Byron headed back into the passageway shutting the door behind himself.

Lex poured himself enough Scotch and shook his head incredulously. "This has been some day. First Clark's lying upstairs. Then I have intruding houseguests. Now my ex-wife haunts me?"

If it wasn't for Clark, Lex, I wouldn't be back here! You know it and I know it. I'm here for him! She glared at him through narrowed eyes. Stop being so difficult! You murdered me and almost ruined what Clark and I had together. Don't ruin this last chance for him!

"I murdered you? Look, Lady, you stole money and the Suit from me! I didn't press charges! I could've sent you away for years!" he pressed. "You chose to be a hero instead of walking away. You had the choice!"

Choice? CHOICE? Lex, there WAS NO CHOICE! Clark and I had to save those people! Then I wasted away from heartache and cancer because of your malice! Now you gave the Parasite and Metallo the means to kill Clark without even knowing it. Stop blaming others and look at YOURSELF!

"And now you lecture me. What are you, the Ghost of Christmas Past? My damaged conscience come back to bug me?" he scoffed.

No. I am my love's guard. Soon he will pass. That cannot be stopped now. I am Clark's Future not Your Dear Past, Lex. Farewell…. With that she vanished into the mid-afternoon light.

Lex slumped into his chair and rubbed his temples. He'd swore that he tried to do everything by Lana. He had loved her in life even though she'd turned on him with Clark. He was trying to make right by them.

And now she showed up and claimed it wasn't enough? Really?

"Ungrateful wench." He got up from the desk and stalked toward the passage. He'd check on Clark to prove the ghost wrong in the time remaining.

Even as he did so, his patient slipped deeper into Memoria's well….

…and the past came through once more….