Chapter 4 [Twenty Minutes Earlier—Luthor Mansion]

[A/N: Xena belongs to StudioUSA and Universal.]

Lex reclined in his office chair. His eyes studied the computer screen in front of himself. He'd answered emails. Phone calls waited until business hours. Frankly, Previous Day's Revelations spun his mind to be honest…

Revelations….

…Clark and Lana…

…Peter…

Clark really is an alien. Whatever that spaceship was changed Lana too. Incredible! He rubbed his chin. Lana's super speed sprint from the Inn to Swann's observatory still defied logic. The initial accident with Clark raised still more questions. The fall from the plane still blew his mind. And they brought Swann out of hiding? What does this all mean? He rubbed his forehead. And Peter's actually Spider-Man! Wow. Well, he proved himself yesterday and the day before if he hadn't done so before that. He'd do a lot of good in Metropolis. Metropolis University has opportunities for Gwen and him. So would Smallville. Too bad about Sheriff Adams. She'd never put up with him. Clark's presence bothers her enough. Smallville resident Less than Finest elicited an eye roll from him.

"Excuse me, Master Lex?" A slender balding man stood in his office door. "Breakfast will be served if you wish soon. Your guests await you."

"Thanks, Sanders." Lex powered down his computer. He stood. Day's Priorities loomed before himself. Peter's healing from the concussion and related fights concerned him. His and the Stacys' relocation had challenges. Talon's issues concerned him. His father and LuthorCorp on the whole challenged his thinking. Miranda's situation occupied him. Arighatto's crime spree and blood letting nauseated him. And then, Dave Dubois' possible presence somewhere beyond his purview intrigued him. I'll find you, Dave. You don't deserve to languish in the dark. Wherever you are, you have friends and a home! Even with Jasmine, Rasniya and Miranda here, I still have more space.

Breakfast first. Conversations with guests. Then would come everything else….

[Dining Room]

Gwen escorted Peter and her father into the dining room. Worry ate at her over her boyfriend's concussion and myriad injuries. Time Change disoriented her. Homelessness had her on edge. It's really nice of Mr. Luthor to put us up here. I can't believe this dreamy place! We can't crash here forever though.

"It's going to be okay, Kid." Peter efforted himself down the hall. Heloise's elixir had totally worn off by that point. Aunt May remained at the front of his thoughts. Income, school and a roof overhead occupied his thoughts. Spider Sense nagged him. Arighatto's got to be around. Miranda poisoned him with whatever was in that gas ball. Still, Xena hit him too. That didn't stop him. Speaking of Xena, where'd she go? Could've used her yesterday at the Coffee Bean. Good thing that lady, Heloise, was there with her secret formula. She should patent that stuff.

"Speaking of being all right, Peter, you should be taking it slower." Stacy cleared his throat. He leaned heavily on his cane. His eyes assessed the younger man. Theories spun through his mind. He deduced a connection beyond a simple business arrangement between Peter and the Wall Crawler. Investigations spanned months and then years. Discussions ranged from casual observers, to police, deWolff and even Jameson himself. He watched Peter prove himself and then disprove that revelation. Suspicions, however, remained after that point.

Arighatto proved him right….

"You know what I think, Man o' Mine." Gwen watched Peter with care. On top of everything else, his dual identity floored her. Doubts? Sppt…Good Reader, those butterflies had little traction to her. Her father's advice on the matter dispelled any remaining issues. (As if those other bards really knew or cared about her feelings on the matter?) "I want to know more."

"I know." Peter weighed that thought in his mind. Understanding and Sentiments eased his mind. Still, she deserved to be let in. "We'll talk in private if that's okay."

"Absolutely! I'm glad you trust me." Gwen leaned against Peter. Memoria replayed his (or rather Spider-Man's) fight against Yodoshi and the ninjas in her mind. "You're going to learn to take better care of yourself."

"Goes…with the territory. At least I got out of there." Peter stifled further arguments. Until that week, only Norman Osborn…or rather the Green Goblin…knew his secret. At least Assumption held that belief….

….Arighatto, it seems, knew as well. Threats vowed. Promises kept. Damage done. Message sent….

A slight shuffle betrayed Peter's situation. "Can't believe this." He marveled at the fine eating area. Soft lighting gleamed against oak table and chairs. Glasses, silverware and mugs sat at each place. Unlit candles awaited their guests in the table's center. "Maybe for Princess Jasmine more than us. Wow."

"I disagree, Peter. My Mom would welcome you as much as she did Sultan Mahmud or the Princesses." Lex sauntered into the room. He looked over the trio. "Couldn't sleep? I can have the staff look at those beds."

"I slept well. Thank you. I think we just have a lot on our minds." Stacy eased himself into a chair. "I do have my concerns about Miss Dubois staying at Arighatto's house. You are very kind."

"It is my pleasure, Mr. Stacy. I'm glad you all are comfortable. I want Peter to get his rest." Lex signaled out into the hall. "Everything else can wait. Please take a seat. We've got breakfast. Then we can talk about everything." He helped both Stacys into their seats. Then he took his own. "I'm glad you could join me. We'll be seeing Miranda at the Talon a little later. She'll be here tonight or the next night. Knowing Hansei Arighatto, he can be anywhere. I do not take him lightly."

Sanders wheeled a cart in with several covered plates on it. Then he set butter and a small bottle of maple syrup beside Lex. "My apologies. We are running behind this morning." He set a covered plate in front of each person at the table. "Who would like coffee? I have juice as well."

"You're fine, Sanders. Thanks." Lex nodded to his butler. "This is great. Maybe you can brew some fresh coffee for us?" He lifted the cover to find three stacked blueberry pancakes and four strips of bacon beside it. "Hans' pancakes are great, Folks." He buttered his top cake and poured syrup. "Mr. Stacy? Gwen? Peter?" He passed the butter to Stacy.

"Thank you. Is that real syrup?" Stacy spread butter on top of his pancakes. He looked over the bottle. "This is a real treat." Approval prompted a nod from him.

"Wow! We haven't had that in years." Gwen's mouth watered. She took some butter and passed it onto Peter. "Here you go, Mr. P. I'll have the syrup in a jiffy!" She put just enough on for her taste. "A little goes a long way. Thanks!"

"You know it! Aunt May would love this, Lex. Thank you." Peter fixed his pancakes. Then he bit into it. "By the way, can we go into Metropolis today?"

Gwen swallowed hard. "Today? Peter! You need to rest!"

"Apparently, I was more thorough at the Coffee Bean than I thought. I'd rather rest. This should be seen there." Peter sucked in a deep breath.

"Something…?" Lex set his mug down. "You got pictures?"

"I've got the pictures." Peter savored a bite from his bacon. "This is good by the way. Mmm!"

Lex coughed. "Are you serious? Of course! We'll go right after we finish eating." Implications ran through his mind. "You all will need the money. Those pictures need to be submitted. The Daily Planet would love those pictures."

"Peter! You got pictures of that? How?" Gwen tried to imagine how Peter could've snapped the pictures while in mid-confrontation with Yodoshi and his ninjas.

"I am not surprised. The FBI will want those pictures and negatives as well, Peter. I'd rather that you rest. Still, I agree with you." Stacy allowed Sanders to pour coffee for him. "Thank you."

Lex heard his cell phone go off. "Now who?" He pulled his phone from his pocket. "Lana? She should be at the Talon." He answered it. "Lana?" Potential issues ran through his mind. "Is everything all right at the Talon?"

Peter narrowed his eyes. Appetite dissipated despite the meal. He rubbed his forehead. Not again.

"Lex…" Lana huffed in painful breaths. "I haven't made it to the Talon. Chloe and I are in front of her house. He…He did it again…."

Panic flared within his mind. "He? He who? I…Arighatto? What happened?" He pushed himself back away from the table. Tension pounded at his temples. "What about Chloe? Where is she?"

"Chloe's fine. She…She's here." Lana tried to choke back a few sobs. "Her house, Lex…her house…just like Gwen's house and P…Peter's apartment building…."

Lex ground his teeth. Exasperation pushed a breath through nonetheless. "Just like…? Lana, where's Mr. Sullivan? What happened?"

Lana choked back a sob. "Mr. Arighatto set a bomb! It just exploded! The house is gone! I got Chloe to call 911. She pulled me back from the flames. It…It was too late, Lex. He…"

"He? Arighatto or Mr. Sullivan?" Lex put his hand over the phone. "I'm going to need your help. Chloe's going to need assistance. Peter, you up for taking some pictures?"

"Sure. I just need to get film in my camera." Peter got up. Adrenaline washed away Pain's effects. He efforted himself down the hall and back toward his room.

"Lex?" Gwen stared at Lex. "What did he do now?"

Lex held his hand up to her. "Lana? Lana, where's Gabe Sullivan?"

"He…He was standing in the doorway. We…We were just waving at him. Then Chloe and I drove up the street. Then the explosion happened. Mr. Sullivan didn't…didn't have time. I rushed back here. We….I'm sorry, Lex. I'll try to get into the Talon. Miri's going to need me. I…."

"Don't worry about that. Sheriff Adams is going to want you there. Stay put. We're on the way. Peter's coming with me. Then I'm calling New York. Tell Miranda she's coming back here tonight. I won't take no for an answer. Chloe and you too." Lex saw Peter waiting in the doorway. He held his camera up. "We'll be right there. How about the Kents?"

"Clark's on his way. Sorry but Chloe needs help. Thanks, Lex. Miranda knows. Be careful. He followed us back…back here." Lana disconnected the call on that note.

Lex shoved the phone back in his pocket. "Gwen, Mr. Stacy, you'd best stay here. Peter and I need to get over to Chloe's house. Someone just blew up her house. She, Lana and Miranda are coming back here tonight."

"Someone…?" Stacy raised an eyebrow. "Arighatto again? Mr. Sullivan?" He stiffened.

"They're going to need our support." Peter kissed Gwen's cheek. "We'll be careful, Kid. We'll let you know." His eyes looked deeply into hers.

"Please be careful, Peter. We'll be here." Gwen squeezed his hand. Urgency and pleading implored him to take care. "Maybe we should all go? We can do something besides wait! You said something about Metropolis, Lex."

Lex rubbed the back of his neck. He weighed all of the possibilities. "Miranda can call somebody in to help. I don't want to ask Lana to work today under these circumstances. Sheriff Adams will try to pull rank of some kind. Come on. We'll get you something from the Talon on the way out then. Let's help you to the elevator, Mr. Stacy."

Peter and Gwen helped Stacy toward the elevator. They needed rest. Circumstances, however, would deny them that….