Disclaimer: Don't own DP or DC.

Bit different to my others. I read one where Luthor adopts Danny when he accidently brings him to the DC universe, this is different to that but I decided to give something similar ago and redeem Lex. Mostly I know the Smallville Lex and only from the first 2-3 seasons, so based off that and various fics.

Prologue

He looked down at the tiny baby sleeping in the cot. It was hard to believe but he was a father. It had been an accident, failure of birth control with a woman he normally wouldn't have looked twice at. Sure, she'd been pretty he supposed, but lacking wealth or status. He hadn't believed the child was his until after she underwent several tests and now looking at the baby, his son didn't really look like him. Which was good as he had no intention to raise him. His mother had already given up her rights, all he had to do was sign, and yet…he was hesitating.

This was his son, perhaps the only heir he would ever have given his luck with women. But he couldn't keep him. He had too many enemies, the child would never be safe with him.

"Julian," he murmured, reaching out to run a finger over fine black hair. Julian Luthor, though no one would ever know. The adoption would be completely sealed, he would never know who took the baby and they would never know who Julian's birth parents were.

,

Jack grinned as Maddie cradled the baby in her arms. He was perfect! And he looked like Jack so no one would ever question if he was theirs or not. Jazz had been begging for a sibling for over a year and now she'd have a baby brother. Though he didn't think much of the name Julian. Julian Fenton? No, he needed a better name, something like…Danny!

,

He smiled as Julian Luthor became Daniel 'Danny' Fenton, all was as it should be. His life would not be easy but the reward in the end… he could do no more for the boy, not yet.

,

She loved her little brother! She did, she was so happy that her parents had adopted Danny. She just wished…they'd pay more attention to them. She'd hoped a new baby would do that, and it had for a while but now looking after Danny was left up to her.
And now she was putting an ice pack to his black eye and it was all their parents fault. Why did they have to fight in public? And right in front of the Santa photo area! Danny had dreaded going back to school and he'd been right to, his classmates were not at all happy with his parents yelling about Santa not being real. They were only six, they should get to believe even if it'd been ruined for Jazz and Danny years ago.

Danny pretty much hated Christmas now…most holidays really. She wasn't much better…not after the turkey incident. Why couldn't they just try to be normal parents for a single day? That wasn't asking too much, was it? She loved them, she did, but sometimes it was so hard…

Danny's first words had been to her, he had called her Mom, she'd had to teach him who Mom really was. She'd worked out to figure out how to make them food that didn't come back to life. It was so hard to do that and keep up with class work, it'd keep getting harder as she got older and classes got harder.

,

Lex walked down the hall briskly. Luthor's did not run unless their lives were in danger. There was no danger here, just rage. How dare they! Yes, he helped fund them, but he had never signed off on such a project. He should have kept a closer eye on them since he had retired from the Presidency. In some ways, it had been everything he had imagined but in others it had been a nightmare. He was better off running his company than the country.

He stormed into the lab and stopped, staring at the tube and its contents…a child. Soft black hair floated about their face, their eyes hidden by closed lids, their…his face slack, body limp. He grimaced as he realised that they hadn't even given the child any privacy. Then again, if he had been created within that tube, they may have no access.

Lex approached the tube, ignoring the scientists, taking in familiar features but much younger than he had ever known. Superman. This boy was a clone of superman, except they had needed human DNA to stabilise the Kryptonian DNA…and so some bright idiot had used Lex's, without his permission. The boy had no name, not yet, but looking at him, he couldn't help thinking, remembering… Julian. The Kryptonian DNA was dominant but…that was his nose. The boy looked a lot like how he imagined Julian would.

He had hated Superman, had never trusted him and yet in the end, the alien had given his life for Earth. That granted him respect. Lex had pulled back in a lot of ways from various villainous contacts after having to give Julian up, hadn't actually tried to kill Superman in that time, stop him yes, but not kill him. And this…this was an innocent child. They called him a clone but a true clone would only carry Superman's DNA. This…this was their child, as messed up as that was.

A scientist approached and began droning on, Lex only half listening, but he quickly focused when they mentioned the accelerated growth. Within a month, the boy would be the same age as Superman. They were imprinting knowledge directly into his brain as he grew so he would be able to function in the world at least. But it wasn't right that they planned to copy everything they knew of Superman into the boy.

It seemed he had some interference to run.

,

He frowned at the message. That was not someone he had ever expected to hear from, not since he had served his term as President. Sure, they'd had contact in the civilian sphere, but the man didn't know his identity so didn't know that. Why would Lex Luthor be reaching out to Batman and so soon after Superman's death?

He took precautions but, in the end, he went to the meeting. "Mr Luthor," he growled out.

"Batman," the man nodded slightly, a glass of brandy. "Thank you for coming. I know you had no reason to or to trust me."

Lex didn't know he was speaking with someone he once went to school with, granted, Lex had been in his final year and Bruce in his first. But that Lex had been very different to the man he was now. That boy had still had a kindness to him, one that had him defending a scared and still mourning Bruce from some bullies. And maybe that was part of why he had answered.

"What is this about?"

"How much do you know about Cadmus?" the other man answered instead.

"Not a lot, we know you helped fund them and so did the government."

"Hmm. They work with DNA, specifically alien and meta. Somehow, and no, it was not through me," he looked at Batman who stared back, patient. "They got their hands on Superman's DNA."

That…that was not good. His mind when to a small boy and his now widowed mother. Jon was so young to have lost his father.

"They've made a viable clone, I've seen him. He's a child at the moment, locked in a tube and kept unconscious. They are implanting knowledge directly into his brain. Within three weeks, he will have aged to the same age as Superman. I have done many things over the years, Batman, but this is an innocent child. He should not be forced to adulthood in weeks or to be made to try and take over Superman's life."

Bruce nodded. If Lex was telling the truth… "You want us to rescue the boy? Why not take him yourself?"

"I know nothing about helping a superpowered teenager. Metropolis does not need that kind of damage either. You have your Robin's after all, human though they may be, they also work well on teams with aliens and Metas."

"How old is he now? Is he stable?"

"As far as I could tell, yes, but it isn't impossible that they've coded something in to ensure he remains under their thumb. As for age, I would guess around thirteen or so when I saw him."

Lex tossed him a flash drive. "Save the boy, Batman." He turned and went inside.

,

Tim smiled at the bewildered boy across from him, bō lowered so as not to be threatening. "It's okay, I know it's a lot, but we're going to help you. I'm Robin, can I come over?"

"Robin?" he frowned, and Tim could see Uncle Clark in that expression, but…not fully. Something about his face seemed a little different. Age? Or something else? "Batman?"

"That's right, I work with Batman," he agreed. How much information had Cadmus given him? The process wasn't complete after all. He stowed his bō and stepped towards the other teen, hearing Bruce grunt over his comm. He knew the man didn't like him being at risk like this but he'd been outvoted. Everyone agreed that a fellow teen would appear much less threatening.

Tim approached slowly, the clone watching him quietly the whole time. "Here," he held up a cloth. The clone flinched slightly but then froze, and Tim carefully dried his face off for him, refusing to look down. They needed to find some clothing for the poor guy, fast.

"What…" he shook his head, more liquid dripping from unruly curls. He could do with a haircut, or at least a trim to make it neat. "Who…am I?" he asked, sounding so lost, and Tim felt sick. Right, they'd gotten him out before they could imprint Clark's life in his head, except only the Superman bits since they thankfully hadn't cracked his civilian id.

"It's okay," he whispered.

,

Maddie stared at the small blanket; to think Danny had been wrapped in it the first time they saw him. He'd grown up so much since then, where had the years gone? It seemed like just yesterday they had sent him to kindergarten and now he was starting high school.

She sighed and put the blanket back in the box, finding the papers she was looking for. They would take both kids to school for the first day, she'd set several alarms to make sure they wouldn't miss it. And then back to work. It was almost done…their greatest work, the thing that would prove to everyone who had ever laughed that they were right.

,

Dick swallowed as he listened to Timmy talking gently to the newly woken clone. His brilliant little brother had managed to coax him into coming with them and away from Cadmus, the clone clutching a gloved hand but thankfully not tightly enough to cause damage. Tim had a good poker face but not that good for so long if the grip had been truly painful. Maybe he would need to be in the sun for a while for his Kryptonian heritage to kick in?

The Watchtower medics were itching to get their hands on the kid, but one glare from Robin had sent them running. Tim was…creative when people pissed him off and everyone affiliated with the JL had learnt that either personally or through the grape vine. Tim was really a very different kind of Robin to him or…Jason. But that was good, he'd been worried the kid would try too hard to be like them. It did make him wonder just what Tim had gotten up to on his training trip. He'd come back almost a year later, almost four inches taller and wielding a bō like it was an extension of himself.

The clone looked a lot like Clark but he could tell B and Tim had noticed as well, there were differences. And then his comm beeped, Oracle.

"He's not a true clone," she announced on the batline only. "Cadmus couldn't stabilise the Kryptonian DNA…he's partially human but the data on that donor has been completely erased."

"So, he's like Jon?" Dick asked, hearing B's grunt of agreement with his question.

"Possibly, without tests it's impossible to know how the ratio of human vs Kryptonian has stabilised. And I doubt he'll be keen on tests."

"But he was unconscious in that tube." Had they brought him out before for tests?

"They were part way through the data download into his brain, he should know what a lab is and he woke up in one, naked and wet. That would make anyone wary. Honestly, it's shocking he's trusting Robin as much as he is."

Okay, she had a point.

,

Danny took a deep breath as he got out of the GAV, putting up with Mom and Dad's overly enthusiastic actions. It was his first day of high school, he was a freshman…and he knew nothing would change. Especially with his parents insisting on dropping them both off today. Even those from different middle schools would see and start whispering, would hear from those he'd gone to school with.

"Danny!"

He turned, relieved to see Tucker running over. And then he spotted Sam as well, relaxing as he realised both his closest friends were there too. They could survive high school together, right?

,

Lex opened the door and stared at the boy in surprise, though he hid it. It was him, who else could it be on the penthouse balcony? Could he fly already? The boy shifted nervously, looking around. "Hello," he called, not wanting to start things off badly.

"Hi," the boy answered. "They said…well, Robin…"

"Do you want to come inside?"

"Why?" the boy blurted out. "Why did you tell them? They said Superman was your enemy…"

"And you are a child," Lex cut him off, stepping outside to join him. Robin, so the bats were staying closely involved. Was one of them nearby? "Do you have a name?"

He shook his head. "Robin said I should choose one I like but nothing feels right."

"Give it time, you'll find something."

"Why did you tell them?"

"Because you needed people who could help you and sadly, that means the Justice League."

"Do you know who they are? Robin said there's human DNA in me…but the records were gone."

Lex closed his eyes, taking a slow, deep breath. "Come inside." Where they could talk without any bats listening.

,

He sat carefully on the…couch. He had to be careful; he'd broken a door yesterday. And touching people was even more dangerous but Robin let him hold his hand. He shouldn't be here, he wasn't meant to have heard Batman, but his hearing was going crazy. Robin had helped him leave, said he deserved answers that this man might have. He hoped Robin didn't get in trouble; he was nice.

"I do know who the human donor was," Lex Luthor told him, and he straightened up, nervous. "It was me."

He stared with wide eyes.

"I did not know they had a sample; I didn't learn anything of the project until a few days before I contacted Batman."

"You didn't want me?" he asked, unable to help it. Luthor moved closer, kneeling in front of him and taking his hands, not seeming scared of his strength. Why else would he delete the data?

"I do," Luthor murmured. "But you would never have the life you deserve if you were publicly linked to me. The Justice League would always be wary of you and I didn't want that for you."

He stared at the man before him and then he slid off the couch, reaching hesitantly. Soon he was wrapped up in his…dad's?...arms.

,

Danny collapsed on his bed, aching. So at least high school lockers were a bit roomier? Didn't make being stuffed in one any nicer though.

"Hey little brother," Jazz called from the doorway, and he groaned. "That bad?"

"Dash," he grumbled.

"Jazz! Danno!" Dad called, sounding very excited.

The siblings exchanged a look but headed downstairs. In the lab, they found their parents excitedly moving about the 'portal'. Was it finally done?

,

Tim knew Bruce was mad at him but he didn't care. The boy deserved answers and Luthor was the only one who might have them. And it seemed he did. He was basically the son of Clark and Lex…and Lex had even offered up some names if the boy wanted them. He'd been different the last decade or so. Tim had gone through the records thoroughly and the man had backed off a lot in his confrontations with Superman and even his more questionable actions. He had been part of a supervillain group but had mostly cut ties. Why? What had happened? No one had ever worked that out but…Tim had a small suspicion given his reaction to the boy. Not that he was going to tell anyone.

Tim knew the only reason B hadn't tried to ground him was because of the boy, he reacted to Tim the best so he was still allowed up on the Watchtower even though he was off patrol. A lot of knowledge had been downloaded into his head while he was in the tube but he knew nothing of how to live with people, so Tim was doing his best to help with that. Current events, pop culture…he was missing a lot because he'd come out of the tube early. And Tim liked teaching him.

,

"So this is it?" Tucker asked, and Danny nodded.

"Yep, the thing my parents have spent the last decade working on." No, he wasn't even a little bitter about that, he wasn't.

"Cool," Tucker moved around, trying to see more.

"But it doesn't even work," Sam rolled her eyes.

"Nope."

Which was why they weren't home, Jazz had forced them away for the weekend since they'd just been moping around. She was hoping that the time to clear their heads would help, that they'd come home ready to be proper parents…Danny would believe it when he saw it.

"So, it's safe right?" she asked, and Danny shrugged.

"I guess?"

"So let's get a picture inside it."

"What? No way," he shook his head.

Ten minutes later he finished zipping up his hazmat suit, staring at the inactive portal. This was crazy but he at least had safety gear, Sam didn't. He took a breath and then stepped inside, looking around.

"What's it like?" Tucker called.

"Dark!" he answered. Right, get a picture and get out. Piece of cake. He took a step, feeling his boot snag on something and then he was falling, throwing a hand out to try and catch himself. His hand touched something smooth and then there was a click.

TBC…

So yes, Lex is out of character. But having a kid and giving them up to keep them safe would be something that would change you. He's still not a good guy, but he's scaled things back a lot. Despite no clue on where his son is, in the back of his mind would always be the thought of one day… which is why he moved to get Kon help.