Chapter 5

In Metropolis the sun began its nightly descent. Kitty Kowalski, in gaudy oversized jewelry and a 1950s dress, stood at the huge windows of the extravagant penthouse she shared with Lex Luthor. She stared at the Metropolis skyline and absentmindedly stroked the little Pomeranian snuggled in her arms.

The penthouse sat atop the newest structure in Metropolis, the Lexicon building. The huge windows offered an unparalleled view of the Metropolis skyline. At this time of day, with the sun setting, the view was quite simply magnificent.

Kitty pondered her life with Lex and how it hadn't turned out exactly as she'd planned. All she'd ever really wanted was to marry a rich man and live a life of luxury. Thanks to his late widow, Gertrude Vanderworth, Lex was certainly rich. He'd used Gertrude's vast fortune to covertly build the Lexicon Corporations—one in London and one in Metropolis. However, Kitty had come to realize that Lex would never marry her. If he found someone more interesting or useful, Kitty would be gone without so much as a second thought.

But for now, money was plentiful and she bought whatever she desired—a comforting thought for someone who liked to indulge in old movie costumes and wigs. However, Kitty shuddered at the thought of some of Lex's employees. Some of them truly frightened her. If Lex really wanted to get rid of me, she thought and swallowed hard.

It had taken months for Kitty to fully comprehend Lex's megalomania. He only cared about his plans to control Metropolis and one day … the world. Would Lex really want Kitty at his side when he accomplished those goals?

"Should I stay or should I go?" Kitty asked the little dog as she petted its head. "I really like the money. I mean, what would I do without money? I need money to live." The little dog looked up with a bemused expression. He certainly had no complains, his bed cost more than most people's and his food was the best money could buy.

"I think this is what they call life in a gilded cage," Kitty cooed to the dog.

The sound of the penthouse doors sliding open startled Kitty and yanked her attention away from the view. In strode Lex.

Kitty pouted and spoke without thinking, "Lex, it's lonely in this penthouse. You're never home." She regretted the words as soon as they'd left her mouth. She knew she should not anger Lex the minute he walked through the door.

Annoyed, Lex eyed Kitty in her new outfit. "One would think shopping all day would keep one from being lonely." His cold, gray eyes surveyed her from top to bottom. He unbuttoned his Armani jacket and loosened his silk tie. "Running two large corporations keeps me busy." Corporations he had secretly started even before his not-so-dearly departed widow had breathed her last breath. Everything, then and now, was being done without the mention of Lex's name or involvement. He wanted to surprise the world, and a certain Man of Steel, with that news later.

Kitty decided to smooth things over and tried a different approach. "Lex, you need a vacation. You've been too busy the past six months. Your company thingies can run themselves now, can't they?"

Her naiveté never ceased to amaze Lex. Had she really said company thingies?

Still holding the Pomeranian, Kitty sashayed over to Lex. "You know we could take a nice cruise for a few weeks, just get away from everything." She looked into Lex's dark-gray eyes hoping the anger had faded.

Unfortunately it had been replaced with disbelief and contempt. "A cruise?!" Lex sneered and ripped the tie from his neck. "What would make you think I would ever want to be on a ship, or the ocean, again after what we went through?!"

Wrong again, Kitty thought, then pointed out, "But Lex, it was a ship that rescued us from that horrible little island."

"A stinking cargo ship." Lex snarled. "And I don't wish to be reminded of that wretched two weeks of my life."

"Well, the guys on the ship were really nice." Kitty's confidence was fading fast. "If they hadn't saved us you wouldn't have all this," she gestured with one arm indicating the penthouse, "and your companies."

Lex just glared at her. To him it had been fate, he was meant to be saved. The world needed Lex Luthor to protect it from a Kryptonian alien who masqueraded as a hero. And the corporations Lex had been building would help him destroy that alien once and for all.

Kitty saw Lex's eyes glaze over. He's lost in his delusions of grandeur again, she thought as another question occurred to her, what's the real purpose of these companies? She sensed there was a sinister purpose behind everything Lex did. Involuntarily Kitty's body trembled at the thought and the little dog wiggled free from her arms. Kitty allowed the dog to jump on to the soft sofa. Lex peered at the animal in disgust. He tolerated the dog only for Kitty's sake.

Lex was now clearly irritated. "I'll be in my den." He strode down the hallway, turned into his den, and slammed the door.

Kitty was left standing in the living room, her mouth open ready to say something.

Lex laid his silk tie on the back of a leather recliner positioned in one corner of his den. He removed his suit-jacket and placed it over the tie. His den was a smaller version of his impressive office located a few floors below. Both were sleek and modern, but the den had a cozier feel thanks to the recliner, plush carpeting, a Persian rug, and dark mahogany furniture. One side of the room contained a custom-made wall unit extending from floor to ceiling. Housed inside specifically built nooks were computers and communications equipment. Two large screens dominated the center of the wall.

Lex turned on the computer, transmitter, and other communications equipment. He walked to the sliding glass doors to enjoy the evening view while he waited for the equipment to warm up. The sun dipped below the horizon.

"Ah, how I enjoy looking down on everyone," Lex sighed and some of his irritation began to fade.

The Lexicon proudly stood as the tallest building in Metropolis. It had been built to accommodate the various communications equipment, huge antennae, and satellite dishes perched on the building's rooftop.

Lex scanned the city skyline and mused, "No flying bluebirds tonight." He was slightly disappointed. "Metropolis has been rather quiet lately." He thought of his plans and grinned. "Well, I hope to change all of that."

He rubbed his chin and his grin grew. "Yes, I know your little secret. Or should I say, yours and Miss Lane's little secret. A little surprising, but hey, I guess even a superhero needs a little companionship."

Stars and city lights glittered in the night sky. It really was a magnificent view.

Lex walked to the fully stocked bar in the corner and made himself a drink. He brought the glass to his lips, savored the smell a moment, and then took a sip. It's all about communication, he thought and swirled the amber-colored liquid in his glass. He wondered if people understand that. The name, Lexicon, it meant language, vocabulary, knowledge.

"Knowledge," Lex said and took another sip of his drink. Lexicon possessed the latest knowledge in space technology as well as renowned researchers and scientists. It suited Lex's purposes even more that many of the scientists were unscrupulous.

"Space technology," Lex said softly to the night sky. He thought of Superman and an angry frown clouded his face. "An alien. How do you defeat an alien?" He answered his own question, "You need alien knowledge and help. And where does one find alien help?" Lex cast a pensive glance at the stars. "In space. Somewhere out there, in space, is someone or something capable of defeating even you Superman. I just have to find them and with the resources of my corporation, I will. And with their help, I will kill you."

Lex gulped the last of his drink, placed the glass on the mahogany desk, and took a seat at his computer. He searched the data displayed on the monitor and two large screens. Nothing yet—but it was early he reminded himself.

A/N: Just some background info, I wrote this story in 2007 and had it posted here for two years. In 2009 I went through some personal trauma and deleted most of my stories. Over the years, I have slowly added deleted the stories back. This is the last story I have to add. I also wrote several stories during the intervening years and posted them here.