Chlark Fanfic: Crisis, Chapter 41
Once again, I've underestimated myself. We're not done yet! :-)
Enjoy.
Title: Crisis
Author: BabyDee1
Pairing: Chlark/Kaloe
Rating: NC-17 for disturbing themes
Warnings: None for this chapter
Timeline: Season 2-3 (Exodus - Exile; Clark’s RedK Summer & beyond)
Disclaimer: All characters belong to the CW & DC comics
Summary: A violent encounter between Chloe and Clark threatens to destroy their friendship forever.
Feedback: …would be appreciated. :)
Read previous chapter here.
Read story from the beginning here.
Chapter 41
At the mention of his son’s name from Lionel’s lips, Jonathan Kent felt sick to his stomach. He pressed his ear firmly against the wall and listened hard.
“Clark Kent?” Adrian echoed.
“I believe his father paid you a visit earlier this afternoon.”
“I don’t know how you knew that, Mr Luthor, but by oath and by law I’m unable to give you details of any patient’s information,” he immediately replied.
“The law doesn’t have to know, do they?” Lionel replied silkily. “As for your oath, I think a peek at a file is a small price to pay for a new cardiac wing at the hospital; wouldn’t you agree?”
Adrian paused. “Sir, may I be permitted to ask why you’re so interested in that particular patient’s file?”
“That information is on a need to know basis only,” was Lionel’s reply.
“Mr Luthor, if I don’t know what’s going on, then I can’t help you.”
There was a brief silence, and then Lionel spoke.
“Alright,” he relented. “It’s a simple matter, really. You see, I was Trustee of the charity that guaranteed young Clark’s adoption all those years ago. Well, I’ve recently received information which indicates that Clark may be at risk in the Kent’s care, and I simply wish to peruse his medical files to see if I can determine any incidences of abuse.”
“Jonathan would never hurt that boy,” the doctor replied emphatically.
Jonathan heaved a sigh of relief. Thank you, Adrian.
“I admire your blind faith in the man, but I have to be objective,” Lionel replied. “My concern is for the child. As guarantor of Clark’s adoption, I feel…responsible for his well-being. All I need is a glance at the files to reassure myself that the boy is being well taken care of and in good health.”
“So why not subpoena the files via the charity?” Adrian asked.
“Metropolis United Charities no longer exists, so it would be a lengthy, arduous process to try and get a subpoena on those grounds,” Lionel explained.
“Then I’d advise you initiate proceedings to get the relevant paperwork from Child Services as soon as possible,” Adrian shot back. “I should point out, though, that a subpoena will only be issued following a full investigation and if the claim is found to be frivolous, you’ll face serious sanctions for wasting the court’s time.”
Jonathan mentally punched the air in triumph. It was all he could do not to burst into the room and give the other man a bear hug for his support.
There was silence for several seconds. Finally Lionel spoke.
“Would a personal bonus of fifty-thousand dollars be enough to sway your outlook?”
Jonathan stiffened. He knew Lionel would never accept no for an answer until all forms of persuasion and/or coercion had been applied.
But Adrian refused to back down. “I don’t accept bribes, Mr Luthor-”
“Bribe is such an ugly word, Dr Weismann. This is just a gift. And did I say fifty thousand dollars? Because what I meant to say was one hundred.”
Jonathan’s jaw dropped. There was only so much temptation one man could withstand, and a hundred thousand dollars was a lot of money.
“Well, thank you for your kind offer of a gift, but I have all the money I need,” Adrian replied curtly.
“And the cardiac wing?” Lionel asked. “Do you have the money for that, too?”
Jonathan scowled. Well played, Lionel. There was a tense silence for several seconds before Adrian replied.
“No. Of course not.”
“Then consider my offer to provide it for you. Think of all the lives you could save,” Lionel mimicked. “Could you honestly live with yourself if you threw away the chance of survival for so many patients? Do you want to be the person responsible for all those bereaved, broken families? I know I wouldn’t be able to sleep at night with that on my conscience.”
“If you feel so strongly about it, then why not do the right thing and donate the wing with no strings attached?” Adrian challenged.
“I’ll give it to you straight, doctor,” Jonathan heard Lionel say in terse, crisp tones. “The new cardiac wing I have so generously offered, plus your attendant cash gift, is dependent upon my access to the Kent boy’s files. If you fail to provide me with this, then the deal is off the table. Do we understand one another?”
“I understand clearly, sir,” the doctor replied quietly.
“So you’ll do this for me?” Lionel asked.
Jonathan held his breath and waited for his friend’s answer.
“I can have the papers for the new cardiac wing drawn up within the hour, and the money wired to your account before noon,” Lionel continued, sounding as smooth and enticing as possible. “One glance at one file, that’s all it takes. You’re a wise man, doctor. It’s your call.”
Jonathan shook with fear. Even he could see it was a seriously tempting offer, and if it were anyone other than Adrian Weismann on the other end of the line, the next words to be uttered to Lionel would have been where do I sign?
The silence continued, and Jonathan could hear his friend’s fingers drumming lightly on the table. He sighed. Adrian’s hesitation could only mean one thing: he was weakening.
Lionel must have thought the same. “I won’t tell anyone if you don’t,” he chuckled.
Finally Adrian spoke.
“Mr Luthor, I should mention that the hospital records all incoming and outgoing calls for training and quality purposes. And I suspect, security and insurance reasons, too.”
***
There was an instant click, followed by a disconnected dial tone.
Jonathan’s knees gave way and he sagged against the wall in relief, unable to believe his luck. Had he really just dodged a very sharp Luthor bullet? Not only had Lionel abruptly given up, he had also incriminated himself in a monitored phone call. Jonathan knew that Lionel might yet be able to get his hands on the message and have it deleted, but the possibility of other ears having heard it and stored it first meant he could never again make a suspicious move in Smallville Medical Centre without putting himself in the firing line.
So for now, at least, the threat was over.
He heard footsteps coming from inside the office and quickly made his way down the hall, ducking into nearest available room which happened to be the bathroom. A good thing, too; after the conversation he’d just listened to, the need to relieve himself was more urgent that ever.
He finished his business and opened the door to leave the restroom - and came face to face with Adrian Weismann who was striding down the hall.
“Jonathan! Good, you’re still here.”
“Adrian,” he replied lamely as the other man approached. “I- I was just-”
To his surprise, Adrian pushed him back inside the bathroom and followed him in, then locked the door from the inside.
Jonathan stiffened. “Aidy, what are you-?”
“Quiet!” he whispered fiercely.
Jonathan stared in bewilderment as the doctor went from stall to stall, making sure that the cubicles were all empty. When he was satisfied, he returned to Jonathan’s side and fixed him with a stern glare.
“I need you to be straight with me, Jonathan,” he said, his voice tight. “Who’s the therapy for?”
Jonathan gulped. “I told you, I’m not at liberty to say-”
“Is it for Clark?”
“It doesn’t matter now,” he said hurriedly. “I spoke to my friend, he’s decided not have therapy after all-”
“Because I have just had Lionel Luthor offer me everything except his first born to show him Clark’s medical files,” he hissed fiercely.
Jonathan feigned surprise. “He what?”
“What is going on here, Jon?” he demanded. “Is Clark in some kind of trouble?”
Jonathan shook his head. “No, it’s nothing like that. He just-”
“So the therapy is for Clark, then?”
He stiffened. “I didn’t say that.”
“Lionel said he thinks Clark’s being abused,” he accused.
Jonathan’s eyes widened. “You don’t believe him, do you?”
“I wouldn’t trust that man further than I could throw him,” he admitted. “But for him to say something like that right after you come in here asking for therapy for some unknown person…” he took a deep breath. “Jonathan, I have to ask. Is the therapy for Clark? And if so, then why?”
Jonathan hesitated.
“You can trust me,” Adrian continued. “I just need to be sure that Clark isn’t in any kind of harm.”
“He isn’t,” Jonathan answered honestly. “He and a friend had a disagreement, and a lot of things were said and done that drove a wedge between them. Martha and I just want to make sure they’re both okay. That’s all. That’s the truth.”
“I believe you,” he replied. “So what does Lionel want?”
“I wish I knew,” Jonathan replied. “He’s been obsessed with my family for years; even tried to make a move on Martha about a year ago.”
“I recall her working for him at one point,” Adrian said, frowning. “And then he got shot and you were accused.”
Jonathan nodded. “I don’t know what he wants with us,” he said. “How did he even know I was here?”
“He’s either having you followed, or someone in the building told him you were here,” he replied.
Damn it. Jonathan ran a hand through his hair in despair and paced up and down. How could he get Lionel Luthor to back away from his family?
“Do you still want Clark to do therapy?” Adrian asked. “I can arrange to do it discreetly, no problem.”
Jonathan sighed. “Thanks for the offer, Aidy, but I can’t bring you into this,” he replied. “The last thing you want is a Lionel Luthor bull’s-eye on your back, and he won’t stop until he gets what he wants.”
Adrian made a wry face. “Somehow, I don’t think he’ll be asking for my help again anytime soon,” he said. “But thanks for your concern. If you ever did need anything, though…”
Jonathan smiled and gave his friend a warm handshake. “I know who I can trust. Thank you, Adrian.”
***
Chapter 42/Epilogue…
Enjoy.
Title: Crisis
Author: BabyDee1
Pairing: Chlark/Kaloe
Rating: NC-17 for disturbing themes
Warnings: None for this chapter
Timeline: Season 2-3 (Exodus - Exile; Clark’s RedK Summer & beyond)
Disclaimer: All characters belong to the CW & DC comics
Summary: A violent encounter between Chloe and Clark threatens to destroy their friendship forever.
Feedback: …would be appreciated. :)
Read previous chapter here.
Read story from the beginning here.
Chapter 41
At the mention of his son’s name from Lionel’s lips, Jonathan Kent felt sick to his stomach. He pressed his ear firmly against the wall and listened hard.
“Clark Kent?” Adrian echoed.
“I believe his father paid you a visit earlier this afternoon.”
“I don’t know how you knew that, Mr Luthor, but by oath and by law I’m unable to give you details of any patient’s information,” he immediately replied.
“The law doesn’t have to know, do they?” Lionel replied silkily. “As for your oath, I think a peek at a file is a small price to pay for a new cardiac wing at the hospital; wouldn’t you agree?”
Adrian paused. “Sir, may I be permitted to ask why you’re so interested in that particular patient’s file?”
“That information is on a need to know basis only,” was Lionel’s reply.
“Mr Luthor, if I don’t know what’s going on, then I can’t help you.”
There was a brief silence, and then Lionel spoke.
“Alright,” he relented. “It’s a simple matter, really. You see, I was Trustee of the charity that guaranteed young Clark’s adoption all those years ago. Well, I’ve recently received information which indicates that Clark may be at risk in the Kent’s care, and I simply wish to peruse his medical files to see if I can determine any incidences of abuse.”
“Jonathan would never hurt that boy,” the doctor replied emphatically.
Jonathan heaved a sigh of relief. Thank you, Adrian.
“I admire your blind faith in the man, but I have to be objective,” Lionel replied. “My concern is for the child. As guarantor of Clark’s adoption, I feel…responsible for his well-being. All I need is a glance at the files to reassure myself that the boy is being well taken care of and in good health.”
“So why not subpoena the files via the charity?” Adrian asked.
“Metropolis United Charities no longer exists, so it would be a lengthy, arduous process to try and get a subpoena on those grounds,” Lionel explained.
“Then I’d advise you initiate proceedings to get the relevant paperwork from Child Services as soon as possible,” Adrian shot back. “I should point out, though, that a subpoena will only be issued following a full investigation and if the claim is found to be frivolous, you’ll face serious sanctions for wasting the court’s time.”
Jonathan mentally punched the air in triumph. It was all he could do not to burst into the room and give the other man a bear hug for his support.
There was silence for several seconds. Finally Lionel spoke.
“Would a personal bonus of fifty-thousand dollars be enough to sway your outlook?”
Jonathan stiffened. He knew Lionel would never accept no for an answer until all forms of persuasion and/or coercion had been applied.
But Adrian refused to back down. “I don’t accept bribes, Mr Luthor-”
“Bribe is such an ugly word, Dr Weismann. This is just a gift. And did I say fifty thousand dollars? Because what I meant to say was one hundred.”
Jonathan’s jaw dropped. There was only so much temptation one man could withstand, and a hundred thousand dollars was a lot of money.
“Well, thank you for your kind offer of a gift, but I have all the money I need,” Adrian replied curtly.
“And the cardiac wing?” Lionel asked. “Do you have the money for that, too?”
Jonathan scowled. Well played, Lionel. There was a tense silence for several seconds before Adrian replied.
“No. Of course not.”
“Then consider my offer to provide it for you. Think of all the lives you could save,” Lionel mimicked. “Could you honestly live with yourself if you threw away the chance of survival for so many patients? Do you want to be the person responsible for all those bereaved, broken families? I know I wouldn’t be able to sleep at night with that on my conscience.”
“If you feel so strongly about it, then why not do the right thing and donate the wing with no strings attached?” Adrian challenged.
“I’ll give it to you straight, doctor,” Jonathan heard Lionel say in terse, crisp tones. “The new cardiac wing I have so generously offered, plus your attendant cash gift, is dependent upon my access to the Kent boy’s files. If you fail to provide me with this, then the deal is off the table. Do we understand one another?”
“I understand clearly, sir,” the doctor replied quietly.
“So you’ll do this for me?” Lionel asked.
Jonathan held his breath and waited for his friend’s answer.
“I can have the papers for the new cardiac wing drawn up within the hour, and the money wired to your account before noon,” Lionel continued, sounding as smooth and enticing as possible. “One glance at one file, that’s all it takes. You’re a wise man, doctor. It’s your call.”
Jonathan shook with fear. Even he could see it was a seriously tempting offer, and if it were anyone other than Adrian Weismann on the other end of the line, the next words to be uttered to Lionel would have been where do I sign?
The silence continued, and Jonathan could hear his friend’s fingers drumming lightly on the table. He sighed. Adrian’s hesitation could only mean one thing: he was weakening.
Lionel must have thought the same. “I won’t tell anyone if you don’t,” he chuckled.
Finally Adrian spoke.
“Mr Luthor, I should mention that the hospital records all incoming and outgoing calls for training and quality purposes. And I suspect, security and insurance reasons, too.”
***
There was an instant click, followed by a disconnected dial tone.
Jonathan’s knees gave way and he sagged against the wall in relief, unable to believe his luck. Had he really just dodged a very sharp Luthor bullet? Not only had Lionel abruptly given up, he had also incriminated himself in a monitored phone call. Jonathan knew that Lionel might yet be able to get his hands on the message and have it deleted, but the possibility of other ears having heard it and stored it first meant he could never again make a suspicious move in Smallville Medical Centre without putting himself in the firing line.
So for now, at least, the threat was over.
He heard footsteps coming from inside the office and quickly made his way down the hall, ducking into nearest available room which happened to be the bathroom. A good thing, too; after the conversation he’d just listened to, the need to relieve himself was more urgent that ever.
He finished his business and opened the door to leave the restroom - and came face to face with Adrian Weismann who was striding down the hall.
“Jonathan! Good, you’re still here.”
“Adrian,” he replied lamely as the other man approached. “I- I was just-”
To his surprise, Adrian pushed him back inside the bathroom and followed him in, then locked the door from the inside.
Jonathan stiffened. “Aidy, what are you-?”
“Quiet!” he whispered fiercely.
Jonathan stared in bewilderment as the doctor went from stall to stall, making sure that the cubicles were all empty. When he was satisfied, he returned to Jonathan’s side and fixed him with a stern glare.
“I need you to be straight with me, Jonathan,” he said, his voice tight. “Who’s the therapy for?”
Jonathan gulped. “I told you, I’m not at liberty to say-”
“Is it for Clark?”
“It doesn’t matter now,” he said hurriedly. “I spoke to my friend, he’s decided not have therapy after all-”
“Because I have just had Lionel Luthor offer me everything except his first born to show him Clark’s medical files,” he hissed fiercely.
Jonathan feigned surprise. “He what?”
“What is going on here, Jon?” he demanded. “Is Clark in some kind of trouble?”
Jonathan shook his head. “No, it’s nothing like that. He just-”
“So the therapy is for Clark, then?”
He stiffened. “I didn’t say that.”
“Lionel said he thinks Clark’s being abused,” he accused.
Jonathan’s eyes widened. “You don’t believe him, do you?”
“I wouldn’t trust that man further than I could throw him,” he admitted. “But for him to say something like that right after you come in here asking for therapy for some unknown person…” he took a deep breath. “Jonathan, I have to ask. Is the therapy for Clark? And if so, then why?”
Jonathan hesitated.
“You can trust me,” Adrian continued. “I just need to be sure that Clark isn’t in any kind of harm.”
“He isn’t,” Jonathan answered honestly. “He and a friend had a disagreement, and a lot of things were said and done that drove a wedge between them. Martha and I just want to make sure they’re both okay. That’s all. That’s the truth.”
“I believe you,” he replied. “So what does Lionel want?”
“I wish I knew,” Jonathan replied. “He’s been obsessed with my family for years; even tried to make a move on Martha about a year ago.”
“I recall her working for him at one point,” Adrian said, frowning. “And then he got shot and you were accused.”
Jonathan nodded. “I don’t know what he wants with us,” he said. “How did he even know I was here?”
“He’s either having you followed, or someone in the building told him you were here,” he replied.
Damn it. Jonathan ran a hand through his hair in despair and paced up and down. How could he get Lionel Luthor to back away from his family?
“Do you still want Clark to do therapy?” Adrian asked. “I can arrange to do it discreetly, no problem.”
Jonathan sighed. “Thanks for the offer, Aidy, but I can’t bring you into this,” he replied. “The last thing you want is a Lionel Luthor bull’s-eye on your back, and he won’t stop until he gets what he wants.”
Adrian made a wry face. “Somehow, I don’t think he’ll be asking for my help again anytime soon,” he said. “But thanks for your concern. If you ever did need anything, though…”
Jonathan smiled and gave his friend a warm handshake. “I know who I can trust. Thank you, Adrian.”
***
Chapter 42/Epilogue…