Fic: Regret and False Pretense 13/?
Title: Regret & False Pretense 13/?
Author: Blue Gold
E-mail: midnightscribbles@gmail.com
Archive: midnightscribbles.com
Pairings: Clark/Lex,
Rating: NC-17
Summary: Clark’s been a little sick. His memory is a little fuzzy, but he remembers the important things like how to be a hero.
Disclaimer: I *sniff* do not any of the characters in this story
Spoilers: General All Episodes,
Warnings: Angst,
Authors Notes: Incorporates aspects of DCU.
Previous Parts Chapters 1-12
CHAPTER 13
Linda glanced over at Wally who lying drowsily besides her. He glanced over and smiled softly. She sat up reaching for her robe.
“How do you feel about sandwiches?”
“Sandwiches?” He asked, sitting up and stretching.
“Yes, bread, meat, cheese?”
“I’ll do it.”
“I need to put together a grocery list, stay there.”
Linda grabbed a pad from the bedside table and walked to the kitchen, her mind on what the Justice League had done to Wally. She just knew it hadn’t sunk in and the first crisis that happened would be hard for a whole new set of reasons that was just unfair to Wally.
She started pulling things out of the fridge for the sandwiches, amassing quite a few items. She pulled out a half of Avocado and had an idea. Checking for bacon, and finding just enough she started to make California Club sandwiches.
She was rinsing the tomato she was planning to slice when she heard it; an almost imperceptible click the sound of the window being shut. It was a sound she had been much more aware of as Wally would sometimes use it as an entrance and take a few extra seconds to change before joining her. She was sure Wally wouldn’t have heard anything but she wasn’t going to scream just yet. The last thing he needed was to come to her rescue if she was wrong.
They were on the sixth floor; the fire escape was back in their bedroom, not the living room. But she had seen enough flyers to know if one decided to become a robber it would be an easy target for them. She reached for her chopping board and placed it on the counter, rinsing a tomato she reached for her carving knife, and without a second thought threw it where she thought the person was standing.
Turning she was surprised to see Batman having caught the knife and looking at her. She wondered if he was surprised but could not tell with the eyeless cowl. His lips at least were a flat straight line.
“No, you don’t get to do that and set foot in my home. Get out!”
Batman said nothing, still holding the carving knife, until a blur took it out of his hand, took the bacon off the stove, then stood besides Linda in boxers, that may have not been on just a second ago. It reminded Linda of her nearly undressed state and crossed her arms over her robe.
“West I want you-”
“No, you washed your hands of him. Is your memory that short? He doesn’t have to answer to you.”
“Honey-”
“No this bastard threw you out then snuck in my window to ask a favor? He has a lot of nerve.”
“What happened to not leaving them out in the cold?”
“Is the world ending?” Linda snapped at Batman.
“No.”
“See, they can handle it, they were quick to pass judgment now then can just eat it.”
“I’m glad to see you’re not holding a grudge, dear. What do you need?” Wally asked turning to Batman a hand rubbing gently on the small of Linda’s back.
“Did you actually make significant contact with-”
“Wait you’re not even sure if did what you booted him for? What kind of half assed operation are you running?”
“I think he means Clark.”
“Oh for the love of…” Linda threw her hands up in the air and wandered out of the kitchen leaving Wally confused as he glanced at Batman.
“Did she throw a carving knife at you?”
“Yes.”
Wally grinned as Linda returned to the kitchen with her purse, after a few more minutes of fishing she pulled out a card. She punched the numbers into her Blackberry and hit send, then held the phone out to Batman.
“Well?”
He took the phone and put it to his ear just as someone answered.
“Clark Kent. Hello?”
At the second hello where Batman said nothing she snatched the phone back. “Hello Clark? Sorry. I was programming the number in I hit call instead of save.”
“Oh. Uh who is this?”
“Linda?”
“Right, um actually is Wally there?”
“Yes.”
“Can I ask him something?”
“Sure,” she held the phone out to Wally who shrugged.
“West.”
“Hey, it’s Clark. I have a question for you and it may be pretty strange.”
“Shoot, I can handle strange.”
“Um, did we run a race together?”
“Race…”
“For uh charity?”
“You remember that?” Wally asked stunned catching Batman’s attention.
“No, I was really hoping Lex was playing some kind of really weird prank. Though that wouldn’t explain what happened in the bath-” Wally heard a sharp voice that could only belong to Luthor and Clark cleared his throat. “Right too much detail.”
“Are you alright?” Wally asked.
“I’ll get back to you. Hey wait, does this mean you were fired today?”
“Well you can’t really fire me. But yeah…”
“Here, Lex wants to talk to you.”
“Lex?” Wally said wide eyed as Batman finally stepped off the wall and was inches from Wally who backpedaled a little, it was strange staring down Batman in just his boxers. He glanced at Linda and noticed she was gone. Likely to get dressed.
“Hello West, Luthorcorp could always use someone of your talents.”
“How many ways can I say no?” Wally growled.
“Not even to help Clark?” Batman nodded at him and he sighed knowing the man had likely been listening all along.
“How?”
“You have experiences, with Clark, and I did not point out to him that you were the man he had run the race with.”
“You already know who we all are; you can’t possibly be trying to hold that over my head.”
“That was not my point. My point is that you clearly jog his memory.”
“And you would want me to do that? Really?” Wally asked.
“It’s your decision; Wally West will be welcome at my penthouse.”
“What about…”
“And what would he be doing visiting Lex Luthor? It’s foolish actions like those, that cause it to be a cake walk to connect the dots to all of you. I will not be implicated as a member of your little gang.”
Lex hung up then and Wally stared at the phone a moment before glancing at Batman. “Why are you here?”
“Luthor should not be dictating membership in the league.”
“Well, you didn’t put up any kind of fight. Wait, you even agreed.”
“There are things that we all must do to keep up public appearances.”
“Right…”
*****
Clark looked up at Lex and smiled. “What?”
“Thank you.”
“Don’t thank me yet, we have no idea if he will show up.”
“But you asked and its clear that you guys aren’t best friends or anything. Reminds me of you and Pete.”
“There is a name I haven’t heard in some time. How is Mr. Ross?”
“Third year of law school right now.”
“Interesting.”
“Yeah he mentioned something about an internship in DC,” Clark said with a shrug. Clark frowned, looked at Lex then frowned again.
“So I’m a Superhero?” He said finally, looking up at Lex.
“Not a Superhero. The Superhero. Superman. Think Captain America but, more.”
“More?”
“Clark, you are worth billions in merchandising alone.”
Clark snorted, and smiled at Lex. “Lex this isn’t normal is it.”
“No, and with the things you and your vigilante group get up to, for all I know you’re a Clark Kent from an alternate reality where you were born human.”
“Wouldn’t I have a beard then?”
“Well, you aren’t evil,” Lex pointed out.
“Touché,” Clark said before giving Lex a Vulcan salute. “So you have no idea what happened?”
If Clark hadn’t had his full attention on Lex hoping for some clue to his explain his unorthodox amnesia he may have missed it. “Lex?” He asked standing. Lex kept the desk between them and ran his hand over his scalp. A nervous reaction Clark was sure he hadn’t seen for years. “Lex, what else could there possibly be? I walk around in blue spandex.”
“It’s not actually spandex, at least not anymore, ‘someone’ may have gotten creative with acid and a flame thrower.”
“Not the point right now Lex.”
“Fine, Clark. Before any of this happened we were no longer on speaking terms.”
“Oh that. Yeah, I figured that out Lex.”
“What?”
“You weren’t in my email contacts, on my speed dial, hell I didn’t even have your phone number, and I googled our names. I’m surprised the Planet is still standing.”
“You didn’t say anything.”
“Well it’s not like I figured it out right away and when I did, well what did it matter? We had a falling out, we’re friends again.”
“If it were only that simple Clark.”
“Lex, I’m not fifteen anymore, the world is just not that simple, if it was, a person like Batman couldn’t exist and be anything but evil.”
“You remember Batman?”
“Sort-of. It like a movie, but not really, or a dream. I know there’s a Batman, and some moments it feels like I know Batman, but I can’t tell if its because I saw Batman: The Movie or actually spoke to him. Understand?”
“Your frame of reference is wrong?” Lex tried.
“I guess? Until I can understand it I doubt that I will be able to explain it. So, you had to have some ideas of who would have done this.”
“Me.”
“You? As in you?”
“I should say me with a full head of hair and a beard,” Lex said smiling.
“Weird. But why evil you? I’m sure Superman had a lot of enemies.”
“Yes, and if it were just your powers taken away I could believe that. But this? I don’t see how anyone but myself could benefit from the selective altering of your memories, and those of your friends and family. It was as if some power handed you to me, weak and powerless for me to do what I would.”
“Could anyone do that?”
“The only people who know the extent of our relationship were similarly modified, and do not have such reality altering abilities.”
“Do you think you were modified too?” Clark asked.
Lex frowned for a moment surprised he hadn’t thought of it sooner, but no, his first thought had been to extract all the information and samples that he could. His only reason for not doing permanent harm to Clark had been curiosity, and wanting to get his questions answered. He had even been wearing a Kryptonite ring for the first few hours.
It had taken weeks of Clark behaving like the Clark of old to get under his skin; weeks of trusting looks, honesty, even general suffering from his injuries. He had taken the taps off his phone and computer, noting that Clark told him everything any way. Had he been manipulated?
Even now he was trying to twist this scenario, if he could get West on his side, while he was still on the outs with the League, he could keep Clark away from them all even if he got his powers back. No the goals may have changed, but they had changed within reason. There was no reason to be locked in his previous mindset. He would have never reached this point with Clark had he remained antagonistic with the man as he healed.
“No Clark, I am and have always been Lex Luthor.”
“Lex Luthor geek is more like it. So weird memory loss and now we’re friends like always.”
“We’ve already established that isn’t quite true.”
“I hope it’s true now?”
“Yes, Clark.”
“So, Unless I forget the last few months-”
“I have tapes.”
“Is there anything you don’t plan for?”
“Lois.”
“Really?”
“She is a force of nature, unpredictable and uncontrollable, you can hope she doesn’t cause much damage, but the woman is insane. I would not have guessed she would have taken the road she did with trying to get you back. I expected articles, harassment every time I stepped outdoors, not that.”
“Oh.”
“Though I have some doubts on her life expectancy, the moment she goes after someone who has fewer scruples than I. She no longer has an invulnerable bodyguard.”
“She can’t get into that much trouble.”
“One in four articles has her life, in peril. One in three of those she would not have survived without primary colored help.”
“So how has she been okay so far?”
“Miracles do occur every once in a while I just would not hold my breath for something like that continuing.”
“Sir.” Lex glanced at Mercy and Clark wondered if he was imagining it, but she sounded pissed off. Not that she was actually showing a facial expression or anything, but there it was.
“Yes Mercy.” Apparently Clark wasn’t the only one who had noticed the tone.
“There is a Wallace West here to see, Clark.”
“That was fast,” Clark said and caught Mercy’s smirk.
“He does that, let him up,” Lex said to Mercy.
“Why?” Lex just stared at Mercy a long moment and the woman nodded before wandering off.
“Was there a conversation in there?” Clark asked.
“I think she’s worried I’m going soft, she can’t possibly think I believe that farce of a firing.”
“Wait, you think that has to do with this?”
“Clark, do you think the Justice League; who think I am Satan, would leave their golden boy in my care?”
“Lex you are not Satan, last I checked he had way more hair, and was just creepy. He had all that hair to hide the horns.”
“Anti-Christ then.” Clark rolled his eyes. “The point is that I had safeguards in place to keep you here. They think they have gotten around one.”
“But you let me have a phone, computer; I never even got a cryptic voicemail.”
“Like Lois, they likely thought you were in my torture dungeon.”
“Right, penthouse on the Upper West Side, torture dungeon.”
“Of course. So how does firing the Flash get me back?”
“He’s here isn’t he?”
“Well you didn’t have to…” Clark stopped this argument bordering on silly. “I hate this, it’s like walking into the second part of a trilogy halfway through the thing, I have no idea what’s going on and everyone else does.”
“I’m sure Mr. West can fill you in on the evils of Lex Luthor and the virtues of the Justice League.” Clark finally moved around the desk standing inches in front of Lex.
“I let my dad and everyone else talk me into that once, and I won’t be doing it again. I know what I’ve seen and you Lex Luthor are a good man,” Clark could see the protest forming on Lex’s lips and pulled him close by the tie for a kiss.
“Oh my GOD!” Clark jumped letting go of Lex’s tie and turned to where Wally watched them in horror, while Mercy stood behind him arms crossed and smirking.
“What?”
“Satan, Clark.”
“Um, hi,” Clark said deciding to ignore Lex.
“Hey,” Wally said moving a touch too quickly to keep both Mercy and Lex in his line of sight. Mercy kept moving out of his range, until Lex shook his head.
“Why don’t you take Mr. West to the entertainment room, I’m not sure what kind of conversation you can have if he is too terrified to take his eyes off Mercy and I.”
“What? Oh right,” Clark said realizing this was Lex’s office, and Wally did look a bit like a terrified deer. He hadn’t seemed so nervous in the Diner, but then again he hadn’t just seen Lex and Clark kiss. Clark had to admit, he didn’t think he knew anyone other than Mercy, Hope, and Carla that would take that well. His mom would at best be politely worried.
“Come on,” Clark said waking over to the man and pulling him out of the room. They were barely down the hall when Wally seemed to snap out of it.
“How can you kiss him?” Wally exclaimed. “He’s…He’s Evil.”
“No, a possibly ruthless, cutthroat business man, but not all and all evil, or I would have been in the dungeon, lab, torture chamber, or whatever, you all have been imagining.”
“He’s up to something!”
“Right, on the off chance I got the powers, I didn’t even remember having back, his being nice to me would make me want to suddenly conquer the world with him. Makes total sense.”
“But you two-”
“Do you and Linda agree on everything?”
“No, but I’m not morally and ethically opposed to her either.”
Clark’s pocket buzzed and he pulled out his phone. He saw the number and held up a hand to stall Wally, who was gaping like a fish at Clark. They had just had a phone conversation, why was his phone a surprise.
“Hi mom!” Clark said brightly as Wally flopped down on the chair. “Fine, oh. You are? Tomorrow? Both of us? I’ll check.” Clark turned to glance at another corner of the room.
“Lex, are you free for dinner with my mom and me tomorrow? She has a meeting moved and she’ll be in Metropolis just tomorrow.”
“Who are you…” Wally stopped as he saw the camera in the corner; then just blinked as it moved up and down.
“Lex can come. Sure mom, yeah the penthouse, right across from the Planet. See you tomorrow. Love you too.” Clark hung up.
“He’s watching us,” Wally said flatly. “How can you trust him?”
“Lex’s has had his places wired since I was nineteen, and that could have been Mercy, it’s not like they trust you.”
“Me?”
“If you decided to pick me up and run how would I stop you?”
“I thought you said you weren’t a prisoner?”
“Do you know how many people try to kill Lex on a weekly basis? Well I guess not as much anymore, it’s only accessible by three people.”
“But he can be watching anytime.”
“Lex actually does have a job. You may have noticed.”
“How can you be okay with this? The Clark I know-”
“Look, if he had put them up specifically for me, then yeah I would have a problem with that, but I’m not about to tell Lex how to live in his own home.”
“He could be watching you shower.”
“I’d much rather he join me.”
“Oh god. Are you sure you haven’t been brainwashed?”
“If Lex is so “evil” would he want me to do more than just like him? Possibly that whole world domination thing.”
“He’s bidding his time.”
“Right because he knew my powers would start coming back.”
“What! Why didn’t you say so?”
“I just did.”
“This is dangerous Clark. He’s using you.”
“For what exactly?”
“I don’t know, something!”
“Thanks for that. Lex Luthor’s master plan, something, with a bit of stuff. Look, I’m not suddenly going to start growing a goatee, start calling anything my precious, petting any Persian cats, or threatening little dogs too.”
Wally stared at Clark and laughed. He couldn’t help it, he knew Supes was a good guy he hadn’t realized he was a big nerd too. “Dork.”
“Well yeah, who do you think got me started on Warrior Angel comics?”
“Lex Luthor reads comic books?”
“Well maybe not anymore, unless he gets the digital ones, which would mean he’s hiding comics from me,” Clark said raising his voice. “Yes, Lex reads comics, plays video games, and quotes Star Trek, I’m shaking.”
“That doesn’t make him any less dangerous,” Wally said. “Might make it harder for him to get a date though.”
“I have that covered thanks.”
“Okay, right there, you are not allowed to talk about that ever. No hints, no nothing, I’m gonna see if J’onn will bleach my brain thanks.”
“Do you have a problem with two guys-?”
“No! I have a problem with Lex Luthor. You couldn’t date, I don’t know Batman?”
“He’s creepy.”
“Lex Luthor!”
“Lex is not creepy, just a bit intense.”
“One could say the same about bats. And what about Lois?”
“Lois? What about her? I’m going back to work next week.”
“No I thought you and Lois were-” Wally tried.
“Lois still thinks I’m an idiot farm boy.”
“She clearly has a thing for Supes, hell most of the other papers call her Superman’s girlfriend.”
“Does she know, about me, I mean?”
“No, she has no idea.”
“So she just likes the powers.”
“No, I mean, she likes what you stand for, and believes in you.”
“Well if I have to fly to impress Lois, she’s out of luck.”
“You said some powers were coming back. Which ones?”
“Heat vision. Did I do any training with you guys?”
“You’d use the gym sometimes, but not really.”
“So we don’t have a danger room?”
“Nerd.”
“Oh well. What kind of things did we do?”
“All sorts of stuff, natural disasters, alien invasions, killer robots, other meta-humans, we also train anyone who wants to. They are kind of auxiliary league. Sometimes it feels like we are up to our ears in heroes.”
“And what about me?”
“You’re the heroes, hero, you bats, and Wonder Woman. The big three, really, big guns.”
“And where do you fit?”
“Founding member, Part of the Fellowship.”
“Fellowship?”
“Lord of the Rings?”
“Ah, who’s who?”
“Well according to Star Girl..”
Lex turned the screen off returning his attention to his email and work. Mercy had her palm, and an ear bud in so he was sure she was still watching, and would let him know if there was anything that he needed to know about them.
He was halfway through an email in Japanese when Mercy pulled out her gun already moving in a fast clip towards the door. Lex stood, grabbing his own and following. He stayed a distance behind so Mercy wouldn’t threaten to shoot him in case the danger wasn’t the Flash until he saw her running towards the entertainment center.
“I will shoot you in the kneecaps,” Mercy said pulling the door open.
“Woah,” Flash said putting his hands up. He knew he was faster than the bullet, but Mercy was scary. He sometimes wondered if she was a bit of a precog, because the one time she had shot at him, she had nearly got him, as if she could compensate for someone moving at his speed.
“What are you trying?”
“He wants Clark to visit the watchtower.”
“Visit, right, Mercy shoot him.”
“Guys!” Clark exclaimed. “It’s not like I said I would go.”
“Of course you wouldn’t go! So this is your plan? A visit? And then Clark is gone!”
“Um, could you guys put the guns down?” Clark said frowning, his hand rubbing at his chest. Lex put his gun up though Mercy did not move. “Mercy.”
She stared at Wally long and hard, before pulling out a throwing knife, and putting the gun away. Her warning clear.
“What if Mercy came with me?”
It was the first time Wally had seen Mercy smile and he twitched. “I don’t know if that’s a good idea.”
“Haven’t you been fired Mr. West, how would you gain such access?”
“Well I’m sure my higher level, clearance is gone, but I’ll still have lesser access.”
“No.”
“Lex.”
“No.”
“But-”
“This is exactly what they want.”
“I thought you said he wasn’t a prisoner,” Wally snapped.
“It doesn’t mean I’m stupid.”
“We’re not going to kidnap Clark, we’re the good guys.”
“Right, will you let him leave?”
“The minute he wants to.”
Lex pulled out his phone. “Are you sure about that Mr. West?”
“I’m not a liar.”
“I hope you trust your league.”
“With my life.”
“Good. Hope, I want you to secure, Linda Park. Yes her, take her shopping for all I care, just be with her.”
“Leave Linda out of this,” Wally exclaimed.
“You are bringing back Clark unharmed correct? Then what do you have to worry about? I get Clark, you get Linda.”
“And this is the guy you think is a good guy?” Wally snapped at Clark who was watching this silently.
“Lex I don’t think you should-”
“Then stay firmly on earth.”
“Mercy is coming with me.”
“I wouldn’t even be considering it otherwise.”
“You’re holding a woman hostage.”
“As much as you were in my torture dungeon.”
“Let’s just forget about it,” Clark said shaking his head. “It was a dumb idea.”
“It would put everyone’s mind at rest,” Wally pointed out.
“Maybe when I know more of what is going on,” Clark finally said. “You’ll just have to work on brining me up to speed faster.”
“I’m all about speed.”
“How’s that working out for your girlfriend?”
“Mercy!” Clark exclaimed scandalized.
“What can I say Hope is a bad influence,” she said smirk firmly in place.
“Could you call her off Linda?” Wally said.
“Unlike some people I don’t have a teleporter, she’s still in the city limits,” Lex said annoyed.
“Right,” Wally said frowning.
“I’ll leave you to your entertaining Clark,” Lex said moving to place a kiss on Clark’s lips, smirking when Wally sputtered.
Wally stared at Mercy who stared right back leaning against the door.
“Aren’t you going to leave?”
“We have a chaperone,” Clark explained. “No funny business. Seriously though, no one’s made fun of the tights ever?”
“Invulnerable, flying, super strong, heat vision, fast, no one is that stupid. It would be like laughing at Batman, for years people weren’t sure if he was real. We don’t have to look scary, well except for bats, we are.”
“Okay, how did we meet?”
“Well we all had been acting independently for a while before we formed the Justice League. You don’t know about that either do you?”
Clark shook his head and Wally glanced at Mercy.
“We have a video simulation we created,” Mercy said pulling it up on a screen. Obviously we took liberties. But a lot of this is public record.
The video started and it was a combination of news footage and CGI and stills. It was only a couple minutes long and when it ended Wally stared at Mercy.
“That’s scarily accurate; some stuff is off, but yeah. General idea, I may have been a big fan to get you to join the team. And Bats was slightly less anti team. But anyway, there we have the Justice League, and you already knew the Martian Manhunter, Black Canary, and Green Arrow. At the time Aquaman was having some weird memory thing so he didn’t really remember being Arthur but you knew him too. Not that anyone told me.”
“Oh. Wait, blond environmentalist?”
“King of the seas and things yeah.”
“Huh, I remember him from Smallville at least. Not those other names though.”
“So there was this Alien invasion.”
“Alien Invasion?”
“What you thought you and J’onn were the only ones?”
Author: Blue Gold
E-mail: midnightscribbles@gmail.com
Archive: midnightscribbles.com
Pairings: Clark/Lex,
Rating: NC-17
Summary: Clark’s been a little sick. His memory is a little fuzzy, but he remembers the important things like how to be a hero.
Disclaimer: I *sniff* do not any of the characters in this story
Spoilers: General All Episodes,
Warnings: Angst,
Authors Notes: Incorporates aspects of DCU.
Previous Parts Chapters 1-12
CHAPTER 13
Linda glanced over at Wally who lying drowsily besides her. He glanced over and smiled softly. She sat up reaching for her robe.
“How do you feel about sandwiches?”
“Sandwiches?” He asked, sitting up and stretching.
“Yes, bread, meat, cheese?”
“I’ll do it.”
“I need to put together a grocery list, stay there.”
Linda grabbed a pad from the bedside table and walked to the kitchen, her mind on what the Justice League had done to Wally. She just knew it hadn’t sunk in and the first crisis that happened would be hard for a whole new set of reasons that was just unfair to Wally.
She started pulling things out of the fridge for the sandwiches, amassing quite a few items. She pulled out a half of Avocado and had an idea. Checking for bacon, and finding just enough she started to make California Club sandwiches.
She was rinsing the tomato she was planning to slice when she heard it; an almost imperceptible click the sound of the window being shut. It was a sound she had been much more aware of as Wally would sometimes use it as an entrance and take a few extra seconds to change before joining her. She was sure Wally wouldn’t have heard anything but she wasn’t going to scream just yet. The last thing he needed was to come to her rescue if she was wrong.
They were on the sixth floor; the fire escape was back in their bedroom, not the living room. But she had seen enough flyers to know if one decided to become a robber it would be an easy target for them. She reached for her chopping board and placed it on the counter, rinsing a tomato she reached for her carving knife, and without a second thought threw it where she thought the person was standing.
Turning she was surprised to see Batman having caught the knife and looking at her. She wondered if he was surprised but could not tell with the eyeless cowl. His lips at least were a flat straight line.
“No, you don’t get to do that and set foot in my home. Get out!”
Batman said nothing, still holding the carving knife, until a blur took it out of his hand, took the bacon off the stove, then stood besides Linda in boxers, that may have not been on just a second ago. It reminded Linda of her nearly undressed state and crossed her arms over her robe.
“West I want you-”
“No, you washed your hands of him. Is your memory that short? He doesn’t have to answer to you.”
“Honey-”
“No this bastard threw you out then snuck in my window to ask a favor? He has a lot of nerve.”
“What happened to not leaving them out in the cold?”
“Is the world ending?” Linda snapped at Batman.
“No.”
“See, they can handle it, they were quick to pass judgment now then can just eat it.”
“I’m glad to see you’re not holding a grudge, dear. What do you need?” Wally asked turning to Batman a hand rubbing gently on the small of Linda’s back.
“Did you actually make significant contact with-”
“Wait you’re not even sure if did what you booted him for? What kind of half assed operation are you running?”
“I think he means Clark.”
“Oh for the love of…” Linda threw her hands up in the air and wandered out of the kitchen leaving Wally confused as he glanced at Batman.
“Did she throw a carving knife at you?”
“Yes.”
Wally grinned as Linda returned to the kitchen with her purse, after a few more minutes of fishing she pulled out a card. She punched the numbers into her Blackberry and hit send, then held the phone out to Batman.
“Well?”
He took the phone and put it to his ear just as someone answered.
“Clark Kent. Hello?”
At the second hello where Batman said nothing she snatched the phone back. “Hello Clark? Sorry. I was programming the number in I hit call instead of save.”
“Oh. Uh who is this?”
“Linda?”
“Right, um actually is Wally there?”
“Yes.”
“Can I ask him something?”
“Sure,” she held the phone out to Wally who shrugged.
“West.”
“Hey, it’s Clark. I have a question for you and it may be pretty strange.”
“Shoot, I can handle strange.”
“Um, did we run a race together?”
“Race…”
“For uh charity?”
“You remember that?” Wally asked stunned catching Batman’s attention.
“No, I was really hoping Lex was playing some kind of really weird prank. Though that wouldn’t explain what happened in the bath-” Wally heard a sharp voice that could only belong to Luthor and Clark cleared his throat. “Right too much detail.”
“Are you alright?” Wally asked.
“I’ll get back to you. Hey wait, does this mean you were fired today?”
“Well you can’t really fire me. But yeah…”
“Here, Lex wants to talk to you.”
“Lex?” Wally said wide eyed as Batman finally stepped off the wall and was inches from Wally who backpedaled a little, it was strange staring down Batman in just his boxers. He glanced at Linda and noticed she was gone. Likely to get dressed.
“Hello West, Luthorcorp could always use someone of your talents.”
“How many ways can I say no?” Wally growled.
“Not even to help Clark?” Batman nodded at him and he sighed knowing the man had likely been listening all along.
“How?”
“You have experiences, with Clark, and I did not point out to him that you were the man he had run the race with.”
“You already know who we all are; you can’t possibly be trying to hold that over my head.”
“That was not my point. My point is that you clearly jog his memory.”
“And you would want me to do that? Really?” Wally asked.
“It’s your decision; Wally West will be welcome at my penthouse.”
“What about…”
“And what would he be doing visiting Lex Luthor? It’s foolish actions like those, that cause it to be a cake walk to connect the dots to all of you. I will not be implicated as a member of your little gang.”
Lex hung up then and Wally stared at the phone a moment before glancing at Batman. “Why are you here?”
“Luthor should not be dictating membership in the league.”
“Well, you didn’t put up any kind of fight. Wait, you even agreed.”
“There are things that we all must do to keep up public appearances.”
“Right…”
*****
Clark looked up at Lex and smiled. “What?”
“Thank you.”
“Don’t thank me yet, we have no idea if he will show up.”
“But you asked and its clear that you guys aren’t best friends or anything. Reminds me of you and Pete.”
“There is a name I haven’t heard in some time. How is Mr. Ross?”
“Third year of law school right now.”
“Interesting.”
“Yeah he mentioned something about an internship in DC,” Clark said with a shrug. Clark frowned, looked at Lex then frowned again.
“So I’m a Superhero?” He said finally, looking up at Lex.
“Not a Superhero. The Superhero. Superman. Think Captain America but, more.”
“More?”
“Clark, you are worth billions in merchandising alone.”
Clark snorted, and smiled at Lex. “Lex this isn’t normal is it.”
“No, and with the things you and your vigilante group get up to, for all I know you’re a Clark Kent from an alternate reality where you were born human.”
“Wouldn’t I have a beard then?”
“Well, you aren’t evil,” Lex pointed out.
“Touché,” Clark said before giving Lex a Vulcan salute. “So you have no idea what happened?”
If Clark hadn’t had his full attention on Lex hoping for some clue to his explain his unorthodox amnesia he may have missed it. “Lex?” He asked standing. Lex kept the desk between them and ran his hand over his scalp. A nervous reaction Clark was sure he hadn’t seen for years. “Lex, what else could there possibly be? I walk around in blue spandex.”
“It’s not actually spandex, at least not anymore, ‘someone’ may have gotten creative with acid and a flame thrower.”
“Not the point right now Lex.”
“Fine, Clark. Before any of this happened we were no longer on speaking terms.”
“Oh that. Yeah, I figured that out Lex.”
“What?”
“You weren’t in my email contacts, on my speed dial, hell I didn’t even have your phone number, and I googled our names. I’m surprised the Planet is still standing.”
“You didn’t say anything.”
“Well it’s not like I figured it out right away and when I did, well what did it matter? We had a falling out, we’re friends again.”
“If it were only that simple Clark.”
“Lex, I’m not fifteen anymore, the world is just not that simple, if it was, a person like Batman couldn’t exist and be anything but evil.”
“You remember Batman?”
“Sort-of. It like a movie, but not really, or a dream. I know there’s a Batman, and some moments it feels like I know Batman, but I can’t tell if its because I saw Batman: The Movie or actually spoke to him. Understand?”
“Your frame of reference is wrong?” Lex tried.
“I guess? Until I can understand it I doubt that I will be able to explain it. So, you had to have some ideas of who would have done this.”
“Me.”
“You? As in you?”
“I should say me with a full head of hair and a beard,” Lex said smiling.
“Weird. But why evil you? I’m sure Superman had a lot of enemies.”
“Yes, and if it were just your powers taken away I could believe that. But this? I don’t see how anyone but myself could benefit from the selective altering of your memories, and those of your friends and family. It was as if some power handed you to me, weak and powerless for me to do what I would.”
“Could anyone do that?”
“The only people who know the extent of our relationship were similarly modified, and do not have such reality altering abilities.”
“Do you think you were modified too?” Clark asked.
Lex frowned for a moment surprised he hadn’t thought of it sooner, but no, his first thought had been to extract all the information and samples that he could. His only reason for not doing permanent harm to Clark had been curiosity, and wanting to get his questions answered. He had even been wearing a Kryptonite ring for the first few hours.
It had taken weeks of Clark behaving like the Clark of old to get under his skin; weeks of trusting looks, honesty, even general suffering from his injuries. He had taken the taps off his phone and computer, noting that Clark told him everything any way. Had he been manipulated?
Even now he was trying to twist this scenario, if he could get West on his side, while he was still on the outs with the League, he could keep Clark away from them all even if he got his powers back. No the goals may have changed, but they had changed within reason. There was no reason to be locked in his previous mindset. He would have never reached this point with Clark had he remained antagonistic with the man as he healed.
“No Clark, I am and have always been Lex Luthor.”
“Lex Luthor geek is more like it. So weird memory loss and now we’re friends like always.”
“We’ve already established that isn’t quite true.”
“I hope it’s true now?”
“Yes, Clark.”
“So, Unless I forget the last few months-”
“I have tapes.”
“Is there anything you don’t plan for?”
“Lois.”
“Really?”
“She is a force of nature, unpredictable and uncontrollable, you can hope she doesn’t cause much damage, but the woman is insane. I would not have guessed she would have taken the road she did with trying to get you back. I expected articles, harassment every time I stepped outdoors, not that.”
“Oh.”
“Though I have some doubts on her life expectancy, the moment she goes after someone who has fewer scruples than I. She no longer has an invulnerable bodyguard.”
“She can’t get into that much trouble.”
“One in four articles has her life, in peril. One in three of those she would not have survived without primary colored help.”
“So how has she been okay so far?”
“Miracles do occur every once in a while I just would not hold my breath for something like that continuing.”
“Sir.” Lex glanced at Mercy and Clark wondered if he was imagining it, but she sounded pissed off. Not that she was actually showing a facial expression or anything, but there it was.
“Yes Mercy.” Apparently Clark wasn’t the only one who had noticed the tone.
“There is a Wallace West here to see, Clark.”
“That was fast,” Clark said and caught Mercy’s smirk.
“He does that, let him up,” Lex said to Mercy.
“Why?” Lex just stared at Mercy a long moment and the woman nodded before wandering off.
“Was there a conversation in there?” Clark asked.
“I think she’s worried I’m going soft, she can’t possibly think I believe that farce of a firing.”
“Wait, you think that has to do with this?”
“Clark, do you think the Justice League; who think I am Satan, would leave their golden boy in my care?”
“Lex you are not Satan, last I checked he had way more hair, and was just creepy. He had all that hair to hide the horns.”
“Anti-Christ then.” Clark rolled his eyes. “The point is that I had safeguards in place to keep you here. They think they have gotten around one.”
“But you let me have a phone, computer; I never even got a cryptic voicemail.”
“Like Lois, they likely thought you were in my torture dungeon.”
“Right, penthouse on the Upper West Side, torture dungeon.”
“Of course. So how does firing the Flash get me back?”
“He’s here isn’t he?”
“Well you didn’t have to…” Clark stopped this argument bordering on silly. “I hate this, it’s like walking into the second part of a trilogy halfway through the thing, I have no idea what’s going on and everyone else does.”
“I’m sure Mr. West can fill you in on the evils of Lex Luthor and the virtues of the Justice League.” Clark finally moved around the desk standing inches in front of Lex.
“I let my dad and everyone else talk me into that once, and I won’t be doing it again. I know what I’ve seen and you Lex Luthor are a good man,” Clark could see the protest forming on Lex’s lips and pulled him close by the tie for a kiss.
“Oh my GOD!” Clark jumped letting go of Lex’s tie and turned to where Wally watched them in horror, while Mercy stood behind him arms crossed and smirking.
“What?”
“Satan, Clark.”
“Um, hi,” Clark said deciding to ignore Lex.
“Hey,” Wally said moving a touch too quickly to keep both Mercy and Lex in his line of sight. Mercy kept moving out of his range, until Lex shook his head.
“Why don’t you take Mr. West to the entertainment room, I’m not sure what kind of conversation you can have if he is too terrified to take his eyes off Mercy and I.”
“What? Oh right,” Clark said realizing this was Lex’s office, and Wally did look a bit like a terrified deer. He hadn’t seemed so nervous in the Diner, but then again he hadn’t just seen Lex and Clark kiss. Clark had to admit, he didn’t think he knew anyone other than Mercy, Hope, and Carla that would take that well. His mom would at best be politely worried.
“Come on,” Clark said waking over to the man and pulling him out of the room. They were barely down the hall when Wally seemed to snap out of it.
“How can you kiss him?” Wally exclaimed. “He’s…He’s Evil.”
“No, a possibly ruthless, cutthroat business man, but not all and all evil, or I would have been in the dungeon, lab, torture chamber, or whatever, you all have been imagining.”
“He’s up to something!”
“Right, on the off chance I got the powers, I didn’t even remember having back, his being nice to me would make me want to suddenly conquer the world with him. Makes total sense.”
“But you two-”
“Do you and Linda agree on everything?”
“No, but I’m not morally and ethically opposed to her either.”
Clark’s pocket buzzed and he pulled out his phone. He saw the number and held up a hand to stall Wally, who was gaping like a fish at Clark. They had just had a phone conversation, why was his phone a surprise.
“Hi mom!” Clark said brightly as Wally flopped down on the chair. “Fine, oh. You are? Tomorrow? Both of us? I’ll check.” Clark turned to glance at another corner of the room.
“Lex, are you free for dinner with my mom and me tomorrow? She has a meeting moved and she’ll be in Metropolis just tomorrow.”
“Who are you…” Wally stopped as he saw the camera in the corner; then just blinked as it moved up and down.
“Lex can come. Sure mom, yeah the penthouse, right across from the Planet. See you tomorrow. Love you too.” Clark hung up.
“He’s watching us,” Wally said flatly. “How can you trust him?”
“Lex’s has had his places wired since I was nineteen, and that could have been Mercy, it’s not like they trust you.”
“Me?”
“If you decided to pick me up and run how would I stop you?”
“I thought you said you weren’t a prisoner?”
“Do you know how many people try to kill Lex on a weekly basis? Well I guess not as much anymore, it’s only accessible by three people.”
“But he can be watching anytime.”
“Lex actually does have a job. You may have noticed.”
“How can you be okay with this? The Clark I know-”
“Look, if he had put them up specifically for me, then yeah I would have a problem with that, but I’m not about to tell Lex how to live in his own home.”
“He could be watching you shower.”
“I’d much rather he join me.”
“Oh god. Are you sure you haven’t been brainwashed?”
“If Lex is so “evil” would he want me to do more than just like him? Possibly that whole world domination thing.”
“He’s bidding his time.”
“Right because he knew my powers would start coming back.”
“What! Why didn’t you say so?”
“I just did.”
“This is dangerous Clark. He’s using you.”
“For what exactly?”
“I don’t know, something!”
“Thanks for that. Lex Luthor’s master plan, something, with a bit of stuff. Look, I’m not suddenly going to start growing a goatee, start calling anything my precious, petting any Persian cats, or threatening little dogs too.”
Wally stared at Clark and laughed. He couldn’t help it, he knew Supes was a good guy he hadn’t realized he was a big nerd too. “Dork.”
“Well yeah, who do you think got me started on Warrior Angel comics?”
“Lex Luthor reads comic books?”
“Well maybe not anymore, unless he gets the digital ones, which would mean he’s hiding comics from me,” Clark said raising his voice. “Yes, Lex reads comics, plays video games, and quotes Star Trek, I’m shaking.”
“That doesn’t make him any less dangerous,” Wally said. “Might make it harder for him to get a date though.”
“I have that covered thanks.”
“Okay, right there, you are not allowed to talk about that ever. No hints, no nothing, I’m gonna see if J’onn will bleach my brain thanks.”
“Do you have a problem with two guys-?”
“No! I have a problem with Lex Luthor. You couldn’t date, I don’t know Batman?”
“He’s creepy.”
“Lex Luthor!”
“Lex is not creepy, just a bit intense.”
“One could say the same about bats. And what about Lois?”
“Lois? What about her? I’m going back to work next week.”
“No I thought you and Lois were-” Wally tried.
“Lois still thinks I’m an idiot farm boy.”
“She clearly has a thing for Supes, hell most of the other papers call her Superman’s girlfriend.”
“Does she know, about me, I mean?”
“No, she has no idea.”
“So she just likes the powers.”
“No, I mean, she likes what you stand for, and believes in you.”
“Well if I have to fly to impress Lois, she’s out of luck.”
“You said some powers were coming back. Which ones?”
“Heat vision. Did I do any training with you guys?”
“You’d use the gym sometimes, but not really.”
“So we don’t have a danger room?”
“Nerd.”
“Oh well. What kind of things did we do?”
“All sorts of stuff, natural disasters, alien invasions, killer robots, other meta-humans, we also train anyone who wants to. They are kind of auxiliary league. Sometimes it feels like we are up to our ears in heroes.”
“And what about me?”
“You’re the heroes, hero, you bats, and Wonder Woman. The big three, really, big guns.”
“And where do you fit?”
“Founding member, Part of the Fellowship.”
“Fellowship?”
“Lord of the Rings?”
“Ah, who’s who?”
“Well according to Star Girl..”
Lex turned the screen off returning his attention to his email and work. Mercy had her palm, and an ear bud in so he was sure she was still watching, and would let him know if there was anything that he needed to know about them.
He was halfway through an email in Japanese when Mercy pulled out her gun already moving in a fast clip towards the door. Lex stood, grabbing his own and following. He stayed a distance behind so Mercy wouldn’t threaten to shoot him in case the danger wasn’t the Flash until he saw her running towards the entertainment center.
“I will shoot you in the kneecaps,” Mercy said pulling the door open.
“Woah,” Flash said putting his hands up. He knew he was faster than the bullet, but Mercy was scary. He sometimes wondered if she was a bit of a precog, because the one time she had shot at him, she had nearly got him, as if she could compensate for someone moving at his speed.
“What are you trying?”
“He wants Clark to visit the watchtower.”
“Visit, right, Mercy shoot him.”
“Guys!” Clark exclaimed. “It’s not like I said I would go.”
“Of course you wouldn’t go! So this is your plan? A visit? And then Clark is gone!”
“Um, could you guys put the guns down?” Clark said frowning, his hand rubbing at his chest. Lex put his gun up though Mercy did not move. “Mercy.”
She stared at Wally long and hard, before pulling out a throwing knife, and putting the gun away. Her warning clear.
“What if Mercy came with me?”
It was the first time Wally had seen Mercy smile and he twitched. “I don’t know if that’s a good idea.”
“Haven’t you been fired Mr. West, how would you gain such access?”
“Well I’m sure my higher level, clearance is gone, but I’ll still have lesser access.”
“No.”
“Lex.”
“No.”
“But-”
“This is exactly what they want.”
“I thought you said he wasn’t a prisoner,” Wally snapped.
“It doesn’t mean I’m stupid.”
“We’re not going to kidnap Clark, we’re the good guys.”
“Right, will you let him leave?”
“The minute he wants to.”
Lex pulled out his phone. “Are you sure about that Mr. West?”
“I’m not a liar.”
“I hope you trust your league.”
“With my life.”
“Good. Hope, I want you to secure, Linda Park. Yes her, take her shopping for all I care, just be with her.”
“Leave Linda out of this,” Wally exclaimed.
“You are bringing back Clark unharmed correct? Then what do you have to worry about? I get Clark, you get Linda.”
“And this is the guy you think is a good guy?” Wally snapped at Clark who was watching this silently.
“Lex I don’t think you should-”
“Then stay firmly on earth.”
“Mercy is coming with me.”
“I wouldn’t even be considering it otherwise.”
“You’re holding a woman hostage.”
“As much as you were in my torture dungeon.”
“Let’s just forget about it,” Clark said shaking his head. “It was a dumb idea.”
“It would put everyone’s mind at rest,” Wally pointed out.
“Maybe when I know more of what is going on,” Clark finally said. “You’ll just have to work on brining me up to speed faster.”
“I’m all about speed.”
“How’s that working out for your girlfriend?”
“Mercy!” Clark exclaimed scandalized.
“What can I say Hope is a bad influence,” she said smirk firmly in place.
“Could you call her off Linda?” Wally said.
“Unlike some people I don’t have a teleporter, she’s still in the city limits,” Lex said annoyed.
“Right,” Wally said frowning.
“I’ll leave you to your entertaining Clark,” Lex said moving to place a kiss on Clark’s lips, smirking when Wally sputtered.
Wally stared at Mercy who stared right back leaning against the door.
“Aren’t you going to leave?”
“We have a chaperone,” Clark explained. “No funny business. Seriously though, no one’s made fun of the tights ever?”
“Invulnerable, flying, super strong, heat vision, fast, no one is that stupid. It would be like laughing at Batman, for years people weren’t sure if he was real. We don’t have to look scary, well except for bats, we are.”
“Okay, how did we meet?”
“Well we all had been acting independently for a while before we formed the Justice League. You don’t know about that either do you?”
Clark shook his head and Wally glanced at Mercy.
“We have a video simulation we created,” Mercy said pulling it up on a screen. Obviously we took liberties. But a lot of this is public record.
The video started and it was a combination of news footage and CGI and stills. It was only a couple minutes long and when it ended Wally stared at Mercy.
“That’s scarily accurate; some stuff is off, but yeah. General idea, I may have been a big fan to get you to join the team. And Bats was slightly less anti team. But anyway, there we have the Justice League, and you already knew the Martian Manhunter, Black Canary, and Green Arrow. At the time Aquaman was having some weird memory thing so he didn’t really remember being Arthur but you knew him too. Not that anyone told me.”
“Oh. Wait, blond environmentalist?”
“King of the seas and things yeah.”
“Huh, I remember him from Smallville at least. Not those other names though.”
“So there was this Alien invasion.”
“Alien Invasion?”
“What you thought you and J’onn were the only ones?”