Lexmas Redux - SV
While working on something else, this bunny bit me. It's not in my usual style (i.e. not silly) but I had to write it to get it out of my system. Warning - unbetad.
Lexmas Redux
Lex wakes up and glances around in surprise. He remembers being shot and thought he'd be in the hospital, not his bedroom. His hand grazes the spot on his chest, but it looks completely healed.
There's a flicker of confusion. Was he shot with a bullet or an arrow? And why would he even think about being shot with an arrow? What idiot goes around shooting arrows anyway?
Lex showers. When he goes to get dressed he's a little perturbed at the number of black outfits in his closet. He doesn't remember owning so many. One of the help must have rearranged his clothes. With a bit of searching, he finds a gray sweater to go with his dark pants.
Upon entering the dining room, he stops and stares. Lana is seated at the far end of the table.
"Lana, what are you doing here so early in the morning?"
She looks at him and he feels a shiver run through him at the coolness in her gaze. He briefly wonders if she's actually Lana. Smallville is a strange place and it wouldn't be the first time that people's personalities were changed or someone altered their body to pretend to be someone else.
"The doctor said I should do everything I feel up to doing. I think I may have overestimated my ability to handle breakfast today, though." She stands and begins to move past him, further into the castle.
He's not sure why she's there but she mentioned a doctor and she doesn't look at all well. "Are you okay?"
Lana slides a hand over her flat stomach. "It's just morning sickness. I'm sure it'll go away soon."
She's pregnant? Lex wonders how Clark is taking the news that he's going to be a father.
There are pieces of the puzzle missing. He must have offered to help out the couple by letting Lana stay with him, but he doesn't remember doing so. He's lost weeks before and there's the same empty blankness in his mind when he tries recalling what he did yesterday.
He suspects his father has been drugging him again.
In an attempt to hold onto something real for a moment, Lex reaches for Lana and... and she doesn't shrink from him, there's nothing physical to her reaction. However, although his hands are on her arms, part of her has retreated away from him.
Shaken by her behavior, he withdraws his hands and she moves past him.
At no point did Lana smile at him.
Lex needs to find out what's happened to him. He needs the truth. Ironically, the only one he can trust to tell it to him is the one who lies to him all the time.
Lex goes to see Clark.
* * *
Lex is pulling into the Kent driveway when he sees a blond man exiting the barn and getting into his car. It looks like his Oliver Queen, but that can't be right. What would Oliver be doing in Smallville, and more importantly, what would Oliver be doing with Clark?
Getting out of his car, Lex quickly heads for the barn. Stacking bales of hay in the corner is Clark.
"Clark!" Lex shouts, hurrying towards him.
Clark turns and Lex stumbles to a halt. There's no welcoming smile on his face.
"What do you want?" Clark asks.
Lex wonders what he did recently to deserve this treatment. They are currently on the outs with each other, but that never stopped Clark before from being polite.
"I...I need your help. I think my father has done something to me."
"Lionel?"
Lex stares at Clark. Clark actually sounds like he doubts Lionel's guilt.
"My father has done plenty to me in the past."
"Yes, but... " Clark pauses and looks at the ground for a moment. "If he did anything, my mother wouldn't like it."
At Lex's confusion as what Martha has to do with anything, Clark adds. "They think I don't know, but they're interested in each other."
"What?" Lex shouts. "That's impossible! Your mom would never cheat on your father."
Clark raises his eyes to Lex and there is so much pain there that it makes Lex catch his breath. There's also anger. "Get out," Clark snaps.
"I don't understand," Lex blurts out. "Where's Jonathan?"
Clark is storming towards him. "You know very well he died almost a year ago."
"He's dead? Jonathan's dead?"
Lex's shock breaks through Clark's anger. He halts and tilts his head, studying Lex. "You didn't know?"
Shaking his head, Lex says, "I didn't. I...I don't know what's happened to me. I thought I was only missing a few days, but a year..."
"It's probably some drug you've been experimenting with in your labs," Clark says bitterly.
Lex starts a little. Clark knows about the different substances he's been working on. He wonders if Clark also knows about his association with Dr. Fine. Getting angry or defensive isn't going to help the situation. Instead of arguing, he simply asks, "Do you know which of those substances might have done this to me?"
Clark shakes his head. "Sorry. You'd be better off asking the people who work for you. I'm just the one who seems to always have to deal with the consequences."
Lex nods his head, already trying to decide which of his scientists to seek out. There's one who seems a bit more trustworthy than others. He hopes Dr. Grohl will be able to help.
He takes a step towards the barn door when he stops and looks again at Clark. Lex moves towards him, instead.
"I don't know if I told you before, but I'm sorry. About your dad. We may never have gotten along, but he was a good man."
Clark draws himself up. "He was."
Lex reaches out and embraces Clark.
At first Clark is stiff, his spine ramrod straight. Maybe it's the part of Lex that likes a challenge, but after a moment, Lex doesn't draw back. He shifts so that they're even closer and hugs Clark tighter.
He hears a sharp indrawn breath next to his ear then, bit by bit, he feels Clark relax against him. Two large arms encircle him and Lex realizes that he needs the hug every bit as much as Clark does.
"I miss him," Clark whispers shakily. "I miss him so much."
Lex's hand are rubbing Clark's back soothingly and Clark seems to be relaxing. It's good that Clark is taking some physical comfort from this because Lex has no words to offer him.
At last Clark begins to pull back and Lex releases him.
Clark's eyes look damp. All he says is a soft 'Thank you'.
"You're welcome," Lex replies, equally softly. He nods his head in the general direction of the door. "I'd better be going."
Lex is getting into his car when Clark appears next to him. "Do you need any help?" he asks.
Smiling, Lex nods.
* * *
Lex is close to breaking things, necks preferably, his level of frustration is so high. The only thing that's keeping him from going on a rampage is Clark standing nearby. They'd driven to Metropolis and Lex had gone straight to his office and ordered Dr. Grohl to be brought to him. Unfortunately, that had proven to be a problem.
"What do you mean, you can't find Dr. Grohl?" he asks the scientist standing before him.
"He disappeared." The man visibly gulps. "I think he went into hiding."
"Hiding? Who's he..."
In a flash, it occurs to Lex that Grohl is hiding from him. Muttering a swear word under his breath, Lex changes his plans.
The scientist is sweating profusely despite it being cool in the building.
"I want all the notes and whatever paperwork you have on everything I've been working on recently. All the information you can find. If you don't know if it's everything, find someone who might."
The man glances at where Clark is standing, then nods his head.
After the man leaves his office, Lex walks toward the couch against the wall and slumps onto it. "Why is everyone so afraid of me?"
"Well, you were possessed by an evil alien who planned to destroy the world and rebuild it in his image," Clark says quietly as he sits down next to Lex.
Lex stares at him. "Please tell me you're kidding."
Clark stares right back at him and doesn't say a word.
"Fuck," Lex mutters. After a long pause, he says quietly, "I'm not sure if I want to find out what substance I took that did this to me. I don't know if I want to go back to what I was."
Clark's entire body stills as he waits for Lex to continue.
"I don't want to be hated by everyone. I've never wanted that. Maybe... maybe it would be best if I don't ever remember." Lex eyes seek Clark. "This could be my chance to do things over. To do things better."
"Would you?" Clark asks. "Or would you make the same mistakes a second time?"
"Is that likely?" The smile Lex gives him is more of a twist of the lips. "There's not another alien around wanting to possess me, is there?"
Clark lowers his head in an effort to hide a flush. He lets out a nervous laugh. "I don't think so."
"Then it won't happen." Lex's voice grows intensely serious. "I want us to be friends again, Clark. That's all I've ever wanted."
"I'd like that." Clark gives Lex a smile that's a tempered version of the one he'd received upon returning home after being marooned on an island, but it's a start.
Looking at Clark's warm smile, Lex sees a future ahead of him that's not so lonely. This could be the change that brings him all the happiness he'd ever wanted. A world that isn't populated by people who are fearful or cold to him.
Cold to him like Lana had been.
"If I can mend fences with you, maybe I can do the same with Lana."
The smile on Clark's face drops. "Lana? Are you remembering stuff?"
"No. But that's how I first knew something was wrong. Lana was at my house." He leans closer to Clark. "How long has she been pregnant?"
Clark's eyes widen and he pulls away from Lex.
"Lana's pregnant?"
Clark rises to his feet and moves across the room.
"You didn't know?" Lex asks him.
"No. The other day she was acting strangely but she wouldn't tell me what was wrong."
Lex stands and approaches Clark. "I'm sorry you had to learn it from me." He lays a hand on Clark's shoulder. "Don't worry. You'll be a great father."
Clark pushes his hand away. "I'm not the father, Lex. You are."
Lex is still staring at Clark in shock when his employee from earlier bursts in.
The man halts, feeling the tension in the room. "We ran security tapes and discovered there's a drug that you've been extremely interested in."
When neither Clark or Lex respond, the man stumbles on in his explanation. "It was supposed to improve memory but, with a significantly high dosage, a memory loss occurs."
At last Lex turns towards the scientist. "You can remedy this?"
He nods. "I have my people working on it as we speak."
"Then I suggest that you go supervise them," Lex orders.
Soon Clark and Lex are alone once more.
"I could... I could not take whatever cure they find," Lex says slowly.
Clark shakes his head. "You have to. If you won't do it for yourself, you need to do it for Lana and y-your child." Clark almost chokes on the last word.
Giving Lex one long, final look, but without even saying good-bye, Clark goes to the door and leaves.
* * *
The next evening, Lex sits on the couch and looks at the fire. He has his memory back. Taking a sip of Scotch, he wonders how much alcohol he has to drink before he forgets the previous day with Clark.
The End
Lexmas Redux
Lex wakes up and glances around in surprise. He remembers being shot and thought he'd be in the hospital, not his bedroom. His hand grazes the spot on his chest, but it looks completely healed.
There's a flicker of confusion. Was he shot with a bullet or an arrow? And why would he even think about being shot with an arrow? What idiot goes around shooting arrows anyway?
Lex showers. When he goes to get dressed he's a little perturbed at the number of black outfits in his closet. He doesn't remember owning so many. One of the help must have rearranged his clothes. With a bit of searching, he finds a gray sweater to go with his dark pants.
Upon entering the dining room, he stops and stares. Lana is seated at the far end of the table.
"Lana, what are you doing here so early in the morning?"
She looks at him and he feels a shiver run through him at the coolness in her gaze. He briefly wonders if she's actually Lana. Smallville is a strange place and it wouldn't be the first time that people's personalities were changed or someone altered their body to pretend to be someone else.
"The doctor said I should do everything I feel up to doing. I think I may have overestimated my ability to handle breakfast today, though." She stands and begins to move past him, further into the castle.
He's not sure why she's there but she mentioned a doctor and she doesn't look at all well. "Are you okay?"
Lana slides a hand over her flat stomach. "It's just morning sickness. I'm sure it'll go away soon."
She's pregnant? Lex wonders how Clark is taking the news that he's going to be a father.
There are pieces of the puzzle missing. He must have offered to help out the couple by letting Lana stay with him, but he doesn't remember doing so. He's lost weeks before and there's the same empty blankness in his mind when he tries recalling what he did yesterday.
He suspects his father has been drugging him again.
In an attempt to hold onto something real for a moment, Lex reaches for Lana and... and she doesn't shrink from him, there's nothing physical to her reaction. However, although his hands are on her arms, part of her has retreated away from him.
Shaken by her behavior, he withdraws his hands and she moves past him.
At no point did Lana smile at him.
Lex needs to find out what's happened to him. He needs the truth. Ironically, the only one he can trust to tell it to him is the one who lies to him all the time.
Lex goes to see Clark.
* * *
Lex is pulling into the Kent driveway when he sees a blond man exiting the barn and getting into his car. It looks like his Oliver Queen, but that can't be right. What would Oliver be doing in Smallville, and more importantly, what would Oliver be doing with Clark?
Getting out of his car, Lex quickly heads for the barn. Stacking bales of hay in the corner is Clark.
"Clark!" Lex shouts, hurrying towards him.
Clark turns and Lex stumbles to a halt. There's no welcoming smile on his face.
"What do you want?" Clark asks.
Lex wonders what he did recently to deserve this treatment. They are currently on the outs with each other, but that never stopped Clark before from being polite.
"I...I need your help. I think my father has done something to me."
"Lionel?"
Lex stares at Clark. Clark actually sounds like he doubts Lionel's guilt.
"My father has done plenty to me in the past."
"Yes, but... " Clark pauses and looks at the ground for a moment. "If he did anything, my mother wouldn't like it."
At Lex's confusion as what Martha has to do with anything, Clark adds. "They think I don't know, but they're interested in each other."
"What?" Lex shouts. "That's impossible! Your mom would never cheat on your father."
Clark raises his eyes to Lex and there is so much pain there that it makes Lex catch his breath. There's also anger. "Get out," Clark snaps.
"I don't understand," Lex blurts out. "Where's Jonathan?"
Clark is storming towards him. "You know very well he died almost a year ago."
"He's dead? Jonathan's dead?"
Lex's shock breaks through Clark's anger. He halts and tilts his head, studying Lex. "You didn't know?"
Shaking his head, Lex says, "I didn't. I...I don't know what's happened to me. I thought I was only missing a few days, but a year..."
"It's probably some drug you've been experimenting with in your labs," Clark says bitterly.
Lex starts a little. Clark knows about the different substances he's been working on. He wonders if Clark also knows about his association with Dr. Fine. Getting angry or defensive isn't going to help the situation. Instead of arguing, he simply asks, "Do you know which of those substances might have done this to me?"
Clark shakes his head. "Sorry. You'd be better off asking the people who work for you. I'm just the one who seems to always have to deal with the consequences."
Lex nods his head, already trying to decide which of his scientists to seek out. There's one who seems a bit more trustworthy than others. He hopes Dr. Grohl will be able to help.
He takes a step towards the barn door when he stops and looks again at Clark. Lex moves towards him, instead.
"I don't know if I told you before, but I'm sorry. About your dad. We may never have gotten along, but he was a good man."
Clark draws himself up. "He was."
Lex reaches out and embraces Clark.
At first Clark is stiff, his spine ramrod straight. Maybe it's the part of Lex that likes a challenge, but after a moment, Lex doesn't draw back. He shifts so that they're even closer and hugs Clark tighter.
He hears a sharp indrawn breath next to his ear then, bit by bit, he feels Clark relax against him. Two large arms encircle him and Lex realizes that he needs the hug every bit as much as Clark does.
"I miss him," Clark whispers shakily. "I miss him so much."
Lex's hand are rubbing Clark's back soothingly and Clark seems to be relaxing. It's good that Clark is taking some physical comfort from this because Lex has no words to offer him.
At last Clark begins to pull back and Lex releases him.
Clark's eyes look damp. All he says is a soft 'Thank you'.
"You're welcome," Lex replies, equally softly. He nods his head in the general direction of the door. "I'd better be going."
Lex is getting into his car when Clark appears next to him. "Do you need any help?" he asks.
Smiling, Lex nods.
* * *
Lex is close to breaking things, necks preferably, his level of frustration is so high. The only thing that's keeping him from going on a rampage is Clark standing nearby. They'd driven to Metropolis and Lex had gone straight to his office and ordered Dr. Grohl to be brought to him. Unfortunately, that had proven to be a problem.
"What do you mean, you can't find Dr. Grohl?" he asks the scientist standing before him.
"He disappeared." The man visibly gulps. "I think he went into hiding."
"Hiding? Who's he..."
In a flash, it occurs to Lex that Grohl is hiding from him. Muttering a swear word under his breath, Lex changes his plans.
The scientist is sweating profusely despite it being cool in the building.
"I want all the notes and whatever paperwork you have on everything I've been working on recently. All the information you can find. If you don't know if it's everything, find someone who might."
The man glances at where Clark is standing, then nods his head.
After the man leaves his office, Lex walks toward the couch against the wall and slumps onto it. "Why is everyone so afraid of me?"
"Well, you were possessed by an evil alien who planned to destroy the world and rebuild it in his image," Clark says quietly as he sits down next to Lex.
Lex stares at him. "Please tell me you're kidding."
Clark stares right back at him and doesn't say a word.
"Fuck," Lex mutters. After a long pause, he says quietly, "I'm not sure if I want to find out what substance I took that did this to me. I don't know if I want to go back to what I was."
Clark's entire body stills as he waits for Lex to continue.
"I don't want to be hated by everyone. I've never wanted that. Maybe... maybe it would be best if I don't ever remember." Lex eyes seek Clark. "This could be my chance to do things over. To do things better."
"Would you?" Clark asks. "Or would you make the same mistakes a second time?"
"Is that likely?" The smile Lex gives him is more of a twist of the lips. "There's not another alien around wanting to possess me, is there?"
Clark lowers his head in an effort to hide a flush. He lets out a nervous laugh. "I don't think so."
"Then it won't happen." Lex's voice grows intensely serious. "I want us to be friends again, Clark. That's all I've ever wanted."
"I'd like that." Clark gives Lex a smile that's a tempered version of the one he'd received upon returning home after being marooned on an island, but it's a start.
Looking at Clark's warm smile, Lex sees a future ahead of him that's not so lonely. This could be the change that brings him all the happiness he'd ever wanted. A world that isn't populated by people who are fearful or cold to him.
Cold to him like Lana had been.
"If I can mend fences with you, maybe I can do the same with Lana."
The smile on Clark's face drops. "Lana? Are you remembering stuff?"
"No. But that's how I first knew something was wrong. Lana was at my house." He leans closer to Clark. "How long has she been pregnant?"
Clark's eyes widen and he pulls away from Lex.
"Lana's pregnant?"
Clark rises to his feet and moves across the room.
"You didn't know?" Lex asks him.
"No. The other day she was acting strangely but she wouldn't tell me what was wrong."
Lex stands and approaches Clark. "I'm sorry you had to learn it from me." He lays a hand on Clark's shoulder. "Don't worry. You'll be a great father."
Clark pushes his hand away. "I'm not the father, Lex. You are."
Lex is still staring at Clark in shock when his employee from earlier bursts in.
The man halts, feeling the tension in the room. "We ran security tapes and discovered there's a drug that you've been extremely interested in."
When neither Clark or Lex respond, the man stumbles on in his explanation. "It was supposed to improve memory but, with a significantly high dosage, a memory loss occurs."
At last Lex turns towards the scientist. "You can remedy this?"
He nods. "I have my people working on it as we speak."
"Then I suggest that you go supervise them," Lex orders.
Soon Clark and Lex are alone once more.
"I could... I could not take whatever cure they find," Lex says slowly.
Clark shakes his head. "You have to. If you won't do it for yourself, you need to do it for Lana and y-your child." Clark almost chokes on the last word.
Giving Lex one long, final look, but without even saying good-bye, Clark goes to the door and leaves.
* * *
The next evening, Lex sits on the couch and looks at the fire. He has his memory back. Taking a sip of Scotch, he wonders how much alcohol he has to drink before he forgets the previous day with Clark.
The End