Fic: Man of Steel: A Risk Worth Taking (14/?)
Title: Man of Steel: A Risk Worth Taking (14/?)
Author: Babette babettew54
Canon: Superman (MOS)
Pairings; Characters: Clark/Lois, Martha Kent, Sam Lane, Lucy Lane, Lex Luthor, Bruce Wayne
Rating: M
Word Count: 4,400
Summary: Lois couldn’t decide whether to ask him out or bombard him with questions hopefully to secure the ‘Story of the Century.’
Spoilers: None. It’s just speculation about hand touching in the trailer and what it could mean for Clois. The story continues with more speculation about Clois and the sequel.
Disclaimer: DC Comics/Warner Bros. Entertainment owns these characters. This is strictly for my own amusement.
Author's Notes: In this next chapter, Erica has a lot of explaining to do, Clark meets with Batman, Erica opens up to her Father about the night Lionel died, and later, Erica has a meeting with Lex … alone. This chapter is large and not just in size. Everything changes after this. Please read and review. Thank you! :D
X-posted: (FFN); (A03)
Previously:
( Chapter 1)( Chapter 2)( Chapter 3)( Chapter 4)( Chapter 5)
( Chapter 6)( Chapter 7)(Chapter 8)( Chapter 9)( Chapter 10)
( Chapter 11)( Chapter 12)( Chapter 13)
Chapter 14: The Scars of Your Love
Moments later, still in the interrogation room:
As soon as Erica dropped that bomb, her Father stood back stunned to the depths of his soul. He was truly shocked and disappointed, but he also loved his daughter dearly. He went to her, sat down and took her hand to try and show his support.
Erica was so happy that her Father didn't hate her then she turned back to Clark. "Please say something," Erica begged at a still stunned and disappointed Clark Kent.
"You know I could arrest you for perjury," Denise, the prosecutor said. "There are laws against withholding vital information in a criminal investigation."
"I wasn't lying not at the time. You have to understand. After I was finally awakened from my 'induced coma', well, technically, it wasn't a coma, but it may as well have happened that way. I didn't know where I was, how I had gotten there, why I was in a mental hospital, all of it. I thought I was going to die at any moment, and my daughter … I didn't know if she were alive or dead. And to make matters worse, my memories were elusive for a long time after I woke up. That night, in particular, wasn't entirely clear until recently."
"When did you realize that you remembered that night?" Clark finally found his voice.
"After I explained to my daughter why Lex did those terrible things to me, we boarded the jet and then suddenly everything became clear. My memories of that night had finally returned."
"Are you ready now to tell us what you remember?" That was Donna, her attorney.
She sighed. "I have to talk to Lex first."
Shocked and confused, everyone glanced at each other.
"You can't mean that," Clark said, totally disappointed.
"I'm so sorry, but Lex … he … he saved my life that night," Erica confessed to her shocked audience.
"What, what do you mean?" Lois finally spoke up with an obvious question.
"I can't say anymore, not now," Erica was so distraught that she covered her eyes and burst into tears.
Her Father handed her a tissue, and put his arm around her shoulder. No one knew what to say or what to do for her.
Lois was thinking about all of this then she touched Clark's arm to gain his attention. "She's still in love with him," she whispered.
The prosecutor had more questions for her, but Erica refused to answer them.
All Lois and Clark could do was stand back and watch as Erica and her Father were escorted out into the hallway, then they were reunited with Lena. Of course, she was thrilled to be with her Mother and Grandfather. Erica held her daughter close and tried not to burst into tears in front of her daughter.
"Mommy, can we go now?"
"Yes, we can go," Erica replied then she glanced at the prosecutor.
"Don't leave town. I'll be in touch," Denise told her.
"I won't," Erica said. Then she, her daughter, her Father, and her armed guards entered an elevator and headed back to the safe house.
Lois and Clark turned to each other with the same thoughts. Their plans to put Lex in prison were not coming into fruition as they had hoped.
As they were about to leave, Lois got a beep from her cellphone. It was her Father. She called him back then he gave her the shocking news. She closed the phone and looked at Clark with sad eyes, but she knew it would cause him to lose even more faith in humanity. After giving him the news, he watched as he became furious and upset.
"I can't believe this, and he thinks Lex is behind the thefts?" Clark asked stunned by the news.
"Yes, it appears that he was," Lois replied then she touched his arm. "I'm so sorry." She paused. "My Father wants to see Superman right away." She paused. "Clark, he knows."
He shook his head. "I had a feeling that was the case." He leaned down and kissed her cheek. "I'll call you when I can."
"Be careful." Lois felt the need to say.
And then he was gone.
~o~o~
Minutes late, high in the sky over Gotham City:
Instead of heading over to the base to see Lois's father, Clark made his way to Gotham City to meet with Bruce. He needed his help to bring Lex down. It was now patently clear to him that he couldn't do it alone.
Bruce had just entered the bat cave when he received a call from Superman. A bit shocked to hear from him, he then gave him directions to the cave.
After hanging up the phone, he turned and Superman walked in. Bruce glanced at the phone and was truly amazed at how fast the man could fly. Shaking his head, he watched as Clark walked over to him, but the look on his face gave him pause.
"What happened?" Bruce asked without preamble. "No wait, let me guess, Lex Luthor?"
"You guessed right," Clark replied. He then couldn't help but check out Bruce's hideout. "Wow, this place is amazing."
"It's Ok, but you'd be surprised at how much I actually need all of this stuff."
"I believe you." Clark then looked over all the gadgets, computer equipment, even his bikes and flying machines were in full display. He touched the flying machine. "I would love to fly this one day."
Bruce chuckled. "Why, you don't need a machine to fly."
"That doesn't mean I wouldn't want to fly that one day. I don't have to drive a car, but I do enjoy driving, the same with bicycles."
Bruce shook his head at his reasoning. "Ok, tell me what's going on. What has Lex done now?"
Clark inwardly sighed. He then told him about Erica's memories returning and her shocking confession, General Lane's phone call, and then the disgusting news about Zod's body and the missing spaceship.
Bruce shook his head then he was thoughtful. "Well, I certainly wouldn't exclude Lex as a suspect, but there's no proof that he was behind this. I know him, and without that proof, you have nothing but speculation."
"I know, but there must be some way to prove that he was involved in those thefts." Then he ran his hands through his hair. "I hate this. I thought we had him for sure. Erica's memories returning and her change of heart could change everything. They may not have a case against him after all." He sighed. "I don't even want to think about Lex having his hands on Zod's body." He visibly shuddered. "You don't want to know what he wanted to do to me, and now he can do anything he wants with Zod."
Bruce frowned then he remembered reading Lois's article the other day about Lex's plans to destroy him. "How can I help you?"
"Well, you're the detective." Clark raised his eyebrows.
Bruce grinned and nodded his head in agreement. "That I am." He paused. "I'll need all the details about those thefts."
"General Lane will have all the answers to any questions you may have," Clark said.
"Well, it's a good thing that we've met."
Clark chuckled. "But not as the Batman!"
"That's true," he agreed. At Clark's frown, he murmured. "Don't worry, I won't tell him I'm Bruce Wayne."
Clark lowered his eyes then he told him that General Lane knew his secret identity.
Bruce was shocked. "When did that happen?"
"When Lois and I were at the base and we sort of … Ummm … couldn't keep our eyes off each other."
Bruce refrained from laughing out loud. Then he shook his head. "Well, now that he knows, it may just be a good thing." He watched him closely. "No more secrets?"
Clark perked up at that. "You're right, no more secrets."
Clark thoughtfully watched as Bruce jumped inside his flight machine. "Before we head out, you mentioned friends of yours who helped you with Lex here in Gotham. I would truly like to meet them."
He grinned. "Would you now, well, I just may be able to arrange that."
Then they were gone.
~o~o~
Meanwhile, back at the Erica's safe house:
Erica was exhausted and so filled with loathing at her confession that she immediately took to her bed and laid down. Her head was splitting, and she felt sick to her stomach.
Her Father helped her into bed and gave her some aspirin and then helped Lena get settled in her room. After an hour or so, he brought Erica some soup for lunch. After she had finished eating, Henri hoped she was ready to open up about what she had confessed.
"Are you ready to talk?"
Erica sighed and sat up and tried to get comfortable. Holding the tears at bay, she asked, "You don't hate me? You should hate me because I hate myself."
He took her hand. "I could never hate you …."
"I know there's a 'but' in there somewhere," Erica said and waited.
"I don't understand what happened in there." He watched her closely. "You still care for him." It was a statement.
Erica closed her eyes and tried not to think about her feelings. After all of her memories of that night had returned, her feelings for Lex blossomed again, like an unending tide of feelings and emotions. And when she had seen him just a few hours ago, she wanted to hate him, she honestly did, but that look he had given her, had stirred her heart even now. She was a strong person, but that look, it had brought her to her knees.
"Then it's true," Henri said when she hadn't said anything. As he watched the play of emotions on her face, he knew the truth. "Erica, this is not going to end well. You must know that."
"Of course I know that, but he's all I think about. I know our chance has come and gone. I keep telling myself that, but my heart won't listen." She paused as she watched him drop his head in disappointment. "I'm so sorry, Father, just please try and understand." She started to cry again. "He saved my life," she whimpered between sobs.
"Blow your nose and tell me everything."
She did as he said and then she began her story, the story that she remembered.
"That night, Lex and his Father did argue and … it was about me."
"About you … but what did they say?" He asked, confused and worried.
"Lionel was obsessed with our marriage, and you can understand why. Lex had been married seven times and each time caused a substantial drop in his bank account. Lionel knew that our marriage was different, and when he found out about the baby, he went totally ballistic. He felt as if he were losing control over his son."
One thing stuck out in Henri's brain. "Your marriage was different? What do you mean?" He sensed what was coming.
"Father, Lex and I fell in love. Oh, we never said those words to each other, but it was in everything he did for me, the way he looked at me, the way I could make him smile, our glorious nights together, and I couldn't help myself. I fell in love with him too."
Henri shook his head. "And then what happened?"
"That night, I remember coming to see Lex, and I was thinking about asking for a divorce. I knew that he wouldn't go along with it, but I thought it would be better that we remain friends. We could raise our child apart, not together. I knew it would break both our hearts, but I desperately wanted to get out of that house. It was suffocating me, and I was worried about our child. And so, I went to see him and then I heard the argument. It went something like this."
~o~o~
Ten years ago in Smallville:
"She's pregnant?" Lionel was shocked. Seven times and no baby, but now it appeared to be true. Lex was going to be a father.
"It's true. She confirmed it just this morning. There's nothing you can do about it. I know she loves me. Me, do you hear me, she loves ME!" Lex shouted at him. That was the first time that Lex had actually said that word out loud. Maybe now his Father would leave them alone and let them live their lives, but things were never that easy.
Lionel felt pity for him then his face turned into an ugly scowl. "She doesn't love you. How could she? You're nothing Lex, nothing but a spoiled brat." He paused. "How can I have grandchildren? I don't have a son."
Lex fumed but kept his temper in check.
Lionel continued. "She knows too much and changes will have to be made. Her pitiful scheme the other night didn't work. She didn't follow through with her part of the plan. She got careless, and if not for one of my men, she would be dead."
"It was her first time. She just wanted to help me, help us." Lex paused. "No matter, she's done with your dirty work. She's pregnant."
Lionel was done talking. "Lex, you can't be a father. You don't know the first thing about being a father."
Lex raised his eyebrows. "And I suppose you're an expert. Give me a break." He watched him closely as he read between the lines. "Don't you dare hurt her. If you go anywhere near her, I'll kill you. Do you hear me, I'll kill you!"
Lex turned to go, but Lionel grabbed his arm. Lex snatched his arm away and instinctively pushed him away, but then Lionel lost his footing on the carpet and fell out the window to his death.
~o~o~
Back to the present:
"I didn't actually see him fall, Father, but I did hear a bit of shuffling and grunts as if they were fighting," Erica explained.
"I can't believe this, so, it's true that it was an accident?"
"Father, I can't be sure because I didn't see it," Erica replied honestly. "But now that I remember their conversation that night, Lex did threaten him and said he would kill him if he tried to hurt me."
"I see," Henri said, as he stood up. He paced for a moment, and thought about her words. "You have to tell the prosecutor everything, just as you told me. She has to decide if the charges will be dropped or not. It's up to her, not you. You have to unburden yourself with this guilt. It wasn't your fault that this happened. They fought that night. It was out of your hands." He paused for a moment. "So Lex's decision to put you in a mental hospital it was to protect you and Lena?"
"Yes, it was his decision to do that to me. He felt that Lionel may come after me even after death, and I believed him. Our last night together was difficult, but it was for the best."
"But ten years, Erica, ten years of your life wasted. You could have died in that place."
"But I didn't die. I never lost hope that he would come for me."
"He didn't come, Clark Kent found you."
"Father, Clark and Lex know each other, and I know they're not friends, but I believe in some strange way that Lex sent him to me."
Henri was truly worried about her reasoning. He frowned and began to think that his daughter was not in her right mind. "You truly believe that?"
"Yes, I do," Erica replied, believing that it was true.
Henri shook his head, and then he picked up the phone.
She grabbed his arm. "Wait a minute, don't call the prosecutor yet. I meant what I said … I need to see him."
"But only if the guards go with you."
"Father, he won't hurt me, I'm sure of it."
~o~o~
Later that same evening, at LexCorp:
Erica shocked her Father yet again with her request to release the security guards from her care. Now that her memories had returned, she now knew that Lex would never hurt her. She was sure of it. The missile incident in New York could be explained, she told herself stanchly.
Lex had just a few minutes ago received a call from the lobby that Erica was on her way up to see him and that she was all alone. Shocked and dare he admit it, thrilled that she had come to see him. Then he thought about it. Was she coming there to kill me? It was now obvious to him that she didn't remember what was said that night between him and his Father.
He was startled out of his thoughts when a knock came at the door. It had to be her. He opened the door and there she was looking stunning in an outfit that he remembered. She was wearing a black trench coat, high heels, and her make-up was flawless. He knew exactly what lay underneath … nothing.
"Erica … what …?" Lex was speechless, but he was also suspicious. It was in his nature not to trust anyone. He was truly stunned that she was actually there. He grabbed her arm, a bit too hard then pulled her into the living room.
She stumbled a bit after he released her. "Lex, please just listen."
"Go on, I'm listening." He watched her closely then his body reacted, and dare he admit it, he still wanted her.
"Are we alone?"
"Yes, we're alone," he replied and wondered what she was doing there and then it hit him. "You remember, don't you?"
She closed her eyes for a moment. "Yes, I remember."
"Everything?" He was still suspicious.
She nodded. 'Yes, everything."
His heart began to pound then he walked over to her. Not saying a word, he unbuckled the belt from her coat. He then raised his eyes to her face and once that last button was released, he slid it off her shoulders and it was just as he thought. She was naked.
Her coat fell to the floor. She was beautiful, but then doubts filled his brain. "Erica, why …"
She touched his lips and then she leaned up and kissed him. Lex closed his eyes and pulled her to him tightly and then they were kissing desperately. Tongues touched and swirled, as groans and sighs filled the room.
He suddenly picked her up and took her to bed. Desperate kisses were exchanged while he took his time, needing to kiss her. Erica was on fire for him. In the back of her brain, she knew that this wasn't going anywhere, but she didn't care at the moment. She still wanted him just as powerful as she ever had. He set her down then she helped with his shirt and tie. Unbuckling his belt, he leaned in and kissed her again and she kissed him back.
Soon they were both naked and in each other arms holding each other tight. Desperate kisses were exchanged over and over again.
Erica felt so many things at the moment, but the one thing that filled her with joy was that he hadn't forgotten what they shared and she hadn't forgotten either. It was still the same between them. They still had this and it would be enough, at least for now.
Lex was beside her and couldn't help but stare at her. Their marriage had its difficulties, but one of the things that sustained him was that they needed each other. When he had sent her away, he knew that it was the only way to save her and he had managed to do it. A part of his soul had died, but he knew he would see her again. And here she was beside him.
"I can't believe this is happening," he managed to say.
She stroked his cheek. "It's happening, Lex. And just so you know, I'm telling them everything tomorrow."
He frowned. "Everything?"
"Yes, that I remember that it was accident and they'll drop the charges."
He wanted to believe her. "Erica, I don't know what to say."
"Don't say anything. Can we have this for now?"
Lex had other things on his mind. "God, you're beautiful," Lex was enthralled by her beauty. "This is strange, I've seen you naked before but now … we're not the same people we were before." Everywhere he touched her she thought she would explode, but he purposefully avoided her center touching her everywhere but there. She couldn't take anymore and screamed for him to give it her NOW!
He entered her then and Erica was on fire. They hadn't made love in so long, but she would remember this night no doubt about that.
"You like that … don't you?" Lex murmured between deep penetrations that had Erica screaming his name and moaning.
"Oh, yes, yes!" Erica was burning up.
He continued to make love to her, as he stroked her breasts, between her thighs, and Erica was straining for more and then it happened. They both climaxed strongly. Lex held her close. It was amazing for both of them. He left her body, and pulled her close, pulling the covers over them.
As they both caught their breaths, Erica was purring in his ear. "Wow! That was amazing, Lex!"
"I'm happy I was able to please you, Erica."
Erica frowned at his tone of voice. "Is something wrong?"
Lex wanted to believe her that she would do this for him, but something wasn't right.
He was so quiet that Erica was beginning to worry. "Lex, please talk to me. What is it?"
He turned to her trying to see the truth. "Did you tell them anything else about that night you know what happened on your first job?"
"No, I never mentioned that. I mean, I told my Father about it, but nothing specific." She tried to explain.
"I see," he murmured, still suspicious about her coming there out of the blue.
"Lex, I would never betray you. Please tell me you believe me." Erica was pleading with him now.
Instead of answering her, he leaned down and kissed her hard. She returned his kisses with equal intensity. Lex felt bewitched as if she had put a spell on him. He would do anything if she would just love him, touch him and make him feel wanted and needed. He needed her right now. The future would take care of itself. Right now though, all he wanted was to be inside her, feel her come around him, for them to feel that little death that only they could feel together.
He grabbed her hips and then pure intoxicating pleasure gripped him as he filled her to the hilt and her muscles tightened around him. He could feel her contractions, knew she was close and then he knew nothing. Erica then flung her arms around his neck, held him with her thighs, and climaxed strongly, hips pumping, breasts crushed into his chest. Lex lost control and filled her womb with hot flood of his seed.
Erica sighed and held him close as their breathing returned to normal. "Thank you," she murmured. Every part of her glowed as she sighed again and stroked his chest.
"Well, it has been a while," he commented hating to admit that he had lost interest in casual sex after their divorce. No one seemed to compare to her.
Erica wondered about that, why he never remarried. But then she couldn't help it as her hand moved lower down his body then surprise and delight lit up her face. He was ready for her again. It had been a long time, she realized. Then she raised her head to look at him and he was still a very attractive man. He was still in shape but it was his eyes that Erica found intoxicating. They looked into her soul and a part of her still felt trapped by those eyes as if she would never be able to escape even if she wanted to.
"What are you thinking?" Lex asked, curious at the way she was staring at him.
"Nothing, nothing at all," she replied and then she pulled his head down and kissed him. He pulled her to him and kissed her back.
TBC!
~o~o~
Song Inspiration: Rolling in the Deep, Adele.
A/N: I enjoyed writing this chapter. Clark and Bruce especially had me grinning and hoping for the MOS sequel to get here like right now! But it took a bit of doing to explain Erica's actions both in the past and in the future. Her memory lapses, what she remembered and when, was crucial to the story. Now, what can I say about Lex and Erica? Is it true love or obsession? Ok, please tell me your thoughts. Thanks for reading.
Author: Babette babettew54
Canon: Superman (MOS)
Pairings; Characters: Clark/Lois, Martha Kent, Sam Lane, Lucy Lane, Lex Luthor, Bruce Wayne
Rating: M
Word Count: 4,400
Summary: Lois couldn’t decide whether to ask him out or bombard him with questions hopefully to secure the ‘Story of the Century.’
Spoilers: None. It’s just speculation about hand touching in the trailer and what it could mean for Clois. The story continues with more speculation about Clois and the sequel.
Disclaimer: DC Comics/Warner Bros. Entertainment owns these characters. This is strictly for my own amusement.
Author's Notes: In this next chapter, Erica has a lot of explaining to do, Clark meets with Batman, Erica opens up to her Father about the night Lionel died, and later, Erica has a meeting with Lex … alone. This chapter is large and not just in size. Everything changes after this. Please read and review. Thank you! :D
X-posted: (FFN); (A03)
Previously:
( Chapter 1)( Chapter 2)( Chapter 3)( Chapter 4)( Chapter 5)
( Chapter 6)( Chapter 7)(Chapter 8)( Chapter 9)( Chapter 10)
( Chapter 11)( Chapter 12)( Chapter 13)
Chapter 14: The Scars of Your Love
Moments later, still in the interrogation room:
As soon as Erica dropped that bomb, her Father stood back stunned to the depths of his soul. He was truly shocked and disappointed, but he also loved his daughter dearly. He went to her, sat down and took her hand to try and show his support.
Erica was so happy that her Father didn't hate her then she turned back to Clark. "Please say something," Erica begged at a still stunned and disappointed Clark Kent.
"You know I could arrest you for perjury," Denise, the prosecutor said. "There are laws against withholding vital information in a criminal investigation."
"I wasn't lying not at the time. You have to understand. After I was finally awakened from my 'induced coma', well, technically, it wasn't a coma, but it may as well have happened that way. I didn't know where I was, how I had gotten there, why I was in a mental hospital, all of it. I thought I was going to die at any moment, and my daughter … I didn't know if she were alive or dead. And to make matters worse, my memories were elusive for a long time after I woke up. That night, in particular, wasn't entirely clear until recently."
"When did you realize that you remembered that night?" Clark finally found his voice.
"After I explained to my daughter why Lex did those terrible things to me, we boarded the jet and then suddenly everything became clear. My memories of that night had finally returned."
"Are you ready now to tell us what you remember?" That was Donna, her attorney.
She sighed. "I have to talk to Lex first."
Shocked and confused, everyone glanced at each other.
"You can't mean that," Clark said, totally disappointed.
"I'm so sorry, but Lex … he … he saved my life that night," Erica confessed to her shocked audience.
"What, what do you mean?" Lois finally spoke up with an obvious question.
"I can't say anymore, not now," Erica was so distraught that she covered her eyes and burst into tears.
Her Father handed her a tissue, and put his arm around her shoulder. No one knew what to say or what to do for her.
Lois was thinking about all of this then she touched Clark's arm to gain his attention. "She's still in love with him," she whispered.
The prosecutor had more questions for her, but Erica refused to answer them.
All Lois and Clark could do was stand back and watch as Erica and her Father were escorted out into the hallway, then they were reunited with Lena. Of course, she was thrilled to be with her Mother and Grandfather. Erica held her daughter close and tried not to burst into tears in front of her daughter.
"Mommy, can we go now?"
"Yes, we can go," Erica replied then she glanced at the prosecutor.
"Don't leave town. I'll be in touch," Denise told her.
"I won't," Erica said. Then she, her daughter, her Father, and her armed guards entered an elevator and headed back to the safe house.
Lois and Clark turned to each other with the same thoughts. Their plans to put Lex in prison were not coming into fruition as they had hoped.
As they were about to leave, Lois got a beep from her cellphone. It was her Father. She called him back then he gave her the shocking news. She closed the phone and looked at Clark with sad eyes, but she knew it would cause him to lose even more faith in humanity. After giving him the news, he watched as he became furious and upset.
"I can't believe this, and he thinks Lex is behind the thefts?" Clark asked stunned by the news.
"Yes, it appears that he was," Lois replied then she touched his arm. "I'm so sorry." She paused. "My Father wants to see Superman right away." She paused. "Clark, he knows."
He shook his head. "I had a feeling that was the case." He leaned down and kissed her cheek. "I'll call you when I can."
"Be careful." Lois felt the need to say.
And then he was gone.
~o~o~
Minutes late, high in the sky over Gotham City:
Instead of heading over to the base to see Lois's father, Clark made his way to Gotham City to meet with Bruce. He needed his help to bring Lex down. It was now patently clear to him that he couldn't do it alone.
Bruce had just entered the bat cave when he received a call from Superman. A bit shocked to hear from him, he then gave him directions to the cave.
After hanging up the phone, he turned and Superman walked in. Bruce glanced at the phone and was truly amazed at how fast the man could fly. Shaking his head, he watched as Clark walked over to him, but the look on his face gave him pause.
"What happened?" Bruce asked without preamble. "No wait, let me guess, Lex Luthor?"
"You guessed right," Clark replied. He then couldn't help but check out Bruce's hideout. "Wow, this place is amazing."
"It's Ok, but you'd be surprised at how much I actually need all of this stuff."
"I believe you." Clark then looked over all the gadgets, computer equipment, even his bikes and flying machines were in full display. He touched the flying machine. "I would love to fly this one day."
Bruce chuckled. "Why, you don't need a machine to fly."
"That doesn't mean I wouldn't want to fly that one day. I don't have to drive a car, but I do enjoy driving, the same with bicycles."
Bruce shook his head at his reasoning. "Ok, tell me what's going on. What has Lex done now?"
Clark inwardly sighed. He then told him about Erica's memories returning and her shocking confession, General Lane's phone call, and then the disgusting news about Zod's body and the missing spaceship.
Bruce shook his head then he was thoughtful. "Well, I certainly wouldn't exclude Lex as a suspect, but there's no proof that he was behind this. I know him, and without that proof, you have nothing but speculation."
"I know, but there must be some way to prove that he was involved in those thefts." Then he ran his hands through his hair. "I hate this. I thought we had him for sure. Erica's memories returning and her change of heart could change everything. They may not have a case against him after all." He sighed. "I don't even want to think about Lex having his hands on Zod's body." He visibly shuddered. "You don't want to know what he wanted to do to me, and now he can do anything he wants with Zod."
Bruce frowned then he remembered reading Lois's article the other day about Lex's plans to destroy him. "How can I help you?"
"Well, you're the detective." Clark raised his eyebrows.
Bruce grinned and nodded his head in agreement. "That I am." He paused. "I'll need all the details about those thefts."
"General Lane will have all the answers to any questions you may have," Clark said.
"Well, it's a good thing that we've met."
Clark chuckled. "But not as the Batman!"
"That's true," he agreed. At Clark's frown, he murmured. "Don't worry, I won't tell him I'm Bruce Wayne."
Clark lowered his eyes then he told him that General Lane knew his secret identity.
Bruce was shocked. "When did that happen?"
"When Lois and I were at the base and we sort of … Ummm … couldn't keep our eyes off each other."
Bruce refrained from laughing out loud. Then he shook his head. "Well, now that he knows, it may just be a good thing." He watched him closely. "No more secrets?"
Clark perked up at that. "You're right, no more secrets."
Clark thoughtfully watched as Bruce jumped inside his flight machine. "Before we head out, you mentioned friends of yours who helped you with Lex here in Gotham. I would truly like to meet them."
He grinned. "Would you now, well, I just may be able to arrange that."
Then they were gone.
~o~o~
Meanwhile, back at the Erica's safe house:
Erica was exhausted and so filled with loathing at her confession that she immediately took to her bed and laid down. Her head was splitting, and she felt sick to her stomach.
Her Father helped her into bed and gave her some aspirin and then helped Lena get settled in her room. After an hour or so, he brought Erica some soup for lunch. After she had finished eating, Henri hoped she was ready to open up about what she had confessed.
"Are you ready to talk?"
Erica sighed and sat up and tried to get comfortable. Holding the tears at bay, she asked, "You don't hate me? You should hate me because I hate myself."
He took her hand. "I could never hate you …."
"I know there's a 'but' in there somewhere," Erica said and waited.
"I don't understand what happened in there." He watched her closely. "You still care for him." It was a statement.
Erica closed her eyes and tried not to think about her feelings. After all of her memories of that night had returned, her feelings for Lex blossomed again, like an unending tide of feelings and emotions. And when she had seen him just a few hours ago, she wanted to hate him, she honestly did, but that look he had given her, had stirred her heart even now. She was a strong person, but that look, it had brought her to her knees.
"Then it's true," Henri said when she hadn't said anything. As he watched the play of emotions on her face, he knew the truth. "Erica, this is not going to end well. You must know that."
"Of course I know that, but he's all I think about. I know our chance has come and gone. I keep telling myself that, but my heart won't listen." She paused as she watched him drop his head in disappointment. "I'm so sorry, Father, just please try and understand." She started to cry again. "He saved my life," she whimpered between sobs.
"Blow your nose and tell me everything."
She did as he said and then she began her story, the story that she remembered.
"That night, Lex and his Father did argue and … it was about me."
"About you … but what did they say?" He asked, confused and worried.
"Lionel was obsessed with our marriage, and you can understand why. Lex had been married seven times and each time caused a substantial drop in his bank account. Lionel knew that our marriage was different, and when he found out about the baby, he went totally ballistic. He felt as if he were losing control over his son."
One thing stuck out in Henri's brain. "Your marriage was different? What do you mean?" He sensed what was coming.
"Father, Lex and I fell in love. Oh, we never said those words to each other, but it was in everything he did for me, the way he looked at me, the way I could make him smile, our glorious nights together, and I couldn't help myself. I fell in love with him too."
Henri shook his head. "And then what happened?"
"That night, I remember coming to see Lex, and I was thinking about asking for a divorce. I knew that he wouldn't go along with it, but I thought it would be better that we remain friends. We could raise our child apart, not together. I knew it would break both our hearts, but I desperately wanted to get out of that house. It was suffocating me, and I was worried about our child. And so, I went to see him and then I heard the argument. It went something like this."
~o~o~
Ten years ago in Smallville:
"She's pregnant?" Lionel was shocked. Seven times and no baby, but now it appeared to be true. Lex was going to be a father.
"It's true. She confirmed it just this morning. There's nothing you can do about it. I know she loves me. Me, do you hear me, she loves ME!" Lex shouted at him. That was the first time that Lex had actually said that word out loud. Maybe now his Father would leave them alone and let them live their lives, but things were never that easy.
Lionel felt pity for him then his face turned into an ugly scowl. "She doesn't love you. How could she? You're nothing Lex, nothing but a spoiled brat." He paused. "How can I have grandchildren? I don't have a son."
Lex fumed but kept his temper in check.
Lionel continued. "She knows too much and changes will have to be made. Her pitiful scheme the other night didn't work. She didn't follow through with her part of the plan. She got careless, and if not for one of my men, she would be dead."
"It was her first time. She just wanted to help me, help us." Lex paused. "No matter, she's done with your dirty work. She's pregnant."
Lionel was done talking. "Lex, you can't be a father. You don't know the first thing about being a father."
Lex raised his eyebrows. "And I suppose you're an expert. Give me a break." He watched him closely as he read between the lines. "Don't you dare hurt her. If you go anywhere near her, I'll kill you. Do you hear me, I'll kill you!"
Lex turned to go, but Lionel grabbed his arm. Lex snatched his arm away and instinctively pushed him away, but then Lionel lost his footing on the carpet and fell out the window to his death.
~o~o~
Back to the present:
"I didn't actually see him fall, Father, but I did hear a bit of shuffling and grunts as if they were fighting," Erica explained.
"I can't believe this, so, it's true that it was an accident?"
"Father, I can't be sure because I didn't see it," Erica replied honestly. "But now that I remember their conversation that night, Lex did threaten him and said he would kill him if he tried to hurt me."
"I see," Henri said, as he stood up. He paced for a moment, and thought about her words. "You have to tell the prosecutor everything, just as you told me. She has to decide if the charges will be dropped or not. It's up to her, not you. You have to unburden yourself with this guilt. It wasn't your fault that this happened. They fought that night. It was out of your hands." He paused for a moment. "So Lex's decision to put you in a mental hospital it was to protect you and Lena?"
"Yes, it was his decision to do that to me. He felt that Lionel may come after me even after death, and I believed him. Our last night together was difficult, but it was for the best."
"But ten years, Erica, ten years of your life wasted. You could have died in that place."
"But I didn't die. I never lost hope that he would come for me."
"He didn't come, Clark Kent found you."
"Father, Clark and Lex know each other, and I know they're not friends, but I believe in some strange way that Lex sent him to me."
Henri was truly worried about her reasoning. He frowned and began to think that his daughter was not in her right mind. "You truly believe that?"
"Yes, I do," Erica replied, believing that it was true.
Henri shook his head, and then he picked up the phone.
She grabbed his arm. "Wait a minute, don't call the prosecutor yet. I meant what I said … I need to see him."
"But only if the guards go with you."
"Father, he won't hurt me, I'm sure of it."
~o~o~
Later that same evening, at LexCorp:
Erica shocked her Father yet again with her request to release the security guards from her care. Now that her memories had returned, she now knew that Lex would never hurt her. She was sure of it. The missile incident in New York could be explained, she told herself stanchly.
Lex had just a few minutes ago received a call from the lobby that Erica was on her way up to see him and that she was all alone. Shocked and dare he admit it, thrilled that she had come to see him. Then he thought about it. Was she coming there to kill me? It was now obvious to him that she didn't remember what was said that night between him and his Father.
He was startled out of his thoughts when a knock came at the door. It had to be her. He opened the door and there she was looking stunning in an outfit that he remembered. She was wearing a black trench coat, high heels, and her make-up was flawless. He knew exactly what lay underneath … nothing.
"Erica … what …?" Lex was speechless, but he was also suspicious. It was in his nature not to trust anyone. He was truly stunned that she was actually there. He grabbed her arm, a bit too hard then pulled her into the living room.
She stumbled a bit after he released her. "Lex, please just listen."
"Go on, I'm listening." He watched her closely then his body reacted, and dare he admit it, he still wanted her.
"Are we alone?"
"Yes, we're alone," he replied and wondered what she was doing there and then it hit him. "You remember, don't you?"
She closed her eyes for a moment. "Yes, I remember."
"Everything?" He was still suspicious.
She nodded. 'Yes, everything."
His heart began to pound then he walked over to her. Not saying a word, he unbuckled the belt from her coat. He then raised his eyes to her face and once that last button was released, he slid it off her shoulders and it was just as he thought. She was naked.
Her coat fell to the floor. She was beautiful, but then doubts filled his brain. "Erica, why …"
She touched his lips and then she leaned up and kissed him. Lex closed his eyes and pulled her to him tightly and then they were kissing desperately. Tongues touched and swirled, as groans and sighs filled the room.
He suddenly picked her up and took her to bed. Desperate kisses were exchanged while he took his time, needing to kiss her. Erica was on fire for him. In the back of her brain, she knew that this wasn't going anywhere, but she didn't care at the moment. She still wanted him just as powerful as she ever had. He set her down then she helped with his shirt and tie. Unbuckling his belt, he leaned in and kissed her again and she kissed him back.
Soon they were both naked and in each other arms holding each other tight. Desperate kisses were exchanged over and over again.
Erica felt so many things at the moment, but the one thing that filled her with joy was that he hadn't forgotten what they shared and she hadn't forgotten either. It was still the same between them. They still had this and it would be enough, at least for now.
Lex was beside her and couldn't help but stare at her. Their marriage had its difficulties, but one of the things that sustained him was that they needed each other. When he had sent her away, he knew that it was the only way to save her and he had managed to do it. A part of his soul had died, but he knew he would see her again. And here she was beside him.
"I can't believe this is happening," he managed to say.
She stroked his cheek. "It's happening, Lex. And just so you know, I'm telling them everything tomorrow."
He frowned. "Everything?"
"Yes, that I remember that it was accident and they'll drop the charges."
He wanted to believe her. "Erica, I don't know what to say."
"Don't say anything. Can we have this for now?"
Lex had other things on his mind. "God, you're beautiful," Lex was enthralled by her beauty. "This is strange, I've seen you naked before but now … we're not the same people we were before." Everywhere he touched her she thought she would explode, but he purposefully avoided her center touching her everywhere but there. She couldn't take anymore and screamed for him to give it her NOW!
He entered her then and Erica was on fire. They hadn't made love in so long, but she would remember this night no doubt about that.
"You like that … don't you?" Lex murmured between deep penetrations that had Erica screaming his name and moaning.
"Oh, yes, yes!" Erica was burning up.
He continued to make love to her, as he stroked her breasts, between her thighs, and Erica was straining for more and then it happened. They both climaxed strongly. Lex held her close. It was amazing for both of them. He left her body, and pulled her close, pulling the covers over them.
As they both caught their breaths, Erica was purring in his ear. "Wow! That was amazing, Lex!"
"I'm happy I was able to please you, Erica."
Erica frowned at his tone of voice. "Is something wrong?"
Lex wanted to believe her that she would do this for him, but something wasn't right.
He was so quiet that Erica was beginning to worry. "Lex, please talk to me. What is it?"
He turned to her trying to see the truth. "Did you tell them anything else about that night you know what happened on your first job?"
"No, I never mentioned that. I mean, I told my Father about it, but nothing specific." She tried to explain.
"I see," he murmured, still suspicious about her coming there out of the blue.
"Lex, I would never betray you. Please tell me you believe me." Erica was pleading with him now.
Instead of answering her, he leaned down and kissed her hard. She returned his kisses with equal intensity. Lex felt bewitched as if she had put a spell on him. He would do anything if she would just love him, touch him and make him feel wanted and needed. He needed her right now. The future would take care of itself. Right now though, all he wanted was to be inside her, feel her come around him, for them to feel that little death that only they could feel together.
He grabbed her hips and then pure intoxicating pleasure gripped him as he filled her to the hilt and her muscles tightened around him. He could feel her contractions, knew she was close and then he knew nothing. Erica then flung her arms around his neck, held him with her thighs, and climaxed strongly, hips pumping, breasts crushed into his chest. Lex lost control and filled her womb with hot flood of his seed.
Erica sighed and held him close as their breathing returned to normal. "Thank you," she murmured. Every part of her glowed as she sighed again and stroked his chest.
"Well, it has been a while," he commented hating to admit that he had lost interest in casual sex after their divorce. No one seemed to compare to her.
Erica wondered about that, why he never remarried. But then she couldn't help it as her hand moved lower down his body then surprise and delight lit up her face. He was ready for her again. It had been a long time, she realized. Then she raised her head to look at him and he was still a very attractive man. He was still in shape but it was his eyes that Erica found intoxicating. They looked into her soul and a part of her still felt trapped by those eyes as if she would never be able to escape even if she wanted to.
"What are you thinking?" Lex asked, curious at the way she was staring at him.
"Nothing, nothing at all," she replied and then she pulled his head down and kissed him. He pulled her to him and kissed her back.
TBC!
~o~o~
Song Inspiration: Rolling in the Deep, Adele.
A/N: I enjoyed writing this chapter. Clark and Bruce especially had me grinning and hoping for the MOS sequel to get here like right now! But it took a bit of doing to explain Erica's actions both in the past and in the future. Her memory lapses, what she remembered and when, was crucial to the story. Now, what can I say about Lex and Erica? Is it true love or obsession? Ok, please tell me your thoughts. Thanks for reading.