Title:The Things We Lost (8/?)
Author: Babette
babettew54Category: Smallville (AU)
Characters: Lois/Clark/Kal-El, Tess, Oliver, Lex
Rating: T
Summary: Lois and Clark must accept the cruel reality of their separation as they try to get back what they had lost.
Word Count: 3,400
Spoilers: Dominion (10.19)
Disclaimer: DC Comics, Warner Bros. Entertainment owns these characters (well, except Andrew), dangit!
A/N: A very important chapter ahead. In this next chapter, Lionel has a few words for Lex, Tess remembers the past, and later, their plan may be in jeopardy. Please read and review. Thanks, everyone! :D
Story banner by
hanakt Previously:
(
Chapter 1) (
Chapter 2) (
Chapter 3) (
Chapter 4) (
Chapter 5)
(
Chapter 6) (
Chapter 7)
Chapter 8: Luthor
Lex's penthouse, earlier that same evening:
Lionel Luthor, from a mirror dimension, had found a way to elude Lutessa Luthor, or Tess Mercer, as she now called herself. Lex had been only too happy to help Lionel since he was the one who had brought him back to life. Lex had been truly grateful, if you could call it that. Lionel was finding it hard to read this Lex. After finding out that his counterpart had been murdered by this Lex, he was cautious around him and took nothing for granted.
But now, after finding out that Lex had announced his plans to run for the President of the United States, without so much as a stint in Congress or even the Senate, he had to put his foot down. Putting their lives under a microscope for snoops and all manner of attention from the masses was not something he was looking forward to. He had to talk some sense into him before it was too late. Lionel had found out enough to know that this Lex had a lot to hide. He could almost hear the skeletons in his closet rattling around waiting to burst forth with all manner of scandals. The media would have a field day.
Lionel cautiously, but casually strolled into Lex's office without knocking trying to show a bit of backbone, although he was shaking inside.
"What do you want, Lionel? I'm busy," Lex said, as he glanced up from his questions he had prepared for the Lane and Kent interview.
"I see you didn't take my advice. What possessed you to agree to an interview with Lane and Kent, two of your hated enemies? What were you thinking?"
"I have my reasons," Lex told him and hoped he would leave.
"Oh, I'm sure you do, but it won't accomplish anything. You need to pull out of the race, Lex."
"I knew you wouldn't understand, so that's why I never told you," Lex told him hoping to end the discussion.
"That's not the only reason you never told me. You knew I would try and talk you out of it. And you know as well I do that there are too many skeletons in your closet to put us under a microscope. Come on, Lex, think about it. Lane and Kent are the last people you should be talking to."
Lex stood up then tired of his ravings. "Are you finished?"
"No, I'm not," Lionel said and came to stand in front of his desk.
Lex came around his desk and stood toe-to-toe with him. Neither man seemed to want to back down. "The only reason you're standing here alive is because … humm, now that I think about it, you're becoming a nuisance, so don't try my patience," he told him firmly, happy to see Lionel take a step back.
But Lionel refused to back down because this was way too important to both of them. "I really have to wonder why you're really doing this, Lex. Why the presidency? It's beneath you," Lionel asked, trying another tactic.
Lex raised his eyebrows. He knew false flattery when he heard it. "Was that a compliment?"
"It's not a compliment, just the truth. The president is just a figurehead, nothing more. If you win the election, you'll be cut off from everything you've accomplished before he left."
Lex turned from him. "The Blur won't be a problem."
"Come on, Lex. The man has nine lives. He always comes back. You may want to remember that," Lionel told him.
'Oh, I haven't forgotten," Lex said and went to the television, turned it on, and there was the Blur on every channel. The media was in a frenzy about him. "After tonight, everyone will know the truth about him."
Lionel was really worried now. "Exposing the Blur won't help you, Lex."
"We'll see about that."
"He'll find a way to stop you. He always does."
"Oh, I know he'll try, but I have a surprise for him."
"You will regret this, Lex, mark my words." Lionel couldn't think of what else to say. "I can't change your mind about this meeting?"
Lex turned off the television and returned to his desk. "No, I won't change my mind. You should leave and stay out of sight. They'll be here soon!"
Lionel left, but he hadn't given up, not quite yet.
~o~o~
Later that evening, in the elevator ride up to the Lex's penthouse:
Tess had a dilemma, and couldn't decide what to do. As thoughts of several occasions in the past where she had tried to administer the neurotoxin that was now in her pocket came into her mind, she decided it could wait.
The first time she had tried had been a disaster. It had been several years after she had agreed to work for Lex, and after she had spotted Lionel quite by accident coming out of LuthorCorp one evening, Tess had made up her mind. She had to use the drug on Lex; there was no other solution. Lex working alone was one thing, but having 'mirror Lionel' hanging around, who knew what they were up to.
~o~o~
Tess's first attempt, about a year ago:
One evening, much like this one with the neurotoxin in her pocket, she entered Lex's suite. Her hands were in her coat pocket. Of course, Lex was there working late. She entered his office and of course he was immediately suspicious. Lex was always suspicious.
"Tess, why are you here so late?" Lex asked as he stood up to welcome her.
"Nothing much, but I got your email about that new charity."
"That wasn't urgent, Tess." He watched her for moment. "What's the real reason you're here?"
"No other reason. It's late in the year and we need to decide before the deadline."
He narrowed his eyes, still suspicious. "Oh, alright, well, take a seat and we'll talk about it," he told her. "You know, Tess, hiring you was the best decision I've ever made."
"Thanks, Lex, I'm glad you hired me."
"Well, I think it worked out for the both of us. Now about that charity."
They worked for a little while and then Tess stood up. "I'm thirsty. Want anything?"
"No, help yourself," Lex said, not looking up.
Tess walked over to the bar, washed her hands, got a drink with some ice, and stood there sipping her drink for a moment to gather her courage. "Lex, it's filthy over here. I thought you had a maid," Tess told him, hoping to distract him from her actions.
Then Lex came up behind her quite unexpectedly. He grabbed her wrist. "Don't move, Tess. I know you like a book. We are related you know."
Tess stiffened. "Lex, what's going on?"
"You tell me."
"Nothing is going on."
He turned her around and then he searched her pockets. He didn't find anything. "You're up to something. Tell me," he ordered, as she twisted her wrist.
"Lex, please, you're hurting me."
He had to be sure. He didn't trust her. He didn't trust anyone. "We're done for the night."
"Lex, if you don't trust me now, I don't know what else I can do," she told him. "You know I'm alone. Why would I do anything to you, Lex?" With those parting words, she left him alone.
Once out in the hall, Tess breathed a sigh of relief. The toxin was now down the drain. Tess had been lucky that night.
And of course, in her second attempt, Clark had stopped her.
~o~o~
Back to the present:
The elevator beeped alerting Tess, Lois and Clark that they had arrived at the penthouse. Tess took a deep breath, glanced at her friends, then left the elevator and headed to Lex's front door. Lois and Clark followed her.
Meanwhile, the League was in place on the lower floors, and after disabling the security systems with the codes that Tess had provided, they entered the building through the stairwells, the elevators and the sides of the building. Lex's goons were taken care of with drugs and other means without any trouble. The coast was clear for their friends upstairs. Oliver tried to get closer to the meeting and managed to enter another penthouse suite also with a balcony. He also managed to attach a hearing device to Lex's window so that he could hear what was being said.
The one thing or person who hadn't been added to the equation was … Lionel Luthor. He was still in the building hoping he could stop the interview somehow. As he stood in the hallway and peeped out from one of the empty offices and caught a glimpse of Lutessa, he couldn't help but remember the last time he had seen her. After his unsuccessful attempt to steal her heart for Lex and she had escaped, he decided to lay low, but keep an eye on her. He had found a new respect for her after that incident. Lionel then decided to reveal himself.
"Before you knock, hear me out," Lionel urgently whispered, as he approached the trio.
"Lionel?" Lois, Clark and Tess all spoke at the same time.
Clark quickly moved forward hoping that Lex hadn't heard them. He grabbed Lionel by the arm and entered the vacant office. Tess and Lois followed him.
Tess spoke first. "Lionel, I thought I told you to disappear or I would put you in jail, especially after what you tried to do to me. And here you are still snooping around at LuthorCorp," she whispered, furious with him.
Lois frowned. Tess had told her what Lionel had tried to do to her.
"Lutessa …?" Lionel began.
"Tess, that's Tess! Stop calling me that!"
"Calm down, Tess," Clark told her then he turned to Lionel. "What do you want, Lionel, and be quick about it?" He asked sharply, hoping this delay wouldn't destroy their plans.
"You should leave now. Lex has plans for all of you," Lionel urgently told them.
"And give us one good reason why we should believe anything you say," Lois said, revolted by the man.
"Clark, he has kryptonite in his office," Lionel told him
Clark stiffened. He then turned and peered through the walls. "I don't see anything."
"Of course not, he has it hidden," Lionel desperately told him, although he didn't know this for a fact, however, Lex always kept kryptonite around ... always.
"Clark?" Lois looked at her fiancé hoping he had a solution for this unexpected turn of events. Lois didn't believe Lionel, but could they take the chance?
Clark stared at him trying to read him. "I don't believe you, Lionel. Lex is unpredictable, but after announcing his presidency, hurting me would not look good for his image."
"Clark, listen …" Lionel began as he grabbed his arm.
Clark shook him off. "I've made up my mind. We're going through with this meeting. You should leave and disappear, Lionel. I never want to see your face again or you will be end up in jail for impersonation and fraud."
"You're making a terrible mistake, Clark," Lionel said and then he left them alone.
Clark immediately touched his communicator. "Oliver, Lionel was just here. That's right. Follow him and take J'onn with you, everyone else should stay here. Don't let him out of your sight. Yes, now, and report back to me as soon as you can."
"I can't believe he's still around. I told him to disappear," Tess told them.
"There's something you should know. I just scanned him and he's infected with the darkness," Clark told them then he began to think about what Jor-El had told him and finding Darkseid.
"That doesn't surprise me," Lois said.
"Is Lex also infected?" Tess wanted to know.
"No, I scanned Lex when I saw him last night and he's not infected, at least not yet." He then checked his watch. "We should hurry; Lex must be wondering where we are."
"Wait, Clark, I have to tell you something." So in as short a time as she could, Tess finally told them about her failed attempt to poison Lex. "He knew what I was up to, he just knew."
"Clark, I'm worried. With what Tess just told us and what Lionel said, we may have to abort, try something else," Lois suggested.
"It's your decision, Clark," Tess said and waited.
~o~o~
Back in Lex's penthouse suite:
Pacing, Lex glanced at his watch again. They were late but only by five minutes. Something wasn't right. He went to the door, opened it but didn't see anything. Closing the door, he called his guards, but just before anyone could answer, there was a knock at the door.
It's about time, he thought as he opened the door and there stood Lane, Kent, and Tess. He hadn't expected to see her. "You're late," he stated unnecessarily.
"Good evening, Lex," Clark cheerfully greeted him, his mask in place. He entered the suite with Lois and Tess behind him. "Sorry for the delay and I know you're probably wondering why Tess is here?"
"It did cross my mind," Lex replied, staring at Tess, his suspicion rising.
"I asked Tess to join us this evening because, well, she contacted me about all your incredible work in the charity field and of course, the voters want to know all about that. I hope you don't mind?" Clark asked and smiled at him, mask still in place.
He is good, Lex thought. "Of course, Tess knows everything there is to know about that. She can answer any questions you may have," he replied, his suspicions confirmed. Tess was no longer under his control. He knew that now and he hated to admit it, but it made him a little sad.
"Thank you, Lex. Ladies, shall we get started?" Clark asked, as he led the way. Glancing at Lex, he wondered what he had been thinking.
"Of course, Clark," Lois said, as they all sat down.
"Before we get started, can I ask you something, Clark?" Lex asked, hoping to put him on the spot.
"Of course, if it's not too personal," Clark replied.
"Where have you been these past five years? It's as if you just disappeared from the face of the Earth," Lex asked, then watched him closely for his answer.
Clark shrugged, embarrassed, then he ducked his head and pushed his glasses up his nose. "Oh, that well, my Mother was always after me to finish my education. There never seemed to be enough time for it. Then, an opening occurred suddenly and quite unexpectedly in London, and I jumped at the chance. So, after getting the go ahead from my job, I left."
"Just like that?" Lex asked, very suspicious of his answer, which wouldn't be hard to confirm.
Lois and Tess couldn't help but stare at him after his quick answer to Lex's question.
"Yes, just like that," Clark replied and smiled.
"Amazing, and now you're back at the Planet?" Lex asked, intrigued by his story.
"Yes, Mr. White welcomed me back with open arms," Clark answered him, which wasn't a complete lie. He had gotten his job back earlier in the day after he told Perry the truth about himself. Perry had his suspicions about him in the past. He just confirmed his suspicions. Of course, Clark demanded that Lois be given her job back as well. A little begging hadn't hurt either, plus a staffer had recently died. He hadn't told Lois the good news, but he would later tonight.
Lois tried not to gasp at that lie. Clark was back at the Planet?
"I'm happy for you, Clark," Lex said, surprising the trio.
Clark frowned at him. Was Lex different; had he really changed?
"Can we get on with the interview?" Lois asked hoping to move things along.
"Yes, of course," Lex replied, then handed Lois a piece of paper.
"Lex, I have my own questions," Lois said and tried not to roll her eyes.
"Of course, you do, but you can ask those as well."
"Lex, there are twenty questions here. We don't have all night," Lois told him firmly.
"Oh, I see, well, I was prepared for that. Here's my answers, and Clark, why don't you print those in the Planet, and Lois, you can ask me your questions for the local news broadcast tomorrow night."
Apparently, Lex hadn't been informed that she had quit her job. "Alright, Lex, let's get on with it," Lois said, getting impatient.
About an hour later, after all Lois's questions had been answered, everyone headed to the door, except Lex. He stood back and watched the trio. He shook his head at them. They actually think they've pulled the wool over my eyes.
"Before you leave, Clark, I have something to show you," Lex told him, then reached inside his pocket. There was a lead box in his suit coat. "Don't move, Clark!" Lois and Tess took a step toward him. "Ladies, don't try anything!" Lex demanded, then began to slowly open the box.
Clark should have known he would try something. He had no choice now, so he took a deep breath and closed his eyes for a moment.
Lois spotted something out of the corner of her eye then she gasped. Tess also gasped both unbelieving.
His voice a little sad, Clark spoke to Lex then. "You had a second chance at life Lex. You say you've changed, you want to do good things, but that's not the case, is it? It's all a façade. You'll never change."
"What … how did you?" Stunned, Lex was at a loss for words. "I can't believe this!"
The Blur was hovering outside the balcony in his new suit. Smirking, the Blur crossed his arms, but didn't say anything.
While Lex was still in shock, distracted by Clark's actions, Lois grabbed the box from him and put it inside her purse. Clark and Tess saw their chance then jumped Lex tackling him to the floor. Clark held his head still, while Tess quickly slid her gloved hand across his face.
"No, no, no!" Lex screamed then suddenly he stopped struggling.
"It's time to go," he told them. Lex didn't have much time left. "I'm sorry, Lex; sorry I couldn't save you," Clark whispered to him then they left Lex alone in his suite, dazed and confused. Tess and Lois both glanced at the balcony but the Blur was gone.
The very last thing Lex would remember was the image of both Clark and the Blur swirling inside his brain as two different people.
Minutes or hours went by, Lex wasn't sure. He then walked around his suite, ending up at the balcony door looking up at the sky. "Where am I?" Suddenly and inexplicably, he began to forget everything that he had remembered just a few short years ago.
Everything was gone … in thirty seconds.
TBC!
~o~o~
A/N: I really enjoyed writing this chapter, changing things up from the finale. I hope you enjoyed it. Btw, this wasn't the first time I've split Clark in two! For those wondering if Clark could really do such a thing, watch the movie 'Superman II'! Truly a classic! Thanks for reading. Reviews are love.