Revenge (PG-13 ) Lexana, Drama/Romance: Chapters 7 & 8 (Complete)
Here are the last two chapters of the second fic I ever wrote. Enjoy!
SUMMARY: What happened the days between Lex´s rescue after his plane crashed and his arrival in Smallville ? What would have things been like if Helen had decided to take revenge by hurting someone close to Lex ?
If you´ve missed the beginning read it now:
CHAPTERS 1 TO 3
CHAPTER 4
CHAPTERS 5 & 6
CHAPTER 7: The Nightmare
Lana was discharged from hospital three days later. The police approached her to draw an identikit of the attacker and to see if she wanted to file a complaint; but Lana claimed she couldn't remember anything of that night, except being rescued by a young couple.The officers told Lex that there wasn't much they could do without a physical description or a reliable witness. However, this didn't deter Lex from pursuing his own investigation and, the second day after Lana regained consciousness, the PI called him with some news.
“ We've got a lead. A college teacher saw a silver sedan drove away at high speed a few minutes before the ambulance arrived. The PI's working on it as we speak, “ told Lex to Lana, Nell and Dean.
“ That's good news, isn't it, Lana ? “ asked Nell. “ Dr Garland said today that you're stronger and that, if you wanted, you could fly with us back to Germany, honey.”
“ You know, Lana, I've never had children of my own but I think of you as my daughter. It'd be a pleasure to have you home, “said Dean leaning over Lana and placing his hand on top of hers.
Lex was looking at the scene from the back of the room and was surprised to see Lana cringed away from Dean's contact as if she were terrified of him. Lana'd been vocal about her dislike for Dean in the past, but she'd never suggested she was afraid of him- it made him wonder. Sensing her discomfort, and reading the cry for help in her eyes when she looked his way, Lex intervened in the conversation.
“ Lana, I'm aware that at moments like these you may prefer to be surrounded by your only family . Still, if you don't feel like flying yet, I can offer you to stay over. I'm sure there must be a free room somewhere in the mansion, “ he said ironically.
“ Thank you, Lex. I'd love to if it's not too much of an imposition, “ she said relieved.
“ Of course not. You know my house's always open to my friends... “
“ But... you've done so much already... paying for the hospital bills, “ interrupted Nell. “ And Lana, it wouldn't be appropriate... a girl living with a young unmarried man in the same house... ,“ added outraged.
“ Nell, I'm not a girl anymore. Besides, Lex's offering me a room, not making an indecent proposal. “
Nell wasn't very pleased at the beginning but knew better than to argue with Lana when her niece's mind was already made up. Moreover- thought Nell- moving in with the most eligible bachelor in Smallville might not be such a bad idea after all. They could all benefit from it and, God knew, she was tired of collecting coupons to make ends meet.
Lana started having second-thoughts as soon as Nell bid her farewell, not because she didn't trust Lex or consider him a gentleman but because he was too observant and he'd realise she was hiding something from him. She was aware that they were a lot alike, Lex valued honesty above all, and she was afraid he might consider her secrecy betrayal.
Lex, in the meantime, felt honoured Lana had placed her trust in his hands. In addition, her staying home would allow him to protect her better. Suspicious by nature, Lex didn't rule out the possibility of him being the real target of this vicious attack on Lana. Therefore, the first thing he had done when hiring the PI was to provide him with a long list of people who might hold a grudge against him.
“ Yes ? Mr Phillips. Any news ? ... I'm not paying you 200 an hour to hear excuses, Mr Phillips. I want certainties. Next time you pick up the phone, You'd better give me some answers, “ barked Lex at the PI.
Lex shut the mobile and looked to the sofa where Lana lay dozing restlessly after taking her evening painkiller. He approached and, crouching down next to the couch, tried to wake her up without startling her.
“ Lana ? Lana, it's getting late. Would you like me to take you up to your room ? “
She opened her eyes, disoriented, and focused them on him.
“ I could stay here if you provided me with a blanket. “
“ You'll get cramps, Lana. I' ll carry you Put your arm around my shoulders... Ready ?... “
Lana placed her sleepy head on his shoulder and let herself be taken to her chamber.
“Your suitcases have already been unpacked. Your nightdress is under the pillow... .I'll send Mrs Turner up to help you undress.. There's a buzzer you can press in case you need anything in the middle of the night.I'm sorry for the inconvenience...The nurse I've hired will be here tomorrow and so will the wheelchair, “ he said lowering her onto the bed.
“ Thank you, Lex ..., “ Lana answered, her eyes brimming with tears. “ I hate to burden you with an invalid. “
“Hey, Lana ! ..., “ he said wiping her tears. “ I've never considered you a weakling. This is only temporary. Remember what Dr Garland said: You'll be on your feet again, “ he soothed her. “ Now, you need to rest. Mrs Turner'll be right up. Sleep tight, Lana, “ he said placing a kiss on her forehead.
“ Goodnight, Lex. “
Lex didn 't go straight to bed but went back to his study to go through some dossiers he had brought with him from Metropolis. He spent two hours buried in papers until he decided to call it a day, and it was at that moment he heard a blood-curdling scream and raced to the stairs to find a worried-looking Mrs Turner already there.
“ It's all right, Mrs Turner, “ said an agitated Lex, “ Go back to bed. I'll see to it. “
“ Would you like me to wait up in case Miss Lang needs anything, sir ? “
“ I'll call you if I need you, “ responded Lex rushing up the steps.
Lex opened Lana's bedroom door without bothering to knock and found her lashing out, her body covered in sweat and entangled in the sheets. Her moaning and whimpering told him that her nightmare was far from over. He sat on the bed and grabbed her arms gently in an attempt to wake her up without scaring her more than she was already. But no sooner did Lana feel his touch than she started to scream louder and push him away. Encountering resistence, she tried scratching and succeeded in drawing blood from his left cheek. Lex reacted by shaking her awake.
“ Lana ! Lana , wake up ! It's over. You're safe, now, “ he shouted.
“Don 't... don't hurt me ! “ he heard her utter in a strangled cry with a look of sheer terror on her face.
“ It's Lex, Lana. There's nothing to be afraid of. You're at the mansion, remember ,“ said Lex brusing some strands of damp hair away from her face.
“ I was dreaming... It was ... It was as if everything... were happening to me again, “ she said throwing herself into his arms amidst sobs.
“ As hideous as it was, you've got to remember it's all over. I'll make sure no one'll harm you again, “ he said moving his hand up and down her back to comfort her. “ You're soaked. We must get you out of these clothes and change the bedsheets as well. Let me call, Mrs Turner, “ volunteered Lex stretching out to press the buzzer.
“No ! Don't call her, please.“
“ Lana, you can't sleep in that nightdress. You' ll get pneumonia. She can help you freshen up and change, “ he tried to reason with her.
“ I don't want a stranger to touch me, Lex, “ she explained.
“ Be sensible. You can't do it on your own and ... Mrs Turner's the only woman in the house. “
“ Just help me get to the bathroom ... .“
“ Lana..., “ he said annoyed.
“ Please ..., “ she entreated him.
“ Nell was right, it's no use arguing with you once your mind's made up. “
“ Look who's talking, “ she murmured.
Lex complied with her wishes, albeit reluctantly, picking her up from bed and sitting her on the edge of the bathtub.
“ Could you bring me ... a nightie and a pair of ... knickers ? “ she asked blushing.
“ Any colour preference ? “ he asked playfully, wearing his trademark smile.
“ They're all white... “
“ I should have known,” was his answer.
A quarter of an hour later Lana summoned him to the bathroom to carry her to bed once again.
“ I've changed the sheets. You'll feel more comfortable now. Dr Garland said you could take a mild sedative if you had trouble sleeping, where's the prescription ? “
“ I'd rather not take so many pills... Lex ? “
“ Yes ? “
“ I'm afraid of falling asleep and having the same dream again.Would you mind... would you mind staying with me tonight ? “
“ If that helps... I can sit by your bed. “
“ Could you ... could you... lie next to me and hold me, Lex ? “ asked a crimson-faced Lana.
Lex looked at the young woman's face and, giving a silent assent, stretched out on the quilt wrapping her tightly in his arms. It'd be the first time he shared a bed with a woman platonically and the first time he'd wake up in the morning next to the woman he loved.
CHAPTER 8: The Truth
Lex woke up at seven o'clock the following morning to find Lana still sound asleep in his arms. He revelled in the picture she made and couldn't tear his eyes away from her. He thought he could actually get used to it and was upset when the phone on the bedside table rang. He picked up the receiver fast so as not to disturb Lana and heard the PI's voice on the other side.
“ Luthor, I've got news. I've traced the number plate and I've got you a name ... and the testimony of an eye witness.“
Lex transfixed when he heard the information. The knuckles of the hand he was using to hold the receiver turned suddenly white. His eyes strayed to Lana's sleeping form and he felt the bile surging up.The signs had been there for him to read but he had wanted so badly to be wrong. He should have killed him...he should have killed Paul Hayden when he had got the chance. If he had let the darkness in him vanquish, none of this would have happened. Lionel had been right all along, sentimentality was a weakness he couldn't afford. Hayden was a psychopath capable of doing anything to secure Helen's love, and she knew how to play on his feelings for her. Lex's error of judgement had cost Lana dear,it had cost her her innocence and almost her life.
“ Good work. Bring me everything you have to the mansion this afternoon. I'll have your payment ready, “ he said hanging up.
Lana stirred and fluttered her eyes open to find Lex staring at her with his full of unshed tears. “ I can't begin to tell you how sorry I am, Lana. It's all my fault. Everything. Everything he put you through... I mean “ everything “... I'm to blame. I should have killed him... I should have killed them both when I had the opportunity four years ago. A taste of her own medicine was not enough... ,“ said an embittered Lex.
Lana's body started to tremble uncontrallably once she realised the meaning behind Lex's words. He knew. He knew her secret and she had nowhere to hide. She retreated from him ashamed of what he might think of her. Lex misread her reaction and stared at her with a look of hurt in his eyes , “ You must despise me. I'll understand, Lana, if you don't want to have anything else to do with me. I'll make the arrangements for Nell to come to pick you up. I'll take care of the medical bills, it's the least I can do..., “ he said with a heavy heart.
“ Aren 't you mad at me ? “ she whispered.
“ Mad at you ? Why on earth would I be mad at you ? “
“ I lied to you. I hid ... “
“ It's me who needs your forgiveness, Lana. “
“ You didn't attack me, he did. I feel so dirty... “
“ Oh, Lana, ... I wish I could turn the clock back ...I feel so responsible. I swear to you Lana, ...they can both count themselves dead for what they've done. This time they won't get away. “
“ Promise me something, Lex. “
“Anything . “
“ There's already been too much suffering in our lives... It's time to say “ Enough “. Promise me. Promise me you won't cross that bridge no matter what. I don't think I'd be able to live with myself if I knew you've lost your soul because of me, “ said Lana amidst tears.
“ Do you care that much ? “ responded Lex in disbelief.
“ You once said you were sure the right guy for me was out there, “ answered Lana blushing. “ And ... in the last few days...I've finally realised... he's been there all the time. He's shown me his love in every gesture, every look and every touch. I wish you could forgive me, Lex. “
“ Forgive you ? “ asked Lex baffled.
“ Yes. Forgive me for being blind. Dr Garland was right... she didn't know you before that night and she could read you like an open book. I was so engrossed in my relationship with Clark... “
“ That's the past, Lana... I don't know what to say, now. This morning's been full of surprises, I ... “
“You don't have to say anything, Lex..., “ she said placing her fingers on his lips. “ I've prayed so many times to find true love in my life... “
“ When Dr Garland asked me if I was a believer I told her I wasn't a religious man but that I still believed in miracles... Thank you for making a believer out of me, Lana. “
“ And thank you for making me feel whole again, Lex. “
THE END
Read the sequel: Revenge Redux