Whatπs New

2 : Secrets and Dreams

I woke this morning with that shadow feeling Iπd
been dreaming
significant dreams-
Strong and powerful,
Richly full of meaning.

At 5:00 PM on the dot, Lex walked into his fatherπs office. He didnπt wait to be announced. It was one of the little tit-for-tat habits that they both indulged in.

≥Here are the reports on Veridyne and BioDex, Dad.≤

Lionel looked up from his desk with a slight smile that said he was amused that Lex thought the whole entering-without-knocking strategy would throw Lionel even slightly off his game.

He didnπt reach for the reports, however, but slipped into a puzzled frown as he looked at the papers in Lexπs hand.

Lionel had asked for them. Lex was certain. He remembered the glare of the 2:00 PM sun coming in through his fatherπs office windows and the smell of the roses that had been sitting on his fatherπs desk.

≥Reports, Lex?≤

≥Yes, the market reports you asked me to put together for you when I was here this afternoon.≤

There werenπt roses on Lionelπs desk now.

There were lilies.

≥Ah, yes, the reports. Of course.≤ Lionel wiped the puzzled frown from his face and gave his son a hearty smile as he took the reports. It was a smile Lex was seeing more and more often since heπd returned to work.

The first time heπd ever seen it had been when heπd held a gun on his father after having been rescued from the island.

Why would I want you dead, Lex?

Louis had taught Lex that killing someone provided the ultimate control over them. Lex had realized that it was also the last expression of control. You couldnπt bring them back.

Generally couldnπt, anyway.

Lionel put the sheaf of papers to one side and looked at Lex expectantly.

≥Did you need something else, Son?≤

≥You asked for the reports by COB today, Dad. Do you want to discuss my findings?≤ Lex asked. ≥Are you even going to read them?≤

Lionelπs eyes held a shadow of worry. Just a hint. ≥Certainly, we can discuss them. Refresh my memory on exactly what weπre looking at.≤

His father was a consummate actor.

He had to be acting.

≥If you donπt want to discuss the acquisition prospects now, just say so.≤ Lex resisted the urge to storm out of the room. It would accomplish nothing. He ground his teeth instead. ≥Unless of course this assignment is the paperwork equivalent of sharpening pencils all day. I was under the impression we were trying to get past that, Dad.≤

≥I was under the impression you were going to fire that rumour-spreading manager of yours.≤ Lionel leaned back in his chair and balanced his chin on steepled fingers. ≥Or did you forget?≤

Heat shot up Lexπs spine, and he started to sweat. He smelled the ocean and tasted rubber in his mouth.

≥I didnπt forget, Dad. Merely reconsidered. Gabe is an excellent manager. I spoke to him, and he didnπt know anything about the rumours.≤

≥And you believed him?≤ Lionel managed to sound both amused and incredulous. ≥Iπm surprised, Lex. Especially after the questionable accounting we uncovered after your return from the island.≤

≥Whatã≤ Lex cut himself off. He didnπt remember any accounting anomalies. He remembered Gabe sitting down with him and going over the books. He remembered being grateful that Gabe had kept things going so that there was something to come back to.

Lionel shook his head pityingly and sighed.

≥You donπt remember do you?≤

≥Thereπs nothing to remember. That didnπt happen.≤

≥You can check the books, Lex.≤

Which Lionel could have had altered.

≥I donπt need to check. Gabe Sullivan has my complete confidence.≤

≥Why would you trust someone who obviously is trying to drive you away from your family?≤ Lionel stood and walked out from behind his desk. The sun came in through the windows and made a halo of hair.

Like everything about Lionel Luthor, the image was misleading on many, many levels.

Lionel grasped Lex by both shoulders. ≥Lex, we canπt ignore these memory problems. I refused to deal with the signs of you slipping away once before, and look what happened? Lana Lang: hurt. Your friend Clark Kent: hiding you like a criminal. I canπt allow that to happen again.≤

Lex didnπt answer. Didnπt move. Somewhere, sometime, he had learned that this was the only control he had around father.

≥There are treatments Iπve been looking into. Ways to stimulate memory. To unlock the secrets that our own minds try to keep from us.≤ Lionel smiled with kind lying eyes. ≥Let me help you, son.≤

There was no control complete enough that it couldnπt be ripped away.

≥Iπll think about it, Dad.≤

≥You had some fascinating research projects in progress prior to your breakdown, Lex. Iπd truly like to see you get back to them.≤

Research? Secrets? Those two words called up a host of memories: visions of cars ripped apart, computer simulations, arson analyses, symbols on cave walls.

≥I said I would think about it, Dad.≤

He turned and walked out. Lex strode smoothly, quickly, past his office to the elevators. He stood quietly in the elevator all the way down to the parking garage. He got into the Porsche.

In the car he allowed himself one slam of his hands on the steering wheel before peeling out and racing for home.

For Smallville.

n ß n ß n

He found himself parked in front of the Talon with only a hazy memory of the drive from Metropolis. Two hours. Three? Another blank in his life.

Lex swallowed and braced himself. It wasnπt the same. This was just that heπd been preoccupied. It wasnπt anything different from what might have happenedä before.

There was a knock on the window, and swinging dark hair brushed over his side mirror. Dark eyes full of concern watched him and soft lips moved.

≥Lex?≤

He looked up, smiled quickly, and moved to get out of the car.

The day was normal. This was normal. He was normal.

He had to be.

≥Hello, Lana. I didnπt know you were back to work.≤

≥Iπm not really. Iπm just dropping in to see how things are going.≤

They walked into the Talon together. Lana was still limping, though it was better than it had been last time heπd seen her.

The smell of coffee and the noise of teenagers enveloped Lex, and he found himself looking around for Clark.

≥Itπs strange, isnπt it?≤ Lana was looking around the room as well. She blinked and pressed her lips together. ≥But things change.≤

Lex pulled himself together.

≥What do you mean?≤

≥Come on, Iπll get you an espresso,≤ she said without answering him. ≥I think we can stand the owner a drink.≤

He followed her to the bar and sat down as she waved one of the servers over and gave her order. Lex felt naked on his left side because Clark should be sitting there. He should be making eyes at Lana and brushing inappropriately close to Lexπs shoulder as he reached for his grande mocha that should be sitting there with their drinks. But it wasnπt. He wasnπt.

≥You know he hasnπt been off the farm since Peteπs funeral?≤ Lana said to the foam on her cappuccino.

Lex didnπt need to ask who she meant.

≥No.≤ I havenπt visited; I havenπt called. ≥I didnπt know.≤

≥The teachers at school are starting to wonder whatπs going on. Theyπre talking about calling social services.≤

Lex paused with his espresso half way to his lips. ≥How do you know?≤

Lana shook her head. ≥Remember where weπre living, Lex. If the Kents werenπt who they are, a teacher would have called in child protection services already.≤

Lex snorted at the idea of someone needing to protect six-foot-four Clark. Of course things had changed for Clark now. Still Lex couldnπt imagine it.

≥Theyπve always kept to themselves; and Clark, well, even before Pete died, Clark was pushing everyone away.≤

≥I donπtã≤ remember that. ≥ãthink thatπs true.≤ Lex thought of his homecoming. He could almost feel Clarkπs arms around him now.

No.

Clark hadnπt pushed everyone away, but he did have secrets.

≥Last summer changed him, Lex.≤ Lana glanced at Lex and blushed, remembering that Clark wasnπt the only one who had been changed that summer. ≥He just wonπt open up to anyone. Especially now that Peteπs gone.≤

Lex remembered seeing fear in Clarkπs eyes.

And then Clark was gone.

≥Heπs been through a lot, Lana.≤

She nodded. ≥Anyway, I wanted to say that I thought your idea of calling in a specialist is a good one, but I donπt think the Kents will go for it.≤

Lex stared at her. ≥What idea was this?≤

Lana frowned, a tiny line appearing between her eyebrows. ≥The one you emailed me about last night.≤

No.

He hadnπt.

Heπd remember.

He would.

≥Lex?≤

≥I- Iπll take your advice into consideration.≤

Lana smiled. ≥Good. You know, Clark is really lucky to have a friend like you, Lex.≤

≥And you.≤

Lanaπs blush was expected, but her frown wasnπt. ≥Lex, Clark and Iã well, things are different now.≤

≥Because heπs blind? I didnπt think you were that shallow, Lana.≤

≥It has nothing to do with that.≤ Lana shook her head. ≥I think it would have been the same even if heπd gotten his sight back. Weπve just grown apart. I donπt need him the way I used to, and heπs turned down every offer Iπve made to help him keep up with school. Itπs like he just doesnπt care anymore.≤

That didnπt sound like Clark. Maybe he should consider having someone come in to see Clark. Apparently heπd already made the suggestion. Or someone had. Or Lana was lying.

Everyone could be lying.

He looked around the room at the kids meeting to do homework and the couples out on dates. Several looked back. How many of them had he forgotten? How many of them knew more about his life these last few months than he did? How many were working for his father?

≥Lex?≤

Lana was looking concerned again, and he could understand that. It was quite reasonable. Lex stood up. His heart was going a mile a minute. He was starting to sweat, and everyone would notice his fear if he stayed here any longer.

≥I need to go. Iπll see you later, Lana.≤

≥Lex?≤

She looked concerned. Just like his father had looked this afternoon.

≥Iπm fine, but I have some calls I have to make. Iπll let you know what happens with Clark.≤

She smiled. It was nothing like Lionelπs smile.

≥Okay, drive carefully.≤

He gave a quick nod and headed out to his car. It was just where he remembered leaving it.

Thank God.

n ß n ß n

Lex didnπt drink Scotch anymore. He wasnπt sure why. He just didnπt like the taste. Instead he stopped and bought a bottle of vodka on the way home.

He felt odd walking up to his room with a bottle in a brown paper bag.

≥Will you be needing anything else, sir?≤ Davis asked from the shadows outside his room. Davis was new.

His father had insisted on a whole new staff.

≥No, Davis. You can turn in for the night.≤

≥Thank you, sir.≤

Davis was tall and had a much better physique than Lex usually saw on household staff. Lex watched him retreat into a room just a few doors down. Live-in staff: another of his fatherπs safety measures.

Lex shook his head and went into his room. He needed to get control back. He needed to be sure of himself.

A hot shower, three shots of vodka, and then, perhaps, he could sleep without dreaming. As he undressed, he emptied his pockets onto the dresser. Methodically going over each item, remembering to himself where heπd acquired them, when heπd used them, and why heπd thought to carry them with him today.

The last thing he pulled out was his cell phone.

It was exactly the same as the phone heπd given Clark. That had been a spur of the moment decision. He hadnπt even had a chance to move his phone book over. Still, it had been a week, and he hadnπt called.

≥Iπll tell you anything you want to know, Lex.≤

He didnπt want to test the promise. He put the phone on the bedside table and went to take his shower.

n ß n ß n

There were flames in primary yellow and red and the world splitting in two. Lex ran as flames oozed towards him. Shadowy figures were everywhere he turned, and the flames did not illuminate them so much as splash them with colour.

≥Lex! Youπre sabotaging my efforts to get you released.≤

He looked back and his father stood there, smiling, arms wide with bumblebee-yellow and blood-red flames dripping his legs like gravity-defying finger paint. ≥You were making such good progress, Son.≤

Lex turned away, and now there was a fence, but heπd been taught to attack adversity head-on.

≥Son!≤

Lex leapt. Steel bit into his hands as he climbed.

≥You know I have your best interests at heart, donπt you?≤

He didnπt look back.

Cold steel and the taste of rubber.

≥You think I want to see you like this, Son?≤

Blood dripped down his hands and turned into flame.

He screamed.

≥Lex!≤

He looked up, and there was Clark, floating above the barbed wire, holing out his hands.

≥Clark! I knew youπd come!≤

Clark was smiling, reachingã

So strong, so fast, soã

≥Youπre not even human.≤

So afraid.

That fear was the last thing Lex saw before the flames of his blood crawled up his wrists and swallowed Clark whole.

Lex tried to scream, but there was rubber in his mouth and straps around his head and his fatherπs voice in his ear.

≥Iπm sorry, son, but we have to amputate.≤

Lex opened his eyes to blackness. Something was in his mouth, and he fought it, punching into the softness, ripping at it with his teeth.

Soft.

A pillow.

His pillow.

His room.

He reached over to the bedside table desperate for the light, and a plastic rectangle was under his hand instead. He must have hit a button, because the screen lit, the only thing he could see in the room. It was his cell phone.

Clark.

He hit speed dial 1 and barely had time to realize he was calling at two in the morning, when he heard Clarkπs voice.

≥Lex?≤

≥Hey, Clark. How did you know it was me?≤

≥No one else has this number, Lex. Who else would it be?≤

≥Iπm sorry I woke you.≤

≥Thatπs okay. I sleep too much lately anyway.≤

≥Ah.≤

He didnπt know what else to say.

≥Whatπs up, Lex?≤

≥Nothing much.≤

Why had he called? What could he say that wouldnπt be ridiculous? I think my father is trying to drive me crazy.

Who would believe that?

≥Are you ready to ask me questions?≤

≥Questions?≤

≥You know, about before.≤ Clarkπs voice was so soft. ≥Iπll tell you anything you want to know.≤

How long had Lex waited to hear those words? Had he heard them before and forgotten? Would he forget whatever Clark told him tonight? Maybe he didnπt want to know.

≥I was having a bad dream. My father kept saying he had my best interests at heart. But I donπtã≤

≥You donπt believe him, do you? You shouldnπt, Lex! He doesnπt think of anyoneπs best interests but his own.≤

Clark was practically growling, and Lex felt suddenly warmer.

≥And Iπm not so sure he has a heart.≤

Lex laughed. ≥Is that a medical diagnosis, Clark?≤

Suddenly the dark was less oppressive. Lex reached out and flicked on the lamp, the dream already beginning to fade.

≥So, the dream was pretty bad, huh?≤

≥About par for the course, actually.≤

≥Geez, Lex.≤

≥The dreams wouldnπt be so bad ifãif I could justãI seem to be having trouble remembering things, Clark.≤

≥What kind of things?≤

≥My dad asks for reports, and when I take them in; he says he never asked for them; Lana gets e-mails from me that I donπt remember sending. Every time I ask my father what happened in Belle Reve, itπs different, and I donπt know if heπs telling me something differently or if Iπm just remembering wrong.≤

≥Donπt listen to him, Lex.≤

≥He wants me to see a specialist. Someone to help find the secrets hidden in my mind, he says.≤

≥Secrets? What secrets?≤

≥I donπt know.≤

≥Lex, donπt trust him. Iπll tell you. Iπll tell you exactly what happened. And it will be the same every time I tell you.≤

≥Every time?≤

≥I promise.≤

≥Iä Let me think about it, Clark.≤

≥Okay. Just call me when you decide, Lex. Anytime, okay? Thatπs why you gave me the phone right? Thatπs what itπs for. Call me.≤

≥I will, Clark.≤ Lex took a deep breath and leaned back on his pillows. ≥You should get back to sleep. Iπm sorry I woke you.≤

≥No problem. Not like I was doing anything special.≤

≥Do you need anything, Clark? Is there anything I can do?≤

≥Nah, Iπm good. Better than good, now that youπve called.≤

≥Youπre sure?≤ Clark did sound good. He sounded happy.

≥Trust me, Lex. Everythingπs good.≤

Lex nodded to himself. Clark was good. Everything was good. ≥Okay, Iπll talk to you later. Get some sleep.≤

≥You, too, Lex.≤

≥Bye.≤

He hit the åendπ button on the phone and put it back on the table. The room was quiet, and for the first time in a long while, his mind was as well.

Lex fell asleep making plans for the next day.

n ß n ß n

The granite flagstones of the garden magnified all the noise. The ringing of the sledgehammer brought Davis out from wherever heπd been hiding.

Lex smirked.

≥Sir, I really donπt think you should be exerting yourself in this manner. Please allow me to assist youä≤

Lex didnπt stop swinging at the canvas bag that held the triple-wiped hard drives from his åresearch computersπ. Nothing of what heπd learned about Clark was going to survive this.

≥Davis,≤ Lex grunted with effort as he swung again. ≥What part of åday offπ did you not understand?≤

Swing. Crash.

The manservant drew himself up straight and stiff. ≥I feel my duty requiresã≤

≥Youπre fired.≤

Grunt. Swing. Crash.

≥I beg your pardon?≤

Grunt. Swing. Crash.

≥Youπre fired.≤

Grunt. Swing. Crash.

≥The directive to take the day off and leave the mansion was rather simple, and you didnπt follow it. If you canπt follow such simple instructions, then I wonπt be requiring your services any longer.≤

Grunt. Swing. Crash.

≥Very well, sir. I shall, however, have to inform your father, as it was he who engaged me in the first place.≤

Grunt. Swing. Crash.

≥You do that, Davis. Iπm sure he will be very interested in hearing how you managed to lose your position here. My father is such a sympathetic man.≤

Grunt. Swing. Crash.

It felt goodãbetter than goodãto see the back of the man.

When Lex finally stopped and checked in the bag, there was nothing left but fragments.

He grinned as he took his key from his pocket, and went back into the mansion to the one door that he was certain neither Davis nor his father had been able to get into.

The monitors were dead. The displays dark. Nothing was left except the car, and he would have that towed tomorrow.

It was done.

He left the door open, went in and sat in the leather desk chair that had once faced the wall-sized photo of Clark. He reached into his pocket and pulled out his phone.

It was answered on the second ring.

≥Hey, Lex.≤

≥Hey, Clark.≤

≥You donπt sound like youπve been dreaming. Whatπs up?≤

≥Iπve beenä cleaning.≤

≥Cleaning? Lex Luthor cleaning house?≤

≥Not exactly.≤ Lex smiled at the blank screen in front of him. ≥But close enough. Anyway, I called because I think Iπm ready for you to tell me.≤

≥Yeah?≤

Lex took a deep breath and licked his lips. ≥Yeah. Tell me.≤

≥Okay.≤ He heard Clark take a deep breath and let it out slowly. ≥Okay. It was in your scotch. They were spiking your drinks with hallucinogens. Your dad wanted to convince everyone that you were crazyä≤

Lex closed his eyes and listened to Clark remembering for him.

3 : Disconnected

Clark picked the cell phone up on the third ring. He found it in the dark, sitting on the bedside table next to his alarm clock, just where he had left it. He heard the callerπs rasping breaths before he even said hello.

≥Hey, Lex. Bad dream?≤ He kept his voice down and settled back onto his pillow staring up into the black.

≥Yeah. Iä≤ Lex choked up for a moment, and Clark knew it had been a bad one. ≥Clark, tell me again.≤

Clark closed his eyes, as if it would make any difference, and wished Lionel Luthor dead. Then he told Lex the story.

≥It was in your scotch. They were spiking your drinks with hallucinogens. Your dad wanted to convince everyone that you were crazy.≤

Clark heard Lex gasp. It was a small, pained sound. Clark ploughed on with the story.

≥But you were strong, Lex, and smart, and you realized what was happening and tried to escape. Then you were betrayed, and Lionelπs people caught you.≤

This time it was Clark who had to choke back tears, but he didnπt let that stop him either.

≥So, they put you in Belle Reve and gave you more drugs, but you were still too strong for them. So finally they gave you electroshock treatment to wipe out your memory.≤

Clark listened to Lexπs breathing and heartbeat even out. Slowing to a normal level.

≥Youπre still too strong for him, Lex. You know what he did, and youπre going to beat him at his own game.≤

Lex sighed in relief. Like he hadnπt heard Clarkπs recitation nearly every day for the last three weeks.

≥Thanks.≤

≥No problem. Iπm just a phone call away, you know.≤

≥That was the idea when I got you the phone. I really appreciate it, Clark.≤

≥Any time.≤

They didnπt say goodbye. Clark pressed the disconnect button and carefully replaced the cell phone on his bedside table next to the alarm clock with its smooth glass face. He rolled over and closed his eyes, ignoring the birds singing outside and the smell of bacon cooking in the kitchen. He heard light footsteps in rubber-soled shoes come up the stairs and approach his room.

≥Honey? Are you up?≤ his mom said softly from the door, giving him the chance to be asleep if he wanted.

He almost took it, but he heard her take a step towards the bed and was afraid sheπd reach out to touch him if he didnπt stop her.

≥Iπm awake, Mom.≤

≥I thought I heard you talking.≤

Clark didnπt take the bait. He doubted his Mom really wanted to hear about how heπd become Lexπs memory. Not that she didnπt know about the phone. Sheπd been there when Lex had given it to him at the funeral. Someone had to be with him. It wasnπt like he could go anywhere by himself.

She wanted him to talk, and she wasnπt giving up.

≥Sweetie, itπs a beautiful day. The sunπs out,≤ she told him softly. ≥I really think weπre going to have some warmer weather today.≤

≥Thatπs nice,≤ he said without moving.

≥I talked to Lana, yesterday. She asked about you.≤

≥How is she?≤

≥Sheπs almost through with physical therapy.≤ Marthaπs voice was bright.

≥Thatπs great, Mom.≤

≥Sheπs trying to get things at the Talon back to normal. Sheπs having a Valentineπs Day party tonight.≤

In his head he could see what it would be like: pink and white balloons and cut-out paper hearts. There would be crepe paper and ribbons. Lana would have a special screening of ≥Sleepless in Seattle≤ or something. Couples would sit at the little round tables. All the drink orders would be in multiples of two.

People would laugh.

≥She said sheπd love to see you there, Clark.≤

Clark just bet she had.

≥I know you might not want to go with me or your dad. I was thinking maybe you and Chloe could go.≤

Chloe. Thatπd be great. She could take notes on how blindness affected the alien. Itπd make a great report for Lionel.

≥I donπt think thatπs such a good idea, Mom.≤ He rolled over and pulled up the blanket.

≥At least come down and have breakfast.≤

As if food would fix anything. He sighed. ≥Iπm not hungry. I donπt need it. Just leave me alone, Mom.≤

He jumped when Martha landed a solid smack on his ass. ≥Young man, I will not leave you alone. I will never leave you alone. Now get up, get dressed, and get downstairs for breakfast.≤ Then he heard her shoes scrape as she walked out of the room and back downstairs to the kitchen. He could hear her crying, until he purposely tuned her out, concentrating on locating his dad instead.

He heard heavy work boots out in the barn. Listening closer, he heard his fatherπs heart beating. It sounded okay. Didnπt it?

Then he heard the boots leaving the barn and heading for the house.

Staying here was just going to get him more concerned visits from his mom. He knew that, and it wasnπt like he couldnπt get downstairs. So heπd go.

Easy.

Clark shrugged himself up from his bed and fumbled for his clothes. His mom had laid them out on a chair by his bed, and he slipped them on. The jeans, tee shirt and flannel shirt hung on him. He couldnπt remember how long they had been sitting there waiting for him to get dressed.

The last thing he did was pick up the cell phone from his bedside table and shove it in a pocket. Lex didnπt usually call during the day, but Clark didnπt want to miss him if he did. He wouldnπt let his best friend down.

This time.

Finally he followed his mom down the stairs, holding carefully to the banister and feeling the edge of each stair with his toe before moving on to the next. It was like a game he and Pete had played when they were kidsãtrying to get from the kitchen to Clarkπs bedroom without opening their eyes.

Clark stumbled, blinking in the darkness.

It was a game heπd win, now. Heπd have sort of an unfair advantage, of course. He snorted and grinned for a second.

But what was the point? Pete wasnπt there to rag on him for cheating.

The world contracted to what he could feel under his feet and fingers. One step, and it might not be there. There was no way to know.

≥Mom, Iπll eat later. Iπm not ready to be up yet.≤ He turned on the stairs, wanting desperately to go down on his hands and knees. He had to get back to his room. He had to make sure it was still there.

≥Now wait a minute, Clark.≤ It was his fatherπs voice.

A hand wrapped around his bicep, large square fingers that should have felt stronger than they did.

≥No!≤

He jerked away, hitting something. The wall? There was a crack, he felt dust on his arm as he went to his hands and knees and scrambled back up the stairs to his room. There was a harsh panting in his ears as he tried to count the doors.

One.

Two.

Three?

He scrabbled at the doorknob, wrenching it open; there was a thud and a shout behind him.

≥Clark!≤

He tried to crawl into his bedroom, but it wasnπt. There were boxes, soft things. Towels?

≥Clark!≤

≥Clark!≤ Pete screamed.

≥No, no, no.≤

≥Clark, help me! Somebody help me!≤ Pete sobbed. Metal groaned.

Clark had to find Pete. He had to save him. Itπs what he did. Itπs what he was good for.

≥God, it hurts, Clark! Help me!≤

He dug through the boxes and the towels and the shelves. He felt cloth and paper give way, but he was looking for metal. He could hear the scream of metal over the snap of bones. He didnπt stop until there was plaster under his fingernails and silence in his head.

≥Pete?≤ Clark whispered.

There wasnπt any answer.

Of course there wasnπt. Clark was curled up in the bottom of the linen closet in his own home. He wasnπt in the wrecking yard. He couldnπt save Pete.

≥Peteπs dead.≤ He said it out loud just to hear it.

≥Iπm sorry.≤

Clark jumped. ≥Lex?≤ He felt in his pocket for the cell phone, even though Lexπs voice was here. Right here.

≥Hello, Clark.≤

Shit. Shit. Shit.

The world rushed back into focus. Lex was just outside the closet. Clark heard him shift and sigh. He was sitting, or maybe squatting, just a few feet away.

Downstairs his parents were having a whispered argument.

≥The last thing we need is a Luthor nosing around when Clark is so out of control,≤ his father was saying.

≥What Clark needs right now is a friend he can talk to, and in case you havenπt noticed, the only person heπs talked to since Peteπs funeral is Lex.≤ Marthaπs whisper was steel.

≥He just needs time, Martha. Once his eyes heal, heπll get back to normal.≤

≥Itπs been a month, Jonathan. This may be normal for Clark now.≤

Clark already knew how this argument ended. He refocused on Lex, not wanting to hear his dad stomp out of the house.

≥So, my mom called you?≤

≥Yes. You could have, you know. That phone I gave you can dial out just as easily as it receives calls.≤ Lexπs voice was smooth, but Clark thought he detected a hint of sadness.

≥I know.≤

≥So, you just decided not to let me know what was going on?≤

≥You were busyä and dealing with your dad. I didnπt want to bother you.≤ He got up on his hands and knees and started to crawl out into the hall. ≥It wasnπt like there was anything you could do. I just have to get over this. Get back to normal.≤

His fatherπs words nearly choked him, but they were the only answer he had.

≥Clark, youπre my best friend. You believe in me.≤ Lex grasped his arms and helped Clark to his feet. ≥Youπre not a bother.≤

Clark shook his head. ≥Right. Youπre going to listen to the crazy, blind high school student that canπt leave his room without having a panic attack? ≤

Heπd done the right thing, not telling Lex. He remembered Lexπs face after Clark saved him from drowning, from falling, from being hung upside down and shot.

How could he have let Lex see him like this? Helpless. Weak.

Afraid.

≥Hey, I believe in my best friend.≤ Lex shook him just a little. ≥I thought he believed in me, too.≤

≥I let you down.≤ And maybe it was time for the truth. Lex was strong enough. Lex didnπt need him, and he certainly didnπt deserve Lex. ≥I ran. I ran; and when I came back, you were gone.≤ He rubbed his fingers along the sleeves of Lexπs silk shirt, making sure he was really there, feeling the muscles underneath. Thin arms but strong.

≥Clarkã≤

He kept talking, not wanting to stop, not knowing if heπd ever have the guts to confess again. ≥It took me days to find out where you were and what they were doing, and even then I could have gotten you out, Lex, but I didnπt. I was stupid. I thought I could get you out legally.≤

Lexπs hands grabbed his head, framing his face.

≥Isnπt that what I taught you? With Ryan? Let the lawyers do their jobs so you donπt end up in jail?≤

≥But it didnπt work,≤ Clark whispered. ≥I couldnπt save you. Just like I couldnπt save Pete. Iπm supposed to save people, Lex, but I couldnπt save him.≤

≥Youπre special, Clark. Extraordinary. But you canπt save everyone, and I am sorry about Pete, but you did save me, Clark. You save me every time I call.≤

No. He wasnπt saving Lex. Clark was feeding him lies. The same lies he fed himself.

It was time to stop.

≥Iπm not human, Lex,≤ he whispered.

≥I know.≤

It took a second for the words to register.

≥You know?≤ Clark asked, and wished he could see Lexπs face.

≥I told you, I forgot a lot of things, but I never forgot you.≤

So Lex remembered. Not just about Clark being an alien, but about Clark running away that day. Lex remembered that Clark had failed him utterly; but when he needed a voice in the middle of the night, when he needed words to hold back his own doubts and fears, he still called Clark.

≥You keep me sane, Clark. Let me do the same for you.≤

The world seemed to be rocking under his feet. He staggered out of Lexπs arms and found the wall with his hands. Running his fingers lightly along it, he found his room. He took the two steps into the nothingness that led to his bed and sat down.

Lex knew.

And Lex didnπt hate him.

He heard the sound of leather soles on hard wood and then felt the bed sink a bit as Lex sat down next to him. His body heat pressed into Clark, followed by an arm around Clarkπs shoulders.

So.

He could do this.

He turned and put his arms around Lex and buried his face in his friendπs shoulder. ≥I heard him die, Lex.≤

≥Jesus.≤ Lex squeezed him tighter.

≥I couldnπt find him, but I heard his bones snap, and I heard him scream, and I couldnπt help. It was like trying to run a maze blindfolded. I wanted to save him so bad, but I screwed up. I panicked. I couldnπt find him.≤

≥It wasnπt your fault, Clark,≤ Lex told him in his firmest laying-down-the-law-donπt-fuck-with-me voice. ≥You didnπt kill him. You tried to save him. You did your best.≤

Clark didnπt know if it was true or not. Heπd probably never know. Right now he just needed to hear it.

≥Say it often enough and maybe Iπll believe it.≤

He felt Lexπs smile against his cheek. ≥Hey, thatπs what the phone is for.≤

n ß n ß n

Forcing the screams out of his head, Clark opened his eyes to the usual dark. The hush in the house told him it really was the middle of the night.

He found the cell phone sitting on the bedside table next to his alarm clock, just where he always left it. He hit speed dial one, and only had to wait two rings before it was picked up.

≥Hey, Clark.≤

≥Hey, Lex.≤

≥Bad dream?≤

≥Yeah.≤

The silence pressed in for a second. He could almost hear the screams hiding behind it.

≥Would you tell me again, Lex?≤

≥Sure. Thatπs what the phone is forä≤

4 : Hopeπs Wings

≥An astronaut.≤

There was a breeze outside running through the early corn. Clark shifted onto his side, pushing his free ear deeper into the pillow and pressing the phone more firmly against his other ear until the noise faded.

≥Really? Now you have to admit that there is some irony there.≤

Lex was chuckling. There was a susurration of sheets that made Clark wonder if Lex had turned over.

≥Yeah, well, I was ten.≤ Clark was grinning. He was pretty sure that Lex could hear it.

≥Mmmm. I think I wanted to be a scientist for Warrior Angel when I was ten.≤

≥You didnπt want to be Warrior Angel?≤ Clark teased his friend as he ran a fingernail along one of the quilting seams in his twin mattress.

The bed was hard and too small, and the pillow was flat from years of beating it into shape, but it was his world: knowable by the stretch of his limbs and the shrug of his shoulders. It was safe.

≥Warrior Angel was Warrior Angel. I couldnπt be him.≤ Lex laughed, a little bit at himself and a little bit at Clark. It made Clark warm. ≥But he had the coolest gadgets. I used to spend a lot of time trying to back-engineer them. I made a set of bolos when I was eleven that caused one of the maids to quit.≤

≥The bolos made her quit?≤ Clark asked sceptically.

≥Well, I guess it was more the fact that I was using her as an unwilling test dummy,≤ Lex admitted.

They laughed.

There was a scrape of a boot outside his door, and Clark froze, soundless, until his fatherπs steps continued down the stairs. He listened as his father headed out onto the porch, down the steps, into the milking barn. The rattle of metal against metal and the shifting of the cows heralded the start of the day.

≥Clark?≤

He jerked his attention back to the conduit of sound pressed against his ear.

≥Sorry. Dadπs up.≤

≥Ah.≤ There was a long pause that Clark refused to fill. Lex finally continued. ≥So what are your plans today?≤

Anger and shame rushed up Clarkπs spine, and he thought for a second he would cry, but he went for sarcasm instead.

≥Gee, Lex, I donπt know. Iπll probably sit here for a while, working up my courage to stand up and get dressed; and if I get that far, Iπll probably have at least an hour of will-I-wonπt-I go down to breakfast, where Iπll sit, my heart pounding and stomach turning, and maybe Iπll have a couple of bites of cereal before I break out in a cold sweat and retreat back up to my room. Iπm feeling pretty good, so maybe I wonπt even crawl up the stairs. I might manage to walk.≤

He was panting into the phone when he finished the speech. Just talking about it sent his heart racing. He took a deep breath and let it out slowly, the way Lex had taught him. Then another.

≥Sorry, Lex.≤

It wasnπt Lexπs fault that the little boy whoπd wanted to fly to the stars couldnπt manage to leave the house. It wasnπt Lexπs fault that the sixteen-year-old who had refused to conquer the world was now barely able to conquer a walk to the breakfast table.

Sheets on the other end of the phone shifted, but Lex stayed quiet. Clark frowned and flipped onto his back. His free hand slid out to grip the edge of the bed.

≥Lex?≤

≥I have to go to Metropolis today.≤

Metropolis. There was only one thing that would make Lex go there.

≥Take the phone,≤ Clark ordered. He knew Lex wanted to, but he also knew Lex needed to be told.

≥Heπll see it as a weakness.≤

≥Fuck him,≤ Clark growled. ≥Let him underestimate you again, but take the phone.≤

≥Okay.≤ Lex took a shaky breath. ≥Thanks.≤

They sat in silence again for a few moments. Clark noticed the birds singing outside his window and thought he could almost smell the sunrise.

≥Hey, maybe Iπll go out on the porch today.≤ His heart was going a mile a minute, but he kept his voice light.

≥Thatπd be great, Clark!≤ Lex never pushed, but Clark could tell the idea made him happy. He wondered if Lex would hug him again if he made it to the porch.

≥Well, you know, weπre a team, right? If you have to go to Metropolis today, then I should make it out onto the porch.≤ Clark cringed as soon as the words were out of his mouth. Lex was going to face the man who had drugged him, violated his mind and manipulated his memory, and Clark was comparing that to going out onto the porch. God, he was such a fucking asshole. ≥Sorry.≤

≥Hey!≤ Lexπs voice broke in. ≥No guilt! I know what that would mean to you. I- I love that you would do that for me, Clark.≤ Lexπs voice was hoarse. ≥Itπs a show of solidarity. Itπs everything.≤

≥Youπre everything.≤ Clark whispered it. It wasnπt the first time heπd thought it, but it was the first time heπd said it, and he wasnπt sure he could stand to hear Lexπs response, so he hurried on. ≥Call if anything happens, okay? Thatπs whatã≤

≥ãthe phone is for,≤ Lex finished. ≥I remember.≤

Clark grinned. ≥You go get ready. Iπmä≤ He swallowed. ≥Iπm going to go down for breakfast.≤

≥Okay.≤

They had it down to a science now, timing it so that they both hit the end button at the same time. Neither left to dangle on a dial tone.

Clark sat up and flung his hearing out around the house and the farm, picking up noises, filtering, sorting: his dad was finishing up in the milking barn, and his mom was in the kitchen frying bacon.

He could do this.

He swung his legs over the side of the bed, trying to ignore the way the immediately identifiable world was reduced to what was directly under his feet and thighs. He carefully placed the phone on the bedside table in front of the clock and then reached over to the chair where his mother always left his clothes.

God, he didnπt want to do this. But there were things he did want, and he was never going to get a chance to do them if he couldnπt leave the room.

He pictured Lex throwing back his sheets and comforter and standing in the mansionπs grand master bedroom, which Clark had never seen and never would see, but had hopes of being in one day. He pictured Lex in a pair of silk pyjama bottoms that clung to his skin as he walked around the room preparing to go to Metropolis.

Clark licked his lips.

Touching the pile of clothes, he found the boxers on top and turned them over and around until he found the elastic and the tag. Okay. He put them on, just barely lifting up off the bed to slide them up. Not even really losing contact.

Then the tee shirt, a flannel shirt and the jeans.

He hesitated over the jeans.

Then he stood up, waiting until the dizziness had passed, before stepping into the stiffness of clean denim.

He didnπt put any socks or shoes on, but he did try not to grip the floor with his toes. He didnπt want to leave dents in the hardwood.

Finally, Clark put the cell phone in his pocket and took a deep breath and began walking. In his bedroom, it wasnπt such a big deal. He knew where everything was, and he could brush his leg against the bed and then a hand against the back of his desk chair. He could keep in contact. Keep a picture of the world clear enough in his head to keep it real.

Then he was out in the hall, empty space echoing as he walked down the stairs.

≥Clark!≤

His momπs voice rang out from the kitchen, muffled slightly by the living room rug and the couch that he couldnπt see, couldnπt be sure was there. But logic said it was.

Really.

≥Hey, Mom.≤ He smiled in the direction of her heartbeat. ≥Bacon smells good.≤

There was a ruffling sound as a dishcloth dried hands, and a rush of tennis shoes over linoleum onto hard wood. ≥Iπve got eggs, too, and pancakes if youπd like.≤

She took his elbow and started guiding him to a chair. He let himself be nudged along, not dragging his feet too much. He paused when he heard his fatherπs boots on the steps. The door opened, and Clark smelled cows and milk and sweat.

≥Hey, Dad.≤

≥Son.≤

Clark jumped at the hand that landed on his shoulder.

≥Breakfast is just about ready. I just need to set the table.≤ His mom patted him on the arm while his dad took his other elbow and pulled out a chair for him. It was just a few moments before they were all seated and ready.

The bacon was delicious, and the eggs were perfect with just a little salt and pepper and a blob of ketchup on the side to dip into. He focused on the food, which was normal, rather than on what his parents were saying.

Conversationally, it was a strange imitation of other breakfasts, and Clark wondered if there was ever going to be a breakfast again where he wouldnπt constantly be thinking about what his parents werenπt saying and how the air to his left carried a different silence when his Mom was trying to get his dad to shut up.

≥äand I realize that you want to be a good friend, but heπs back to work now and really, youπve got to concentrate on getting back into a routine as well, Son.≤

≥What?≤ He focused in on the words again.

≥Jonathan, let Clark eat his breakfast.≤

≥Iπm surprised heπs up to eat, considering the time Lex called him last night.≤

≥It wasnπt much earlier than I used to get up for chores, Dad.≤ Which really wasnπt the point. The point was that Clark wasnπt giving up the cell phone.

≥Clark, I just want you to start thinking about what youπre going to do next. We need to get you back to school. Youπre going to be behind, and youπre going to need to concentrate. I was talking to Lana the other dayã≤

≥What?≤

≥I was thinking that she could help you catch up in your studies; sheπs going to come over this afternoonã≤

≥No.≤ He shook his head and pushed back from the table. ≥I donπt want her to come.≤

From the other side of the table his mother put her hand on his and squeezed. ≥Sheπs your friend, Clark. She cares about you.≤

He jerked away. ≥I donπt want her to see me like this.≤

≥Well, then maybe youπd better stop acting like this, Clark.≤ His fatherπs voice was hard. ≥Not being able to see doesnπt give you the excuse to stay in your room all day everyday and get waited on.≤

≥Jonathan!≤

Of course, his dad was right. How could he just continue to live off them without contributing? How could he just assume the world would wait for him?

Like he had been assuming Lex would wait for him.

He got up from the table, ignoring both his parents as he felt his way through the living room a bit faster than normal and made it back to his room before his father could grab his arm.

He very carefully put the phone down on the bedside table in its usual place in front of the clock and then blocked out the argument raging between his parents in the living room. He blocked out the sound of the birds and the wind. He folded himself down onto the bed and wished things were different.

He was asleep in moments.

Later, Clark would explain to Lex that he had thought it had gone away. It was one of those things that he put in a little mental box marked åbeforeπ and refused to think about. Like the green of the first shoots of spring corn and the hot steel blue of a cloudless Kansas summer sky. Like the not-quite-black sheen of long hair swept back over a delicate shoulder, and the white-on-white of the winter horizon. He put them all in that box and sealed it tight.

It was one of those things, like setting scarecrows on fire and looking through a wall into the girlsπ locker room, that just wasnπt a part of his life anymore.

Pretty dumb-ass logic really, although he wasnπt thinking about that at the time.

He was dreaming.

He was dreaming, and it was like the åbeforeπ box had been opened and everything flowed out of it, slipping past him, around him, under him. He saw the spring shoots in Reillyπs field, and the blue blaze of the sky was always just beyond his reach.

He went higher and higher until blue gave up, slipping into black.

Clark started to shake and tumbled, turning, streaking toward the green, brown, black.

Ring!

He levelled out over the highway, and there was Lex in the Porsche.

Clark reached for him, reached down, his arm stretching as the distance grew.

Almost there.

Ring!

Lex looked up and smiled.

Ring!

≥Lex?≤ His eyes opened to a black that seemed unnatural now. Unbearable.

But the cell phone was ringing, which meant Lex needed him. Lex needed Clark, so Clark reached out his hand for the phone, which he clearly remembered leaving on his bedside table, next to his Braille-faced alarm clock.

Ring!

That was where he always left it, so that he wouldnπt miss Lexπs calls even if they came in the middle of the night.

Ring!

He could always just throw out his arm and his hand would hit the bedside table, and there would be the alarm clockãthe new one with the Braille faceãand right in front of it would be the phone!

Ring!

Except there was nothing: no phone, no bedside table, noã

Ring!

No bed! No blankets! No wall!

Ring!

NOTHING!

Ring!

He screamed. He dropped. He bounced. There was a thud and then another. Feet were pounding closer as he plastered himself to the sheets and felt the mattress underneath, sinking his face deep into the scent of his motherπs detergent and his own sweat, vowing nothing would move him, driving his fingers deep into the batting, touching the cool spirals of the springs.

Ring!

Lex.

The bedroom door rattled open, and there were hands and voices: Mom and Dad.

≥Clark, honey, what is it?≤

≥Itπs all right, Son, come on, now. Let go of the mattress.≤

Ring!

≥Damn phone!≤

He felt his father shift; and if Clark was on the mattress now, and his dad was on his left side, then he was shifting towards the bedside table where the cell phone should be sitting, right in front of the Braille-faced alarm clock, andã

≥No!≤ Clark slid a hand along the mattress until he bumped the tableã

Ring!

ãbut he bumped it too hard, too fast, and the table went over, there was a crash of the lamp he would never need again and the Braille alarm clock that Lex had given him so he wouldnπt have to guess the time from the sounds on the farm, thunked on the hardwood floor. His dad grunted as Clark lunged past him, sliding on his belly, off the bed, onto the floor, and searching now, faster and faster, skimming over smooth and rough, wood, metal, and fabric, because heπd never lost his speed, even though he hadnπt used it much recently. The phoneã

Ring!

ãwas close to his head, skittering off his fingertips, plastic on wood, sliding. He focused on the sound, the echoes, and the hum of the battery. He blocked out the shouts and cries and thuds as he continued to sweep the floor with his whole body.

≥Clark, stop! Itπs all right, honey, itπs all right!≤

≥Dammit, Clark, get a hold of yourself!≤

Ring!

Until the phone was in his hand. He huddled around the few inches of plastic and solid-state circuit boards, willing himself not to grip it too hard, not to crush it to his chest. He crawled to the corner of the room and sat up, keeping as much contact with the floor and walls as possible. He took a deep breath and flipped it open, letting loose the scream of a Ferrari.

≥Lex?≤

≥Clark!≤

The engine shifted higher.

≥Lex! Slow down.≤

There were hands in his hair, slim fingers petting him. He shrugged them away and focused on Lexπs voice.

≥Clark! Whatπs wrong? Why didnπt you answer the phone? Iπm almost thereä.≤

Large calloused hands tugged at phone. ≥Give me that, Clark!≤

≥No!≤ Clark had been so afraid of crushing the phone that his father was able to pluck it from his loose fingers, leaving Clark reaching into emptiness for it.

≥Jonathan, youπre just making things worse.≤

Clark heard his mother step forward and back. She caught his hands in her own and tried to calm him.

≥Give it back! Lex needs me! Give me the phone.≤ He didnπt push his mother out of the way like he wanted to, but he didnπt let her stop him from crawling towards his fatherπs heartbeat. The floor was smooth and solid under his palms, and he moved quickly as he heard his dad retreating.

≥This has got to end, Martha! Clark, Lex has been calling all hours. Heπs upsetting you. Youπre not sleeping. Youπve wrecked your room, and I will not have it!≤

≥Lex has nothing to do with me wrecking the room! I woke up floating and I freaked! Itπs not his fault!≤

He could hear the tinny imitation of Lexπs voice over the phone, yelling frantically for someone to answer.

≥Lex!≤ Clark was shouting as loud as he could.

≥Five minutes, Clark! Iπm there in fiveã≤

Jonathan snapped the phone shut.

And it didnπt matter.

≥ãminutes. God, Clark, be all right, be all right.≤ Lexπs voice was faint, but getting closer along with the growl of the Ferrariπs engine. ≥I canπt do this without you, Clark. I canπt.≤

Lex needed him. Or loved him. Or close enough.

Clark gathered his legs beneath him and pushed up, standing in the hall. His father was downstairs, his mother was behind him, they were yelling at each other, and maybe he should worry, but he didnπt have the energy to spare.

There was a roar out in the yard and the sound of gravel springing under wide tires.

He started down the stairs, trusting the wood to rise up and meet his foot, trusting the floor to be there to catch him, like he trusted Lex to be there when he called.

When he got to the bottom step, he went two paces to the front door and opened it. He heard the front gate clatter shut, even as his parents fell silent behind him.

He stepped out onto the porch.

Expensive leather soles skidded to a halt on the path in the yard. ≥Clark?≤

≥Hey, Lex.≤ Two more steps, and Clark stuck his toe out to feel the edge of porch. The sun was strong on his face, and he felt its energy racing through his system.

≥Youπre all right?≤ Lex asked like he was scared to believe it. Which Clark could understand, really, because this wasnπt a guarantee. This was hope.

≥I will be,≤ Clark said as he spread his arms, stepped off the porch, and flew.

~Love wingπd my Hopes and taught me how to fly.
~Anonymous

5 : None So Blind

It had only been a month.

Lessãtwenty-eight days, dammit!

Lex watched as CNN kept their cameras focused ≠ or tried to, anywayãon a bright red- and blue-clad figure that was diving repeatedly into the liquid earth that had swallowed half a town and a popular resort hotel on the island of Kyushu in Japan.

When Lex couldnπt stand any more of the images of sobbing bystanders and mothers screaming for Superman to find their children, he went into the kitchen and poured himself another coffee without turning on the lights. He knew where everything was and could find the mugs, coffeepot and sugar by touch alone. He made sure everything was back in its place before he returned to the living room to watch the continuing coverage of Supermanπs first international rescue.

It was also the Man of Steelπs first encounter with a foe bigger than himself: Mother Nature.

God. Clark wouldnπt be able to save them all, and Lex honestly didnπt know what that would do to him.

No lights were on in the living room. Shadows staggered across the walls as Lex stared at the screen. Supermanπs colours were becoming more and more muted now, overwhelmed by the mud.

And the blood.

Lex felt in his pocket for his communications link, knowing it wasnπt going to ring yet, but that it would eventually. It looked exactly like his old cell phone. He wondered if that were the reason Clark had insisted on this design?

A symbol.

A promise.

Heπd thought theyπd have more time.

n ß n ß n

Ring

≥Clark? Where are you?≤

≥I couldnπt get to them all, Lex.≤

≥I know.≤

≥I heard them, but I couldnπt get to them all.≤

≥Are you okay to fly?≤

≥Iπm fine! Donπt worry, Iπm not going to go back to Smallville and hide in my room.≤

≥I didnπt mean that. I was justä I knew this would be hard for you. Thatπs all.≤

≥Sorry.≤

≥Come home.≤

≥Yeah, I could use some sleep. Iπm on my way.≤

≥Hey!≤

≥Yeah?≤

≥You did your best.≤

≥Right. I know. Iπve just got to get used to it. I knew it could happen. Just like you said. I justä≤

≥Come home.≤

n ß n ß n

The office was usually dead quiet except for static from the police scanner and the hum of computers left on all night. There was a vague sense that the air ought to smell of cigars and ink, even though it had been fifteen years since the building had gone smoke free, and almost that long since the very last Selectric typewriter had been retired.

Jimmy sometimes sacked out on the couch in Perry Whiteπs office. Not every night. Only when heπd been out all day with Lois and then had to go on the night shift. Of course, that had been every night for a while after Loisπs new partner came on the scene.

It was like a special extra-credit assignment from Perry. ≥Take him around, kid; make sure heπs comfortable with everything and settled in. If there are issues, I want to hear about them first, understand? I donπt want to get it from HR or the damn legal department.≤

Riiight. Like Clark was the kind of guy to sue first and ask questions later. ≠Not.

Clark was easy to work with, once you got used to himãand the way he took Collette to the bathroom with him, which was something Jimmy had just never thought about and, honestly? It had freaked him out the first time. But Collette was a good dog, and didnπt do anything strange in the bathroom. Not that heπd thought she would, butä taking your dog into the bathroom with you? Weird.

Anyway, Lois, not Clark, was the one who was always busting Jimmyπs ass for coffee, donuts and pictures.

And not the interesting kind.

Superman pics. That was all she wanted. Big Blue had shown up a few weeks after Clark had started work, so Jimmy was still making a threesome with them on a frequent basis.

Not that like that, of course, because Clark was a guy and Lois was just scary.

But Jimmy was the one with the camera, so whenever Primary-Color-Man showed up and stopped a robbery or whatever, Lois was screaming for pics. Sheπd gotten Jimmy so distracted that heπd lost Clark in the crowd on a number of occasions.

The Chief had really chewed his ass on that. Even though Clark would show up fine later and insist that he didnπt need a babysitter.

But, hey, the babysitter gig wasnπt Clarkπs call or Jimmyπs, and the overtime was sweet, especially since he could sack on Perry Whiteπs couch during his regular night shift.

åCause, you know, night desk at The Daily Planet wasnπt the most interesting or exciting position on staff.

Except for when it was.

≥I want some goddamn details, is what I want! And I want them goddamned NOW!≤

Jimmy made himself very busy at his desk and fervently thanked his guardian angel for having inspired him to play Doom on the network servers that evening, rather than sleep in the Chiefπs office.

≥I donπt care who you have to wake up, you get me someone who can get some answers out of Tokyo, and I donπt mean just reading the blurb from ReutersãDO-I-MAKE-MYSELF-CLEAR?≤

Perry didnπt actually throw the phone across the room, so Jimmy figured things could be worse.

≥OLSEN! Get in here!≤

Or not.

≥Yeah, Chief?≤

Jimmy hung back near the door, not so much out of fear as claustrophobia. Perry White was a big man, and on a good day it usually felt like he was taking up half of any given room. On a night like this, his annoyance filled the other half.

≥Lane and Kent. Call åem. Get åem in here,≤ Perry ordered as he paced back and forth behind his gunmetal-grey desk. ≥Heπs Metropolisπs newest favourite son, and Iπll be goddamned if we are going to get scooped by the damn Mainichi Shimbun!≤

≥Yes, sir!≤ Jimmy controlled the urge to salute because, really? Not a good idea.

So not.

He just scrambled back to his desk and started dialing.

n ß n ß n

The wind whispered around him, and his cape snapped in the turbulence created by his passage through the otherwise still night air.

Read-outs floated in his mind: altitude, air speed and distance to Metropolis. There were other info-feeds from the AI that he could access with a thought.

Clark ignored them.

He scratched behind his ear where he knew the implant was, even though he really couldnπt feel it. There wasnπt even a scar where the AI had placed the tiny button just under his skin.

He flew like heπd taught himself, long before heπd found the AI or put on the suit with the sensor array in the chest plate. He listened to quality of the wind, the hum of distant engines, the sway of the trees below. He gave himself the freedom and speed that were nearly impossible on the ground. Even with Super-hearing, he couldnπt keep track of everyone and everything. There were so many objects and people that needed to be accounted for.

People who broke so easily.

People who needed him and screamed his name, or at least what they thought was his name.

Superman.

Suupaa-man! Tasukete! Tasukete!

They screamed until the mud filled their mouths or a slide of earth crushed their chests.

Clark! Oh, God, Clark where are you, man?

The sound of ribs breaking was the same in any language.

But this was different.

Or maybe the same.

Heπd tried his best to save everyone, just like heπd tried his best to save Pete. And maybe his best hadnπt been enough then, and maybe it still wasnπt enough now, but he had saved some people.

His best was getting better, even though it would probably never be enough.

Lexπs voice pulled him back from his memories as it had many times before. Clark homed in on it, paying attention to the air traffic patterns over Metropolis and then accessing the chest plateπs telemetry, fed directly into his brain by the little button of Kryptonian technology that the AI had devised to approximate sight. Viewing the schematic of the balcony, Clark ducked down to land gently on the tiles. The chest plateπs sensors did make some things a lot easier.

Lex was on the phone.

The regular phone.

≥I am not waking him up. Heπs had a fever of 104, and heπs just gotten to sleep. He is far too ill to come into work in the middle of the night, and you are just going to have to take my word for it.≤

≥I really think heπd want you to wake him up. And I canπt take your word for him being sick when I donπt even know who you are.≤

≥I told you. Iπm his roommate. Heπs sick. Iπm not waking him. Deal with it.≤

Clark walked one, two, three, four steps to the sliding glass door and reached for the handle that both schematics and memory located for him.

He heard a shifting on the carpet, and then the jingle of dog tags as Collette came bounding up, whuffling in annoyance that heπd gone out without her. He smiled for the first time that night and reached down to pet her head.

≥Well, thanks to you, heπs awake now,≤ Lex said. ≥Clark, I know you arenπt feeling well, but itπs your work calling.≤

≥Itπs okay.≤ Clark held out his hand, and the receiver was placed in it, the plastic still warm from Lexπs touch.

He coughed and tried to make himself sound both sleepy and ill. ≥This is Clark Kent.≤

≥Hey, Clark. Iπm really sorry to be calling you like this, but there was this major mudslide that went down in Kooshee, Japanã≤

≥Kyushyu.≤

≥Huh? Oh, did you see it on TV?≤

Damn.

≥Uh, yeah. I had a hard time getting to sleep earlier.≤ He added another cough. The tired part wasnπt an act, though.

≥Oh, yeah, your roommate said, and, heyãyou know heπs not the friendliest guy, Clark.≤

Lexπs hands were on Clarkπs shoulders, releasing the cape and stroking over his back. Clark leaned into the touch.

≥Heπs not so bad once you get to know him, Jimmy.≤

Lex snorted, and Clark felt the puff of breath across his neck. He smiled.

≥Uh huh. Anyway, the Chief wants you in ASAP. Lois,too. He wants you two to work on this with the guys at the Tokyo desk to come up with a piece for a special edition. Maybe see if you can get another interview with Supes on what it was like and why heπs gone international, you know? That kind of thing.≤

What it was like?

Clark smelled the wet earth mixed with sewage and blood. He heard a femur crack and felt shards of bone sticking through delicate skin.

It wasnπt a lie when he said, ≥I think Iπm going to throw upã≤

He sat down hard in the middle of the floor. A hand plucked the receiver from his numb fingers while another hand pushed his head between his knees.

≥Right.≤ Lexπs voice took on that steel quality that made Clark want to reach out and touch him to be sure he was still skin over muscle and bone. ≥I have to clean up vomit now. Thank you. Let me say again that Clark is not coming into work. If you call again, I will sue you for harassment.≤

There was a click.

≥You canπt threaten to sue every time work calls.≤ Clark said to the floor, his voice sounding hollow in the space between his knees.

≥Hey, I think itπs worked pretty well so far.≤

And then Lex was there, everywhere: his hands undoing the hidden fasteners and removing the suit, with all the mud and blood; his lips brushing over Clarkπs temple; his arms around Clarkπs shaking shoulders, even though Clark was trying to tell him he was okay.

They made it to the shower and then to bed. Clark was never sure exactly how. When he woke up the next day, he could feel Lex awake and tense beside him. So he rolled over, nuzzled in under Lexπs chin and said, ≥You know, Iπm still not feeling all that well.≤

≥Do you want to stay in today?≤

Lex was the master of the neutral voice, but Clark heard all the fears underneath the question.

≥I want to call in sick to work and spend the day with you.≤ He kissed the pulse-point just under Lexπs jaw as it jumped along going a mile a minute. ≥But I donπt need to stay inside. We could go flying later. Just us.≤

≥Itπs been a while since we did that.≤

Clark reached up and traced his fingers over Lexπs smile.

Lois was going to give him hell, but it was worth it to feel Lex melt into his touch, soft and hard in all the right places.

n ß n ß n

The apartment building, ten stories looming over more suburban-type housing, was on the west side of Metropolis. It was done in that tannish-pink urban-renewal colour that had been so popular about ten years ago, and the faÁade was a model of tacky meets bland.

Building security was non-existent, Lois noticed, as she tailgated in behind some tenant who didnπt even bother to ask her who she was there to see.

Lois checked her hair and makeup in the chrome of the elevator doors as she rode up to the second floor. Not that Clark was in a position to appreciate it, but Lois liked to look her best just in case. You never knew when an interview was going to fall into your lap. She was thirty years old and rising fast because she always took advantage of her opportunities.

And something told her Clark Kent was an opportunity.

She just hadnπt figured out what kind yet.

Of course, she hadnπt quite seen it that way when heπd been assigned as her partner. She remembered railing at Perry: I do not want to be one half of your equal-opportunity-employer propaganda display!

That had gotten her exactly nowhere.

It wasnπt that she had anything against the disabled, but being around Clark was kind of creepy, especially at first. Sheπd catch herself nodding or making hand gestures, and then realize it was pointless with Clark. He always looked like he could see right through her, and she felt like she always had to be thinking about him when she worked with him.

Lois really wasnπt used to thinking of anyone but herself. There was a reason she didnπt even have a cat to go home to.

When Perry had first told her about him, Lois hadnπt believed that Clark could do the job; but she had to admit that he was good. He was fantastic at research, held his own in interviews, and wrote great copy. If Clark couldnπt keep up with all the legwork their stories sometimes required, wellãthat just left Lois more room to manoeuvre. All in all, he was a much better partner than sheπd thought he would be.

Which is why she found herself standing outside of apartment 208, ready to see exactly how bad the situation was that had kept Clark home from work for the last two days during one of the biggest Superman stories to break since the Man of Steelπs first appearance a month ago.

He could have fallen and injured himself, or someone might have mugged him, and heπd be too stubborn and independent to ask for help. The big city could be a dangerous place for normal people. For Clark, it was no doubt full of dangers she wasnπt even aware of.

She knocked.

The door opened.

The man who opened it was not Clark Kent.

He was thinner: clinging black track pants hung off his hips, revealing defined muscles and an intriguing path of red-gold hair stretching down from his bellybutton. He was shirtless, revealing a body that no business suit could fully do justice to. He was bald with a smoothness that could not be achieved by shaving oneπs head.

He was Lex Luthor.

≥Hey, Johnnie, you made goodã≤ He stopped rooting around in his wallet, and his eyes traveled up from Loisπs pumps to her skirt, to her blouse, to her face, and grinned. ≥Youπre not Johnnie.≤

≥Youπre Lex Luthor!≤

The grin fled like it had never been there. ≥Can I help you?≤

≥Clark. Clark Kent. Where is he?≤ She could get a coherent sentence out. She was a reporter, dammit. She had a list of fifteen key questions to ask Lex Luthor if she ever met him, and åWhere is Clark Kent?π wasnπt one of them!

She could ask about why he had sold off his LuthorCorp shares, or she could ask about the closed hearings regarding his mental competence that had been instigated by his father three times in the last six years.

She could ask him what the hell he was doing here.

Although seeing how Luthorπs face had darkened at the mention of her partner, maybe questions about Clark were worth adding to the list.

≥Clark is out.≤

She thought about how Clark got lost in crowds, how she and Jimmy had to keep an eye on him every second or heπd end up turned around and stuck in a broom closet. ≥Clark doesnπt just go out on his own. What have you done with him? And why are you here in his apartment half naked?≤

≥Youπre Lois Lane, arenπt you?≤ He was smirking and giving her another once over. ≥Clark said you had about as much respect for him as you would for a three-year-old trying to cross the street by himself.≤

≥You didnπt answer my question.≤

≥And I donπt intend to. If you want to talk to Clark, youπll have to come back later.≤

He swung the door shut, and Lois tried the old trick of shoving her foot in between the door and jamb, forgetting that she was only wearing a pair of Nine West pumps.

As the heavy fire door slammed into her foot, she screamed.

Luthor hurriedly pulled open the door.

≥Fuck! Are you insane?≤

≥Isnπt that what everyone asks you?≤ She ground the words out over the pain.

He scowled at her as she leaned against the wall, standing on one foot and trying to see if she could still move her toes on the other.

She hissed. Fuck, that really hurt.

≥I guess you better come in.≤ Luthor opened the door a little wider and helped her over to the couch.

Lois took in all the details she could see and filed them for later. There were the plain white walls and dingy white linoleum, the complete lack of mirrors, and the little tray divided into small boxes that sat on the table in the foyer. The tray sorted everything one might find in oneπs pockets at the end of the day: keys, candy, and small change arranged by denomination.

The kitchen was visible through a little archway and was classically ugly in that avocado and harvest gold kind of way. Lois controlled a shudder. The 70s had been a terrible thing.

There were more organizers of various sizes in the kitchen, and aside from a few dishes in the sink, nothing was left out to chance. There were notes stuck to the fridge, and Lois cursed that she still hadnπt learned Braille. Not that she was close enough to read anything of course.

≥Iπll get you some ice,≤ Luthor said after depositing her on the couch.

≥Thanks!≤ She smiled brightly.

Luthor frowned.

As soon as heπd turned away, she continued her survey of the apartment: the living room-dining room area was painfully neat. The faded blue carpet was clean. There was a box of dog toys and two bookcases of CDs. At least half of them looked like audiobooks. One wall was taken up by the kind of stereo equipment Lois was pretty sure cost as much as a full yearπs rent on this apartment.

There was a small TV off in the corner, almost like an after thought, which would make sense if Clark lived here alone. Maybe Luthor was just a visitor?

The place was as compulsively neat as Clarkπs desk. In fact, the only messy thing in the whole apartment, as far as Lois could see, was the coffee table. It was covered in papers, a couple of binders and a laptop.

An open laptop.

She shifted over on the couchãending up in front of the laptop completely by accident, of courseãand tried to get a peek at what Luthor was writing, but she barely caught a glimpse of the screen before Luthor returned. He was wearing a large, red tee shirt with the words Smallville High Crows in yellow across the front, and was carrying an ice bag.

≥If you want me to forward you a copy of that report, I will,≤ Luthor said smoothly, gesturing at the laptop before handing her the ice bag.

Lois didnπt deny that she was snooping. ≥Tell me what itπs about and maybe Iπll accept the offer.≤

A corner of Lexπs mouth quirked. ≥Itπs the progress report for the LexCorp Plant in Smallville. Crap is doing amazingly well this quarter. You should think about investing.≤

≥So this would be the factory you started LexCorp with? The factory that led to your father calling your competency into question?≤ Lois figured sheπd better get her questions in while she could.

≥I didnπt invite you in to give an interview, Ms. Lane.≤

≥It may not be an interview, but Iπm still waiting to hear what crap youπre going to shovel at me to explain why youπre in Clarkπs apartment, Mr. Luthor. And where is Clark?≤ She tried to balance the ice bag on her foot, gritting her teeth at the pain but not letting it colour her voice. She was an investigative journalist; she was used to getting scraped up in pursuit of a story. Sheπd just have to wear comfortable shoes for the next few days.

If she could find any.

≥Clark is out,≤ Luthor said, taking pity on her and placing a pillow under her foot to help prop up the ice bag. ≥And itπs none of your business why Iπm here.≤

Loisπ nose twitched. She smelled a story with a capital åS,π and it wasnπt even Superman this time. ≥Clark never mentioned he knew you.≤

≥Fishing for information wonπt work, Ms. Lane,≤ Luthor said, staring blandly at her. ≥Iπll be sure to tell Clark that you came by. Can I call someone to come and pick you up?≤

Lois heard a key in the door, made a final adjustment to the icebag, leaned back on the couch and smiled smugly. ≥Thatπs okay. Iπll tell Clark myself.≤

Luthor did not look happy. He walked quickly to the door as it opened. ≥Clarkã≤

≥Hey, gorgeous.≤ Clark Kent, in jeans and a blue flannel shirt, shouldered in through the door managing to hold a couple of bags of what looked like Chinese takeout as well as keeping a grip on his keys and his dog Colletteπs harness. He pushed one of the bags at Luthor as he came into the apartment, and ran his newly freed hand up Luthorπs chest, stroking the tee shirt and dipping his fingers just under the collar. ≥Nice shirt. Be careful with the bag, though; I think the soup is leaking.≤

≥Clark, we have company,≤ Luthor said.

Clark froze and did that sniffing thing that Lois hated. It made her seriously consider giving up perfume. Almost.

≥Lois?≤

≥If youπve had a cold, it sure hasnπt affected your sense of smell, Smallville,≤ Lois said in lieu of hello.

Luthor took the second bag from Clark and went into the kitchen. Clark stopped at the table in the foyer and put his keys and the change he was carrying into the little tray. He let Collette off her harness with a pat and a soft word and then entered the living room. ≥Wh-what are you doing here?≤

≥At the moment Iπm nursing a crushed foot here on your couch, but my original intent was to make a house call,≤ Lois said. ≥Perry wants the latest on Superman, only there doesnπt seem to be any latest. Iπm trying to do both the on-line research and the leg work on what happened to Superman after the mudslide in Japan and not getting damn far; my partner has been gone two days in a row; and when I manage to get an answer at said partnerπs apartment, I find the Lex Luthor half-naked in his apartment.≤

≥Half-naked?≤ Clark turned towards the kitchen, raised his voice. ≥You answered the door half-naked?≤

It figured that would be the part of her story that Clark latched on to.

≥I thought she was Johnny,≤ Luthor said, unpacking a bag of Chinese food.

≥Iπm glad I met Johnny in the hall, then.≤ Clark returned his attention to Lois. ≥Sorry, Lois. I was, um, sick until yesterday and am kind of playing hooky today. I didnπt mean to worry you.≤

≥I wasnπt worried,≤ Lois said. ≥I wanted to know when you were coming back. We have work to do, crime and corruption to expose and, if weπre luckyãSuperman to interview.≤ She leaned over slightly to look around Clark at Lex. ≥Although you seem to be harboring almost as big a story right here.≤

≥Lex is not a story. Heπs my boyfriend.≤

Loisπ chin snapped up and she stared wide-eyed at Clark. ≥Heπs your what? ≤

Clark scratched the back of his head and shrugged sheepishly. ≥My boyfriend. He lives here. With me.≤

Lois gawked at Clark. She couldnπt believe it. ≥The Lex Luthor is your boyfriend.≤

≥Uh, yes?≤ Clark said tentatively. ≥He is. Iπm gay.≤

≥Of course youπre gay.≤ Lois grabbed Clarkπs wrist and yanked him onto the couch beside her. ≥But why didnπt you tell me the Lex Luthor was your boyfriend?≤

Clark carefully freed his wrist. ≥You never asked if I was attached or not.≤

≥Thatπs because I didnπt think someone like the Lex Luthor would saddle himself with someone who can barely take care of himself.≤

≥Oh, well, that makes sense,≤ Clark said.

≥It certainly does not,≤ Luthor stated, glaring at Lois as he returned from the kitchen. ≥And Iπd appreciate it, Ms. Lane, if you would not insult Clark. The Lex Luthor happens to think that he is the lucky one to have Clark Kent taking care of him.≤

≥Lexä≤ Clark blushed, ducked his head and smiled bashfully.

≥How the hell did you hook Lex Luthor, Clark?≤ Lois wanted to know, because it really wasnπt a possibility. Clark was an utter dweeb. He wore dark glasses straight out of a Fifties B-movie, even though Lois didnπt think he actually needed them. He dressed like he was wearing someone elseπs suits at work, and straight-off-the-farm in his off-hours, had horrible posture, dragged his feet when he walked, and bumped into everything, even with Collette to lead him around.

Her gaze sharpened suddenly. ≥Youπre Luthorπs dirty little secret, arenπt you? Thatπs why youπre living here instead of some penthouse on First Avenue, so no one finds out.≤

≥Ms. Laneã≤

Clark reached up to take Luthorπs hand, interrupting the start of what would probably have been an impressiveãand quotableãtirade. ≥One, that wasnπt very nice. Two, our relationship is not a secret, but that doesnπt mean we want it publicized. And three, itπs my choice that we live here, and Lex only complains when the elevator isnπt working and Iπm not here to help lug Colleteπs 40-pound bag of dog food up the stairs.≤

Lois didnπt like being scolded. ≥You still havenπt told me how you two got together,≤ she said defensively.

Clark got an odd smile on his face. ≥Lex rescued me from a linen closet.≤

≥Hunh. Why am I not surprised?≤

Oops. Did she say that out loud?

From the ice in Luthorπs eyes, it was apparent that she had, indeed, lost the filter between her brain and her mouth. Not that she had ever used it much.

≥Ms. Lane, I think itπs time you leave.≤

≥How am I going to get home? I canπt drive with my foot like this!≤

≥Iπll call you a cab.≤

Clark squeezed Luthorπs hand. ≥Lex, itπs okay.≤

≥No, no itπs not. You might let her get away with this shit at work, Clark, but Iπm not having it in our home. Iπm going to call Ms. Lane a cab.≤ He pulled his hand away from Clark and went to the kitchen, where Lois could hear him dialling.

≥Sorry, Clark.≤ Lois apologized even though she didnπt think she should have to. Lex Luthor was news, and ClarkãClark was a nobody! She was in shock! Otherwise, she never would have said that out loud.

Why was Lex Luthor dating Clark Kent? Was he slumming? Did he want someone on the Daily Planet staff in his pocket? Was he thumbing his nose at women, marriage, or his father, Lionel Luthor? Or did he truly like Clark?

As she sat at on the couch waiting for the cab, she studied Clark while keeping up general conversation. Lois simply could not see someone of Lexπs caliber being attracted to Clark. It was as ridiculous asä Superman being attracted to Clark.

That couldnπt be his secret for getting that first interview, could it?

She looked at her partner in a speculative light. Was there something she was missing? If he stood a little straighter, brushed his hair back, and wore a suit that fitä

Well, then he wouldnπt be Clark.

There was a mystery here, between Lex Luthor and Clark Kent, and Lois was going to solve it. Societal exposÈs werenπt normally her thing, but news was news, and no one else had written about Lexπs foray into homosexuality. Was this what was really behind Lionel Luthorπs attempts to have his son committed? Did the old man fear for the dynasty? Clark certainly wasnπt going to provide Lex Luthor with any heirs.

She was itching to snoop for real news. The apartment was probably stuffed with leads regarding crime or corruption involving LexCorp or LuthorCorp.

A plan formed in her mind, and she smiled to herself. She loved the scent of intrigue in the afternoon.

n ß n ß n

Loisπs perfume lingered in the apartment long after she had gone. For the rest of the afternoon and evening, whenever Clark approached the couch or the front door, he had a moment of vertigo, as if he should be in the office instead of at home.

Her effect lingered as well.

≥I can pressure White to assign you to another partner,≤ Lex growled over lunch. ≥Sheπs a complete bigot. She barely treats you with common courtesy, much less professional respect.≤

Clark sighed and set his chopsticks down.

≥You canπt keep doing this.≤

He heard Lex shift in his chair and scrape the bottom of a food carton with his chopsticks. The kitchen always seemed to magnify sounds.

≥Lex.≤

≥What?≤

Another shift of weight, a slurp of noodles, and Clark wished he could stare Lex down, but he settled for expectant silence.

≥I donπt see why you want to continue working with her.≤

Clark shrugged. ≥Sheπs very good at what she does. Our skills complement each other. And most importantly, my editor assigned me to her, and I just want to do my job. I donπt want special treatment.≤

≥Sheπs quite unattractive.≤

Clark smiled. ≥Really?≤

≥Coarse hair, bad complexion, terrible teeth. Hideous, Clark, really.≤

≥And looks matter so much to me.≤ Clark grinned.

Lex snorted.

Clark picked up his chopsticks again, and they continued eating in companionable silence for several minutes. Clark stretched his legs and brushed against Lexπs.

Lex ran a bare foot up Clarkπs inseam until it came to rest gently, but firmly, over Clarkπs crotch.

Clark sighed and rocked up against the arch of Lexπs foot. It felt good, like everything Lex did. It was sensual. It was hot.

It was distracting.

Clark sighed and pulled Lexπs foot up into his lap, rubbing the instep with the ball of his thumb.

≥Whatπs really bugging you?≤

Lex groaned as Clark found a particularly sensitive spot just under his toes. When he didnπt answer immediately, Clark found the same spot again. Harder.

≥Okay! Okay. I justä Sheπs so focused on Superman, but she doesnπt see you. She doesnπt respect you. She doesnπt respect us. She thinks Iπm using you and youπre too stupid to see it, and it pisses me off.≤

Clark felt Lex shifting and picked up the other foot that settled in his lap. He continued rubbing without breaking his rhythm. ≥We agreed that Clark Kent has to be different enough that no one would make a connection to Superman. At least Lois is proof weπre succeeding.≤

≥I know.≤ Lexπs growl tapered off into a moan as Clark continued the foot rub. Lex was thinking too much. A habit Clark blamed on Lionel. Lionel had never given Lex the luxury of security.

Lex moaned again. ≥Fuck! thatπs good, Clark.≤

≥Want to make the most of my last day of hooky?≤ Clark grinned, feeling Lexπs toes curl and listening to the spike in his heartbeat.

≥Yeah.≤

Lex pulled his foot away, scraped his chair on the linoleum as he stood and padded around the little table to take Clarkπs hand and pull him up into a full body embrace: feet, knees, thighs, crotches, stomachs, chests, arms, mouths pressed together so that Clark had no doubt where Lex stood.

≥Iπve got something Iπd like to try, actually.≤

And it was Clarkπs turn to groan.

≥Bed. Now.≤

Clark was glad they kept the apartment organized and arranged; it made superspeeding to the bedroom so much easier.

n ß n ß n

The newsroom was an ever-morphing obstacle course of bodies. Everyone was rushing to get something done, and at least half of them werenπt looking where they were going. Jimmy had tried navigating it with his eyes closed once, right after Clark had come to work at the Planet. Heπd gotten approximately two feet before tripping.

Clark had just smiled and said it took a lot of practice. At least Clark had Collette to help him. Jimmy figured it would be a lot harder in a place like this without Collette. If nothing else, she ran interference.

Jimmy dodged another donut cart and tried not to drop his precious cargo.

Mornings were nothing like the night shift, and while overtime was always a good thing, there was something to be said for simply learning to live within oneπs means rather than being the all around dogsbody toã

≥Jimmy! Did you remember to get it with skim milk?≤

åItπ was Loisπs cappuccino, which was currently balanced in his left hand, while Clarkπs venti dark was in his right, and his own grande chai was in the crook of his arm, and god help him if he spilled any of them on the three-thousand-dollar digital camera that was dangling around his neck.

≥Skim milk. Got it, Lois.≤

≥Great, just put it on my desk would you?≤ She gestured at the pile of papers that surrounded her computer as she was going through her purse.

There was a desk under there?

≥How about I just put them both on Clarkπs desk?≤ he said, sidling over to Loisπs partner.

Clark stopped typing and turned towards him almost as if he could see him. That had freaked Jimmy out the first few times, but Clark explained that it was just him being polite and following the smell of coffee.

Which was cool.

≥No place to put coffee on Loisπs desk?≤ Clark asked, sounding not snarky, but really curious.

≥I guess youπve never felt Loisπs desk, huh?≤

Clark grinned. ≥Noooo, but I get the impression it would be an experience.≤

≥Piles and piles of papers, Clark,≤ Jimmy confided in a stage whisper. ≥Coffee cups that have dust on the dried-up mouldy coffee thatπs inside them, whole new life forms growing on the abandoned chicken sandwich next to the computer monitorä≤

≥Shut it, Olsen,≤ Lois said without looking up.

Jimmy shrugged. ≥Speaking of coffee on desks, your coffee is three inches to the left of your keyboard, and Loisπs is on the far left corner of your desk. Oh, and I got a treat for Collette, if thatπs okay?≤

≥Sure, Jimmy, thanks.≤ Clark pushed his dark glasses up on his nose and reached for his coffee.

Jimmy leaned down under the desk and gave Collette her biscuit, for which he got a happy lick. As he straightened up, he saw Lois repacking her purse. He bit back a groan when he realized it was the commando-raid purse load. Diskettes, pepper spray, the lock pick kit that Lois didnπt think anyone knew she had åcause the case looked like a nail care kit, and rubber gloves.

≥Lois? Um, are you going to need pictures wherever youπreä going?≤ Read åbreaking into,π but Jimmy really liked his balls where they were and not in a jar on Loisπs desk, so he wasnπt going to say that.

Lois froze and glared at him. The fry-you-in-the-street-like-an-egg-in-summer glare.

Clark had stopped typing again and had his head cocked to one side. ≥Where are you going, Lois?≤

≥No place, just checking out a few leads.≤ Loisπs voice was light and breezy while she continued to glare at Jimmy. ≥Nothing to take pictures of. Yet.≤

Jimmy nodded eagerly. ≥Well, great. Just let me know wheneverã≤

Clark wasnπt buying it.

≥If this is about OπMalleyπs protection racket, then you should take Jimmy.≤

≥Iπm not the one who needs to be rescued from linen closets, Smallville.≤

Clarkπs mouth tightened, and Jimmy thought he was actually going to get to see Mr. Calm, Cool and Cowed lose it with his partner, but just then a CD in a clamshell case sailed over the two desks. Jimmy ducked as it just missed his head, and Clark twitched as it clattered on the desk next to his hand.

≥Thatπs the recording of the Superman interview from last night. Think you can start the write-up without me, Smallville?≤

Clark shook his head, but picked up the disk. ≥Sure, Lois. Just be careful, okay?≤

Lois softened ever so slightly. ≥Iπm not going anywhere dangerous. Promise.≤

Jimmy snorted. ≥Right, and your definition of dangerous would beä?≤

He ducked again as Loisπs squishy-rubber stress ball came at his face. ≥I think I need to go down and check on a lay-outä thing.≤

Jimmy made a hasty retreat and wondered whether he could get Perry to add hazard pay to his overtime.

n ß n ß n

It was just as easy to get into Clarkπs building the second time as it had been the first. Security here was a joke.

His apartment didnπt prove much of a challenge either, and she was a bit surprised about that. Luthor should have known a thing or two about security.

The tumblers turned under Loisπs skillful lock picking, and she glanced down the corridor before opening the apartment door. ≥Hello? Clark? Mr. Luthor?≤ she called, even though no one had answered her prior knock. She knew Clark was at the office, but Luthor might be here. ≥Hello?≤

There was no reply. Lois stepped inside the apartment, closed the door, and put her lock picks away.

The laptop, files and papers were gone from the coffee table in the living room, leaving it bare, and nothing was on the dining table except an empty napkin holder. The mail was gone from the foyer table as well, and the little tray didnπt hold anything more interesting than a book of matches for a midtown restaurant.

She headed down the short hallway to the three open doorways at the end. One door led to the bathroom, which she ignored, and the other two led to bedrooms. The bedroom on the right was as neat as a pin, a little-used guest room, and Lois spared only a minute to rifle through the closet of clothes and drawers of linens.

No luck.

It was in the second bedroom that Lois struck gold. The computer drew her attention immediately, sitting on a desk in the corner of the bedroom. The long double bed was covered in twisted sheets of light blue cotton and a darker blue blanket, with two dented pillows side-by-side at the head.

Matching night tables flanked either side of the bed, each with a lamp and alarm clock. The one on the left was a Braille clock, so she figured that was Clarkπs side. The clock was old and pretty beat-up, and she was a bit surprised that he didnπt have one of the newer talking clocks.

It wasnπt like Luthor couldnπt afford one.

A closet was set in the wall across from the bed, with a tall chest of drawers beside it. A small television/VCR combo sat on top of a DVD player on the dresser. There were also wall-mounted speakers here that were probably wired into the sound system in the living room. Next to the master bathroom were a full laundry hamper, a shoe rack and a coat rack holding two well-used flannel bathrobes. Nothing was on the floor or scattered on the dresser. If it werenπt for the unmade bed and all the clothes in the closet, this might look like a guest room, as well.

Lois headed straight for the computer. She chuckled in pleasure when she found that it was on and without password protection. She removed a CD from her purse, popped it into the CD burner, and opened the backup program on the computer. Expertly, she chose the files she wanted to copy and left the computer working while she opened the top drawer of the desk and dug through its contents.

There was nothing of interest, only basic office supplies. She closed the drawer and started to open the second, when out of the corner of her eye, she spotted a black briefcase leaning against the side of the night table partially behind her. She latched instantly onto it, setting it on the bed and popping the open locks. Inside the briefcase were several file folders, a floppy disk, a German phrase book, and a home-burned DVD.

Curiosity sparked, Lois put the disc into the DVD player, turned on the television and hit play. She sat on the bed, grabbed a file folder, and paged through its contents as the disc loaded. The file was a prospectus on a company in Germany, and she skimmed the pages until Clarkπs familiar voice snapped her head up.

≥Holyã≤ Loisπ eyes bugged. Clark Kent was undressing on the television screen. He was standing in front of the bed she was seated on, sideways to the video camera. He was wearing the same outfit heπd had on when sheπd come here last time.

Clarkπs head was turned toward the camera, speaking to someone off screen. His dark glasses were gone, revealing stunning green-blue eyes and high cheekbones, and he took Loisπs breath away. As he stripped out of his blue flannel shirt and then his jeans, he revealed a body that had no trouble matching the face.

Lois couldnπt believe that all that was hidden beneath the suits and slouched posture. Talk about a stud in geekπs clothing! Rippling, defined muscles, narrow waist, miles of golden skin and a sprinkling of dark hair left Lois speechless. Men werenπt supposed to be beautiful, but there was no other description that would come close to fitting him.

≥I canπt believe you want to do this, Lex,≤ Clark was saying. ≥Someoneπs going to find the recording and splash it all over the tabloids.≤

≥There will be nothing done here tonight that Iπll be ashamed of, Clark,≤ Lois heard Lex Luthor say off-screen. There was a brief pause before Lex added, ≥But if youπve changed your mindä≤

≥No, itπs not that. This just isnπt something I ever thought youπd want to do. I guess weπve been together long enough that I didnπt think you had any new kinks to share.≤ Clark grinned crookedly, and Lois suddenly noticed how soft and kissable his mouth looked.

He got on the bed and rolled on his side. His eyes wandered in the general direction of the camera.

≥Itπs not so much a kink, as a memory.≤ The camera zoom adjusted slightly. ≥A proof. Something I can look at when youπre out and remind myself that itπs all real.≤

≥Ha! Youπre still thinking about what Lois said, arenπt you?≤ Clark drawled with a smirk. The smirk faded and his brows pulled downward as the responding silence drew on. ≥Lex?≤

≥Iπm fixing the camera.≤

≥The truth, Lex,≤ Clark said seriously. ≥Is this more than just Lois?≤

A brief pause, then, quietly, ≥Sometimes I worry itπs a dream, and one of these days Iπll wake up, and youπll be gone, and no one will believe we were ever together.≤

Clark pushed up on one elbow. ≥Itπs real, Lex. I promise.≤

≥I know, Clark,≤ Luthor said. ≥And I am the one that said we needed to stay low profile and Iπm dealing with it. Iπm fineä≤

≥Lexä≤ Clark extended his hand towards the camera, his eyes lost somewhere in the middle distance. ≥Come here.≤

Even after her surprise shirtless meeting with him, seeing Lex Luthor nude with Clark was a shock. He was half hard as he walked into the picture. Reddish down covered his muscular legs; his pale, firm backside was dotted with freckles. Clark pulled him down on the bed and manhandled him until he was sitting on top. Luthor straddled Clark and tucked his face in the crook of Clarkπs neck.

Clark settled back on the pillow and began a thorough mapping of Luthorπs body with his hands.

And maybe that was the bigger shock than the nudity. Luthor may have set up the camera, but it was obviously Clark calling the shots in bed. If she had thought about it at allãand Lois was not going to admit that, even to herselfãshe would have thought that Clark would be the passive partner.

≥Iπm sorry I didnπt get it,≤ Clark said.

≥Donπt be.≤ Luthorπs voice was muffled by his position. ≥I have to learn to deal with this. I just worry about something happening to you. Something I wonπt be able to fix.≤

≥Thereπs nothing we canπt fix together.≤ Clark brushed a kiss on the curve of Luthorπs skull. ≥Just donπt forget to talk to me about it, okay? Thatπs whatã≤

Luthor raised his head and smiled softly. ≥Thatπs what the phone is for. I remember.≤

Clark sat up and caught Luthorπs mouth in a tender kiss. Lois had never seen Lex Luthor appear so vulnerable. He always looked so cold and controlled in public.

And it was that last thought that stopped her from turning off the television.

He sounded so uncertain about the relationship. As if just her doubt was enough to make him question the reality of it.

Was Lex Luthor actually mentally ill, as his father had claimed for years? Had Luthor, Sr. been telling the truth all along?

That was news in Metropolis.

Lois shook off her vague sense of guilt and plucked another file from the briefcase. She got comfortable on the bed, leaned back against the headboard, and alternated between reading and watching Clark and Luthor on the television. If she could ignore the fact that she worked with Clark almost every day, the homemade recording was like viewing really good porn, the kind with emotion and believability.

And, apparently, a story.

≥Mmm,≤ Clark hummed, tilting his head back on the pillow, exposing his throat. Luthor sucked kisses onto the golden column of Clarkπs neck, nibbled along his jawline, and laved the love bites with a light pink tongue. Clarkπs broad hands skimmed up Luthorπs pale, freckled back before sliding down over the curve of his buttocks. Luthor gasped at the touch.

≥Tell me, Clark,≤ he gasped.

≥Anything.≤

≥Tell me about our first time. Remember it for me.≤

Luthor licked down Clarkπs neck, pausing to pay special attention to his collarbone before moving on to his nipples. Luthor gripped Clarkπs biceps, holding him captive, as his chest was mapped with tongue and teeth and hungrily devoured. Clark moaned quietly, before responding to Luthorπs request.

≥I was scared. Dad had just found out about us. He was freaking. We hadnπt even done anything yet.≤

≥He took away your phone.≤ Luthor actually sounded pretty pissed about that even though the incident must have been years earlier.

≥Yeah.≤ Clark ran his hands up Luthorπs back and neck and gently guided his mouth back to down. ≥I was ready to leave it all behind. It was just too much. But you caught me, Lex. Like you always do.≤

≥And we flew away.≤ Luthor pushed up until he was sitting squarely in Clarkπs lap, rocking into him.

≥Far away,≤ Clark agreed, as his hands followed the line up the middle of Luthorπs rib cage. ≥And you described everything. I saw it all through your eyes.≤

≥And you let me love you.≤

≥Forever, Lex.≤

Clark sat up just enough to kiss Luthor as he groped for the tube on the night table. Finding it, Clark flipped open the cap and squeezed the clear gel on his fingers behind Luthorπs back without breaking the kiss. The tube was dropped on the bed beside him, and Clarkπs hand curved over Luthorπs ass.

Luthor broke the kiss with a gasp. Clarkπs free hand ran lightly over Luthorπs face, and a corner of his mouth curled up as he asked, ≥Believe me now?≤

≥Starting to,≤ Luthor hissed pleasurably. He writhed against Clark, his back a concave arch, perspiration beginning to shine on his skin in the lamplight. He moaned again. ≥Oh, God, Clark.≤

≥Thatπs it, Lex,≤ Clark whispered, the sound dancing along Loisπ spine and tingling low in her belly. Never would she have thought Clark Kent could sound so sexy. The files were forgotten, her attention focused solely on the television.

Clark pulled Luthor forward and up onto his knees. Clarkπs fist worked his own cockπs thick length in a hypnotic manner, spreading gel on thickly, as Luthor hovered over him, panting like heπd run a race.

Lois watched as Luthor sank down onto Clarkπs cock, their groans of pleasure filling the bedroom. Luthor rotated his hips, thigh muscles bunching, as he began to ride Clark. Clark bent his legs, pressed his feet into the mattress of the bed, and lifted his pelvis to meet each down-thrust.

≥So deepä so goodä≤ The words tumbled roughly from Clarkπs lips. His hands moved to span Luthorπs narrow waist, helping him as he rode Clark. ≥Wish I could see you like this. Just like this.≤

Clark and Luthorπs faces were flushed in arousal, features twisted in a way that would look ridiculous if their passion werenπt so clearly written in every line of their bodies. Luthor knelt up, changing the angle. An almost painful sounding moan was drawn from both of them by the move.

He licked his left palm, curled his hand around his shaft, and stroked to the rhythm of his rocking. Clark stroked his hands up and down Luthorπs torso.

≥Fuck, Clark,≤ Lex muttered, and sank white, even teeth into his lower lip. He sucked in a sharp breath and held it.

Clark ran his right hand over Luthorπs face, tracing every feature, every shift in expression.

≥Gorgeous. Youπre so damn gorgeous,≤ Clark mumbled, his other thumb caressing the sweat-slicked skin of Lexπs hips.

Luthorπs rhythm faltered suddenly, his hand working faster.

≥God, Lex, yes!≤ Clark gasped, his voice rough but so quiet Lois could hardly make it out. ≥Please. Please love me.≤

≥Forever, Clark.≤ Luthor got the words out, and then he was coming, milky fluid shooting onto Clarkπs chest.

Clark whispered, ≥So good,≤ and snapped his hips upward again and again, quicker and quicker. He nearly bucked Luthor off. Luthor pressed both of his palms flat against Clarkπs muscular chest and rode the wild thrusts, head back, mouth parted in bliss.

Stiffening abruptly, Clark pulled Luthorπs ass down flush against his pelvis and let out a wordless shout. Luthor watched with heavy-lidded eyes as Clarkπs whole body shuddered, then went totally limp, as if his strings had been suddenly cut.

After a moment, Clark gathered Luthor to him, sinking into a deep kiss, which slowed to tender petting. Luthorπs smile matched Clarkπs exactly, and he tucked his nose into the crook of Clarkπs neck as Clark gently stroked his back.

≥Youπre the most real thing in my life,≤ was the last thing Lois heard before shutting off the television.

There had been nothing definite. Nothing that couldnπt be explained as loversπ hyperbole. But flying? Asking your lover to årememberπ for you?

Lois shook her head and started packing up.

This wasnπt a story.

And she hoped to god it never became one.

n ß n ß n

Clark stopped typing and sniffed as she walked past.

≥Hey, Lois.≤ Clark shoved his sliding dark glasses up his nose and smiled in her general direction as she sank into her desk chair. ≥How was your morning?≤

≥Enlightening,≤ Lois replied. She dropped her purse on the desk, temporarily ignoring the minor bits of LexCorp information sheπd found at Clarkπs apartment in favour of asking, ≥How long have you and Luthor been together?≤

Clark appeared surprised by her question. ≥A long time. Since before I moved here. Why?≤

≥Just curious,≤ Lois said. ≥You two look good together.≤

Clarkπs eyebrows rose. ≥Two days ago, you couldnπt believe a dweeb like me stood a chance with someone like Lex. What made you change your mind?≤

≥I guess I just wasnπt seeing it, Smallville, but I think I do now,≤ Lois answered cryptically. She grabbed her purse again and stood. ≥Cπmon, you can buy lunch and tell me all about your boyfriend.≤

The End

Prologue

1 : Across the Border

2 : Secrets and Dreams

≥Yeah?≤

3 : Disconnected

4 : Hopeπs Wings

≥Clark?≤

≥Five minutes, Clark! Iπm there in fiveã≤

5 : None So Blind