The air was dusty, the smell of straw and machine grease was thick in the air of the barn. Lex followed Clark up the stairs into the hayloft. Around the turn in the stairs, and into the small room. The window shutters were swung open, letting in the moonlight. The rafters sloped towards the center of the room, somehow making the space look smaller.
Lex crossed the room, glancing through the window while Clark flopped down on the couch. Lex ran his perfectly manicured nails against the rough-hewn boards of the windowsill before shoving his hands into his overcoat.
“Your parents always watch the news after dinner?” Lex asked, seeing through the house window the two older Kents settling down in the living room. Lex felt bloated- green beans, salad, mashed potatoes, rolls, and chicken-fried steak. He had thought that the ‘steak’ would be some way of preparing chicken but it turned out to be a thin beef steak, breaded with flour and deep fat fried before being smothered in white gravy. They finished the meal off with apple pie and coffee. Rather good actually, even if the menu was far less cosmopolitan than he was used to.
“Yeah.” Clark said. The young man shrugged, then turned towards Lex. “You wanted to talk to me?”
Lex smiled as he looked outside the window, across the darkened yard. He’d finally start getting some answers, get back in control of the situation that was his life. “Yes Clark, I did.” He turned around, still smiling. “I’ve got something, something that needs to be taken care of.” He reached into his coat, taking out a black VCR tape. “It’s the tape from the security cameras at the plant.” He announced, setting it down between himself and Clark. “And I don’t think that the authorities need to find it.”
Lex tilted his head, watching Clark look at the tape. He softly continued, “I was thinking that you might be the one to get rid of it.”
Clark swallowed, eyes glued to the tape. “Dad said you had to fill out a lot of paperwork about yesterday. That there was governmental people everywhere.” He paused. “Getting rid of it would be illegal, wouldn’t it?”
“Completely. Probably even a felony.” Lex replied. And waited.
Clark was looking at the tape, lost somewhere between angry and confused. “You want me to help you cover up what happened at the plant? About Level III?”
The Luthor sighed. “No, not really.” He pulled out a wooden chair, from the desk and sat on it directly across from Clark. Looked him straight in the face.
Clark looked up from the tape, eyes narrowing. “Not really? Then why me?”
Lex grunted. “Why you, indeed? Do you know how much sleep I got last night Clark? None.” Lex looked away, then back again. His voice sneered. “While you were off eating dinner with your family that was so happy to have you back and tucking yourself in bed for the night, I was interviewing plant personnel and filling out forms and dealing with those ‘governmental people’. So I think… that you ought to be the one to take care of this tape.”
“Me? Why me?” Clark was glaring. Lex could tell that Clark couldn’t quite believe that he wanted him to do something… shady.
Lex suddenly realized that he was angry. Furious in fact. Was Clark really that blind that he was trying to help? “Clark,” he snapped, “I’m not the one who has anything to hide.” Lex let that hang in the air before he continued. “There are security cameras throughout the plant Clark, the whole thing is wired, watched, and taped.” He pointed to the tape. “You’re lucky I was ‘upgrading the system’ or the whole thing would be on record.”
He sat back, satisfied at the shocked look of dawning realization on Clark’s face. Took him long enough.
“You’re lucky I like you.” Lex added, just for good measure. “I was up all night covering your tracks.”
“Oh.”
Lex leaned back, sighing. “Take the tape, Clark. Get rid of it. Chop it into pieces, and then burn it, and scatter the ashes.” A flannel-covered arm was reaching for the tape. “On one condition.” Clark was frozen. Lex just watched. “No more secrets, Clark.”
Clark was pulling back, his face a mask of fear. “I-“
Lex nearly swore. Too far, too fast. Whatever Clark was hiding, it was big. He knew that. The boy had secrets, secrets about how he could run so fast, be so strong. Lex knew that if he could just figure it out, everything could become clear. Somehow, he knew that Clark was more than a minor piece in the puzzle that was Smallsville. And if Lex could just figure it out, everything would be fine.
But even if the farm boy didn’t know squat about security systems, he at least knew enough to keep his mouth shut. And so, Clark Kent was twitchier than any business deal Lex had ever worked. But that’s what made this so entertaining- between Clark’s jumpiness, and Lex’s actual desire not to hurt the farm boy- this was far more challenging than the tiresome crap factory his father had put him in charge of.
Lex stood up, grabbing the tape, and sat beside Clark on the couch. He looked down at it, almost talking to himself. Maybe if Clark could see where he was coming from, they could reach an understanding. “My dad lied to me, you know. He told me that there was no Level III. I went in there blind; working off bad information, and it nearly got me killed. Would have, if it weren’t for you.” Lex took a deep breath, “I don’t like being in the dark, Clark. It always ends up hurting me.”
“I… I’m sorry Lex.” Clark was whispering, and sounded really torn up inside. And stubborn. Clark had no doubt learned that from his father. The Luthor re-evaluated his strategy, realizing that he could easily push things too far.
The older man nodded. “Yes, I know.” He held the tape up in front of Clark. “Two things, then. Since… since you won’t tell me. First, I want you to admit that there is something. No more denial. You don’t have to say anything, just don’t lie to me.” Lex’s face scrunched up. “I can’t take another someone I’m supposed to be able to trust betraying me like that again. Daddy dearest lied to me, and I found out that when things looked bad, he ordered the fire doors closed, locking me in. Wonderful to know how much he loves me.”
Lex shook his head to clear it before continuing, “And second… when you do tell, you tell me first.” Lex looked at Clark, who was looking back.
Clark was nodding, and he took the tape. “Deal.”
Lex gave the younger man a warm smile. “Good. I want us to be friends Clark. I really do. But I have to be able to trust you.” He leaned back into the old couch, laughing to himself. He’d never gotten so ripped off in a deal before, and been so happy about it. “I don’t suppose I could get a thank you as well? For all my hard work?”
“No.” Clark said, “’Cause you backed me into a corner.” He was still looking at the tape.
Lex dragged a hand over his bald head, sighing. “Could have gone to the press, Clark.” Amazing how the teenager could kill his good mood. “But friends watch out for each other. Thought you’d appreciate it.”
“I do, Lex.” Clark replied, frustrated, “I just… don’t like-”
“What? Being forced to be honest with someone you call ‘friend’? Or being forced to realize that things aren’t as hidden as you’d like? I get enough of that crap from my father, Clark. I don’t like having to drag the truth out of everyone I know, it gets tiring. And-” Lex bit off the rest of what he was going to say. Clark was angry, and so was he. Maybe he better leave before he managed to get them in a screaming match. He stood up.
And stopped with Clark’s hand on his arm. “I’m not your father, Lex. Don’t judge me like I’m him. I’d never treat you like he does, and I’d never keep anything from you that would hurt you. That would hurt anyone.”
Lex looked at the arm. He answered, voice detached and thoughtful. “I’ve never met anyone before that didn’t have secrets that couldn’t hurt anyone, Clark. But I’m exhausted and short-tempered. I should go home and get some sleep, I have to go to work tomorrow.”
Clark dropped his arm. “Yeah. You probably need some sleep...”
Lex walked slowly towards the stairs.
“Lex?”
He turned back. “Yes Clark?”
The young man looked sheepish. “Thanks.” He ducked his head. “I mean… for all the work… I…”
“You’re welcome.” He smiled. It would be alright- Clark just had to think about what Lex Luthor had done for him, and the he would realize that Lex was on his side.
And then Clark would come clean.
Hopefully ‘the big secret’ would be something that would help him get even with his father for practically trying to kill him off.
“I’ll walk you to your car.” Clark said, standing up. He put the tape up on a shelf, turning towards Lex.
“Don’t leave that there.” Lex motioned at the tape. “Don’t let it out of your sight till you get rid of it.” The older man sighed. “You really do have a lot to learn about the big, bad world, don’t you?”
Clark had turned around, picking the tape back up again. “I guess.”
Lex stomped down the stairs, muttering something about ‘innocent babes’ and ‘going soft’. Clark just followed him.
////
Jonathan settled into his favorite recliner as Martha got
her second cup of coffee. “You
shouldn’t drink another cup dear, you’ll never get to sleep tonight.” He flicked the remote, changing the channel
to his favorite news program.
“I know, but it’s my favorite- hazelnut crème. I don’t want to waste it.”
“I’m surprised you didn’t just brew up the decaf.”
“Well, I wanted to serve the nice stuff.” She walked back into the room. “I talked to Jenny today- her husband works
at the plant you know,” Jonathan nodded, he knew where Ricky worked. “And Ricky had said that Lex Luthor managed
to get the plant up and running by twelve thirty today.”
Jonathan grunted, turning up the volume. “They’ve got another report about it.” Yesterday, they had rushed to the plant as
soon as they had heard, but they hadn’t realized that every reporter within a
fifty-mile radius has rushed there as well.
Jonathan had been rather surprised at all the news coverage when they
had finally gotten home. He hadn’t
expected the rest of the country to care what happened in Smallsville. They usually ignored anything else that
happened here.
On the screen, a well-dressed petite blond reporter was
smiling into the microphone. Behind her
LuthorCorp’s Plant No. 3 could be seen.
“Hello, this is Laura Nelson of WPB News reporting live with
the follow-up report of LuthorCorp’s latest incident. Yesterday,” The screen showed an insert of an air shot of the
plant yesterday, police cars and swat teams crowded around the entrance, “a former
LutherCorp employee took hostages of over twenty high school students on tour
of this plant. As you can see, the
plant is currently up and running, even though it’s past five o’clock. The plant re-opened early this afternoon,
after being cleared by the government’s safety officials. Plant officials have decided to run longer
hours this week in order to make up for lost production and to prevent smaller
paychecks from missed hours.”
Offscreen, the news anchorman could be heard. “So everything’s back to normal?”
The reporter nodded, “All in all, LutherCorp has downplayed
the entire incident, Jim. Lionel Luther
himself has stated that the reports of the severity of the situation were exaggerated-even
returning to Metropolis for his planned ‘night on the town’ with his latest
girlfriend, Ms. Renoff, yesterday night.”
Jonathan didn’t hear the anchorman’s reply over Martha’s
indignation, “But they were held at gunpoint!
Including his own son, Lex! I
can’t believe that… that… man abandoned his own son after that to go on
a- a date!”
He couldn’t agree more.
The whole family had stayed in last night, just being near each
other. Clark may be nearly
invulnerable, but bullets were another matter.
And his son took such risks…
Martha kept talking, “I knew Lionel Luther was cold, but
this! I can’t believe he’d just ignore
what his son went through, just because it would be bad publicity!”
Jonathan grimaced, muttering, “I do.”
The back door slammed, and Clark walked in, flopped down on
the couch. The young man looked around,
noticed his parent’s edginess, and was suddenly nervous. “What’s up?”
Martha gestured at the television set face still scrunched
up, “Lex’s father went back to Metropolis last night. Left Lex to go on some date.
What kind of a father does that?
After what happened?”
Jonathan quickly looked behind him. “Lex still here?” He glanced pointedly at his wife, who had the grace to look
guilty.
“Uh, no.” Clark
muttered. “He wanted to go to bed, said
he hadn’t gotten any sleep last night.”
Martha had crossed her hands over her chest, coffee cup
still in one hand. “I bet he
wasn’t happy his father left.”
Clark winced, “actually, I think Lex would be happy if he
never saw Lionel again. They don’t get
along.”
Martha replied, “but- still…”
“They don’t get along, mom.
Lex doesn’t really like his father, I think the only time they talk
anymore is if it’s about business.”
Clark looked really uncomfortable.
Jonathan sighed, leaning forward, “I believe it. Lionel never thought anything was important
except for the bottom line. Everything
was business for him. I’m still
surprised that Lex isn’t exactly like him.”
Clark shifted nervously in his seat, “yeah, well, sometimes
Lex is… all business, I mean.” Clark
held up his hands, “Not that he’s like his father, I mean, it’s just that…”
“He’s picked up some bad habits?” Jonathan replied. “Not
surprising.”
“Yeah.” Clark looked
uncomfortable. Jonathan wasn’t
surprised that Clark didn’t like admitting Lex Luthor was perfect.
Martha took another sip of her coffee, “Well, we’ll just
have to show him a better way.” She
nodded to herself, “he just needs role models.” She looked at her boys.
“We should invite him over more.”
“Martha-“
“Jonathan-” She had moved over to stand by her husband’s
chair.
“Martha, he’s over twenty.
Grown men don’t change that much.
Besides-“
“Besides, he’s just learning to live on his own. Don’t tell me you’re all ready forgetting
what he did at the factory, Jonathan.
Lex has a real chance to be different than Lionel, and I think we should
support him.”
Jonathan sighed, and pulled Martha into his lap. “Fine, we’ll see what happens. But don’t try making this into a project,
we’ll just see what happens.”
“Not a project, Jonathan.”
The blond woman smiled, giving her husband a kiss. “I just want to give that nice young man a
chance for helping all those kids.”
Jonathan gave a tortured sigh, kissing her back. “What I do for you.”
“What can I say,” Martha put her coffee cup down, snaking
her arms around Jonathan, “I can be very persuasive.”
Clark stood up, mumbling, “I’m going to bed,” and used his
super-speed to leave the room.
Jonathan chuckled.
“I think we frightened him off.”
////
Upstairs, Clark turned the black VCR tape over in his hands,
trying to figure out why he hadn’t told his parents. The black box had dug into his back the whole time he had sat on
the couch. He had tucked it under his
shirt, intending to tell them about it as soon as he could get the conversation
turned around to it. But he hadn’t told
them. He guessed it had to do with what
his dad said- Lex just had some bad habits.
It was probably perfectly natural for him to think he needed to be paid
for his help. Clark stuck the tape
under his pillow, and set his alarm for 2am before sticking the alarm under the
pillow as well. He could probably watch
the tape undisturbed then. He needed to
see what was on it before he got rid of it.
////
Author’s Notes: I don’t have a beta. Try to forgive those annoying little mistakes.
Also, I’d like to point out that Lex Luthor, at this point in time, is still not a nice person- he just has a shot at changing his future now. But, he’s still quite the bastard. He would (IMHO) honestly think that his little ‘deal’ with Clark was a good deed.
Author’s Rant: The Kents don’t have dogs. Whoever heard of a farm without dogs?
Author’s Notes: I
know Superman is bullet-proof. But I
didn’t think the Kents knew that yet.
I know where I’m going with this fic, but I don’t have laid
out plans on how to get there. Does
anyone have an opinion on when Clark should let his parents know that Lex is
figuring it out?
Author’s Rant: CORN?
They grow wheat in Kansas.
Nebraska is corn. I should know-
my husband grew up there, and that’s all you see when you drive through the
state- ‘amber waves of grain’.