Blurring and stirring the truth and the lies

so I don't know what's real and what's not

always confusing the thought in my head

so I can't trust myself anymore

I'm dying again.

-- Going Under, Evanescence

He was standing in an endless field of sunflowers under a bright blue sky. Looking around, Lex smiled at the peace and tranquility and thought, I should bring Clark here, he'd like it.

The blossoms tickled his palm as his hand caressed them, and he realized that there was a leather glove on the other hand, looked at it curiously. It didn't have the same glow that everything else seemed to have. And when did he start wearing white suits?

Something wet spattered onto his head and he grimaced to himself that, of course, it would start raining when he wasn't anywhere near shelter. But no, it wasn't rain, it was…blood? Lex looked at the stain spreading over his white clothes in horror. Then the sunflowers started withering and dying wherever he touched them.

The sky blackened, and he knew that it was a portent of great things to come, things that he would be responsible for. The rain of blood continued to pour down, coating him in a slick, cloying cover, as he screamed, "No! It's not me! It's not me!"

* * * *

Clark jerked awake at a faint spasm from Lex's hand. He lurched forward and whispered urgently into his lover's ear, "Lex? Come on, Lex, come on back! Follow my voice, please, come back to me!"

It had been a week and still, Lex lingered in a coma. He'd been in surgery twice since the first night, and the second time had seen the successful removal of the last bullet. It was still too early to tell what kind of damage had been done, but Dr. Millson was hopeful that everything would be fine.

Assuming that Lex ever woke from his coma.

When Lex's hand didn't make another move, Clark sighed and kissed his forehead before returning to his former position in the chair.

"Mr. Kent?"

Clark turned towards the unfamiliar voice and found a dark haired man in his late thirties or early forties standing hesitantly in the doorway. He was well dressed, Clark recognized quality from his time with Lex, but not ostentatiously so. As a matter of fact, he was far more understated than Lex himself usually was, and there was a quiet, if intense manner about him. Frowning, Clark replied, "That's me. Who're you?"

The man came into the room and held out a hand, "Bruce Wayne. I'm a…"

"Friend of Lex's, right, of course," Clark finished, getting to his feet and taking the other man's hand. "How are you?"

A dark eyebrow rose at the question, but Bruce answered, "Fine, thanks. I should be asking you that, though."

Shrugging, Clark said, "I'm fine, just tired."

"Yeah, I'd expect that since the doctor said you haven't left his side," Bruce agreed. "I was allowed in here with the understanding that I could persuade you to take a break."

Clark shook his head and said, "I can't. I have to be here when he wakes up."

"Mr. Kent, even if he was going to wake up this second, you'd get pushed out of the way by medical people to look him over. Taking fifteen minutes to eat something isn't going to do anyone any harm," Bruce stated firmly.

Torn, Clark looked at Lex's motionless body then back at the friendly urging in Wayne's eyes. Finally, he gave in with, "All right. But just fifteen minutes."

Smiling briefly, Bruce said, "Good. We'll hit the cafeteria. I understand that the green Jell-O is out of this world."

Clark snorted. "I'll bet."

* * * *

Being so late at night, the cafeteria was pretty much deserted. Clark bought some soda and a wilted looking sub, suddenly starving, and joined Wayne at the back of the room. Sitting down with a sigh, he unwrapped the sub and took a bite. The slightly greasy flavor tasted good and he wondered when the last time was that he'd eaten. When he couldn't remember for sure, Clark shrugged to himself and took a long drink from the can of soda.

Bruce echoed his thoughts by asking, "When was the last time you ate?"

"Don't remember," Clark answered. "Yesterday, I think? Day before?"

The frown grew and Bruce pointed out, "You can't help Lex by running yourself into the ground."

Clark sighed. "I know, but I can't leave him. I feel like I should be there right now, still."

"That's because you love him, but you have to take care of yourself too. What would Lex say if he could see you right now?"

"Right now?" Clark repeated with a wince. "Probably to take a shower and get some sleep."

Bruce nodded and said, "Then that's what you should do."

"But…"

"Is it his safety? Are you worried about him?" Bruce asked softly.

Hesitant, Clark nodded. "I know it's probably paranoid, but he's made a lot of enemies of his own over the years and this would be the perfect chance for someone to…you know."

"I know. Would it help if I said that I'd stay with him while you went home and took a break?" Bruce suggested.

Startled by the offer, Clark thought about it, carefully looking the other man over. There was something solid and reassuring about Bruce, and Clark had the distinct feeling that if anyone tried to hurt Lex, the other man would put a fast stop to it. And he was right, too. Lex would be pissed if he knew how ragged Clark was running himself. "You would do that?"

Bruce nodded and said, "I've known Lex a long time, and he's always been decent friend. Over the last couple of years, though, our friendship has changed, gotten stronger and deeper to where I now consider him one of my closest friends, and that's not something I say lightly. It's due mostly to you, I can see that now that we've met."

Flushing under the scrutiny, Clark took another bite from the sub to gather his scant composure. Finishing off the soda, he said, "Lex would be pleased to hear you say that."

"And?"

"And I'll go home for a few hours," Clark agreed, grinning ruefully.

Bruce grinned in return and said, "Good. Because I've got to say that you're a little ripe, my friend."

Clark laughed at the teasing insult. "Thanks."

* * * *

When they reached the hospital exit, Bruce waved to Dick and the young man came over, blue eyes bright and curious. Bruce didn't like the tired air to Clark, even though they'd only known each other for an hour. From everything Lex had told him, the young man was a lot like Dick and had a seemingly inexhaustible supply of energy, which was nowhere in evidence.

Of course, he'd probably be the same way if anything ever happened to Dick, so it was understandable. Motioning from one to the other, he introduced, "Clark, this is my friend and ward, Dick Grayson."

As Clark and Dick shook hands, Bruce continued, "I thought that Dick could give you a ride to the penthouse."

"Oh no, I'm fine, really," Clark protested.

Dick spoke up with, "Hey, it's no problem. It'll give Bruce some time without worrying that I'll get into trouble."

Grinning fondly, Bruce asked, "You? Get into trouble?"

"Jerk," Dick insulted easily. Turning back to Clark, he said, "I'd be happy to do it."

Clark hesitated, then nodded and agreed, "All right."

"Good. I don't want to see you here again at least until morning," Bruce stated.

Alarmed, Clark exclaimed, "But, I was just going to be a few hours!"

Gripping the other man's shoulder, Bruce said, "You need some real sleep, Clark, to recharge your batteries. I promise that nothing will happen to Lex while you're gone. And if he wakes up, I'll page Dick and he'll bring you right back."

Dark eyebrows pinched together and wide green-blue eyes stared at him uncertainly as Clark thought it over. Bruce could see that the young man was tempted by the offer and also felt guilty for it. He squeezed Clark's shoulder again and urged, "Lex would want you to take care of yourself, Clark, there's nothing to feel guilty about."

"You'll call if anything happens," Clark said slowly.

"I promise."

After another indecisive moment, Clark nodded and agreed, "All right. But I'll be back early."

Bruce smiled briefly. "Perfect. I'll see you then. And Dick? Stay out of trouble."

Dick grinned broadly and invited impudently, "Come on, Clark, let's go see what Bruce's car can do in the rain."

Bruce ignored the shot of alarm that ran through him, knowing that Dick was deliberately trying to provoke him. Besides which, Dick was almost as good a driver as he was. Still, he couldn't resist calling after them, "There are speed limits for a reason!"

He heard the laughter from Dick and caught the glimpse of a smile on Clark's face before shaking his head and walking towards the elevator.

* * * *

Dick proved to be an great guy, though Clark figured that what he was seeing was probably toned down for the occasion. Bruce's taste in cars was as understated as his taste in clothes, and Clark found himself being driven to the penthouse in a top of the line, black Mercedes.

"So you're a reporter?" Dick asked.

Clark nodded. "I'm still at MetU, but I've got a job at the Planet already."

"Wow. You must be good."

Shrugging, Clark answered, "Pretty good, I guess. My partner Lois is the driving force of the team though. You wouldn't believe the amount of dirt that she can find when she's got a mind to."

Dick snorted. "Bet I would."

"Turn down the next street, the tower's in the middle of the block," Clark instructed.

"Tower?"

"Yeah, Lex lives at the top of LexCorp."

"I thought Bruce was kidding when he said penthouse."

Shaking his head, Clark said, "It really is one. Took me forever to get used to going there to hang out with Lex."

"So you two don't live together?"

"No, but not because I don't want to," Clark answered sourly. "Lex is determined that I have as normal a college experience as possible, which means sharing a cramped dorm room with my friend Pete and doing laundry for five bucks a pop."

Dick chuckled and said, "Sounds pretty normal to me."

"There's the garage."

"Got it." Dick said, swinging easily into the underground facility. He took the key-card from Clark and held it up to the scanner. The gate pulled back smoothly and he pulled in. "Which spot?"

"Oh, damn. I forgot that Lex's car is still here," Clark said, rubbing his eyes tiredly. They were burning and all he wanted was bed and a shower, in that order.

"No problem. Just show me which spot is Lex's."

Clark pointed to the black Porsche in the corner by the elevator.

"Piece of cake."

Before Clark could ask what he meant by the comment, Dick sped forward and swung the car around, screeching to a halt beside the Porsche. Clark just sat still for a couple of seconds, then turned disbelieving eyes to the other man and demanded, "Are you trying to get yourself killed?"

Dick grinned and replied cheerfully, "Nope."

Eyes rolling, Clark opened the door and got out. He waited at the elevator for the other man, then swiped the key through the slot. It was only a few minutes later that the doors opened into the penthouse and he stepped hesitantly into the apartment, not sure what he would find. Everything was spotless, however, and the balcony doors had been replaced. It was as though nothing had ever happened, and that seemed so very wrong.

"You okay?"

Clark looked at Dick and nodded. "Fine. Help yourself to whatever you want."

"Sure. Thanks."

It was moments later that Clark collapsed on Lex's bed, face down in the pillow his lover used. He could still smell a faint trace of the other man and breathed it in. In the silence that lacked the hospital noises he'd grown used to, Clark slowly relaxed into sleep.

* * * *

The graveyard was endless but at least this time, thankfully, the rain was only of water. Lex shivered, cold, wet, and clammy, as he stumbled through the forest of headstones. Some of the names looked familiar, but only in a vague way. He pushed on, trying to find the way out, but sensing that this was it.

Was he dead? If so, why the vision of his bringing ruin to the world? And why haunt a graveyard? Lex would be more original than that; like haunting Lucas' jail cell, or his father's mansion.

Where was Whoopi Goldberg when you needed her?

A name caught his attention and Lex stopped short in shock. Jonathan Kent. No! Jonathan was alive! Directly beside it was Martha Kent, then Chloe Sullivan, Pete Ross and Lana Lang. Lex suddenly realized that he was somehow seeing Clark's vision, the one that he'd shared with Cassandra. How that was possible, Lex had no idea.

Something looked off with Lana's headstone, so he moved closer. His jaw dropped at the same time as his heart and he reread it: Lana Lang-Clark, Beloved Wife. Fearful of what was next, Lex reluctantly glanced at the headstone beside hers: Clark Kent, Beloved Husband and Son.

Agony ripped through him and Lex dropped to his knees, crawling through the mud to grip the cold stone and shout, "What do you want from me!? What!?"

There was no response and he collapsed to the ground, shivering and soaked to the bone.

* * * *

"Clark? Clark, you've got a visitor."

Coming reluctantly out of sleep's fast grip, Clark groaned and turned over, bringing the pillow with him. For a second, he couldn't place the voice, then remembered Dick. Clearing his throat, Clark called back, "Be right there."

Clark waited another minute, then heaved a sigh and rolled out of bed, aiming for the bathroom first. Once that was taken care of, he splashed some cold water on his face and ran a brush through his hair. He did actually look better than he had the night before, though that wasn't difficult to manage considering how exhausted he'd been.

When he reached the living room, he found his mother waiting. A smile surfaced and he hugged her tight for a long moment. "Mom, what are you doing here so early?"

Martha smiled up at him, cupped his face as she answered, "It's not that early when you're up at dawn, you know that, Clark."

"True," he agreed. "How's Dad and Elizabeth?"

"Fine, honey. We're worried about you, though," she replied.

He shrugged and headed for the kitchen. "I'm doing okay."

"Don't start lying to me now, young man."

Clark snorted and pulled open the fridge, looking things over before pulling out juice. Facing his mother, he asked, "What do you want me to say, Mom? That I'm terrified Lex is never going to wake up? Or maybe that I can't even function without him? Because that's the truth."

Pained at the confession, Martha took the juice from him and set it on the counter. "Clark, this is a difficult time, there's no doubt, but you have to believe that Lex is going to be fine."

"I just don't know, Mom," Clark said, voice breaking. "The doctors all say that the longer he's in the coma, the less chance there is he'll come out of it."

"Oh, honey, I…"

"Clark! We've got to motor, Bruce called and said that Lex is having some kind of seizure!" Dick exclaimed, bursting in on them.

Clark paled, but instantly followed him to the elevator at a run.

* * * *

Skidding to a halt outside Lex's room, Clark demanded harshly, "What happened?"

Bruce looked shaken as he replied, "He had some kind of seizure. The doctors were able to stabilize him but…"

"But what?" Clark exclaimed.

"There was talk of brain damage."

Clark staggered back as though physically struck, feeling very much adrift in nothing, as if his world had come to a crashing halt. Lex with brain damage was an impossibility, inconceivable. He was the smartest, sharpest man that Clark knew, and that included his own father and Mr. White.

"Clark!"

Raising his eyes to Bruce, he saw that Dr. Millson had joined them and asked weakly, "Brain damage?"

Dr. Millson answered, "We don't know. He's completely non-responsive now."

"Non-responsive? What does that mean?"

"There's no brain activity, Clark, we have him on life support."

Horror washed over him and Clark whispered, "But you said that his injuries were healing! How could this have happened?"

Dr. Millson shrugged helplessly. "I just don't know, I truly wish I did. The injuries that he received from the shooting are healing, better and faster than we could ever have expected as a matter of fact. But whatever pushed him into the coma is killing him, and we have no idea what that is."

"Can I sit with him?" Clark asked.

She nodded and agreed, "Please do. I'm not giving up, Clark, I want you to know that. I'm going to keep trying to figure out what's happening."

Clark entered the room and stopped short upon seeing all the life support equipment. Lex looked very small and fragile, hanging on by a thread. Pushing aside the despair, Clark crossed the room and sat beside the bed, again taking Lex's hand in his. "Lex, please, you have to come back, you have to fight this!"

* * * *

Bruce knew the man who stopped in front of him was a lawyer even before he opened his mouth.

"I'm looking for Mr. Clark Kent."

Shooting a quick warning glance to Dick, Bruce answered, "Why?"

"That's none of your business," the man said primly.

Leaning casually on the door, barring the man entrance, Bruce said, "I'm making it my business. If you want Clark Kent, you have to go through me."

Disdainful, the man demanded, "And who might you be?"

"Bruce Wayne."

That threw the man, but only for a moment. When he recovered, he said, "Very well, Mr. Wayne, I'm here as a representative for Mr. Lionel Luthor to inform Mr. Kent that he is to leave the premises. Mr. Luthor will be monitoring his son's condition very closely and is going to move him to a more advanced facility."

"What!?" Dick exclaimed. "He can't do that!"

Bruce gripped Dick's shoulder and said to the lawyer, "Mr. Luthor doesn't have a legal leg to stand on, and you can tell him so."

"He is his son's legal guardian."

"No, he isn't. Lex entrusted his Will to me and his legal guardian is Clark. I can have a copy made available for Mr. Luthor if he so wishes," Bruce informed the man.

The man nodded slowly and said, "I suggest that we have a conference, a viewing of the will, with Mr. Kent in attendance, to clear this matter up."

"Fine. How does noon sound?"

"Perfect. I'll inform Mr. Luthor."

Bruce watched the man leave and ached to wipe the self-satisfied smirk from the man's face. Restraining himself, Bruce turned to Dick and said, "I need you to retrieve my briefcase from the car."

Dick nodded and took off at a run.

* * * *

Clark fidgeted uneasily as he looked at Lionel across the mahogany table. Luthor Corp was eerily similar to LexCorp in its setup and it was making him very uncomfortable to realize that Lex had indeed inherited his tastes from his father. The other thing making him uncomfortable was the judge sitting at the head of the table. He knew that it wasn't a usual occurrence, or didn't think it was at least.

"Let's get started, shall we?" the judge suggested.

Turning his eyes to the television screen, Clark jumped slightly when Lex's face appeared.

Lex smiled and said, "Hi Clark. And if I'm not mistaken, Bruce and my Dad are also present. Glad you could all make it. I'll make this short and simple to create as little opportunity for my father to fk anything up. I, Alexander Luthor, being of sound mind and body, do hereby bequeath my entire estate to Clark Kent. Everything. All the money, every estate I have, LexCorp and its subsidiaries, stocks and bonds, you name it and it now belongs to Clark.

"My father and brother do not get anything from me, except my everlasting bitterness and enmity.

Pausing for a moment, Lex sighed and continued, "I know this is a lot to lay on you, Clark, and I'm sorry. There are no strings attached here. You can dissolve everything and donate it to charity if you want. I hope that you don't, just because I rather enjoy the thought that my name is on something after I'm gone, but it's completely up to you.

"Look to Bruce for any advice, business or otherwise, because he's all the resource that you'll ever need. And…you can trust him with everything, Clark. I promise that he won't let you down, and you know I always keep my word.

"Now. If for some reason I'm not actually dead while you're watching this, that's a relief. To any legal persons in the room, Clark Kent is to be the sole decision-maker concerning any medical treatment that I may need. I don't trust my father to do anything but look after his own interests, and we haven't had the same interests in a number of years. I repeat, Clark Kent is the only one I want looking after me. I trust him explicitly. If I'm a vegetable of some sort, which I pray that I'm not, well, I'll leave it up to Clark to decide when to let me go."

Lex stopped, looking thoughtful for a few seconds. He leaned forward and said, "Bruce, if my family gives Clark any trouble, I know you'll be there to help him out and I thank you. You're a great friend and I probably should have told you that before things got to this level, whatever that may be.

"Clark, I love you with all my heart and soul, and I'm so sorry for leaving you. I know we said forever, but not even someone as special as you can stop Death. You have to keep going because I know the world is better with you in it. I hope you realize the sacrifice I'm making in telling you that, because there's nothing I'd love more than to have you by my side in the next life as well.

"I guess that's it. Oh, one last thing. On my headstone, I'd really like it to read, Lex Luthor, beloved of Clark Kent. And no depressing wake and funeral, all right? Have a party and invite the world. Lots of loud music and a ton of alcohol. I was never one to do things quietly, as you all know.

"Good bye, my love. Be well."

* * * *

The lab was very familiar and Lex frowned as he maneuvered through the glass and metal corridor. He knew that he knew this place, but couldn't quite remember it. Men and women moved around him, not seeing him, involved in their research and discoveries. He drifted for a while, looking in the various labs and checking things out.

When Dr. Walden strode past, Lex's stomach dropped out and he rushed to catch up with the tall, lanky man. There was a wild glint to the man's eyes that didn't speak of more than a passing acquaintance with sanity.

He followed Walden into a lab and nearly passed out from horror and shock at finding Clark strapped to an examination table. He was pale and thin, as if he'd been in the facility for a long time. There was a green medallion hanging above Clark, only about three inches in diameter, but more than enough to keep him where he was.

"Good afternoon, Clark. And how are we feeling today?" Walden asked cheerfully.

Clark's eyes opened and Lex despaired at the lack of anything in their depths. His voice was even and steady as he replied, "Fine, doctor."

"Good, good. We'll continue with the regeneration tests today, how's that?"

"Fine, doctor."

Walden nodded and rolled a cart close to the exam table. It was littered with cutting instruments and Lex watched in horror and disbelief as the man picked up a scalpel and sliced along a vein in Clark's arm.

"Afternoon, Doctor."

Lex turned towards himself with dread. He stared as the other version of himself, impeccably dressed and emotionless, crossed to Clark and Walden. He was as his father had always wanted, Lex could see that right away; Alexander the Great, reincarnated.

"Good afternoon, Clark," Alexander greeted easily.

Clark stared at the ceiling, not answering, though his jaw flexed with repressed emotion.

A faint smile crossed Alexander's face and he said, "I just thought you'd like to know that Lana's finally moving on with her life. I've been…counseling her through her grief and helping her to look for any trace that you might be alive. Chloe was a little more difficult to throw off, but I managed to distract her. I understand that Pete might not make it to the end of the week. Such a pity that they couldn't find the hit and run driver."

Clark still refused to look at Alexander, but a single tear slipped from his eye.

Lex charged Alexander shouting, "You son of a bitch! How could you do this!?"

He passed right through Alexander and crashed into the wall. Spinning, breathing heavily and nauseous, Lex howled, "He trusted you! How could you do this!?"

There was, of course, no response. Alexander watched intently as Walden continued with his experimentation. He leaned close and whispered, in a mockery of love, into Clark's ear, "I said forever and I meant it, Clark. You'll never leave this lab and I'll be here, at your side, every day."

Lex slid down the wall, hitting the floor hard as he lost control and threw up.

* * * *

Bruce waited until after Clark and the judge had left the room to approach Lionel. The older man had always rubbed him the wrong way, as did all manipulating bastards, and he'd never made a pretense of liking him, not even for Lex's sake.

"Was there something you wanted, Bruce?" Lionel questioned mildly.

He stared at Lionel a moment longer, then answered, "As a matter of fact, there's something that I can do for you."

A smirk crossed Lionel's face as he said, "There's a first time for everything I suppose. What do you think you can do for me?"

"I can keep you alive, Lionel."

That got the older man's attention. "What are you talking about?"

"I'm very close to Lex," Bruce began, walking to the glass wall that revealed Metropolis in all its glory, even on such a dreary day. "He confided a number of things to me that have to do with the manner in which he preferred you to die."

Lionel joined him at the windows and said, "Is that so?"

"It is."

"And I suppose you're going to tell me this out of the goodness of your heart."

Bruce leaned close to the other man, and said intently, deliberately, "I know."

Startled, Lionel drew back, then gathered his composure like a cloak. "Know what?"

"I know where Lex is coming from and I'm thinking it might be best for Clark to let his plans go through," Bruce answered. He grinned suddenly, toying with Lionel. "You're scum, Lionel, and we both know it. The world would be better off without you."

Stiffly, Lionel asked, "Then why are we having this discussion?"

Bruce shrugged and leaned against the window, arms crossing over his chest as he said, seemingly out of the blue, "I've dealt with evil before, Lionel; real evil, not these pseudo imitations of yours. You're annoying, I'll grant you that, and destructive, no doubt. Real evil, though, that takes something you're not capable of doing, not yet anyhow. That's why I'm giving you this last chance."

"What chance?" Lionel gritted out.

"Leave Metropolis. Leave Lex and Clark alone. Don't ever contact either of them again. Call off whoever it is that you've hired to finish the job on Clark."

"And if I don't?"

Bruce grabbed Lionel's shirt and spun him around, slamming him face-first into the window, which shook with the force of the impact. Pinning the other man there with a painful grip on the back of his neck, Bruce hissed into Lionel's ear, "If you don't, then I'm going to give you a glimpse of the evil that I've seen. I can promise you that you will realize what an amateur you are. Do we understand each other?"

Lionel managed a laugh and he snapped, "Threatening to kill me isn't going to get me to do anything."

Pinching his hand tighter, Bruce whispered, "Who said anything about killing you? I said that I'd show you evil and that's what I'll do if you don't back off. Trust me on this Lionel, you don't want to see me lose control. Cities seem to explode when that happens."

Bruce released him so abruptly that Lionel staggered and almost fell. Brushing his suit smooth, he looked at the shaken man and said, mild and pleasant once more, "Think about it, but don't take too long. I grow impatient very easily."

He could feel Lionel's gaze on him the entire way out of the room.

* * * *

"Everything all right?" Clark asked when Bruce finally left the office.

Bruce nodded and smiled. "Just having a chat with Lionel to make sure we're on the same page."

Frowning, Clark questioned, "Same page?"

"Don't worry about it. Let's get back to the hospital."

Clark hesitated, looking back at the closed office door, then shrugged and fell into step with the older man. "Lex never said how you and he became friends."

Chuckling, Bruce said, "We met at a social function several years ago and were both bored to tears, which is never a good situation for either of us."

"Tell me about it. I worry most when Lex is bored," Clark agreed dryly.

"Pretty much. Anyhow, we started talking and just kind of clicked," Bruce explained.

"Really? That doesn't happen very often with Lex."

"I know. Of course, the fact that we were being held hostage at the time probably had a lot to do with it."

Clark stopped short. "Excuse me!?"

Bruce grinned and repeated, "Held hostage. You know, with guns and lots of menacing people running around."

"Uh, yeah. That's what I thought you meant," Clark said, shaking his head. "So what happened?"

"Batman showed up and saved the day."

"So this was in Gotham?"

"Right."

"Huh. Lex didn't tell me that he knew Batman."

"Well, it's not really something that you can work into a conversation."

Clark grinned back at him briefly and said, "True."

They had reached the garage by then and walked towards Bruce's car. He unlocked it and they climbed in. The drive back to the hospital was silent, each deep in thought. Bruce pulled up in front of the building and said, "I have some things that I need to take care of this afternoon, but if you need me, have Dick give me a call."

Clark nodded, hand on the doorknob, and said, "I really appreciate everything you've done for us, Bruce."

"Don't mention it."

"I mean it," Clark insisted. "I don't know what I'd have done if Lionel had succeeded in pushing me out, which he probably would have without you."

Bruce gripped his arm and said seriously, "Lionel's not going to bother you or Lex again, Clark. You have my word on it."

Clark frowned, sensing an undercurrent to the other man's voice. "What do you mean?"

"I mean that we came to an understanding and he's going to back off."

"For now."

"For good."

Staring into Bruce's eyes, Clark saw something of darkness staring back at him and shivered lightly. He had no doubt that Bruce was a good man, but there was something just a bit off about him at the moment. He hesitated, then said, "Thank you."

Bruce nodded. "You're welcome."

After another moment, Clark opened the door and got out, running to the door to avoid getting soaked. When he looked back at the street, Bruce's car was gone. Uneasy, Clark entered the hospital and went to the elevators. He'd been away from Lex far too long as it was.

* * * *

Martha grabbed Elizabeth before the girl went head over heals from the high chair in her eagerness to be free. Untangling their daughter, she said, "I don't know, Jonathan. I call him every day, but he sounds more and more distant. I'm worried."

Sighing, Jonathan picked up his plate and took Martha's while he was clearing. He walked into the kitchen and placed them in the sink, saying, "He's doing the best he can, Martha. All his attention is focused on Lex."

"I know that," Martha said, setting Elizabeth on the floor. She watched the toddler run straight for the toy box in the living room and open the heavy lid with a thought. She kept an eye on the mischievous child and continued, "But what if Lex doesn't come out of it? It's been eight days and no sign. We have to give Clark a reason to keep going."

Jonathan paled as he returned to sit beside his wife and asked, "You don't really think that Clark would…?"

"I don't know," she repeated.

The thought was abhorrent and Jonathan denied it firmly with, "No. No, he wouldn't do that."

Martha sighed and settled back in her chair. These were terrible thoughts, but they couldn't be wished away, they had to be faced. "Just go see him, please? For my peace of mind? I know he said that he doesn't want visitors, but maybe he needs them. He's there all by himself, despite Mr. Wayne. He needs his family, even if he doesn't know it."

"All right," Jonathan agreed. "I'll go tomorrow afternoon."

Smiling briefly, Martha reached for Jonathan's hand, their fingers twining together like the love that had buoyed them up through all the hard times. Though some were definitely harder than others.

* * * *

Clark yawned and rested his forehead against Lex's arm. The steady beeping and droning of the machinery was a rhythmic, almost soothing cadence and he was beyond exhausted. It was more than his body, it was his spirit that was falling deeper into despair. There'd been no sign from Lex that he was going to come out of the coma in the two days since Clark had seen his will. Two days that Lex had been relying on machines to live. Over a week since the shooting that had ripped their lives apart.

A familiar tread across the room warned him of his father's approach and a few seconds later, Jonathan's warm, strong hand descended on his shoulder.

"Son?"

Clark looked up at his father and forced a smile. "Dad, hi."

"How are you, Clark?" Jonathan asked with concern.

Shrugging, Clark answered, "About the same."

"I caught Dr. Millson in the hall, she told me about the seizures and…about the life support."

"Did she send you in here to encourage me to harvest his organs?" Clark asked bitterly.

Jonathan squeezed his shoulder. "You know better."

Sighing shakily, Clark apologized, "Sorry, Dad, it's just…it's only nine days since it happened and it's like they're vultures, you know?"

With a brief hesitation, Jonathan asked, "Have you thought about what happens if he doesn't come out of it? There's been no brain activity for over forty-eight hours. It might be time to start thinking about alternatives."

"There are no alternatives! He's still here, I can feel it!" Clark hissed angrily.

"Hey, easy Clark, I was just making a suggestion," Jonathan replied.

Clark shook his head and exclaimed, "You don't understand, Dad."

"So explain it to me."

"It's like," Clark hesitated. "Like I can feel him, hear him. It's almost like he's in trouble, but I can't reach him to save him. I won't let him go without a fight and if I have to be at his side for the next ten years, then that's what I'll do."

"Clark, son, you can't do that to yourself. Lex would hate it if you did that," Jonathan countered.

"Maybe I don't care."

"I think you do. I know Lex's opinion means the world to you and he would kick your butt if you did something like that."

Clark snorted softly, rubbing his eyes. "He probably would, but I can't just leave him like this."

"It's still early yet. Hopefully he'll come out of it soon," Jonathan said.

Bleak, Clark agreed, "Hopefully."

* * * *

The next that Lex was aware of anything, he was in darkness. There was nothing around him. No graveyard, no field of sunflowers, and thank God no lab. He wasn't sure where he went when he was unaware, but it felt a lot like sleep.

There was a faint light to his left, so he headed for it. Nothing else to do, really, and he was bored. Bored and lonely. He wanted to find Clark and get out of this bizarre place. Things gradually got lighter, but he was still nowhere. It was a lot like a corridor made of slate, with no apparent beginning or end.

For some reason, that made him nervous. Didn't those crackpots who claimed to have near death experiences say they went through a tunnel of some kind? He refused to believe that he was dead. There was still too much to do with his life, too much left to accomplish.

"And that will be your undoing."

Jumping in fright at the woman's voice, Lex spun towards her and stopped in shock. She was beautiful, ethereal, with white hair and the bluest, most soulful eyes of anyone that he'd ever met, save Clark.

"It will also be Kal-el's undoing."

Lex frowned. "Who's Kal-el?"

"My son. The one you profess to love."

"Clark?"

"Clark."

"You're the one who's been putting me through this hell, aren't you?" Lex demanded angrily. "What's that, a mother-in-law test or something?"

A delicate eyebrow arched at him and she replied, "If it was, you would have failed."

"How do you figure?"

"Because these were from your mind, Alexander. I did nothing save show them to you. These are your life's ambitions."

Lex drew back, aghast, and said, "You're wrong. There is no way that I would put Clark through anything like that!"

"No? Not even if he left you for someone else?" she questioned easily.

"He wouldn't," Lex replied with certainty.

"But what if he did?"

Pausing, Lex honestly thought the question over before answering, "Then I'd let him go."

"You would strike out in your bitterness. You would capture my son and use what you know of his weakness to keep him with you for always. You would do whatever it took to bring Kal-el low, including destroying those he loves."

"No! I wouldn't!" Lex exclaimed. "You sick bitch! I don't care who you say you are but you don't know me! No one does except Clark!"

Gently, inexorably, she said, "And you would do anything to keep that, wouldn't you!"

"No!"

"You would do whatever you had to, to have those feelings the rest of your life."

Lex put his hands over his ears, huddled in on himself as he whispered, "No!"

"I have seen your innermost desires, Alexander, and they run counterpoint to Kal-el's," she continued, her voice insinuating into his mind.

"My nightmares! All right!? You've seen my nightmares!" Lex shouted, finally breaking. He grabbed her by the shoulders and shook her. "Those are the things I fear most, not what I want most. That I'll surpass my father in his twisted need to rule the world and use Clark to do it. That I'll step over any and every line to accomplish it! I do need Clark, I need him like I need breathing because he's the only thing good in my life. I love him, do you understand? Love him more than life itself!"

Staring back at him compassionately, she whispered, "Then prove it. Give up your life for him. For I have seen the future, Alexander, and you become his greatest weakness and his truest enemy. If you leave him now, you can save his life, let him become the hero the world needs him to be."

Lex released her and shook his head. "I will never hurt him, never!"

"You will. It is simply your nature, Alexander, just like the scorpion."

Swallowing heavily, Lex wondered how she could know so much about him. "How are you even here? Clark said that you and his biological father were blown up with the planet."

She gave a faint shrug. "Part of us are with him always. We will make sure that he takes his rightful place and protect him from all who would harm him, even if they know not that that is what they are slated to do."

"Like me."

"Yes."

"I don't…I wouldn't…I love him," Lex whispered in agony. "I wouldn't hurt him, I wouldn't!"

"You will. It is as inevitable as the tide against the shore. I do not say that you will deliberately start out that way. As you well know, the descent into darkness is a slow, slow slide. You have enjoyed a reprieve, Alexander, this time with my son, and you know it. You must protect him from yourself."

Lex shivered at her matter-of-fact tone. "By killing myself."

She nodded and said, "All you have to do is walk towards that light and you will find peace."

Guess they weren't crackpots after all, Lex thought vaguely. "Will you tell Clark that I love him? That, that I don't want to leave him alone?"

She gave another nod and agreed, "Of course."

"Sorry about, you know, the shaking thing," Lex said with a sigh, glancing towards the brighter area of nothing. "It's been a bad purgatory."

A faint smile surfaced and she said, "All is forgiven."

"Hey, let me ask you something," Lex said suddenly.

"Yes?"

Somewhat wistful, Lex asked, "Do your people end up in the same place as mine after you die? Will I see him again for real?"

Cupping his face, she replied, "You will definitely see Kal-el again, Alexander."

He winced and said, "Please don't call me that. My name is Lex."

Smiling, she said, "Very well. Lex it is. I wish you the best."

Lex snorted. "Thanks. Not a great comfort considering where I'll probably wind up, but I appreciate the thought."

Knowing there was no other reason to stall, Lex sighed deeply and headed for the light. He would do anything for Clark, anything to protect him, even if it meant taking his own life.

* * * *

Alarms started going off, beeping and wailing and Clark jumped to his feet at the first one. Within seconds, the room was filled with medical personnel and he was shoved to the back of the room, a nurse keeping hold of him to make sure he didn't get in the way. "What's going on? What's happening?"

"I don't know, sir," she answered, compassionately. "Just let the doctors do their job."

Clark wanted nothing more than to push everyone away and scream at Lex not to leave him. Someone pulled the tube from Lex's throat and hope staggered through him when Lex started coughing violently. He didn't know what the doctors and nurses were saying, but their tones and voices were excited as they worked.

Then he heard Lex gasp out his name and nothing could keep him from his lover's side. Clark pushed everyone out of the way and took Lex's hand, bringing it to his lips, his eyes locked on Lex's blue eyes. They stayed just like that while Dr. Millson organized things around them. Clark drank in the sight of actually seeing Lex behind those beautiful slate-blue eyes.

Finally, Dr. Millson said, "I see you know Clark. How about telling me your name?"

Lex dragged his gaze from Clark to Dr. Millson and answered in a raspy voice, "Lex Luthor."

"And your age?"

"Twenty-eight."

"The year?"

"2008, I hope," Lex answered, anxious.

She smiled and nodded. "It is. We're going to run some tests to make sure there wasn't any permanent brain damage. Do you remember what happened to put you here?"

Lex frowned as he thought about it. "I was…shot? Yes, I was in the penthouse and someone shot in the balcony window. Clark…"

"Superman was in the neighborhood," Clark cut in. "He brought you here."

Understanding dawned and Lex said, "I must have been unconscious by then. All I remember is the shooting."

Dr. Millson smiled. "Well, you certainly seem coherent to me, and that's an excellent sign after so long under."

"Under?"

Clark answered with, "You were in a coma for ten days, Lex."

"I'll leave you two to catch up," Dr. Millson said. "I'll be back in a little while to get those tests under way, Clark."

Nodding, Clark agreed, "Thank you, Dr. Millson, I appreciate everything."

"We both do," Lex added.

Then they were alone and Clark couldn't do anything except stare at Lex and hold his hand.

"You're looking a bit ragged there, babe," Lex whispered, holding up his other hand. "Come here."

Choking on emotion, Clark sat on the bed and folded carefully into Lex's arms, shaking. Lex's hand ranged up and down his back, the other still held tight in his grip. "God, Lex, you…I thought…please don't do this again, I can't take it."

"Ssh, it's okay," Lex murmured into his ear, tightening his hold.

Clark relaxed into Lex's embraced, listening to the steady beating of his heart and feeling the gentle exhalations into his hair.

"So I met your mom while I was in the coma."

Startled, Clark pulled back enough to meet Lex's bemused gaze. "Excuse me?"

Wry, Lex said, "Yeah, that's what I thought, too. I can't say that I enjoyed it, but it was definitely…memorable. She's almost as tricky with her wording as my dad, and that's saying something."

Clark frowned and was going to say something when he realized that he hadn't even kissed Lex since he'd woken. Afraid that he might hurt his lover, Clark moved closer and softly pressed their lips together. Lex hummed happily against his mouth, lips parting, and Clark slid his tongue in, reacquainting himself with Lex's taste and tongue.

A loud throat clearing cut them short and Clark glared at Dr. Millson, who was grinning. "Sorry to interrupt, but we really need to make sure that everything's kosher. I'll bring him right back, I promise."

"Can't I come?" Clark asked.

"No, I'm sorry," she answered.

Lex tugged at Clark's shirt and said, "It's all right, Clark, I'll be fine. Why don't you call your parents and let them know that I'm awake?"

Flushing, Clark agreed, "I should have thought of that. And I'll call Bruce, too, and everyone."

"Tell them not to bring the party here just yet," Dr. Millson warned with a smile. "I don't want Mr. Luthor getting tired out."

Lex grinned and suggested, "Call me Lex. You've probably seen about as much of me as Clark and I insist on a first name basis with those who have seen me nude."

"Lex!" Clark exclaimed.

Dr. Millson just laughed and confirmed, "Pretty close to it."

Clark stole another kiss before the orderlies came in with a gurney. Clark hovered anxiously as they moved Lex to it, then wheeled him out. He didn't move for a long moment, trying to take in everything that had happened, then forced himself to leave the room to make all the calls that needed to be made.

* * * *

Bruce silently pushed the door open, not sure what he might walk in on. It was well after midnight and the hospital was about as quiet as a busy hospital ever got. Looking inside, he was greeted by a very alert and awake Lex and sighed in relief, going in the rest of the way.

He was surprised by how small Clark appeared, curled up beside Lex on the narrow hospital bed. Clark was a pretty big guy, all told, but he seemed practically fragile lying in Lex's arms.

"Thought you might stop by tonight."

"You didn't wait up for me, I hope," Bruce questioned softly, frowning.

Shaking his head, Lex replied, "I'm just not tired. And you don't have to whisper because Clark is down for the count. I don't expect him to wake up for a couple of days."

Bruce returned the grin with a wry one of his own, sitting in the chair by the bed. "He slept at least once in the last four days, but that's all I can account for."

Brushing fingers through Clark's dark hair, Lex sighed and observed, "He is exhausted."

"How are you?" Bruce asked.

"Sore, but fine otherwise. The doctors can't explain it," Lex answered.

Eyeing his friend closely, Bruce stated, "But you can."

Lex hesitated then said, "Let's just say that I wouldn't wish my subconscious on anyone and leave it at that for now."

"I wish I could stay for a few more days, but…"

"Gotham needs you."

"Yeah."

Smiling, Lex said, "I understand, Bruce."

Of course he did, Bruce just wished that he didn't have to. Sighing, he said, "I took care of Lionel for you."

Lex arched an eyebrow at him. "Do tell."

Bruce's lips twitched and he said mildly, "I may have…lost my temper a little with him."

"I see." Lex grinned and asked, "Is he still in one piece?"

"For now."

"Ah."

"This doesn't please you?"

Lex shrugged. "I don't know. He tried to kill Clark, and he'll always be a threat."

Nodding slowly, Bruce admitted, "I thought that was what happened when I saw the bullets."

"What happened to them?" Lex demanded.

Clark protested wordlessly and Lex took a moment to soothe him back to sleep. Bruce watched the tender, protective manner and wished briefly that he had someone to share something like that with. When Lex looked at him again, Bruce answered, "The good news is that the bullets are safely stowed. The bad news is that the assassin who tried to kill Clark committed suicide, so your father's free again."

"Suicide with or without help?"

"I assume with."

"Naturally."

Bruce hesitated then said, "Are you going to take care of the problem?"

Instead of answering, Lex looked down at Clark for several long moments. Kissing the younger man's temple, he finally replied, "No."

"No?"

Lex sighed deeply, as if releasing some burden, and repeated, "No. Not in the way that you're thinking of, at least. I've left that way of life behind me, for good."

Relieved, Bruce said, "I'm glad."

"Thank you for all your help, Bruce, I really appreciate it," Lex said, holding out a hand.

Bruce took the hand, mindful of the IV still in the arm, and briefly thought back to the time when they'd almost been more than friends. It had been a bad idea at the time because they would have fed off of each other's darkness. Now that Lex had become the good man that Bruce had known he was capable of being, of course, he was unavailable. "That's what friends are for."

"How's Dick?" Lex asked suddenly.

Grinning, Bruce replied, "Cooling his heels in the car and probably swearing a blue streak. He's looking for some action after doing nothing for a few days, no doubt about it."

"Well, next month, I want you both to come out to Metropolis and we can have a real time together," Lex promised.

Bruce squeezed his hand and got to his feet. "It's a date."

"Better not be," Clark mumbled sleepily.

Sleepy green-blue eyes looked up at him and Bruce smiled. "Don't worry, Clark, I don't stand a chance."

Clark snuggled closer into Lex and sighed back into sleep.

Lex chuckled warmly. "Well, I thought he was down for the count."

"He is now, I'm sure."

"Try not to drive like a bat out of hell."

Bruce grinned and asked innocently, "Who, me?"

"Yeah, you."

They were silent for a moment, then Bruce finally released Lex's hand and said, "Take care, Lex. I'm glad that you're okay."

"Thanks, Bruce, for everything."

Bruce took a last look at them, then nodded abruptly and left. He wasn't needed there anymore; it was time to go back to where he was.

* * * *

Lionel hadn't expanded his family fortune into a multi-billion dollar industry without knowing how to assess risk and threat potential versus gain. He knew now that Bruce Wayne was a definite threat. Not just because of his industry and financial resources, but apparently because the other man was borderline psychotic as well.

It made him unpredictable and, therefore, dangerous. There was a definite possibility that the other man would follow through on his threat. Something that Lionel was entirely sure he didn't want to happen, whatever it encompassed. After some research, Lionel had discovered that there were no competitors in Gotham against Wayne Industries and he suspected, now, that he knew the reason why.

Aside from Wayne, there was Superman himself. Somehow, Kent had managed to get the hero's attention, which was fortunate since Superman had been the one to rescue Lex from the inept gunman's misfiring. If Superman was involved, though, getting at Kent would prove difficult. And Lionel had to get to Kent, if he were to reach Lex. It was a daunting consideration, there was no doubt about it.

Still, the gain to be had, was considerable. It was time to reassess the way he'd been going about things, since no real progress had been made. A more subtle approach was called for. It should be an action that would leave him in the clear, and still bring Lex to his knees, preferably contrite and willing before him.

If at first you don't succeed…