Friend or Foe?

By Lois Lane

For about a year now, there has been a vigilante patrolling the streets of Metropolis. Someone who is supposedly protecting those who can't protect themselves in the dark of night. The police are certainly busier than usual as criminals find themselves stopped in the middle of their crime and bound for the police, right at the crime scene.

No one has seen this vigilante, his identity remains a mystery, but the name Superman seems to grace the lips of those who work the night. The name Superman tumbles from the frantic and furious criminals who no longer have free reign over the city.

When asked, the Police Commissioner had no comment. Neither did anyone in an official capacity. One source at the Mayor's office, who asked to remain anonymous, said that sightings of Superman have become almost frequent in the back alleys of the city.

Despite that, no pictures have been snapped and drawings frequently conflict in their depictions. Is this a gang working in concert? Or a lone individual, masking his identities with disguises?

And if either is the case, then perhaps these deeds aren't as selfless as they appear.

* * * *

"Clark! Clark! Did you read this?" Pete exclaimed, waving a newspaper at his friend and roommate.

Groaning, Clark nodded and held up his own copy. "Yeah."

"Well?"

"Well what?"

"What're you going to do about it?"

Eyes rolling, Clark countered, "There's nothing I can do about it."

Pete sat beside him on the bed, frustration evident in his dark eyes and open face. "But she can't do this! All this time you've spent building up a rep as someone who helps people, she's going to tear it down like it's nothing!"

"I can't believe Chloe didn't give us a heads up about it," Clark complained.

"That would be because Chloe didn't know about it."

The two young men looked over at the acidic comment as Chloe stalked into the room. They both settled a little further back on the bed, keeping out of the furious woman's path.

Wearing into the floor as she paced, Chloe snapped, "That ass-kissing bitch! You know, everyone warned me. "Lois Lane will do anything for a story." I didn't believe them. Oh no. Poor little, naive, stupid Chloe! I actually thought that she wanted to be my friend! We went out to dinner the other week and she was all interested in the city; where to go, what places to avoid, how safe the streets were for a woman alone. I should have fucking known it!"

"Ah, Chloe...?"

"But no! I thought, being new to the city, she was just trying to find her way around," Chloe continued, as if Clark hadn't spoken. "I can't believe I fell for it! I'm such a stupid fucking reporter! Aced and scooped when I'm Superman's best friend!"

Pete tried this time with, "Chloe? Baby? I..."

"And if she thinks that she's going to get away with this, she can kiss my ass for real! There is no way that back-stabbing little cunt is going to worm her way into Perry's good graces when I've been there for years! No fucking way!"

Finally Chloe drew in a breath, shoving a hand through short golden hair and frowning at Clark and Pete. "Did you guys say something?"

"Nope."

"Not me."

"So anyhow," Chloe finished, sighed explosively. "I have a meeting with Perry in about an hour. I think I can convince him to let me work the Superman angle instead of Lois. Though how I'm going to do that, I still don't know. Maybe my interviews with Lex will help. They should! No one else can ever get him to say anything on the record!"

Clark's cell phone rang and he gratefully grabbed it from the night stand table. "Hello?"

"Did you read the paper yet?" Lex demanded.

Getting to his feet, he waved to his friends and went to the other side of the room for privacy. Chloe was still ranting, if more quietly, so he knew he wouldn't be heard. "Yeah. Chloe had no idea."

Voice tinged with worry, Lex asked, "How could she not know? She works there, Clark."

"Believe me. Chloe's more than a little pissed that she was ah, scooped out of the story by a newcomer," Clark reported. A warm chuckle echoed over the phone and Clark shivered as it ran right through him.

"I bet she is."

"She has a meeting with Perry in an hour so she's working off steam at the moment."

Another chuckle rippled through Lex's voice as he commented, "It's a good thing you're indestructible."

Clark snorted. "Pretty much. With luck, the interviews that you've given her will give her an edge on this Lane woman."

"I don't like leaving this to luck, Clark. You're too important for that."

A warmth that had nothing to do with his standard battles of lust surged through him at the statement and he said softly, "Thanks, Lex."

There was a pause, then Lex asked, "Are we still on for tonight?"

Clark had his own hesitation before answering, "Of course."

"Good, good. So, I'll pick you up at six?"

"Yeah. I'll um, I'll see you then. And I'll have an update from Chloe by then, too," Clark agreed, somewhat breathlessly.

"Oh Clark, there's just one thing."

"Yeah, Lex?"

"No flannel."

Laughing softly, Clark accused, "Snob."

"That's right. I'll see you tonight."

"Bye, Lex."

"Bye, Clark."

When he turned back to his friends, it was to find them looking at him in a combination of amusement and indulgence. Defensive, he exclaimed, "What!?"

Chloe put her arm over Pete's shoulder and sighed dramatically. "Our little Clark, going on his first big date. I couldn't be prouder."

Clark groaned and thought, Let the ragging begin. Again.

* * * *

Not even the unflattering Superman article could dampen Lex's good mood for long. Once he knew that Chloe was on the job, he settled back in his chair with an almost relaxed sigh. She was the most dogged person he knew, even counting Clark, and if anyone could get Perry White to bend in a direction he didn't ordinarily go, it was Chloe.

Tonight had been a long time coming and nothing was going to ruin it.

More nervous than he'd been in a very long time, Lex wondered in amazement that Clark had actually said yes. They were going out on a real date; not a friend-date, not hanging out, not best buddies, but a romantic date where kissing was very much allowed. Tingling a little at the thought of finding out just how Clark kissed, Lex turned on his computer.

His office doors opened and Lex stilled when he saw his father standing there. Lionel looked much as he had the previous year, which was the last time they'd seen each other. He was still elegantly dressed, whipcord thin, with wild hair and slightly wilder eyes than before. Shaking himself from his frozen position, Lex forced himself to lean back in his chair, steepling his fingers together in a gesture of nonchalance. "Father. What brings you back to Metropolis?"

Lionel crossed the spacious office, looking around and noting the subtle changes in decoration since his last visit. "I like what you've done with the place, Lex. It's so much more...homey. I'll bet that Martha sent that handmade piece, didn't she?"

"She did," Lex agreed. He had the absurd feeling that he should protect the cross-stitch sampler from his father before continuing, "Though I'm sure you're not here to talk about my decor."

"No, that's true."

Lex waited as Lionel settled himself in the plush, leather chair in front of his desk. "And the reason would be?"

Looking at him seriously, Lionel replied, "I want to reconcile with you."

Unable to stop the short burst of laughter, Lex just shook his head. "You are unbelievable."

"I'm dying, Lex."

Three little words to provoke such an overwhelming amount of emotions inside. Swallowing to keep everything firmly in place, Lex questioned, "What is it?"

"Cancer, and it's metasticized," Lionel reported, as if he were talking about a stock analysis. "The doctors claim that I have three to six months to live, depending on how well I take care of myself."

"There's not a treatment...?"

"None," Lionel confirmed.

Lex had no idea what to say, couldn't even form a rational thought as too many ran through him all at once.

"Are you going to say something?"

His eyes shifted back to his father's face and Lex said, "There's nothing left to say, is there? You're...dying. It takes you facing death to speak to me, which I find...actually, I'm not sure what it says to me, to be honest."

"Which you always try to be, these days."

Gaze narrowing at the older man, Lex said, "That's right. I'm actually hoping not to wind up in hell when I die, Dad, so I'm working on my penance now. But I don't think you've got enough time left."

Lionel half-smiled. "That's my boy. I must have done something right for you to be such a quick wit."

"I like to think I inherited it from Mom," Lex countered evenly. "What do you want from me? Do you want me to forgive you? Ask you back into my life? What?"

Standing, Lionel said, "I was hoping to start with dinner tonight."

Naturally. And not a chance in hell, Lex thought. "Tonight isn't possible."

"Is this where you tell me that you have to check your calendar and get back to me?" Lionel questioned archly.

Lex shook his head and answered, "Not at all. I'm free for lunch, if you want to meet tomorrow."

"Chateau Licalle?"

"Fine. I'll see you there at one."

With a faint nod, Lionel headed for the door, but once there, he paused and looked back. "You look good, Lex. Making an honest living must agree with you."

When the door closed behind his father, Lex sagged back into his chair, pinching the bridge of his nose as a migraine started throbbing. So much for nothing ruining his good mood.

* * * *

Clark had just finished slipping on his good shoes when there was a knock at the door. A glance at the clock showed that it was still ten minutes too early for it to be Lex. The other man was never early or late, but strictly on time. It was one of Clark's private vows to see if he couldn't change that someday by making him very late to something; preferably very late and mussed. Grabbing his glasses from the desk and sliding them on, he went to answer the door.

On the other side was a woman he'd never seen before. She was pretty with dark hair and eyes, maybe a few years older, was slender and had an air of determination and authority that he'd only ever seen on Chloe and Lex. A realization dawned and he greeted, "Ms. Lane?"

Startled, she nodded and looked him over sharply, holding out her hand. "Lois Lane. And you are?"

"Clark Kent," he answered, taking the hand. "How can I help you?"

"Chloe's roommate said that she'd probably be here since she wasn't in their room," Lois answered.

Clark grimaced and warned, "I really wouldn't try to see her right now, Ms. Lane. She's still very angry with you."

Lounging against the doorframe, Lois replied, "It was just business. She shouldn't take it personally."

With a snort, Clark stated, "Chloe takes things like that very personally."

"She's in the wrong business if she can't take being scooped."

Clark held up a hand. "That wasn't the problem. She thought you were trying to be her friend when you had dinner, but you were only pumping her for information. I'm afraid that you've made an enemy, Ms. Lane."

"Call me Lois, and I can handle it," she commented with certainty.

"I'm sure you can."

She half-grinned and observed, "You don't approve of how I scooped her."

Shrugging, Clark replied, "It's not for me to say. But reporting the truth doesn't mean you can dig it up in an unethical way."

"Ouch."

Looking at the clock showed that it was three before six, which meant the Lex was going to be coming around the corner at any moment. "Was there anything else?"

Arching an eyebrow at him, she questioned, "Going somewhere?"

"As a matter of fact, a friend and I have plans tonight," Clark stated.

"You know, I wasn't just pumping her for info," Lois offered. "I like Chloe. She's going to go far, I can tell."

"You shouldn't have gone about it the way you did," Clark said stubbornly.

She grinned slowly and observed, "I like you Clark. You're really…direct."

"He is, isn't he?"

Clark glanced beyond Lois to find Lex eyeing them with a trace of irritation, which really meant that he was pissed since Lex never let anything show. "Lex! Hi! This is Lois Lane. Lois, this is Lex…"

"Luthor, yes, I know," Lois finished for him, holding her hand out.

After a brief hesitation, Lex took it and greeted coolly, "Ms. Lane."

"Now I know how Chloe got all those interviews with you."

"Everyone uses their contacts to advantage, isn't that right, Ms. Lane? Although in Chloe's case, our mutual friendship with Clark had nothing to do with the interviews. She's simply the most persistent and talented journalist I know."

Clark sensed something else implied by the words, especially when Lois stiffened slightly, but couldn't quite figure it out. He hated this kind of thing. Why couldn't everyone just say what they meant? Stepping in before things could get nasty, which he had the strong suspicion that they rapidly could between Lois and Lex, Clark said, "I was thinking of applying at the Planet, myself."

"You were?"

"You are?"

Lex and Lois exchanged a look at their simultaneous exclamation, then focused on Clark, who abruptly realized that maybe he hadn't chosen the best tension breaker. "Um, yeah. I really admire Mr. White and his ethics, and I've been around Chloe long enough that finding out the truth of things has become pretty important to me."

With a fond grin, Lex pointed out, "The truth has always been important to you, Clark."

Grinning back, Clark agreed, "I guess. With my folks, it's kind of a forgone conclusion, isn't it?"

"True. If you'll excuse us, Ms. Lane, we have reservations."

Lois smirked a little at the dismissal. "Of course. It was really nice to meet you, Clark. Come on down to the Planet and I'll show you around."

Surprised at the offer, Clark answered, "Uh, sure. Thanks."

Lex smoothly took Clark's arm and led him past the bemused reporter, releasing him once they turned the corner.

Chuckling, Clark asked, "Should I hold still so you can mark your territory?"

The look Lex delivered was filled with heat as he murmured, "Later. Definitely."

Clearing his throat, Clark felt the flush run all the way through him and completely lost his train of thought. Remembering abruptly, he asked, "Uh, where are we going, anyhow?"

"I told you. It's a surprise," Lex teased, obviously enjoying him dumb-stricken.

Sighing, but not really disappointed, Clark gave in and just went along for the ride.

* * * *

The look on Clark's face as he took in the planetarium and took in the picnic was priceless and one Lex would treasure the rest of his life. It was delight, shy pleasure, gratitude, and excitement, all rolled into one stunning smile aimed at Lex. A smile that Lex knew he'd do anything to engender for the rest of his life. "Like it?"

"Oh, Lex," Clark breathed, staring up at the swirling night sky on the domed ceiling. "You even have to ask?"

"No, I guess I don't," Lex said, thrilled with his success. He was suddenly wrapped in a tight hug and, after a startled moment, put his arms around Clark's waist, holding tight. "I'm glad you like it."

Clark drew back, staring down at him with hypnotic eyes as he whispered, "I love it."

To kiss, or not to kiss? That was indeed the driving question. Thinking perhaps that it was too soon, and Lex was nothing, if not patient when he wanted something, he slowly pulled himself from Clark's arms. He retained a hand, twining their fingers together to lead his friend to the blanket in the center of the floor. "Come on. Let's eat. I heard your stomach rumble at least twice on the drive over."

With a quasi-embarrassed look, Clark said, "I was saving my appetite since I figured that food was involved."

Chuckling, Lex observed, "With your metabolism, I doubt the sacrifice was necessary."

Clark snorted and they sat on the blanket, losing the connection of their hands on the way down.

The next hour was filled with friendly banter and teasing touches that could be interpreted as innocent or not, depending on which mind Lex was of. He wasn't sure which he preferred to think; that Clark was deliberately trying to drive him crazy, or was too innocent to know his affect. Or perhaps an intriguing mixture of both?

"So what did Chloe say about her discussion with Perry?" Lex asked when the last of the desert was a wreck on the plates.

Clark groaned and unexpectedly stretched out, putting his head on Lex's thigh as he answered, "If she can show Mr. White that Superman is real, offer some kind of proof, and find out what his 'motive' is, then the column's hers. Unfortunately, Lois got the same deal."

"That was smart of him," Lex commented. He hesitantly ran his fingers through Clark's hair and, when he received no objection, enjoyed the soft locks that tangled gently around his fingers.

Clark frowned. "What do you mean?"

"Now he's got two ace reporters competing for the same column. Don't think of it as anything less than a do or die situation, Clark. If Chloe doesn't get this, then she'll be gone."

Worry crossed Clark's face as he asked, "But doesn't her time there count at all? I thought Mr. White was a fair man."

"He's being extremely fair," Lex assured him. "After all, they've got the same opportunity to win. It's a cutthroat business, Clark. And were you serious about applying at the Planet, or was that just an attention grabber to keep me from killing Lane?"

Wry amusement surfaced and Clark stated, "A little of both. But now, I'm not so sure that I'll actually do it."

Shrugging, Lex said, "Chloe and Lane are investigative reporters, Clark, it's not always like that in other departments."

"But that's what I would want to do," Clark said, sighing.

"Then do it and dam the torpedoes, because I know you can."

"Really?"

Lex smiled at the surprise on his friend's face. "Yes, really. Clark, you're smart, curious, a great writer, and stubborn as hell. All admirable traits in a journalist."

Settling back thoughtfully, Clark pondered his statement for a few minutes.

Lex was content to let him do so, enjoying the play of the internal battle Clark was waging. He knew, of course, that Clark would go for it. There wasn't anything that Clark couldn't do once he'd put his mind to it, and it wasn't because of his powers. It was because he'd been raised to believe in himself and his abilities. To be confident, without being arrogant. It was one of his many very attractive qualities.

"So what happened today that got you so upset?"

It was Lex's turn to be startled and for a couple of seconds, he didn't answer. "Excuse me?"

Clark reached up and took his hand, playing lightly with it as he repeated, "What upset you today? When you first appeared in the dorm tonight, you looked like something major had happened. I could tell that it wasn't just me talking to a pretty girl."

Lex snorted at the gentle teasing, then sighed. He should have known that Clark would notice. "My father came by to see me today."

For several long moments, Clark froze completely. "Were you planning on telling me?"

Lex almost shivered at the dangerously controlled tone of voice, but managed not to. One thing he'd found over the last year, was that any mention of Lionel Luthor brought out Clark's otherwise hidden dark side. He wasn't sure if it was because his friend was just really overprotective of him, or if Lionel's deeds were so abhorrent to Clark that he couldn't stand not being able to put him in jail, like the other criminals he'd caught.

Lionel's crimes weren't as black and white as your average killer, rapist, thief, or assailant, after all. Finally, Lex answered, "I was hoping not to ruin our date by mentioning it, but yes, I was going to tell you."

With a long, deep exhalation, Clark closed his eyes and apologized, "I'm sorry. I just…it's Lionel."

Leaning forward, Lex kissed Clark's forehead. "I know."

A slow smile curved Clark's lips as he murmured, "You missed. My lips are a little lower than that."

Chuckling softly, Lex took the invitation and lightly kissed Clark on the mouth. Clark sighed in apparent enjoyment and opened his mouth further. Delving deep, but keeping control of himself, Lex tasted his best friend and found himself craving more. Suddenly, Lex was flat on his back without being aware that they'd moved, and Clark was perched atop him, grinning wickedly.

Swallowing against a very dry throat, Lex whispered, "You've got me, now what're you going to do with me?"

"I think that I'm going to take my time enjoying you," Clark whispered back.

Lex moaned, "Oh, God." just before Clark's mouth descended on his.

It was by far the best kiss Lex had been subject to in his life. It was sweet and insistent, hot but tender, demanding yet fulfilling all at once. Hot shivers racked his body as Clark's hips pressed their groins together and he could feel the hard length of his friend. Gasping, his mouth opened for deeper exploration and Lex succumbed to the desire, both his and Clark's.

One minute his tonsils were getting really well acquainted with Clark's tongue, and the next there was a loud ricochet shattering their passionate haze. Clark covered Lex completely, protecting him from what Lex understood dumbly to be automatic gunfire. Though he grunted at the impact, Clark didn't otherwise make any noise and Lex was too buried by his friend to see the look on his face or what was happening. Then he was alone with Clark nowhere in sight.

Shaken by the violent end of their date, Lex took in the shattered crockery and bullet-ridden chairs and felt nauseous.

* * * *

Clark sped after the man who'd tried to kill them with a single-minded focus that could have only one possible outcome. It was about two minutes after the assassination attempt that he tackled the man, sending the weapon flying down the hall. Terrified dark eyes stared at him as he demanded, "Who hired you!? Who wants to kill Lex!?"

"You should be dead, you should be dead!" the man exclaimed hysterically, struggling violently to get away.

Seeing that there was no way he'd get any answers from the man the way he was, Clark knocked him out just as cops came tearing down the hall. Everything was chaos as handcuffs were locked around Clark's wrists and the unconscious assassin. Even though he tried to explain what was happening, no one would listen.

"Release him!" Lex snapped from outside his line of sight. "That's the man who saved my life!"

Clark's eyes locked gratefully on his friend storming towards him. He was surrounded by police and planetarium officials from the look of it. Within a few moments, Clark was uncuffed and he joined Lex, looking him over carefully as he demanded anxiously, "Are you all right? You weren't hurt?"

Shaking his head, Lex held out his coat, meeting Clark's eyes urgently.

Oh crap! My shirt! Clark thought quickly, remembering that it had been torn to shreds protecting Lex from the bullets. He slid into the jacket, hiding the ripped ruins from view. "Thanks."

Lex gripped his shoulder briefly and replied, "I should be thanking you, Clark. You thought quickly, throwing me behind the chairs like that. It's a good thing he's not a very good shot."

Clark took the hint and nodded, holding his jacket tighter. "Seems to think he was, though. Kept saying that he hit me and I should be dead."

"It's Kent, right? Clark Kent?"

Looking over at the new, commanding voice, Clark saw an intense young man in his early thirties, with pale hair and eyes staring at him. Nodding, Clark confirmed, "That's me."

"You're lucky to be alive, Mr. Kent," the young man stated, almost angrily. "The next time you want to play hero by running after an armed assailant, don't."

Trying his best to look chastened, Clark hung his head and agreed, "I won't. I just didn't think anyone would get here in time to catch him, Detective…?"

"Wilshire. Detective Ryan Wilshire," the man said, accepting the hand that Clark offered.

Somewhat impatiently, Lex asked, "Can we go, Detective?"

"Just as soon as I take your statements, Mr. Luthor."

"I really would rather get Clark home, Detective Wilshire. Can't we come by the precinct tomorrow to give them?" Lex countered.

Wilshire shook his head. "It's better just to get it out of the way now. When things are fresh."

"It's all right, Lex, I'm fine. The detective's just doing his job," Clark hastily assured him.

Glowering, Lex subsided, arms crossed over his chest as he waited.

* * * *

Lex noticed that Clark didn't protest going back to the penthouse instead of the dorm. They'd been stuck answering questions from the annoyingly intuitive detective for almost an hour. During that time, with each lie uttered, Clark had withdrawn, worrying Lex as he did so.

Finally, unable to see Clark so miserable, Lex had said in a voice that no one had yet dared to argue with, "I'm taking Clark home. If you have any questions, call me."

Wilshire had eyed them both speculatively, but nodded and let them go.

Now, on the elevator ride to his suite, Lex watched his friend carefully and didn't like what he saw. Clark was staring at the floor, obviously lost in thought, and not paying any attention to his surroundings. Though Lex had no doubt that if he were again threatened, that Clark would react with anything less than instantaneous reflexes.

Prodding Clark out of the elevator and into the apartment, Lex aimed for the nearest sofa and pushed his friend onto it. Then he mixed a rum and coke, the only alcoholic drink that Clark would accept, and pushed it into Clark's hand with the order, "Drink it."

Clark never got drunk that Lex could tell, but he did get buzzed pretty quickly. Hopefully, it would be even faster with the mostly rum drink Lex had fixed. Clark downed the drink in three long gulps then shuddered and thrust the glass back at Lex, who put it uncaring on the coffee table.

"Clark, you're starting to scare me here," Lex said quietly, joining Clark on the sofa. "Are you all right? Did the man have some kind of meteor fragment on him?"

Startled out of his stupor, Clark shook his head and replied, "No! No, I'm just…if I hadn't been there, you'd be dead, Lex."

Oh. Yeah. That was something that Lex hadn't let himself dwell on yet. Keeping his voice gentle, Lex said, "Yeah, I know. But you were there, and I'm fine, Clark."

Clark gripped his face and pulled him in for a long, desperate kiss, pushing Lex down on the couch. Tasting like a mix of sweet rum and chocolate, Clark was a heady mixture that Lex could easily get drunk on. But the frantic need with which he was being kissed wasn't a good thing and Lex knew it. He had to get Clark back on an even keel before they went any further.

Craning his head back, out of reach, Lex held Clark's shoulders to keep the other man from following, though he knew if Clark really wanted to, there was nothing he could do to stop the other man.

Fortunately, even in his current state, Clark didn't use his strength to unfair advantage and reluctantly opened his eyes. "What?"

"Not like this, Clark, please," Lex whispered, keeping his eyes locked on Clark's. He wanted their first time together to be more than a hurried coupling, more than a fear-based response to a life and death situation.

For a long moment, Clark obviously didn't understand what he was saying, or why he was saying it. Then he collapsed against Lex, burying his face into Lex's shoulder and saying, muffled, "I can't lose you, Lex, I just can't. Please, don't ever leave me."

Lex wrapped his arms around Clark with a faint feeling of despair. He suspected that Clark was far more long-lived than he, and would most likely face a long portion of his life without the people who loved him. Lex comforted his friend with the lie, "I won't, Clark, I promise. Nothing will keep us apart."

And it seemed to be enough, at least for the time being, because Clark stopped shaking and cuddled closer with a deep sigh.

* * * *

Tracing his fingers over the bare chest beneath him, Clark looked up at Lex and asked softly, "Did I ever tell you about what Cassandra showed me?"

Lex shook his head. "No."

"I was in an endless graveyard at night, in the pouring rain. Everyone I loved had a headstone and I was in the middle of the circle they formed. Mom, Dad, Pete, Chloe, Lana…everyone but you. I've often wondered what that meant," Clark finished.

"What do you think it means?"

Half-smiling, Clark said, "I know what I hope it means, but I really have no idea."

"What's that?"

"That you'll always be with me, even long after everyone else I love has, has died."

Lex sighed deeply and whispered, "I hope that's true, too, Clark. I really do."

"But you don't think it is."

"I don't see how. I'm every bit as human as everyone else on the planet, present company excluded, of course."

Smiling a little at the teasing, Clark leaned up and kissed Lex briefly, savoring the short contact before he said, "I know, but why wouldn't I have seen your grave as well?"

Lex shrugged. "It's impossible to say."

With a sigh, Clark rested his cheek to Lex's firm chest again, enjoying the warm contact. They'd tacitly agreed not to do anything more than kissing, but Clark had had to see that Lex was all right. So Lex had taken off his shirt and they'd settled back on the couch just to hold and be held. Somehow, with his friend's arms surrounding him, Clark was sure that he'd gotten the better part of the deal. "I should get back to the dorm. I'm sure our little adventure was on the news and Chloe and Pete will be worried."

"Just call them," Lex advised. "You don't have to go back yet."

Regretful, Clark said, "I really do. I've got an early class tomorrow."

Making a displeased noise, Lex nonetheless released him when Clark made a move to get up. He grinned at the near-pout on Lex's face and teased, "If I only had a camera."

Eyes rolling, Lex also got to his feet. "Funny, Clark."

"I thought so," Clark agreed.

Lex put his arm around Clark's waist as they walked to the elevator, drawing Clark in for a long, sweet kiss once there. When he pulled back, he said, "Thank you, Clark. I had a wonderful time tonight."

"Other than the assassination attempt?"

"Well yes, other than that," Lex allowed wryly.

Grinning, Clark snatched another kiss as the doors opened and said, "I'll call you tomorrow."

"You better."

* * * *

Clark spent the first half-hour being grilled by Chloe when he set foot in the doorway. When she raced off to write her exclusive, which Clark wasn't thrilled about but understood was necessary, he collapsed on the bed.

"You know what?" Pete asked from his bed across the room.

Clark didn't even open his eyes. "What?"

"You're the only person I know who can go on a first date and wind up with someone trying to kill their date."

Groaning, Clark agreed, "Tell me about it. I really don't want to know what the police are going to get out of that man. He knows that he hit me."

"He's a psycho killer, how much stock can they put in his story?"

Feeling a little grim, Clark pointed out, "If I'm always in 'the right place at the right time,' someone is going to get suspicious. I've saved Lex's life four times now. Someone's going to put it together."

"Not when Chloe gets through with you."

His mood lightened a bit at the comment, knowing that was true. He snorted thinking that he had his own personal spin doctor in Chloe, only she was trying to discredit his heroism instead of inflate it. The smaller role she managed to inflict on him, the better.

After a short silence, Pete asked, "Are you patrolling tonight?"

"I think Superman's taking tonight off," Clark answered. "I have class in about four hours and need to get at least a little sleep."

"I told you not to take a seven am class. That was just poor planning on your part."

Clark reached to the floor and grabbed his shoe, tossing it accurately at his roommate.

"Ow! Hey!"

Grinning, Clark turned over and snuggled under the blankets, wishing it was Lex's warmth surrounding him instead.

* * * *

"There is no margin for error."

"No mistakes will be made, sir."

"If there are, your life is forfeit."

"I understand."

"Very well. Do it."

* * * *

"Hey, Clark! Hold up!"

Surprised by the hail, Clark turned to find Lois Lane jogging towards him. She was dressed as smartly as the previous day, and came to an easy stop beside him, dark eyes grinning up at him. "Hey, Lois. I don't know where Chloe is."

She waved it off and said, "I'm here to make sure you're really in one piece. I heard about the attempt on Luthor's life last night."

Again surprised, Clark replied, "I'm fine. Uh, thanks for asking, though."

"No problem. Couldn't let a future ace reporter think his future coworkers didn't care for him now, could I?"

Frowning a bit, remembering how she had used her friendly manner to slip under Chloe's radar, Clark replied, "I guess not?"

Lois gazed at him for a long, silent moment then asked, "I totally ruined any chance at friendship between us, didn't I? With what I did to Chloe?"

Awkward, Clark admitted, "I don't know. I do know that I don't trust you."

Lois sighed. "Figures. Look, Clark, I really am sorry. I've even apologized to Chloe, though I almost lost my life doing so."

"She told me."

"And that means nothing, right?"

"No. It means that you want to get into my good graces for some reason and figured the quickest way to do it, was to apologize to Chloe."

"Cripes," Lois muttered, running a hand through her hair. "You're one tough cookie, Kent."

Grinning unexpectedly, he suggested, "Blame it on extended exposure to Lex."

She laughed, a sweet sound, and said, "That would do it. Can we start over? I'd really like to, Clark."

After a brief hesitation where he tried to figure out her sincerity, Clark nodded. "Sure. Sounds good."

"Great! Let me take you to lunch and you can ask me all about being a reporter."

* * * *

Lex strode through the crowded restaurant lobby towards the table the maitre' d had pointed out to him, his stomach clenched and flooded with an acid that didn't bode well for any food he ate. He should have done as Clark suggested and taken an antacid before coming. He stopped at the table and greeted, "Father."

"Lex," Lionel replied, motioning for him to sit.

Wondering if maybe he shouldn't just turn right around, Lex reluctantly took the seat.

"I've taken the liberty of ordering already," Lionel said. "I hope that's all right?"

Lex shrugged. "It's fine."

What followed then was an excruciating lunch filled with neutral topics and surface chatter. Lex found himself praying that the interminable hour would end. Though he knew that some illnesses didn't really show until the very end, Lionel seemed remarkably healthy. Lex toyed with the thought of stealing access to his father's medical records, then dismissed it.

Lionel stopped talking abruptly, then continued, "You don't seem very pleased to be here."

"I'm just trying to figure out why you're really here," Lex admitted, feeling good at the first bit of honesty so far between them.

"I told you."

"I know you did. I don't believe you."

With a faint sigh, Lionel said, "I guess I deserve that considering how I've treated you in the past. But Lex, I've never made any secret that this rift between us was on you. I've always wanted you by my side and for a few, short years, you were."

Lex nodded and agreed slowly, "Yes, I was. And it almost killed me."

"There's not enough time for me to make up for what you perceive to be errors on my part," Lionel stated.

Eyebrows raised, Lex repeated, "What I perceive?"

"I'm a hard man, Lex, as was my father. I raised you the best I knew how so that you could make your mark on the world. So you could rule it," Lionel exclaimed softly, leaning forward.

Shaking his head, Lex countered, just as quiet, "No one can, Father, that's the lesson you haven't yet learned. There's only the illusion of it before your Senators assassinate you, drawn together by their mutual hatred of you."

Lionel snorted, resting back in his chair. "If it's a history lesson you want, I suggest that you remember those who tried to do good and were often killed for the effort."

"You still don't get it, do you?"

"Get what?"

Lex half smiled at his father's impatient tone and explained, "I don't want your legacy, Dad, I never did. Any mark that I leave on this world will be my own, not a copy or continuation of yours."

"Nonsense. You're my only heir. You'll continue my legacy whether you want to or not."

"What about Lucas?"

Glancing away from Lex, Lionel replied, "Lucas is not in my life."

"What? No reconciliation with the other scion?"

"Very funny, Lex. You know better than that."

Lex shrugged. "Afraid that he won't wait for you to die? You know, I'm really rather surprised that you don't change your will to name Lucas. He's so much like you, despite the influence that Clark and I tried to wield over him. There's a lot of bitterness and rage in him that reminds me of you."

Lionel frowned and said, "I have no idea what you're talking about."

Leaning on the table, Lex observed, "You never got over the fact that you couldn't rule the world. Or that I am my own man. Or that Mother died. Or that no matter what you do, you can't seem to reach any of your real goals. You might not show it, but you're the most bitter person that I know."

"Get out."

Lex eyed his father at the sibilant hiss then got to his feet. Once there, however, he paused and said simply, "I'm sorry that I couldn't be the son you wanted. And I wish that you'd been the father that I'd needed. Good bye, father, I wish you the best."

* * * *

Clark stared intently at the package his mother had sent him months ago. The door was locked, so he didn't have to worry about anyone walking in, not even Pete. He looked again at the note that she'd attached, even though he had it memorized.

Clark,

For when you're ready to take your rightful place in the world.

Love,

Mom

It was a costume made from material that he'd found at the ice palace the previous year. Shortly after Lex had returned to his life, Clark had been called to crystals buried in the storm cellar. He'd flown where they willed him to go and wound up in Antarctica. Finding nothing, he'd thrown the crystals from him in frustration. Then the earth had shaken, ice had cracked louder than fireworks, and an impossible structure had arisen.

Inside had been more than he could possibly want to know about his world and his parents, as well as his abilities, all in the form of some kind of holographic encyclopedia. He hadn't told anyone about it, not his parents or Lex, but had given his mother the blue and red fabric he'd discovered there.

From it, she had made the costume that he took out every so often to stare at, wondering if he had the nerve to put it on. Clark knew that it would fit, his mother knew him too well for it not to. But doing so would mean that he was going to 'come out,' as it were. That he'd let himself be seen and actively draw attention to himself instead of keeping his good deeds limited to those who wouldn't be able to describe him.

Putting it on meant that he'd accepted the destiny that someone else had decided for him.

Clark wasn't really ready to do that, to let being Superman rule his life the way he knew that it would. To bring those barriers between himself and the rest of the world as he had growing up. He knew the fear and awe that Batman held for the populace, the pedestal that Wonder Woman was placed on, and the almost mystic way people viewed their superheroes worldwide.

Everything inside was screaming that he was just Clark Kent, just someone who was trying to do what was right, not a demi-God above everyone else as his biological parents had intended.

There was a thump at the door and a muffled curse from Pete bumping into the unexpected blockade. "Clark?"

Within a few seconds, Clark had wrapped the suit and cape up, replacing them under his bed and rushing to the door to let Pete in. "Sorry. I was, uh, busy."

Pete eyed him skeptically. "Obviously. Missed you in chem earlier. Something up?"

Shaking his head, Clark returned to his bed and answered, "No. Just didn't feel like going."

"Right. Clark Kent playing hooky. There isn't any red stuff around, is there?" Pete demanded.

Defensive, Clark got to his feet and exclaimed, "Is there a law that says I can't just take some time for myself? Jeeze! I'm not some android, you know!"

"Clark, hey, I'm sorry man!"

But Clark was already out the door, ignoring Pete's worried call as he ran down the hall, at normal speed considering the amount of students milling around. Once outside, he headed for the overpass.

* * * *

Still a bit shaken from the encounter with his father, Lex was toying with the idea of having a drink in the middle of the day. Used to be that there would be no hesitation. Used to be that he didn't have to worry about Clark's disappointment, either.

The phone rang, interrupting his morose thoughts, and he took a moment to look at the caller ID. Lex frowned when Pete's name showed. Pete never called him unless something was wrong with Clark. Picking up immediately, he asked, "What's wrong?"

"I don't know," Pete answered. "Clark just flipped out on me and took off."

Careful to keep his voice and his emotions in check, and could this day get any worse, Lex questioned, "Flipped out, how? I need details, Pete."

"I just asked him why he skipped class and he exploded on me like Vesuvius. Said something about not being an android and taking time for himself," Pete explained.

Uh oh. It was the Destiny thing, again, Lex was sure of it. "I'm on it, Pete. I know where he is."

Relieved, Pete said, "Great, because I'm really worried. He looked…raw…you know?"

Completely able to imagine what had been running through Clark's mind before his outburst, Lex agreed, "I do. Don't worry, I'll get him and have him back in a couple of hours."

"Thanks, Lex."

Lex almost smiled as he hung up. Pete had been the very last person to accept Lex and his place in Clark's life. Now he was the first person that Pete called when something went wrong. It was gratifying. Touching the intercom, Lex said, "Please cancel my afternoon appointments. There's been an emergency."

"Yes, Mr. Luthor. Should I reschedule?"

"No, I'll take care of that personally when I come in tomorrow," Lex assured his assistant. "You might as well take the rest of the day off, unless you've got something pressing to finish."

"Thank you, sir."

"You're welcome."

Getting to his feet, Lex closed down his computer then grabbed his coat and keys, heading for the elevator. He nodded pleasantly to the young woman at the desk outside his office and she smiled back. Having adopted Clark's personal policy of being polite and kind, at least as often as he could rein in his impatience, had yielded unexpected benefits. He'd discovered that his employees honestly cared about him as their boss now and put in as much hard work as they could.

Clark was probably right about being good as its own reward, but Lex wasn't above enjoying the fringe benefits.

He reached the garage in short order and aimed directly for the sleek BMW in his spot. When he slipped the key into the lock, Lex was grabbed from behind, a cloth covering his mouth. He struggled violently, trying not to breathe in what was surely chloroform, but it was a losing battle since more than one person was holding him steady. When darkness fell, Lex prayed that Clark didn't take his death too hard.

* * * *

"Where the hell have you been!?"

Clark had counted on getting pounced on by Pete at his behavior, but being waylaid by Lois Lane on his way across the quad was completely unexpected. He just looked at her for a second, then answered, "Out. Why?"

"Lex was kidnapped from his garage at LexCorp about an hour ago," she announced.

The world faded, though he vaguely heard Lois calling his name, like she was very far away. When he recovered, he discovered Lois looking down at him with outright worry and wondered how she'd gotten so tall. Then he realized that he was flat on his back, that he'd fainted.

Well. There really was a first time for everything.

Shaking off the horror and panic trying to consume him, Clark got to his feet with Lois' help and asked, "What happened?"

"Friend of mine on the force said the security guard was assaulted, knocked out. When he came to and reported it, they went over the tapes and found three guys in masks subduing Lex," she reported, striding towards her car.

Clark fell into step beside her and demanded, "Has there been a ransom call?"

"Nothing yet. They've got his penthouse and offices already bugged and are waiting for it," she answered. "Though from what my source said, it doesn't look like that kind of hit."

Frowning, Clark asked, "How can he tell?"

Lois shrugged and unlocked the passenger's side. "Cop's instinct, I guess."

He grabbed the door for support as she peeled away from the curb. He knew from the direction she was taking, that she was heading for LexCorp, but asked anyhow, "Where are we going?"

"LexCorp. If you can get me in, I can go over the garage and see if there's anything they missed."

Pushing his glasses up and trying to seem as unassuming as possible, Clark agreed, "I can probably do that."

* * * *

"Lane. What are you doing here? You know I can't let you in."

Clark held up a hand to get the policeman's attention and said, "Um, actually, she's with me."

"Oh yeah? And who are you?"

"Hello, Clark."

Stiffening at Lionel Luthor's voice, Clark looked towards the older man and greeted coldly, "Mr. Luthor."

Lionel waved the cop aside with, "It's all right, officer, my son and Clark are very…close friends."

The cop smirked at the insinuation and Clark gritted his teeth but ignored it and Lionel's insult. "Thank you."

"When did you start wearing glasses, Clark? I thought your vision was perfect," Lionel commented. "And I must say. You seem to be wearing even more clothes than was your wont in Smallville."

Shrugging uncomfortably, feeling as he always did that Lionel knew more than he was telling, Clark answered, "I had to get glasses a couple of years ago. Probably needed them a long time before that, I just didn't want to admit it. Any word about Lex?"

Lionel accepted the change in subject with a graceful shrug. "Not yet. You're welcome to wait with me in the office if you wish. I'm sure that Lex would want you here."

"I was hoping to check out the garage, if that's all right?" Clark asked, ignoring the subtle taunt.

"With your reporter friend."

"The more pairs of eyes the better, right?"

"Hmm, yes, I suppose that's fine. Though I'm surprised your little blond friend isn't with you instead of Ms. Lane."

Dismay ran through him when he realized that he hadn't once thought about calling Chloe. And now it was too late because he couldn't waste time waiting for her to catch up. Clark shrugged and said, "There wasn't time. If you'll excuse me, Mr. Luthor, we'll go down to the garage."

"I hope you have the same luck that you used to, Clark. For Lex's sake."

Clark froze at the smug statement, then lunged forward, grabbing Lionel's shirt and shoving him against the wall. In a low, savage voice, he promised, "If I find out that you had anything to do with this, you're going to regret it."

"Clark! Clark, come on! You're attracting attention we don't need," Lois hissed, tugging at his jacket.

Keeping his hold on Lionel a few moments longer, Clark finally stepped back and released him just as a couple of the police arrived. Then he turned and strode to the elevator that would bring him to the garage.

When the doors closed, Lois exclaimed, "What was that about? You don't really think Lionel would kidnap his own son, do you?"

Clark remained silent.

* * * *

With Lois busy on the other side of the steel and concrete structure, Clark scanned the area with his enhanced vision, searching for anything that could lead him to Lex. From what Lois had described, they sounded too professional to drop even a crumb, but he had to try.

"You know, generally speaking, 'to search' implies motion, Clark," Lois observed, stopping beside him.

Startled, Clark looked at her and forgot to change back to his regular vision, getting a stunning view of her body beneath the clothes. Flushing in embarrassment, he looked away. "I know. It just seems pointless."

She gripped his shoulder and said, "He's going to be fine, Clark. Lex is a survivor."

Wondering how many times he'd heard that since first meeting Lex, Clark agreed, "I know. I'm just…he's never been kidnapped before. I've always…"

"Been able to rescue him," she finished softly.

Swallowing heavily, Clark asked, "How'd you know?"

"After my first disastrous meeting with Lex Luthor," she began with self-deprecating humor. "I thought that doing a little research couldn't hurt. You met him by fishing him out of a river. Then you saved his life from some disgruntled employee who'd taken your class hostage. And you've been friends ever since, so, given what I know about you, you feel responsible for him. Besides the fact that you love him."

Clark flushed again, but didn't deny it. "I have to get him back safe, Lois."

She nodded and said, "We will, Clark. We'll find him."

"Mr. Kent?"

Looking over at the hesitant policeman, Clark replied, "Yes?"

"You should get upstairs. The kidnappers have called."

* * * *

"…and if they aren't delivered within twenty-four hours, then Mr. Luthor's life is forfeit."

Clark rushed forward as the FBI agent started talking smoothly, telling the kidnappers that everything possible would be done to comply with their demands, but they had to know that Lex Luthor was still alive.

Though he sounded shaken and a little slurred, Lex said, "It's me. I'm…okay for now. Helluva night though. I feel like I'm on a merry-go-round."

"We're doing everything we can to assure your safe return, Mr. Luthor," the FBI agent assured him.

"The sooner the better. It's like a circus around here," Lex said.

There was the sound of a fist hitting flesh and Lex cried out in pain. Unable to stop himself, Clark exclaimed, "Stop it! Don't hurt him!"

The kidnapper's distorted voice returned with, "Would that be Mr. Kent I hear?"

Taking a resolute breath, Clark stepped forward and said, "It is."

"Mr. Kent. It's been a long time. I hope your family is well."

Clark stiffened in alarm and met the FBI agent's gaze, who motioned for him to keep the man talking. "Ah, they're fine. How did you know my voice?"

"Come on, Clark, you're smarter than that. Obviously, I know you. Just like I know Lex and exactly what he's capable of. He's just like that snake he calls a father, Lionel Luthor. I would have gone after him, but I really don't think that anyone cares if the old bastard lives or dies. Including his sons."

"I'll make sure that you get what you want, just…please don't hurt Lex," Clark pleaded.

"Isn't that sweet? You disgust me, Kent. You and Luthor both, though it's probably his fault that you're like you are. I'm sure he seduced you into his evil world, as well as his bed."

Though he flushed, Clark's chin jutted out stubbornly and he asked, "Why are you doing this? I wasn't here when you asked for your ransom. What do you want?"

"I want Luthor's private stash of the meteor fragments."

Shock ripped through Clark and he literally couldn't move. Lex had been hiding a collection of the meteor from him?

"Ooh. That struck a nerve. Didn't know he was keeping that kind of secret from you, did you?" the kidnapper taunted. "He really didn't want me to ask for it, you know. And though I'm not sure how, I know it's connected to you somehow."

Clark snapped to attention at that, knowing from the first part of the man's comment that the kidnapper was watching them. That the office had been planted with a camera and/or a listening device of some kind. "Lex's security is really very good, how'd you managed to get surveillance equipment in here?"

"I knew you were smart. Take a guess where it is and feel free to destroy it. You've earned that much, I suppose, since the feds can't seem to do their job."

Clark looked around carefully, but when the agents started helping, the kidnapper sharply warned them that only he was allowed to find it.

If he could.

Using his vision and walking around, Clark scanned the entire office, but didn't find it on the first try. On the second pass, he found it, high in the bookshelves that Jonathan Kent had made and Clark had installed with his father a few months before. A fake version of Machiavelli's book, 'The Prince.'

"This is fun!" the kidnapper said. "But I'm afraid that it's time for me to go. I have an important guest to torture and really shouldn't keep him waiting. You've got twenty-four hours to round up all the green and red meteor fragments. I'll call back with the drop location."

"No!" Clark shouted desperately, making an abortive movement towards the speakerphone.

The dial tone sounded extremely loud in the near silence of the room, then one of the agents hung up. Clark could feel the way everyone was carefully not making eye contact with him, but ignored it and strode up to the lead agent, handing the device to him.

Looking at him without hesitation, the man stated, "We'll do everything we can to find him and keep him safe, Mr. Kent, I promise."

Clark nodded and crossed his arms over his chest, feeling colder than he had since the night Lex had abandoned him for his father's world four years ago.

* * * *

After an hour of excruciatingly detailed interrogation of whom was known to both him and Lex, Clark was finally told to go home. He and Lois had walked wordlessly to her car, which she'd turned towards the University. The drive was also silent, but when she pulled up to the curb and Clark started to get out, Lois grabbed his arm to keep him in place. Too numb to be surprised, Clark asked, "What?"

"Does Lex usually talk like that?"

"Like what, slurred?"

"No, Clark, in metaphors. 'Like a merry-go-round.' 'Like a circus.' Luthor strikes me as being more literal-minded than that."

Clark forced his brain to connect, to process what she was trying to feel out, but couldn't because she didn't know Lex well enough. Frowning, Clark said, "Sometimes. It depends on his mood."

Fingers tapping on the dash, Lois shook her head decisively "I think he was trying to give us a hint to his location. That's why the kidnapper hit him directly after, to get him to shut up without actually saying so and tipping his hand."

"I guess," Clark agreed slowly. "But there's a hundred places that could fit that description just in parks alone."

"That's true," Lois said, deflating a little.

Thinking that maybe Lois was on the right track, Clark thought out loud, "If you take away all the places that don't have some kind of building on the premises, and the ones not closed due to the season, that narrows it down a lot more, though."

They were silent for a few minutes, each trying to come up with an answer. Then Lois turned towards him abruptly and started listing things off. "He knows both of you. He's got a serious grudge against the Luthors. He's homophobic, violent, and seems to be very proficient at planning things and carrying them through."

"He was daring me to find that camera. Like he was pissed at me personally. Like maybe I'd beat him at something in the past," Clark continued, struggling to figure out who it could be.

Lois shrugged and offered, "Or maybe you and Lex together beat him at something. Maybe he was jealous of your relationship, even."

Frowning, Clark asked, "Do you have access to city planning sites?"

Lois smirked. "Officially? No."

Clark grinned in return and said, "Good. You go track down the places that are closed right now and have amusement rides for kids, maybe geared towards a circus actually dropping in during the spring and summer."

"And what are you going to do?" Lois questioned.

"I'm um…going to talk to a friend of mine who might be able to help."

* * * *

The bottom half was a little hard to shimmy into, clinging with embarrassing detail to his body. He was mortified to find extra padding in the crotch, though he wasn't sure if his Mom had done it to protect his modesty or allude to him being bigger than he was. It wasn't really something he wanted to think about.

Pulling on the top, he found that both parts sealed together, fusing without even a seam to show for it. He panicked, thinking that he wouldn't be able to get it off and tore at it, breathing heavily in relief when they unattached with ease. The cape was really distracting and way more flamboyant than he was comfortable with, but then, the entire getup was annoyingly loud with solid, bright colors that just couldn't be missed.

Apparently, his biological people didn't know the meaning of the word 'understated.'

Clark took a long look at himself in the mirror and barely recognized himself, even discounting the lack of glasses. He hadn't realized just how much he'd taken to slouching and ducking his head, and wearing baggy clothes, as camouflage.

Staring at his reflection, though, Clark felt like some strange alien had taken over his body. Muscles he tended to forget that he had were revealed, all over his body. And he was taller than he remembered, standing up to his full height, he topped six feet. Though his hair hadn't changed, it had slicked back when he'd pulled the top on and didn't seem inclined to move.

Clark looked like a superhero, even if he felt like an imposter.

* * * *

An hour after she'd dropped him off, knocking impatiently on the dorm door, Lois called, "It's me, Clark! I've got a lead!"

When there was no answer, she frowned and tried the knob. Finding it unlocked, and shaking her head in amusement at the small town attitude, Lois stepped inside and found it empty. Frowning, she called, "Clark?"

Definitely no one around, though she found tissue paper and a box strewn on one of the beds. Shrugging to herself as she headed out of the room, she muttered, "Where on earth could he have disappeared to?"

* * * *

Feeling the cold even less than he usually did at high altitude, Clark had to admit that the suit was a lot more efficient than flying with his regular clothes. And the cape didn't even ripple for some bizarre reason, though it definitely added maneuverability somehow.

Clark headed directly for the Metropolis Junior Dome, a building reserved for family events like traveling circuses, county fairs, and the like. It was closed for repairs at the moment, having sustained some damage in a fire the month before. Something inside told him that the fire had been a smokescreen.

The timing was too coincidental to be anything but suspicious. Shortly after Lionel returned to try a reconciliation, there was first an assassination attempt and then a kidnapping? The building was managed by Luthor Corp, which nailed shut the coffin that Clark fully intended Lionel Luthor to occupy when he was done with the man.

* * * *

Lex groaned as the fist slammed again into his stomach and wondered vaguely when he should start worrying about internal bleeding. His brother had bulked up over the last couple of years and was definitely more powerful physically than he remembered. Even if he'd been free to defend himself, Lex doubted that he'd have lasted long.

It wasn't that he couldn't fight dirty anymore, it was more that Clark had left him with very little desire to do so.

Lucas smirked at him and asked, "How's it feel, Lex? To know that your little brother is going to beat you at your own game?"

Spitting blood to the floor, Lex answered, "I quit that game a year ago, Lucas, where have you been?"

"Yeah, right. I know you're working some kind of angle that no one's been able to pin down yet," Lucas scoffed. "Luthors don't go straight. Doubly so in your case."

Lex snorted, though it pained him to do something that jostled his ribs. "Very droll, Lucas. Unfortunately, it's also very mistaken. I am completely legit these days and have been moving…gaily forward for a year now."

Eyes rolling at the pun, Lucas leaned against the wall and asked, "I think once I've killed you, I'll pay a consoling visit to Clark and his family. He's already welcomed one Luthor into the fold after all, I'm sure he wouldn't think twice about another one."

Icy fear slithered down Lex's spine. "Don't you fucking touch the Kents!"

"Or you'll what?" Lucas taunted with a harsh laugh. "You're not in any position to order me around, big brother."

To prove the point, another lightening-fast punch slammed into Lex's stomach. A gasp alerted them both that they weren't alone, though it took Lex a few moments to catch his breath enough that the darkness tinging his vision faded. By then, Lucas had already taken off and Lex was left with the disturbing impression of a slender woman with dark hair fleeing up the stairs.

Drawing up all his energy, Lex shouted, "Run, Lois! Get help!"

* * * *

Clark's hearing instantly picked up Lex's shout and he put on a burst of speed, shattering through a window into the main floor where he found Lex tied up to a beam, bloody and battered, but alive. Relief flooded through him as he touched down in front of his friend and he gently cradled Lex's face, whispering, "Oh God, Lex, are you all right?"

Stunned, Lex just gaped at him for a few seconds before shaking out of the stupor and gasping, "It's Lucas! He's gone after Lois, you need to help her!"

"Are you all right?" Clark repeated.

Nodding impatiently, Lex assured him, "I'll live, but she might not! Go!"

Clark quickly used his x-ray vision to scan Lex's body and make sure that Lex wasn't just trying to brush him off. Seeing only a few cracked ribs, Clark nodded and flew out the way he came. He grinned broadly upon hearing Lex's whispered, "Holy crap. I'm a goner if he ever wears that when we're alone and I can breathe without puncturing something."

Just as he flew outside, a scream echoed from above and he saw Lois hurtling down towards the ground. Banking up hard, Clark caught her in his arms, and continued to fly towards the roof. "Don't worry, I've got you."

Mouth open in shock, she exclaimed, "You've got me!? Who's got you!?"

Clark just grinned and gently deposited her on the top of the building. "You're all right now, Ms. Lane. If you'll excuse me, I have a job to finish."

"Wait! Superman!"

Her call didn't stop him because he'd caught sight of Lucas escaping the building. Keeping a firm grip on his temper, knowing that if he didn't, Lucas would wind up dead, Clark flew towards the other man. Pulling free a section of a nearby chain-link fence, he reached Lucas and wrapped him up so tight, the other man could barely breathe. Then he soldered the edges to make sure he couldn't escape.

From there, he returned to free Lex.

* * * *

Though he knew that Clark had to officially arrive after the feds had called him, Lex waited impatiently for him to show up. Grunting at the tightening of the tape around his ribs, Lex finally caught sight of Clark hurrying through the crowd. He was dressed in the familiar flannel, baggy jeans and glasses and Lex was astounded to realize that there was very little resemblance to the man who had rescued him, even without a mask.

Then the EMT was shoved aside, none-too-gently, by Clark and he was enfolded in his friend's arms. Lex clung desperately to the strength that had found and rescued him, the strength that upheld him every single day in a hundred tiny ways. "God, Clark, I was so scared that I'd never see you again."

Clark kissed his temple and whispered back, "So was I."

They stood like that for several minutes and everyone seemed to understand their need for solitude, because they weren't bothered. Or that's what Lex thought until he caught a glimpse of their fierce guardian, Lois Lane. Snickering slightly at the sight of hardened, veteran police and federal officers backing down at a single, pointed glare from the woman, Lex murmured, "I should probably start answering questions."

Sighing, Clark nodded but captured his mouth in a short, infinitely sweet kiss, obviously not caring about the cameras flashing in the background that Lois couldn't do anything about.

Flushed with pleasure at the statement to the world that he was loved, Lex straightened a little and observed, "Your parents are going to have a heart attack."

Unexpectedly, Clark shook his head with a grin. "You're the only one who didn't know I was in love with you since the day we met."

"Why doesn't that surprise me?" Lex muttered.

"Clark! Where were you!? I stopped by your dorm to pick you up, but you weren't there!" Lois exclaimed when they joined her. Without giving him a chance to answer, she continued, "It was incredible! I met Superman! Lucas pushed me out a window and he just caught me. I'm pretty sure I said something really stupid, but can't remember what right now."

"Excuse me, Mr. Luthor? If you could identify your kidnapper, you'll be able to go home," the lead FBI agent interrupted.

Lex followed the man to where Lucas was still being freed from the fence Clark had netted him in, and nodded. "That's him. My brother, Lucas Luthor."

Clark's hand tightened around Lex's waist and he gratefully leaned into the support.

"Thank you, Mr. Luthor. We'll contact you with details tomorrow or the following day. In the meantime, you should go home and rest. All our people have cleared out of your apartment already."

Nodding, Lex offered his hand and said, "Thank you for your help."

Shrugging, the man replied, "Thank Ms. Lane and Superman. We were completely in the dark until Ms. Lane called."

"I'll be sure and thank him if I ever see him again," Lex promised, stifling a grin when Clark pinched his ass in warning.

The man eyed him oddly, as if sensing the undercurrent to his words, then nodded and left.

Lex leaned close to Clark and whispered, "You are definitely going to model that outfit for me, by the way."

Clark flushed and muttered, "Not a chance, Lex."

Lex's delighted laughter was short, his ribs protesting, though he definitely loved how easy it was to provoke Clark even after all this time.

"Hey, Clark. I was wondering if you wanted to team up to write the article?" Lois asked.

Clark stiffened, then sighed. "I don't suppose I could convince you not to write anything for the sake of my friendship with Chloe?"

Though she looked sympathetic to Lex's eyes, Lois shook her head. "Even if Superman hadn't gotten involved, I'd have to write this. It's the story of a career."

And Lex could see that Clark understood that, though he looked miserable about it as he answered, "I can't, but thanks."

Lips pursed, Lois pointed out, "This could get you a job at the Planet, easy."

Clark shook his head and repeated, "I can't do that to Chloe."

"All right. But don't say I didn't ask."

With a half-smile, Clark agreed, "I won't."

"I'll give you a call in a couple of days," Lois promised, waving as she left.

After that, Clark led him to the towne car that waited, David holding the door open anxiously as he said, "I'm so glad to see you're all right, Mr. Luthor!"

"Thank you, David," Lex replied before climbing inside.

Clark got in directly after him and pulled Lex onto his lap. Burrowing carefully into the embrace, Lex breathed raggedly, the emotions of the last few days struggling to overwhelm him.

"I've got you, Lex, everything's going to be fine," Clark vowed in a whisper.

Though he still shook with reaction, the cold that had entered his heart upon finding his brother behind one of the masks began to recede. It just couldn't withstand the heat of Clark's love. Slowly, as they drove home, Lex drifted into sleep, secure in the knowledge that Clark would protect him.