Crossroads - Chapter

by a campbell

Clark Kent/Lex Luthor, PG-13

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Lex was halfway home from Metropolis when he felt the first twist of fear, pale and hollow, like a ghost in the pit of his stomach. Up to that point, he’d tried desperately to remain calm.

This is Clark Kent. Leave me a message and I’ll call you back.

No answer, and he’d been trying for a couple of hours, after two days with no contact at all. His anger was finally broken, but Clark’s cell was going directly to voicemail.

For three days, he’d endeavored to distance himself from Clark, and from harsh thoughts that threatened to consume him. Ruminations that ranged from brooding to fury. Tried, with alcohol and drugs, came perilously close to using sex as well. Lana and Clark--meeting still, despite his impassioned request. Learning about the deception from Lionel, the ultimate insult.

Verbal and physical distance was imperative for a few days, before he said or did something unforgivable.

Several days of internal fury, bafflement and (he had to admit it) hurt that Clark would seek out Lana yet again. After everything that had happened. After they’d made a pact. And surely Clark couldn’t be so stupid as to think he could keep it secret from him, the master of surveillance. A grim chuckle.

If you lie to me about her, Clark, you'll lie to me about anything.

He hadn’t touched the latest tapes, though the second Beanery conversation was available for viewing at any time.

Did Clark want to be found out? Was he deliberately trying to betray him? And how much did Lana know?

Lana’s love for him had been minimal at best and was now vanished, but what about her love for Clark? Even when they were together, Lex had known that she was unable to forget him. Apparently Clark was unable to forget her as well. Were they both trying to take him down? Planning to raise the child together, his child? Planning to kill him so they could do so undisturbed?

Lex sighed. No, he didn’t for one moment believe Clark really capable of murder. Too many lofty principles for that. But of deception and dishonesty? Without a doubt. He’d been served proof of that more times than he could count.

He’d come that close to solacing himself elsewhere. Metropolis was crawling with rent boys and willing, beautiful women, and he had money and to spare. But the future was uncertain, and he couldn’t risk endangering his child, even for fleeting revenge against Clark. Now, after days of going over in his mind all that was at stake, he’d attained resolve.

He was beyond sick of subterfuge. They’d talked, hashed things out, come to an agreement. And if he had to do it again, damn it, he would. He’d confront Clark, both with his knowledge and with his suspicions without equivocation, pin him down. Bare his own heart and soul in the most unaccustomed manner possible. Beg, if he had to. Give up his ever-constant need for control and make it clear that this commitment was for good. If they were to be a family and parents to their child, Lana had to stay out of their lives.

He’d try for honesty, one last time. But he would not call again.

He glanced down at the luminous display on his cell, and, with a defeated sigh, picked it up and punched the speed dial again.

Still the same recorded message. And for him: the same cold wave of disappointment, same eerie sense of dread. He had surveillance, he reminded himself. He would have known if anything had happened with the pregnancy; at the very least, Toby had his cell number.

Lex pressed his right foot harder on the gas pedal and sped down the dark highway toward Smallville.

**

The mansion was minimally staffed at that time of night.

"Master Clark? He’s not been seen since Monday," said Rachel, the newest housemaid, rubbing sleepy eyes. "We thought perhaps he’d joined you in Metropolis." Her face darkened in concern as Lex turned away.

Tonight was Wednesday.

He drifted upstairs and down the long hall to the master bedroom. Opened the door, not daring to breathe.

The bed unslept in. The room cold, still, deserted.

Where was he?

**

"Why so late, Son?" Lionel smiled into the mouthpiece of his cell and leaned back in his desk chair.

"Clark’s missing. I want to know what you know." Lex’s voice was clear and crisp on the other end of the line but there was a hollow stillness in the background.

"Why, Son. Why should you think I’d know anything whatsoever about the whereabouts of your pretty boy?"

"Cut the crap, Dad. I know you. You never could resist meddling in my affairs. In my life. Or resist taking anything, anyone, I wanted, and who wanted me. You’ve always been intrigued by Clark: admit it."

"As have you." Lionel kept his voice was calm and unruffled. "We both share a passion for the…unexplained. Perhaps you should try ringing Martha Kent, instead."

"I’d rather not alarm her unnecessarily when you doubtless have all the answers."

"Lex...Son, I do think you’re getting yourself in a panic over nothing. Clark has no doubt simply—decided to take a trip, or been--detained somewhere. I’m sure he’ll turn up before you know it. After all, it’s not as if anything could hurt him, now, could it?"

Dead silence on the other end. "You’re delusional, Dad. Now, tell me: if you know anything about where Clark could be, tell me, or I’ll make sure you regret it."

"Son, if I were you, I’d get myself a good night’s sleep."

**

Lionel flipped his phone shut and glanced over at Lana, who sat curled up in a big leather chair before the big penthouse window, gazing out over the lights of Metropolis.

"He’s cracking."

A flicker of dark lashes, but no reply. She’d been curiously silent since her arrival two evenings before, ten minutes after Clark and his captors. Too late to see her former lover dragged into the secret suite of rooms in the lower level of the building. Lionel had been there to oversee operations, to ensure that the procedures recommended by doctors Gabrielov and Ramani--who worked for him, now--were followed to the letter.

Lionel stepped behind her, fingering a straight strand of raven hair. She stirred a little but still didn’t turn to look at him. "Nothing to worry about, my dear. Everything is proceeding just as we planned. The power? In our hands, now. Yours and mine." He reached for her small hand, which lay limply in his for a moment or two before he he lifted it to his lips.

"I know." Lana’s voice was thin and toneless. She didn’t stir.

Lionel kneaded her shoulder with gentle fingers. "All worth it, Lana. Soon, you’ll hold your child in your arms. Our child, and your revenge against them both will be complete."

She turned away from the caressing finger he let trail down her cheek, and if he hadn’t been convinced it was a trick of the light, he could have sworn a tear glistened on her soft cheek.

He bent down to kiss the cheek and to whisper in her ear. "It will all be worth it."

**
The nursery was in darkness. Lex could barely distinguish the crib, crowded with infant-safe stuffed animals, as he drifted closer. The Star Wars mobile stirred almost imperceptibly as he reached in. His fingers curled around a small stuffed baby penguin; he lifted it up, caressing the soft synthetic fur with half-open lips as he stared down into the crib.

Am I just a pawn in an alien master plan?

One surveillance tape left to review. The last one filmed, the tape of Clark and Lana’s meeting two days ago in the Beanery.

He drummed on the crib rail with the fingers of one hand. Generally he devoured surveillance tapes with the avidity of a starving man at a buffet restaurant. But could he face it tonight?

He smoothed a palm over the soft patchwork quilt under the clutter of toy animals. Then, with a muttered curse, he turned abruptly on his heel and left the room.

**

Lex flipped the switch to on and settled down in his leather chair with the stiffest drink he could mix, endeavoring to let his emotions go numb.

His eyes narrowed as the video began to play on his computer screen. Clark, with Lana in the Beanery. Clark fixing his earnest gaze on her, fumbling for her fingers on the booth tabletop.

If you ever need help or anything, I promise I’ll be there. But I can’t meet you just...socially any more. Lex and I are a family, now, and, well...

Lex lowered his glass from his lips and swallowed hard. Still staring at the screen, he reached over to set it on the table beside him. The glass shattered as it hit the floor.

Now, I’m going to go home and wait up for Lex so we can get started on those repairs tonight.

The tape whirred to a close; the computer screen went blank. Lex remained staring at the screen for several moments, then blinked and rose to his feet.

His fears were groundless. Clark would always do things to make him crazy. But Clark loved him. He had to accept the good with the ill. Focus on the good. Their love. The child. Being together, all three of them.

But Clark had clearly been ill as he'd stumbled from the coffee shop, Lana following close behind. Did Lana knew something, anything?

He had to find him--now.

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