Crossroads - Chapter 28

by a campbell

Clark Kent/Lex Luthor, PG-13

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Chloe arrived at the penthouse just as the city lights were coming on and the shadows darkening toward evening.

Not that she willingly entered any Luthor domicile, and the penthouse in particular. High in the Midwestern sky, dozens of floors up from the street below--escape, if necessary, would be difficult. Though Lex and Clark were together now (any friend of Clark’s was a friend of hers) and she and Lex had achieved a tenuous truce (mainly for Clark’s sake), she still trembled upon passing through the doors. Too many memories of meetings with Luthor senior and of those months of mental and emotional cat and mouse--no, slavery. She was more comfortable staying away, keeping as much distance as possible between herself and unquiet memories.

And there was more. She’d come a long way from being that vulnerable girl who’d given Lex Luthor her body and her heart in exchange for safety, that summer she was hidden away and believed dead by everyone else who knew her. A strange, trancelike, stark and beautiful time, ended too soon and without explanation when Lex disappeared, leaving her alone to wait out the dying summer by herself. She’d learned later that larger schemes and visions had enticed him far from Kansas and to the other side of the world. She’d achieved belated understanding. She’d accepted. But she’d never let herself be put in that position again.

Still, Lex’s frantic message this afternoon left her no choice. Though she’d drawn too close to him in a time gone by, though he and Clark belonged to each other now, some fondness remained. And her love for Clark--well, that would last forever. She couldn’t imagine a world without him.

Lex opened the door himself, scanned suspiciously up and down the hall before drawing her inside. As he closed the door behind them and glanced uneasily around the room, Lex coasted a hand over his scalp, a gesture Chloe knew indicated extreme stress.

She aimed for as dispassionate a tone as she could muster as she raised her chin and shoved her hands into the pockets of her light raincoat. "What’s going on, Lex?"

"Clark’s been missing for several days." He snapped the lock on the door and tested it before turning back to her.

"I know. I’ve been trying to reach him. His cell goes to voice mail." A wry shrug as she lowered her voice. "I’ve grown to hate that message."

Lex exhaled through his teeth. "Tell me about it."

"Last time Clark and I talked, he said you weren’t speaking to him." Chloe tried to keep her tone from sounding too judgmental. No need to make things any more difficult right now.

Lex glanced off toward the window. "I’ve had legions of people searching for him. Legions. But--nothing." Chloe stood, following him with her eyes, thinking how much he resembled a caged white panther as he paced.

"The last trace I have of Clark is a tape of a meeting at The Talon with Lana."

Chloe’s gaze went sharply to his face. A tape. Of course. Typical Luthor modus operandi, so why should she be surprised? A little shake of her head as she tried better to focus. "A meeting? With Lana?" Why would Clark still be seeing Lana in private? Despite all the back and forth over the years, she’d thought their friendship truly over this time.

"They met four days ago. Had coffee, talked. Then Clark became mysteriously sick and stumbled out with Lana right behind him." Lex spread his hands. "That’s all I know. The tape kicked off as soon as they exited the shop." He thinned his lips as he strode over to the carafe of liquor, and Chloe could see his hands shaking as he poured, then raised the tumbler to his lips and drained half the glass at one gulp. "Knowledge is always power, Chloe, and right now, I have none. He could be out there, ill. Dying. At this stage he should be under close observation. No one knows the risks." He poured again, and raised his eyes to study her as he sipped. "When did you last speak with Lana?"

Chloe thought back. "Two days ago. Not really as 'friends, but--" Lana had been oddly distant and evasive during the brief telephone conversation, seeming in a great hurry to bring it to a close.

"Did you know she’s seeing my father?"

Something like a dead weight settled in Chloe’s chest. "'Seeing' him? You mean--?"

Lex nodded, his expression grim. "Since Lana was the last person seen with Clark, I began searching for her. With no luck, until I got a report that she’s been seen several times over the past couple of months in my father’s company."

Chloe stepped close and laid a hand on Lex’s arm. "Lex, listen to me." She had to help--but how? Her sleuthing skills would probably yield less than Lex had been able to uncover thus far. Still, she’d share what she had.

"I think I know where he is. I did some research before I came over here. Did you know your dad purchased a new townhouse in Metropolis?"

Chloe could almost sense the rapid progress of Lex’s thoughts. His voice was low when he spoke. "When?"

"A couple of weeks ago. Most of the paperwork has been obliterated or so well hidden that finding most of it is impossible for someone with my skills and equipment. But I did manage to uncover a handful of details."

Lex stepped closer, grasped both her arms with trembling hands. "Tell me everything you know."

Chloe took a deep breath. "Since the purchase, the building has had a new security system installed, and new construction on the basement level. Only there, though--the rest of the building has remained as it was. The real kicker is: lead panelling. New basement, level construction – but no evidence of Lionel building up or out. Several deliveries, too, of food and health care supplies."

Lex's grip eased. "What sort of supplies?"

"I couldn't make out the specifics. But they were shuttled in and down through a back entrance.

"What else?"

Chloe continued. "For a couple of months, now, I've been keeping an eye on two or three of your father's storage facilities. I've been wise to his work with, and obsession with, green meteor rocks for some time. Just this past week, a shipment was sent out from the central point. I was able to determine that several employees assisted in loading vials of the green liquid variety into a secure delivery truck."

Lex nodded slowly, his mouth settling into a grim line. "He’s got Clark."

Chloe frowned. “It sounds like it.”

"I should have put the pieces together sooner. He called me last night--cryptic remarks, gloating--intense, even more him. Guess I’m not as sharp as usual. I mean, he’s unfailingly the first suspect." A grim chuckle. "Maybe I just didn’t want to believe."

"Do you think your father knows about...the baby?"

Lex cast a dark glance in her direction. "I learned long ago never to assume ignorance on my father’s part. About anything. Little as I like to admit it, there’s very little Lionel Luthor doesn’t know. And I’ll bet anything he’s moved Lana into the new place." Lex’s voice was a hiss through teeth clenched tight. "So Dad’s back to his old tricks. Anything I have, anything I want, anyone I've had, he takes. Lana, and...he’s itched to get his hands on Clark from the beginning. Not only because he knows there’s something special about him," a pause, "but because I love him. And now I’m sure he finds the prospect of getting control of my child--Clark’s son, and his own grandson-- too much to resist." Lex stared out the window at the city lights as they winked on one by one. "I have to find him, Chloe. And my child, as soon as possible.”

As Lex spoke, Chloe could feel her heart soften, and wondered how she could ever have felt reluctant to help in any way she possibly could. She stepped closer and laid a gentle hand on his arm.

"I’ll do whatever I can, Lex. You can trust me.” He didn’t look at her, but she could sense that he’d registered and accepted the remark. Chloe took a deep breath, hesitating for a moment, wondering if she should continue.

“My God, Lex, I don’t know what would be worse: Clark in your father’s clutches without proper medical care or Clark a prisoner with a bevy of doctors doing all the wrong things.”

Lex looked down at her then. “Chloe, you’ve always stood by him, even when--"

"He’s my friend, Lex. I’d do anything to help him." Chloe took a quick breath. "I love him, too. Your dad won’t be a match for the two of us working together."

"You and I haven’t always exactly been friends," was his dry comment.

"Yeah, but you’re with Clark now, so you’re part of the package."

He smiled then, that sleek, lidded small grin that always seemed to go right through her, no matter the time and space between them. Before she knew it, they were in each other’s arms. Lex lifted a finger to trace her bottom lip, then wipe away a tear that trickled down her cheek.

Chloe could feel the warmth of his breath as he spoke. "Has anyone ever told you how absolutely wonderful you are?"

Embarrassed, she looked away as tears welled in her eyes. And suddenly, for no real reason, despite being nervous, despite Clark’s peril, she felt incredibly, inexplicably happy.

"Constantly," she laughed. She grinned and tugged at Lex’s arm. "Let’s go."

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