Happy New Year!
Jan. 1st, 2004 12:27 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
serafina20Apparently, the first thing that happens this year is I finally get pissed off enough to send a letter to the editor. I'm doomed to get my doctorate in Language Minority Education, I just know it. I'm such a dork.
More on that later. Right now, I want feedback. ;P
More Reporter!Lex. Long section, but it's a little less rough than last night's. Hope you enjoy! And thanks for all the feedback on the first part! I really appreciate it.
Clark Kent was, in many ways, like an overgrown puppy. He was cute and floppy around the edges, and you wanted to pull him into your lap and cuddle him. But, at the same time, he was young and unfinished and too damn innocent.
But, he was also a brilliant writer and good journalist which is why Lex finally gave in and decided to take him to Lois Lane, president of Lane Enterprises', charity gala. Lex was going because, one, Lois never turned down the opportunity to invite him to a social function and, two, he was convinced that Lane Enterprises was responsible for a huge chemical dump a few towns over that he and Clark had been investigating. While he might not get a chance to corner her at the gala, simply being there was enough to remind her of his existence and he'd then get a lunch date and then he could grill her into the ground.
"I don't understand why she invited you," Clark said as he and Lex walked towards the hotel Lois was having her party in. "I mean, I thought the two of you were ..." He trailed off and shrugged, obviously hesitant.
They'd been partners for three weeks and, so far, Clark had respected the fact that Lex didn't want to talk about his past. He hadn't asked one question, which was actually a little annoying since he *was* a journalist and it was his job to ask questions. But, as long as he respected Lex's wish for silence, Lex respected the boundaries Clark had erected the day after they met, even though, the longer Lex knew him, the more intrigued he became. The kid had amazing secrets hidden beneath that flawless skin, and Lex was eager to dig them out.
But he knew how painful that was, so he kept his claws out of Clark and they coexisted in almost ease.
Lex hated to talk about his past follies. He'd written about them, exposed himself in the most painful way, stopping just short of being a whore. Perry had assured him many times that what' he'd done *wasn't* whoring himself out, and the public *deserved* to know the truth, and Lex was good writer and he deserved to tell his own story.
He'd told it once. Anything more, he felt, was tearing away at his own skin.
But Clark was gazing down at him earnestly, and he did deserve to know what Lex was dragging him into.
"No, we aren't friends. Or, we shouldn't be, but there's something between us that's stronger than friendship and no matter how hard we try, we can't stop orbiting each other." He pulled his cigarette case from his tux jacket. "She screwed me over, was the instrument of Luthor Corp's demise, but it wasn't anything I wasn't trying to do to her."
"But she had your father killed."
Lex stiffened and turned quickly. It was an automatic response, one he'd never quite been able to control. *No one* spoke of his father to him, and he refused to listen. He'd heard his fill in the days after finding the body, listened to the dirty laughter and innuendo. Listened to police and reporters alike sully Lionel Luthor's name, painting him as a coward who couldn't handled a set back.
Or his son's betrayal.
He was trying to get away from Clark, cross the street, *something*, but Clark caught him before he could even step off the curb. His grip on Lex's arm was like iron, and he struggled against it even as he realized it would be useless.
He stopped struggling. Not looking at Clark, he lit his cigarette and put it in his mouth. "Let me go," he finally said in a clipped tone.
The hands loosed slightly, but didn't release him. "No. I'm worried about you. You're already so tense tonight."
"I'm going to go see an ex-lover I can't seem to stay away from, one who helped to ruin me and my family, and my partner is digging where he shouldn't."
"I'm not digging. I only want to understand."
This time, Lex did look at him. "Understand what?"
"You."
There was a moment of tense silence. Lex found himself caught in Clark's eyes, uncertainty flooding him. He hated feeling like this. He was Lex Luthor, damn it. He shouldn't be uncertain.
And yet, this kid kept him completely off guard for some reason.
Clark sighed, his breath pluming out in the frosty air. "We have to get to the party," he said softly. Then he took the cigarette from Lex's fingers and ground it out. "You shouldn't smoke. It's bad for you."
"Lots of things are, doesn't stop me. Besides, what business is it of yours?"
Guileless blue-green eyes gazed at him through worthless lenses. One of the many secrets Lex didn't ask about. The glasses weren't real. Lex had stood behind him one day as they were getting coffee and directed his gaze through them. His vision hadn't changed at all, nothing had been distorted. They were just plastic, nothing more, not designed to correct any vision. They were just ... there, hiding Clark's face behind ugly black, keeping his secrets safe.
Hesitantly, Clark ran his finger down Lex's face. "You're my partner. I have to care."
"For now. Once you get on your feet ..."
"I am on my feet. And after we break this story, there is no way Perry will let us apart. We're a team, Lex, and we look out for each other."
He swallowed hard and clutched Clark's jacket. "Don't ever talk about my father again," he said, voice tight. Then he pulled away. "Come on. We're late."
"Yeah, but fashionably so. Lex, hold on."
Lex stopped and allowed Clark to circle him.
The kid flashed him that smile that he did too well, the one that made Lex's insides twist. "Your tie's crooked." Graceful fingers straightened it for him, and then lingered a moment. "Are you ready?"
He realized what Clark was asking and closed his eyes. For a long moment, he just concentrated on his breathing, willing the tense muscles in his neck and shoulders to unclench.
"Let's go," he said after a moment. He opened his eyes to find Clark still in front of him, gazing at him through unreadable eyes. "I'm fine. Just watch my back tonight, okay? Lois is a real bitch."
"I swear I won't leave your side."
The walked the rest of the block. Lex flashed their invitation to the doorman and was let inside; Lois had said "Lex Luthor and guest," as she always did. This was the first time Lex had brought a date, even though, technically, Clark wasn't a date. He was there to work, as they both were. Well, mingle, network, and get contacts to call on later. It was business.
But, as they stepped into the elevator to go to the ballroom at the top of the building, Lex allowed himself to pretend, just for an instant, it was a date. He had a feeling that Clark would be more understanding than anyone else had ever been. He was intuitive, Clark was, and he would know that although Lex hated Lois, he couldn't, as he said, stay away from her.
They'd known each other practically since birth. Their mothers had been friends and had married powerful men within the span of few months. Lois and Lex had been born weeks apart. They'd gone to preschool together, then an academy in Metropolis. The first time they'd been separated was after Lex's accident in Smallville, when he'd been caught in the meteor shower and lost his hair. Lex had been sent to a prep school in New England after that.
At twelve, Lois had beaten up someone who'd made fun of Lex for being bald. At fifteen she'd ruined a girl's reputation for spreading rumors that Lex was gay. At sixteen, she'd been the first girl Lex had slept with. At nineteen, they'd talked about getting married.
And then, at twenty-one, Lois and her father had taken Luthor Corp from them.
In retrospect, Lex felt it had been his fault. He'd been the one to convince his father to ruin Lane Enterprises, but he hadn't wanted it to affect Lois. His plan had been to ruin the company and hire Lois, maybe even marry her, never thinking how humiliating it would be. As he, Lois, and his father had schemed, Lex hadn't realized Lois was making her own plans, one that included his downfall.
She'd offered him a job after the fact. He'd refused, instead allowing Perry White talk him into giving an exclusive. But Lex had had his own agenda in agreeing: he wanted a job. In college, Lex had been on the newspaper, and had, in fact, gotten his minor in journalism. Perry had found him, drunk beyond reason in a bar and had taken him home. Lex had assumed he was being cruised and went along, only to pass out before they could sleep together.
To his surprise, that wasn't what Perry wanted at all. He wanted the exclusive, something that would seal his rise to editor of the Daily Planet.
"This is the story of a lifetime," Perry had said. "An empire fallen."
Lex, who'd been nursing very strong coffee made my Perry's wife, had replied, "I'll write it myself. Share the byline. You get editor, I get a job."
After an hour of debate, Perry agreed.
Lois had been furious. Lex had done everything he could to shed suspicion on Lane Enterprises, suspicion that he knew was well founded. For months afterwards, every news, political, legal, and consumer agency had hounded her company. Stock prices fell. Board members bailed. Lane Enterprises teetered on extinction.
And Lionel Luthor committed suicide.
Two months later, things stabilized. Lane Enterprise one again became the strongest corporation in the world, and Lois began toying with Lex. For his part, Lex was cautiously happy with his life, despite the guilt he felt over his father's death and his inability to either prevent it or uncover the truth. He knew Lois had had Lionel killed. He believed it more strongly than he'd ever believed anything in his life.
He just couldn't prove it. So he allowed Lois to toy with him, to try to humiliate him in front of his former colleagues. Every party, he got a scoop. Every gathering was a story. He'd uncovered scandals, solved cases, ruined lives while saving others, all from being in the same room as Lois.
It was only she he couldn't touch, and that was maddening.
The elevator doors opened and Lex and Clark stepped into the crowded room. "Do you dance?" Lex asked, looking out at the dance floor.
"Why? Do you want to?" Clark put his hand on Lex's back.
He smiled up at Clark. "Uh, thank you, but that's not what I meant. Dancing is a good way to get scoops. Older women especially like to talk to cute young things. You. I think you'll be on dancing duty tonight."
"What about you?"
"I ..."
"Lex!" Lois' voice rang out over the din.
He sighed. "I have Lois duty. Brace yourself."
Clark, who hadn't moved his hand from Lex's back, flattened it. Warmth flowed through Lex, as well as inappropriate tingling, but, with Clark's support, he was able to hold his head up and wait for Lois with a smile.
She appeared in front of them, all smiles and grace. She was impeccably dressed in a back satin gown and pearls. A beautiful pearl brooch was pinned just above her heart, breasts swelling over the low neckline. Her hair was piled on her hair in some elaborate do, and she smelled of Channel. Her nails were ruby red to match her lips and Lois was, as always, stunningly beautiful. "I'm so happy you came," she said, kissing him on both cheeks.
"You know I never miss a Lane event," he replied, returning the kiss. "You look beautiful."
"I know." Her smile grew, and her nose wrinkled a little. "Thank you. You look, as ever, devastatingly handsome. And who's this?" Her dark eyes turned to Clark, devoured him, and spat him back out.
"Clark Kent," he tried to introduce himself.
"Clark Kent. I've never heard of you before."
"He's my ... partner," Lex said, falteringly. He glanced at Clark, who simply smiled back down. "And friend."
"Congratulations," she said dismissively. "Now, my darling Lex, I am simply swamped with people to see, but talk with Dominic, my assistant, and we'll do lunch soon."
"I'd be honored."
"And dance with me later. Oh, dance with me right now, what *am* I saying?" Lois held her hand out for him. "I'll be too busy later."
He smiled at her, pleased that he was still in control of himself enough not to sigh or roll his eyes. Instead, he took her arm and glanced at Clark. "Mingle, Clark. Ask questions. Socialize."
"Oh, Lex, you aren't *working* are you?" Lois pouted. Her narrowed eyes returned to Clark with a new suspicion. "I thought he was your partner."
"He is. At the Planet."
She pouted. "Oh. I thought he was your lover. And I was *so* happy you settled down."
Yes, he was sure she had been. PR was one of Lois' strong suits, and she always knew the right thing to say, even to him. He had no doubt she really had thought they were lovers, but he did doubt she'd been happy for him.
Clark turned bright read at the insinuation. "Ah, no, ma'am," he said, looking as if he were going to burn up. His eyes apologized to Lex.
Lex grinned in delight and took Clark's hand. "But he is cute," Lex said, and squeezed Clark's hand. Cute actually didn't do him justice; beautiful was closer, but Lex had a rule about sleeping with co-workers. He'd made it just three weeks ago, and so far, he was doing well.
"Well. If you must work, do it casually. These are important people here. Don't annoy my guests."
He bowed slightly. "I promise you I won't." He squeezed Lex's hand, dropped it, and wandered off into the crowd.
Lois turned to Lex as he led her to the dance floor. "Really, Lex, how could you. This is a charity event. What on earth do you think you'll find here?"
"Nothing," he answered honestly as they glided around the floor. "I think this event is impeccable and there is nothing illegal or immoral going on. However, the same can't be said for Lane Enterprises, or many of your guests, and Clark feels that, perhaps, if he talks to the right people ..."
"What do you think I've done, Lex love? You must have some suspicion."
"What on earth do I have to be suspicious of?" he replied, face blank. He hid his smile at her irritation and kept dancing.
And then, suddenly, they weren't dancing.
"Come quietly with us, Ms. Lane," the man who had the gun to Lex's back said softly. "There's no need to make a fuss."
Lois narrowed her eyes and looked over Lex's shoulder at his attacker. "Go ahead and shoot him. By the time he hits the floor, you'll have a hundred guards all over you."
"Yes, but you'll be dead too." Lex was shoved into Lois' body. "It'll go right through him." A hand reached around him and stroked his neck. "We just want to talk, Ms. Lane."
"Lois," Lex hissed, not sure what he wanted her to do. He wasn't sure what he should do, either. He could turn and try to take the guy out, but there was a man behind Lois who'd flashed his gun. There was no way to take them both.
Lois was still looking calm and collected. Gazing at their abductors, she touched her chest and said, "Very well. But he goes free."
"No. He comes with us."
Lex found himself and Lois being herded out the door to the roof.
"What are you doing?" Lex hissed. "I thought you didn't negotiate with terrorists." The last time someone had tried to kidnap Lois, her father had told her kidnappers to take her and refused to concede to their demands. Had Lex not inadvertently rescued her while chasing the story, she'd probably be dead by now.
"Of course we don't," she said brusquely. "Terrorists thrive on power, and they don't seem to realize that I have all the power." She touched her chest again.
No. Not chest. Brooch.
A panic button.
Lex relaxed minutely and allowed himself to be ushered into the helicopter. Lois put up more of a struggle, acting as if her dress had caught in her heel, and then she couldn't quite make the climb into the 'copter, but she was finally shoved inside and unceremoniously dumped next to Lex.
He pressed her brooch again, just in case, before Lois was pulled off him.
The pilot started the helicopter. His heart pounding, Lex looked from the gun trained on him and Lois to the platform. There was no one there. Security was taking too slow. Maybe Lois had put on the wrong brooch. Maybe ...
The helicopter rose.
"Shit!" the man with the gun on them swore suddenly.
Lex looked out; a contingent of security guards was converging on the platform.
The next few minutes were a blur. Lois was screaming orders and threats, their abductors were shouting and screaming curses, there was a lot of gunfire. He remembered feeling the impact of the bulled in his arm, but not the pain. He did remember Lois grabbing him and trying to pull him out of the helicopter before the damn thing got caught on the power lines, but her hand must have slipped in his blood because they both fell.
The next thing he remembered clearly was her grasping his hand as they dangled out of the helicopter.
"What happened?" he managed to ask.
She just laughed. "Oh, God, Lex, hold on." Lois her left hand tangled in the belts dangling from the helicopter. Her forearm strained as she fought to keep her grip, feet kicking slightly, breath coming in harsh pants. With her other arm, she had a firm grip around Lex's wrist.
That's when Lex realized people were shouting above them as he dangled in midair off a fallen helicopter. It was also when Lex realized he was in shock.
"I'm may have to drop you, Lex," Lois said suddenly.
"Huh?"
"To save myself." Then she laughed. "Oh, God, I can't. I .... LEX!" Lois screamed suddenly, but Lex was beyond caring.
He was falling.
It wasn't quite as scary as he'd thought it would be. Yes, part of it was the shock, but the rest .... It was kind of fun. And a relief, knowing that it'd be over, soon. No more nightmares or torment or loneliness. It'd all be in the past.
"I've got you."
Lex blinked. The world had stopped. "What?"
"You're safe now. I have you."
And then the world was going in reverse. As if he were going up.
He blinked again and turned his head. And then looked down.
Lex was flying. More than that, Lex was flying in a man's arms.
They flew past the helicopter and back up to the roof. Lois was already sitting on the roof, looking bemused as people surrounded her. Her eyes were on Lex and his savior as they landed.
Lex turned in his savior's arms as he was set down. "Who are you?" he asked, gazing into the beautiful blue eyes that were set into an equally beautiful face.
He smiled. "No one special."
"Am I dead?"
"No." He helped Lex sit. "These men will take care of you." Then he lifted into the air again, picked the helicopter up and set it on the platform carefully, and then disappeared.
"Did you see that?" Lois asked, voice awed.
"I think so."
The world started going black around him. His lungs crushed like he was eight again and having an asthma attack and, suddenly, he felt the bullet wound.
"Lex? Lex!"
The world disappeared and he was flying again. Body light, he felt better than he had in years. He tore through the night sky, starlight on his skin, bathing and caressing him.
Lex rolled onto his back and threw his arms wide. "Yes!" he shouted as he zoomed. He laughed. Everything was perfect.
He was free.
"Breathe for me, baby. Please. Breathe."
Lex blinked. What was that?
"*Breathe*"
The stars disappeared. The night wind stopped whipping at his cheeks. Pain flooded his body and he opened his eyes.
Clark was above him, his useless glasses on the edge of his nose. His cheeks were flushed and he was breathing heavily, panic in those lovely eyes.
"Clark?" he said in confusion.
"I'm here, Lex." He took Lex's hand and squeezed. "Everything's going to be okay. We're on our way to the hospital."
Lex licked his lips. "What?"
"You stopped breathing. I had to give you mouth to mouth." Clark pressed his lips into Lex's forehead. "You're going to be okay."
Lex threaded their fingers together as the darkness closed around him again. "Clark," he whispered, "I flew."
More on that later. Right now, I want feedback. ;P
More Reporter!Lex. Long section, but it's a little less rough than last night's. Hope you enjoy! And thanks for all the feedback on the first part! I really appreciate it.
Clark Kent was, in many ways, like an overgrown puppy. He was cute and floppy around the edges, and you wanted to pull him into your lap and cuddle him. But, at the same time, he was young and unfinished and too damn innocent.
But, he was also a brilliant writer and good journalist which is why Lex finally gave in and decided to take him to Lois Lane, president of Lane Enterprises', charity gala. Lex was going because, one, Lois never turned down the opportunity to invite him to a social function and, two, he was convinced that Lane Enterprises was responsible for a huge chemical dump a few towns over that he and Clark had been investigating. While he might not get a chance to corner her at the gala, simply being there was enough to remind her of his existence and he'd then get a lunch date and then he could grill her into the ground.
"I don't understand why she invited you," Clark said as he and Lex walked towards the hotel Lois was having her party in. "I mean, I thought the two of you were ..." He trailed off and shrugged, obviously hesitant.
They'd been partners for three weeks and, so far, Clark had respected the fact that Lex didn't want to talk about his past. He hadn't asked one question, which was actually a little annoying since he *was* a journalist and it was his job to ask questions. But, as long as he respected Lex's wish for silence, Lex respected the boundaries Clark had erected the day after they met, even though, the longer Lex knew him, the more intrigued he became. The kid had amazing secrets hidden beneath that flawless skin, and Lex was eager to dig them out.
But he knew how painful that was, so he kept his claws out of Clark and they coexisted in almost ease.
Lex hated to talk about his past follies. He'd written about them, exposed himself in the most painful way, stopping just short of being a whore. Perry had assured him many times that what' he'd done *wasn't* whoring himself out, and the public *deserved* to know the truth, and Lex was good writer and he deserved to tell his own story.
He'd told it once. Anything more, he felt, was tearing away at his own skin.
But Clark was gazing down at him earnestly, and he did deserve to know what Lex was dragging him into.
"No, we aren't friends. Or, we shouldn't be, but there's something between us that's stronger than friendship and no matter how hard we try, we can't stop orbiting each other." He pulled his cigarette case from his tux jacket. "She screwed me over, was the instrument of Luthor Corp's demise, but it wasn't anything I wasn't trying to do to her."
"But she had your father killed."
Lex stiffened and turned quickly. It was an automatic response, one he'd never quite been able to control. *No one* spoke of his father to him, and he refused to listen. He'd heard his fill in the days after finding the body, listened to the dirty laughter and innuendo. Listened to police and reporters alike sully Lionel Luthor's name, painting him as a coward who couldn't handled a set back.
Or his son's betrayal.
He was trying to get away from Clark, cross the street, *something*, but Clark caught him before he could even step off the curb. His grip on Lex's arm was like iron, and he struggled against it even as he realized it would be useless.
He stopped struggling. Not looking at Clark, he lit his cigarette and put it in his mouth. "Let me go," he finally said in a clipped tone.
The hands loosed slightly, but didn't release him. "No. I'm worried about you. You're already so tense tonight."
"I'm going to go see an ex-lover I can't seem to stay away from, one who helped to ruin me and my family, and my partner is digging where he shouldn't."
"I'm not digging. I only want to understand."
This time, Lex did look at him. "Understand what?"
"You."
There was a moment of tense silence. Lex found himself caught in Clark's eyes, uncertainty flooding him. He hated feeling like this. He was Lex Luthor, damn it. He shouldn't be uncertain.
And yet, this kid kept him completely off guard for some reason.
Clark sighed, his breath pluming out in the frosty air. "We have to get to the party," he said softly. Then he took the cigarette from Lex's fingers and ground it out. "You shouldn't smoke. It's bad for you."
"Lots of things are, doesn't stop me. Besides, what business is it of yours?"
Guileless blue-green eyes gazed at him through worthless lenses. One of the many secrets Lex didn't ask about. The glasses weren't real. Lex had stood behind him one day as they were getting coffee and directed his gaze through them. His vision hadn't changed at all, nothing had been distorted. They were just plastic, nothing more, not designed to correct any vision. They were just ... there, hiding Clark's face behind ugly black, keeping his secrets safe.
Hesitantly, Clark ran his finger down Lex's face. "You're my partner. I have to care."
"For now. Once you get on your feet ..."
"I am on my feet. And after we break this story, there is no way Perry will let us apart. We're a team, Lex, and we look out for each other."
He swallowed hard and clutched Clark's jacket. "Don't ever talk about my father again," he said, voice tight. Then he pulled away. "Come on. We're late."
"Yeah, but fashionably so. Lex, hold on."
Lex stopped and allowed Clark to circle him.
The kid flashed him that smile that he did too well, the one that made Lex's insides twist. "Your tie's crooked." Graceful fingers straightened it for him, and then lingered a moment. "Are you ready?"
He realized what Clark was asking and closed his eyes. For a long moment, he just concentrated on his breathing, willing the tense muscles in his neck and shoulders to unclench.
"Let's go," he said after a moment. He opened his eyes to find Clark still in front of him, gazing at him through unreadable eyes. "I'm fine. Just watch my back tonight, okay? Lois is a real bitch."
"I swear I won't leave your side."
The walked the rest of the block. Lex flashed their invitation to the doorman and was let inside; Lois had said "Lex Luthor and guest," as she always did. This was the first time Lex had brought a date, even though, technically, Clark wasn't a date. He was there to work, as they both were. Well, mingle, network, and get contacts to call on later. It was business.
But, as they stepped into the elevator to go to the ballroom at the top of the building, Lex allowed himself to pretend, just for an instant, it was a date. He had a feeling that Clark would be more understanding than anyone else had ever been. He was intuitive, Clark was, and he would know that although Lex hated Lois, he couldn't, as he said, stay away from her.
They'd known each other practically since birth. Their mothers had been friends and had married powerful men within the span of few months. Lois and Lex had been born weeks apart. They'd gone to preschool together, then an academy in Metropolis. The first time they'd been separated was after Lex's accident in Smallville, when he'd been caught in the meteor shower and lost his hair. Lex had been sent to a prep school in New England after that.
At twelve, Lois had beaten up someone who'd made fun of Lex for being bald. At fifteen she'd ruined a girl's reputation for spreading rumors that Lex was gay. At sixteen, she'd been the first girl Lex had slept with. At nineteen, they'd talked about getting married.
And then, at twenty-one, Lois and her father had taken Luthor Corp from them.
In retrospect, Lex felt it had been his fault. He'd been the one to convince his father to ruin Lane Enterprises, but he hadn't wanted it to affect Lois. His plan had been to ruin the company and hire Lois, maybe even marry her, never thinking how humiliating it would be. As he, Lois, and his father had schemed, Lex hadn't realized Lois was making her own plans, one that included his downfall.
She'd offered him a job after the fact. He'd refused, instead allowing Perry White talk him into giving an exclusive. But Lex had had his own agenda in agreeing: he wanted a job. In college, Lex had been on the newspaper, and had, in fact, gotten his minor in journalism. Perry had found him, drunk beyond reason in a bar and had taken him home. Lex had assumed he was being cruised and went along, only to pass out before they could sleep together.
To his surprise, that wasn't what Perry wanted at all. He wanted the exclusive, something that would seal his rise to editor of the Daily Planet.
"This is the story of a lifetime," Perry had said. "An empire fallen."
Lex, who'd been nursing very strong coffee made my Perry's wife, had replied, "I'll write it myself. Share the byline. You get editor, I get a job."
After an hour of debate, Perry agreed.
Lois had been furious. Lex had done everything he could to shed suspicion on Lane Enterprises, suspicion that he knew was well founded. For months afterwards, every news, political, legal, and consumer agency had hounded her company. Stock prices fell. Board members bailed. Lane Enterprises teetered on extinction.
And Lionel Luthor committed suicide.
Two months later, things stabilized. Lane Enterprise one again became the strongest corporation in the world, and Lois began toying with Lex. For his part, Lex was cautiously happy with his life, despite the guilt he felt over his father's death and his inability to either prevent it or uncover the truth. He knew Lois had had Lionel killed. He believed it more strongly than he'd ever believed anything in his life.
He just couldn't prove it. So he allowed Lois to toy with him, to try to humiliate him in front of his former colleagues. Every party, he got a scoop. Every gathering was a story. He'd uncovered scandals, solved cases, ruined lives while saving others, all from being in the same room as Lois.
It was only she he couldn't touch, and that was maddening.
The elevator doors opened and Lex and Clark stepped into the crowded room. "Do you dance?" Lex asked, looking out at the dance floor.
"Why? Do you want to?" Clark put his hand on Lex's back.
He smiled up at Clark. "Uh, thank you, but that's not what I meant. Dancing is a good way to get scoops. Older women especially like to talk to cute young things. You. I think you'll be on dancing duty tonight."
"What about you?"
"I ..."
"Lex!" Lois' voice rang out over the din.
He sighed. "I have Lois duty. Brace yourself."
Clark, who hadn't moved his hand from Lex's back, flattened it. Warmth flowed through Lex, as well as inappropriate tingling, but, with Clark's support, he was able to hold his head up and wait for Lois with a smile.
She appeared in front of them, all smiles and grace. She was impeccably dressed in a back satin gown and pearls. A beautiful pearl brooch was pinned just above her heart, breasts swelling over the low neckline. Her hair was piled on her hair in some elaborate do, and she smelled of Channel. Her nails were ruby red to match her lips and Lois was, as always, stunningly beautiful. "I'm so happy you came," she said, kissing him on both cheeks.
"You know I never miss a Lane event," he replied, returning the kiss. "You look beautiful."
"I know." Her smile grew, and her nose wrinkled a little. "Thank you. You look, as ever, devastatingly handsome. And who's this?" Her dark eyes turned to Clark, devoured him, and spat him back out.
"Clark Kent," he tried to introduce himself.
"Clark Kent. I've never heard of you before."
"He's my ... partner," Lex said, falteringly. He glanced at Clark, who simply smiled back down. "And friend."
"Congratulations," she said dismissively. "Now, my darling Lex, I am simply swamped with people to see, but talk with Dominic, my assistant, and we'll do lunch soon."
"I'd be honored."
"And dance with me later. Oh, dance with me right now, what *am* I saying?" Lois held her hand out for him. "I'll be too busy later."
He smiled at her, pleased that he was still in control of himself enough not to sigh or roll his eyes. Instead, he took her arm and glanced at Clark. "Mingle, Clark. Ask questions. Socialize."
"Oh, Lex, you aren't *working* are you?" Lois pouted. Her narrowed eyes returned to Clark with a new suspicion. "I thought he was your partner."
"He is. At the Planet."
She pouted. "Oh. I thought he was your lover. And I was *so* happy you settled down."
Yes, he was sure she had been. PR was one of Lois' strong suits, and she always knew the right thing to say, even to him. He had no doubt she really had thought they were lovers, but he did doubt she'd been happy for him.
Clark turned bright read at the insinuation. "Ah, no, ma'am," he said, looking as if he were going to burn up. His eyes apologized to Lex.
Lex grinned in delight and took Clark's hand. "But he is cute," Lex said, and squeezed Clark's hand. Cute actually didn't do him justice; beautiful was closer, but Lex had a rule about sleeping with co-workers. He'd made it just three weeks ago, and so far, he was doing well.
"Well. If you must work, do it casually. These are important people here. Don't annoy my guests."
He bowed slightly. "I promise you I won't." He squeezed Lex's hand, dropped it, and wandered off into the crowd.
Lois turned to Lex as he led her to the dance floor. "Really, Lex, how could you. This is a charity event. What on earth do you think you'll find here?"
"Nothing," he answered honestly as they glided around the floor. "I think this event is impeccable and there is nothing illegal or immoral going on. However, the same can't be said for Lane Enterprises, or many of your guests, and Clark feels that, perhaps, if he talks to the right people ..."
"What do you think I've done, Lex love? You must have some suspicion."
"What on earth do I have to be suspicious of?" he replied, face blank. He hid his smile at her irritation and kept dancing.
And then, suddenly, they weren't dancing.
"Come quietly with us, Ms. Lane," the man who had the gun to Lex's back said softly. "There's no need to make a fuss."
Lois narrowed her eyes and looked over Lex's shoulder at his attacker. "Go ahead and shoot him. By the time he hits the floor, you'll have a hundred guards all over you."
"Yes, but you'll be dead too." Lex was shoved into Lois' body. "It'll go right through him." A hand reached around him and stroked his neck. "We just want to talk, Ms. Lane."
"Lois," Lex hissed, not sure what he wanted her to do. He wasn't sure what he should do, either. He could turn and try to take the guy out, but there was a man behind Lois who'd flashed his gun. There was no way to take them both.
Lois was still looking calm and collected. Gazing at their abductors, she touched her chest and said, "Very well. But he goes free."
"No. He comes with us."
Lex found himself and Lois being herded out the door to the roof.
"What are you doing?" Lex hissed. "I thought you didn't negotiate with terrorists." The last time someone had tried to kidnap Lois, her father had told her kidnappers to take her and refused to concede to their demands. Had Lex not inadvertently rescued her while chasing the story, she'd probably be dead by now.
"Of course we don't," she said brusquely. "Terrorists thrive on power, and they don't seem to realize that I have all the power." She touched her chest again.
No. Not chest. Brooch.
A panic button.
Lex relaxed minutely and allowed himself to be ushered into the helicopter. Lois put up more of a struggle, acting as if her dress had caught in her heel, and then she couldn't quite make the climb into the 'copter, but she was finally shoved inside and unceremoniously dumped next to Lex.
He pressed her brooch again, just in case, before Lois was pulled off him.
The pilot started the helicopter. His heart pounding, Lex looked from the gun trained on him and Lois to the platform. There was no one there. Security was taking too slow. Maybe Lois had put on the wrong brooch. Maybe ...
The helicopter rose.
"Shit!" the man with the gun on them swore suddenly.
Lex looked out; a contingent of security guards was converging on the platform.
The next few minutes were a blur. Lois was screaming orders and threats, their abductors were shouting and screaming curses, there was a lot of gunfire. He remembered feeling the impact of the bulled in his arm, but not the pain. He did remember Lois grabbing him and trying to pull him out of the helicopter before the damn thing got caught on the power lines, but her hand must have slipped in his blood because they both fell.
The next thing he remembered clearly was her grasping his hand as they dangled out of the helicopter.
"What happened?" he managed to ask.
She just laughed. "Oh, God, Lex, hold on." Lois her left hand tangled in the belts dangling from the helicopter. Her forearm strained as she fought to keep her grip, feet kicking slightly, breath coming in harsh pants. With her other arm, she had a firm grip around Lex's wrist.
That's when Lex realized people were shouting above them as he dangled in midair off a fallen helicopter. It was also when Lex realized he was in shock.
"I'm may have to drop you, Lex," Lois said suddenly.
"Huh?"
"To save myself." Then she laughed. "Oh, God, I can't. I .... LEX!" Lois screamed suddenly, but Lex was beyond caring.
He was falling.
It wasn't quite as scary as he'd thought it would be. Yes, part of it was the shock, but the rest .... It was kind of fun. And a relief, knowing that it'd be over, soon. No more nightmares or torment or loneliness. It'd all be in the past.
"I've got you."
Lex blinked. The world had stopped. "What?"
"You're safe now. I have you."
And then the world was going in reverse. As if he were going up.
He blinked again and turned his head. And then looked down.
Lex was flying. More than that, Lex was flying in a man's arms.
They flew past the helicopter and back up to the roof. Lois was already sitting on the roof, looking bemused as people surrounded her. Her eyes were on Lex and his savior as they landed.
Lex turned in his savior's arms as he was set down. "Who are you?" he asked, gazing into the beautiful blue eyes that were set into an equally beautiful face.
He smiled. "No one special."
"Am I dead?"
"No." He helped Lex sit. "These men will take care of you." Then he lifted into the air again, picked the helicopter up and set it on the platform carefully, and then disappeared.
"Did you see that?" Lois asked, voice awed.
"I think so."
The world started going black around him. His lungs crushed like he was eight again and having an asthma attack and, suddenly, he felt the bullet wound.
"Lex? Lex!"
The world disappeared and he was flying again. Body light, he felt better than he had in years. He tore through the night sky, starlight on his skin, bathing and caressing him.
Lex rolled onto his back and threw his arms wide. "Yes!" he shouted as he zoomed. He laughed. Everything was perfect.
He was free.
"Breathe for me, baby. Please. Breathe."
Lex blinked. What was that?
"*Breathe*"
The stars disappeared. The night wind stopped whipping at his cheeks. Pain flooded his body and he opened his eyes.
Clark was above him, his useless glasses on the edge of his nose. His cheeks were flushed and he was breathing heavily, panic in those lovely eyes.
"Clark?" he said in confusion.
"I'm here, Lex." He took Lex's hand and squeezed. "Everything's going to be okay. We're on our way to the hospital."
Lex licked his lips. "What?"
"You stopped breathing. I had to give you mouth to mouth." Clark pressed his lips into Lex's forehead. "You're going to be okay."
Lex threaded their fingers together as the darkness closed around him again. "Clark," he whispered, "I flew."
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no subject
Date: 2004-01-01 12:38 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2004-01-01 12:48 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2004-01-01 12:56 pm (UTC)My favorite line.
I also love all the little touches and things they say to each other. Hee hee. And I love Clark's slip in the ambulance when he calls Lex "babe." Aw.
I can't wait for the kissing to start!
no subject
Date: 2004-01-01 04:13 pm (UTC)I'll try to speed up the writing and make it soon! ;)
no subject
Date: 2004-01-01 01:41 pm (UTC)OK. I'm really intrigued with the mixup/turnabout you've got going. Everyone seems to be right in character, even with the switch in roles.
I especially liked this part--
"The elevator doors opened and Lex and Clark stepped into the crowded room. "Do you dance?" Lex asked, looking out at the dance floor.
"Why? Do you want to?" Clark put his hand on Lex's back."
and this--
"but Lex had a rule about sleeping with co-workers. He'd made it just three weeks ago, and so far, he was doing well."
I'll be watching my flist for more pieces. Thank you!
Some pre-beta for you:
Her hair was piled on her hair in some elaborate do
Clark turned bright read at the insinuation.
Security was taking too slow.
He remembered feeling the impact of the bulled in his arm,
no subject
Date: 2004-01-01 04:15 pm (UTC)Oh, good, I'm glad they are. I'm really afraid of making them too different, especially Lois. I don't want to do any character assasinations here, just portray them in new roles.
Thanks for the help with the mistakes.
no subject
Date: 2004-01-01 02:36 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2004-01-01 04:16 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2004-01-01 04:46 pm (UTC)Can't wait for more! :)
no subject
Date: 2004-01-01 06:35 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2004-01-01 05:03 pm (UTC)Lois and the Lane Enterprises great introduction!
no subject
Date: 2004-01-01 07:49 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2004-01-01 08:05 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2004-01-01 10:37 pm (UTC)I don't remember much of the movies (apparently, I was in a daze when I saw them) but I loved the helicopter scene. Mostly, I loved it because Lois fought so hard not to drop, but it was also just cool. So I wanted that but ... different. ;)
I'm glad you're enjoying it. Thanks for the feedback!
no subject
Date: 2004-01-02 12:41 am (UTC)Slipping into my Continuity Lass role (coming soon to a Legion of Substitute Heroes near you!), just thought it'd be useful for you to know that Lois's parents' names are Sam and Ella. She also has a younger sister, Lucy.
no subject
Date: 2004-01-02 11:51 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2004-01-03 09:39 pm (UTC)