COTW 53: Untitled

[serafina20]

"You have got to be kidding me," Clark said, stopping short in the doorway.

"I know, but, please, just come in," the man behind the desk said. He ran his hand through his sandy blond hair.

Clark gripped his backpack strap. "No. No. I mean, what part of, 'I don't want to talk to men,' don't they understand in that stupid office? And why the hell doesn't Lionel..."

"I've never met Lionel Luthor, nor spoken to anyone in his office," the man said quickly. "I don't even think he knows I exist."

"Please," he snorted. "Lionel knows."

"I'm fairly sure the man's not God." He offered Clark a wry, half-smile. Then he shrugged. "I'm the only social worker available right now. Mostly because I'm brand new. I just got hired by the county, and because they need someone on your case, they sent me. I'm sorry I'm a man, Clark, I really am, but there's nothing we can do right now." He gave Clark a beseeching look.

Clark almost felt sorry for him. It was enough to get him into the office, door shut behind him. But then he leaned against the door and crossed his arms over his chest. He wasn't exactly sure how to make his face sullen, but he did his best.

The man relaxed. Smiled. "I'm Matthew. Matthew Hadley." Matthew hesitated, then held out his hand to Clark.

Clark took it and shook, applying as much pressure as he could without hurting him.

"Wow. Um. You're strong," Matthew said, shaking his hand once it was released.

"Yeah. You gonna tell me how I should have used my strength against Lionel while he was molesting me?"

He shook his head. "No. I imagine that it must have been a frightening experience. Fear does strange things to us. My dad was one of the strongest men I knew, but you get him around a snake, he didn't have the strength to hold onto a pencil."

Clark didn't crack a smile.

"Tough audience." Matthew sat on the desk. "So. Today I'm here to sort of touch base, see how you're doing, and start preparing you for what's to come. I'll probably be coming every couple weeks for the next month or so, more after the trial beings. I understand that you've been seeing Dr. Carvey for psychological help, which is great. However, I also need to set up services for your family. That means I'll need to come to your house soon, sometime this week, preferably."

"What do you mean? I mean, what kind of services?"

"More counseling. This incident affects more than just you, Clark; it affects your entire family, and you all need to deal with it. And, according to the state, you need to deal with it in such a way it's recorded on paper so everyone knows that it's been dealt with." Matthew gave Clark a half smile. "Depending on the counselor's assessment, sessions can last from a couple weeks to a few years. We'll just have to see."

Clark sighed. "This sucks."

"I'm sorry," he said, sounding sincere.

"It's just, I don't want to talk about it anymore. To anyone. I'm sick of talking about it."

"I can imagine that you are. But it's only going to get worse in the upcoming months." He hesitated. Picked up a pencil from the desk and twirled it in his fingers. "I talked with the investigating officer on your case, and he said that there's enough information to make an arrest. They're going to move in soon."

Clark's stomach twisted. His hand tightened on his backpack. "What... what does that mean?"

"It means that Lionel will be arrested and formally charged with molesting you. And, given Lionel Luthor's reputation and wealth, that means the media blitz will start up again."

"Yeah, I know. That I'm not... I mean, I don't want to go through it again, but that stuff I know. Just keep saying no comment and don't get angry and play it cool. That sort of thing." He licked his lips. "But, um. What happens next?"

"The DA will talk with you, your parents, and anyone on the witness list. Build a case against Lionel. He'll probably be out on bail, but with a restraining order to stay away from you."

"He won't follow it."

"Then you tell the police. Simple as that."

Clark sighed. "It's never that simple. Last week, I was in this room, talking to a man Lionel had given ten thousand dollars to fuck with my head. Lionel blackmailed the town sheriff, who then shot him. Who knows what he'll do next? It's never that simple."

"Clark, would you like to sit down?"

He bit his lip and chewed on it a moment before nodding. Then he took a slow step away from the door. He kept his eyes on Matthew, watching him from beneath his lashes. It wasn't that he thought Matthew was going to do anything to him; he just wanted to make absolutely sure he didn't.

Once Clark was seated, Matthew got off the desk. "I'm sorry you've had such a rough experience. I can't imagine what motivates a man like Lionel to so relentlessly pursue a young man like yourself. Especially when his advances are so obviously unwanted."

"He's not doing it because he wants me or anything. He's doing it to get back at my dad. At least he was. I don't know anymore."

"What do you mean, getting back at your dad?"

He sighed; he was doing that a lot today. "Last year there was this... thing at the LuthorCorp plant. Lionel had to come down for it. And, after, he stayed at the mansion with Lex? And then, that night, Lex came to our house all beat up. Lionel had beaten him with a pool cue, roughed him up pretty badly. So we took care of him. The next morning, Lionel came over and demanded my dad give him Lex. And my dad said no, and so Lionel's been trying to get him ever since."

"Just because your father was trying to protect Lex Luthor?" Matthew asked.

"There's some other history between my dad and Lionel, too, but this was, like, the incident that pushed him to go after my dad. That's when he decided to get me taken away from my parents. Just to show what he could do."

"Wait, what?"

Clark blinked, surprised. He'd forgotten that it wasn't common knowledge, Lionel's part in him being taken away. "Lionel's the one who arranged for me to be taken away from my parents. He's the one who had my file stolen from social services, and then arranged for me to stay with him. And then he.." Clark stopped talking and swallowed around a lump in his throat.

So much for not talking.

Matthew had risen while Clark was talking, gone to the desk. "Did you tell anyone this? I'm not seeing any record."

"Who would believe me?"

"Do you have proof?"

He thought. Then nodded. "Yeah. I think I do. I just have to ask someone. He'd have some kind of proof."

"Who is this?"

"Damien Walters? Lex's assistant. He got my file after Lionel had it stolen. I bet he has photocopies or something."

"Damien Walters. Oh, good, his number is in here. I'll give him a call later and ask him a few questions." He looked up at Clark and smiled. "If what you're saying is true, Lionel can be charged for more than just molestation. And if Lex will press assault and battery charges..."

"He won't," Clark said flatly. "And, even he would, I don't think he can. It happened over a year ago."

"Abusers don't generally do it just once," Matthew said, sitting down once more. "There's a need to hurt in them. Sometimes, it's the only way they know to show their love. Sometimes, it's because they don't know how to manage their anger. Or because they're overwhelmed or any number of reasons. But the point is, it doesn't just happen one time."

Clark shook his head. "No." His throat was tight. "Lionel hit him a month or so ago. Broke his knuckles. And the, uh. And the, uh, the uh, night that he. You know." He licked his lips. "Tried t-to rape me, he beat Lex up really bad."

"How bad?"

He started to tell the truth, then realized he couldn't. Lex had been injured so badly that, had Clark not been there, he would have had to go to the hospital. There would be records. But there weren't any, because Clark had healed him, so...

"Well, not bad, exactly. Just hit him. Hurt his leg somehow."

"That was less than a year ago. If he acts quickly..."

Clark shook his head. "Lex won't. He can't even say that Lionel abused him. Every time he tries, he loses his voice."

Matthew raised his eyebrows. "I hope he's getting help."

"Yeah, he is." He hesitated, then said, "Aren't you going to ask me about Lex?"

"There's no reason to. You've steadily maintained that Lex Luthor is your best friend, and I see no reason to doubt you on that."

He snorted. "Then you're the only one."

"You do realize that the defense lawyer is going to question your relationship, too. You might be over the age of consent now, but when you first met Lex Luthor, you weren't. They may try to question you about him. And, if you're on the stand, you will be under oath."

Clark let out a shaky breath. He felt abruptly ill. "I don't... I... Why does it matter?"

"It doesn't. It should have no relevance. But they may try to bring it up to throw you."

"To make it seem like I seduced Lionel."

"No. They wouldn't... Is that what my predecessor did?"

He nodded. "Yeah. And so did Lionel. They're all, like, if I wasn't gay, then Lionel wouldn't have even thought about it. That it had to be because I'm gay. Because Lionel's *so* straight." He rolled his eyes.

"I take it you have evidence otherwise?"

"None that I *ever* want to think about. Ever," he said quickly. "But even Lionel said that he *usually* prefers women. Usually isn't always."

"No, it isn't. Still. This rape attempt, and the subsequent molestation seems to have little to do with attraction or sexuality."

Clark shook his head. "No."

"You do realize, also, that the defense may try to claim you're lying. That none of this ever happened."

"Why would I lie?"

He shrugged. "Lex Luthor's torrid relationship with his father is fairly well known, especially since he started his own company. You could be accusing Lionel of molesting you to get him in trouble."

"I'm not!" It came out much louder than he'd intended.

"I know," Matthew said, voice calm. "I know you're not lying. I'm just trying to prepare you for all possibilities. We have ways to counter that kind of accusation. Your reaction to this has been fairly typical, and we have enough people to testify as to your behavior the past year. It'll be fine."

Clark nodded and closed his eyes. He was so tired of thinking about this. So tired of it hanging around his head constantly. He wanted for it all to go away.

"Clark? Clark."

Someone was shaking him. Stroking his face.

He groaned and pulled away from the caress.

"Clark, I need you to wake up."

Sleepily, Clark pried his eyes opened.

Dr. Carvey was standing over him, her face practically in his. She smiled when his eyes met hers. "There you are. Welcome back."

"Did I fall asleep again?"

"Yes, you did. And Mr. Hadley couldn't wake you up."

Clark's eyes moved past her to Matthew, who was hovering just over Dr. Carvey's shoulder. "Oh." His body felt heavy, mind fuzzed. He closed his eyes again.

"Does this happen a lot?" he heard Matthew ask.

"When he starts getting overwhelmed, yes. The molestation is the only thing that sets him off; he handles other stress just fine." She stroked down his face again. Then, her hand covered his forehead. "Huh. Does he feel warm to you?"

Another hand touched his forehead. "Yes. Maybe he's sick, too."

"Maybe. At any rate, I think we should just send him home for the day. It's almost over anyway."

Clark stirred and opened his eyes again. "I'm not sick. I'm always warm."

Dr. Carvey smiled at him. "Still, wouldn't you rather get sent home than skip out?"

He blushed. "I wasn't going to."

"You know, that is something we need to talk about, Clark." She looked at Matthew. "Can you go tell the secretary to call Clark's parents to take him home? I need to have a moment with him."

"Sure, no problem." Matthew left.

Dr. Carvey sat across from Clark. "Clark, I understand that you're bored with school. I also know that you've got a lot of other things on your mind. But you really need to stop leaving when things get rough. We're trying to build a course of study for you to really challenge you, but we need your cooperation, too."

"I know. And I'm sorry. It's just that, well, I hate having to be in classes like gym and wood shop. I can hardly ever do anything in gym and wood shop is stupid. It's not teaching me anything."

"What do you want to do?"

"Drop gym. Take journalism. Drop woodshop and take... anything else, really. Maybe a class at the junior college?"

Dr. Carvey thought about it a moment. "In return, you need to swear that you won't skip any more classes. And you'll lose privileges if you do."

Clark nodded. "That's fine. I promise."

"Good. Then I'll see what I can do."



School starts tomorrow. *nervous*

Comments

[hangebokhan.livejournal.com]

Yay, first comment! Stupid smoke dector *grumble*. I love this section and can not wait to see how you flesh it out.

-Han, the insomniaic Ham

[soft-princess.livejournal.com]

Finally! Clark has a nice social worker! YAY! I like him already. :-)

And I'm really starting to like Dr. Carvey as well. Awesome!

*hugs you tight*

[lapetite-kiki.livejournal.com]

Oh, I like Matthew, I hope that he really is what he says he is.

Snuggles Sleepy Clark

[shuteyespy.livejournal.com]

So I never post but I totally should, because I've been reading this series since the beginning and have always enjoyed it.

I love the fact that you're posting in sections. It's always a fun surprise when I see it on my Flist.

As a huge Clex fan you've made me like all of your pairings (Mark/Whitney *sigh*)and i hope after all this time you still love to write them as much as I love reading about them.

[xxchasxx.livejournal.com]

I love the new chapter, but i'm still waiting for something else to break clark. I know i know but i can't help it, you write a hurt Clark just so prettily.

Good luck with school, and may the force be with you.

*looks around for a new update and falls off of the edge of her desk*

[touchstoneaf.livejournal.com]

oooh! i JUST now found this tag! and i see that this was like, two years ago, but to me it's like getting a brand new chapter to one of my FAVE STORIES EVER!!! terribly exciting considering i just reread COTW over at Piek Ric for like, what? the fiftieth time in the last six months, LOL.

*hugs your neck*
you rule.