A few days later
Chloe stood in her apartment waiting in expectation as she looked at the bathroom door. It wasn't too long before Lana walked out with a disappointed look on her face.
"Well what does it say?" Chloe asked.
"It's positive," Lana showed Chloe the pregnancy test as she responded. Deep inside she wasn't happy, it wasn't her intention to get pregnant.
"Are you keeping it?"
"Of course I am, I'd never do that Chloe," She couldn't do that, take the life of a baby just because it inconvenienced her.
"Are you gonna tell Lex? And let's not forget about Clark." Chloe shook her head that and Lana could only agree. This whole thing was unexpected, she wasn't sure how she was supposed to proceed.
"For now I'll tell Lex, I'd appreciate it if you could keep this between us. At least until I'm ready to tell Clark." Their relationship had ended but deep down she had always felt like they'd find their way back to each other. She wanted to be the one to tell him the news, he deserved that much.
"My lips are sealed," Chloe zipped her lips as she looked at her friend. "Time surely does fly, before we know it you're going to have a little lana or lex running around."
Lana could only crack a smile, she wasn't ready to think that far ahead. Right now she wasn't even sure how Lex would respond to the news. "Thank you Chloe, i'm going to head out I figure the sooner I get this done the better." Walking over to Chloe she hugged her before heading out the door. Walking down the steps of the Talon she couldn't help but sigh. So much time had passed since she was the passionate girl fixated on running a coffee shop.
Getting inside her small car she sighed again, today was a roller coaster and she felt like it had only just begun. Starting the engine she pulled of headed for the Luthor Manor.
…
Lex sat at his desk a few papers in his hands, it had been a few weeks since his father had handed over all of the research. With the help of braniac he found himself quickly being able to understand how Duncan's powers had worked. Due to the accident he had ended up in a coma, he had recently woken up and found himself locked within his own body. His powers allowed him to form a sort of astral self that could travel great distances. Although it was an interesting set of abilities Lex didn't see the use in it. What was the point if upon using them the body would basically shut off. He was so focused that he didn't notice Lana staning in the doorway. She leaned against the door a hint of nervousness on her face. It wasn't too long before she worked up the courage to speak.
"Can we talk?" Her voice pulled Lex from his papers a smile appearing on his face.
"Sure," standing up he motioned for her to take a seat on the couch. "What's up," taking a seat of his own he took a good look at her. He could tell that something was off, she seemed to be closing herself off. Her arms wrapped around her body as if to soothe herself.
"What's wrong?" He couldn't help but ask.
"I'm pregnant Lex," as if all the tension had left her body Lana's shoulders relaxed as she said those words but her eyes remained on Lex.
"That's…" Was it good news? He wasn't sure, he had personally decided against going down the fake pregnancy path. Lana was currently saying she was pregnant and seemed pretty sure but what if his father had a play in this? Skepticism filled his being as he decided to seem pleased. "Great, Lana I know it's not something we planned but I don't think it's a bad thing." He pulled her closer as he finished speaking he could feel her relax in his arms.
"You sure?" She asked looking up into his eyes.
"Of course I am," He smiled, "I'll set up a doctors appointment for tomorrow, You should probably call your aunt nell get all the advice you can. I'll pick out the best room and we can rennovate it ourselves."
"Slow down Lex, It seems like you've already picked out the college they'll go to." Lana laughed pulling Lex out of his talk of the future.
Looking down at her he placed a kiss on her lips, "Sorry, although this wasn't planned I've always thought about how my child would be raised. If anything I simply don't want them to be raised like I was. Every day was a battle or a test, I want them to enjoy their childhood not be full of grief."
"I know what you mean, losing my parents changed me so much. I don't want them to go through that either."
"It seems we both have plans for our child, but like you said for now let's focus on the present." Lex squeezed her shoulder as he looked off into empty space, he'd need to move up a couple of his plans regardless of whether Lana was pregnant or not.
…
Lana had taken a nap, which had given Lex some time to sneak off to the basement. His trust in Braniac 2.0 wasn't strong enough to allow him to leave the basement. He knew that eventually he'd have to make a decision though. Entering the server room he walked over to the lone computer desktop in the room.
[Hello Master]
"Hello Brainiac 2.0," Lex responded taking a seat at the desk.
[What can I help you with today Master]
"Have you figured out the reason for my body's random spurts of Kryptonian power?" Brani was in fact the only scientist Lex could trust with such a test. The chances of his father snooping around and paying off some doctor he hired was high. He couldn't risk that, who knew what the old fool would do once he realized Lex had the power of a kyrptonian.
[Yes, and the answer is quite simple.]
[The machine mixed the Kryptonian cells with your own creating a sort of hybrid. Unfortunately, your cells are currently incapable of absorbing energy from the sun.]
[The energy you're taking in through food and drink isn't enough to sustain you.]
"So I need a way to either allow my body to absorb energy from the sun or a way to give myself enough energy to sustain the power of a Kryptonian?"
[Another problem remains though. Even with the energy to power the cells in your body, you would be incapable of matching a true Kryptonian. I estimate that even with the sun's rays you're only 20% as powerful as someone like Kal-El or Zod. Your body may be stronger but you'd lack any and all of the other gifts a Kryptonian is gifted upon reaching a yellow sun.]
Lex nodded not really finding that news to shocking, it made sense in fact. Why would the full power of a god just land in his lap? Things were never that easy, at least this way he'd continue to do his best. His mission wasn't to defeat Clark, he only wished to protect what he cherished.
"What should I do with Lana Lang?" Lex looked at the computer screen waiting for a response.
[... The chances of Lana Lang leaving you in the future are 85% that percentage raises to 100% if she discovers who Clark Kent truly is. I would recommend you cut your losses while you can… Master]
Those numbers were pretty high, a bit higher than Lex's considering he believed he could convince Lana to stay. Reality was often different from the thoughts in ones own head though and Lex wasn't foolish. The hero always get's the girl even when that girl was already in a commited relationship. There was one piece of information Braniac was lacking though.
"She's pregnant," Lex raised an eyebrow in anticipation as he wated on Brani's response.
[Chances of Lana Lang leaving you have dropped to 55%, upon discovering CLark's secret it rises to 70%. I wouldn't recommend taking those chances.]
"I agree, for now I'll bide my time. Play the part of loving boyfriend, who knows if the pregnancy is real I might even propose." Lex stood from his chair thinking of the possibilities. "Keep up the good work Brani and I might just take you out of here." Not looking back he exited the room making sure to close the secret entrance.
[Thank you… Master]