"You think she's finally pulled it off?" Oliver said as they entered the small private hospital run by Pamela Black. The place was quaint, on the surface it served as a small general hospital for the wealthy, in reality Pamela Black was experiementing using her drug. It was all above board as far as the law was concerned, with Oliver Queen and Lex Luthor's kind of money permits were a breeze. The human trials aspect was a bit tough, but when you've been doing things like this as long as Lex has, you learn a few tricks.
"Her tenacity is something to admire. I would have shut this place down months ago if not for your persuasiveness," Lex wasn't sure Pamela Black could deliver the perfect drug. One that would increase the strength of the one that took it while healing them simultaneously? It was impossible without drawbacks, and he wasn't sure it was worth the risk.
"Have a little faith, Lex," Oliver grinned as he pressed the elevator button to the bottom floor.
The walls were white as they exited. It was almost creepy, reminding Lex of his time in Belle Reeve. The light seemed to flicker with uncertainty as they walked down the hall, the doors swung open, and Pamela Black with her trademark deadpan expression. For a woman who relied so heavily on the two of them, she sure as hell seemed to disdain their presence.
"Let's get this over with," Pamela said, turning around.
"You could show a little appreciation to your investors, without us, you'd be hiding in the sewers, considering your illegal practices," Lex commented, causing Pamela to freeze.
"This is a symbiotic relationship, Mr.Luthor, surely you understand that," her brow rose, and Lex couldn't help but smile.
"Mr.Luthor is my father, and you need us a lot more than we need you. I'm not even sure your drug is worth all the trouble you and your experiments seem to be causing." Three subjects had been sent home after drug trials with no immediate proof of success. Hours later, each of them committed acts of aggression and ended up in jail cells, with one murdering his own wife. One couldn't exactly point to Pamela's drug as the only cause, but three times was more than a coincidence.
"You'll have to forgive Lex," Oliver said, placing a hand on Lex's shoulder, sending him a glare before his smile returned. Looking at Pamela, he spoke suavely, "Me, on the other hand, I'm all about prospects."
"Then you'll both be pleased with the results," Pamela said, continuing to walk. She led them into a room, a table with two chairs, the only thing in sight. To the side of a glass window, it reminded Lex of the interrogation rooms he'd frequented as a teenager.
On the other side of the window, a man stood dressed in a white doctor's coat, in front of him was another man lying on an operating table.
"This is my colleague, Dr.Heinz. Lying before him is a man who was recently in a car accident. If you look closely, you can see the fractured arm. If you require proof, we also have X-rays." Pamela said, looking to Lex.
"That won't be necessary," Oliver interrupted, "Right, Lex?" he said, narrowing his eyes.
"Proceed," Lex commented, ignoring Oliver's antics.
Pamela stepped forward, pressing a button on the side of the mirror, "You may proceed."
Lex and Oliver watched as the doctor inserted the needle into the man's arm. It wasn't seconds later that they watched his arm set itself in place. The pain that was once visible on the man's face had faded, and judging by his reaction, he hadn't expected it either.
"She did it," Oliver commented.
"That's not all," Pamela said, finally cracking a smile, "Do you see the barbell resting off to the side? That's a Thomas Inch Dumbbell; it weighs close to 172 pounds, but due to its thick non-rotating handle, it's extremely difficult to lift."
Looking at the dumbbell, Lex could tell by its design why it would be tough to lift. Before he could comment, the man walked over towards the dumbbell, lifting it with ease. It seemed almost like a child's toy in his hand. Soon, the man was ushered out of the room, and Pamela motioned for them to follow her. It was seconds later that they entered the other room, Oliver immediately reached down to pick up the dumbbell, only to fail miserably.
"What about adverse side effects?" Lex asked, looking at the doctor.
"We keep the subjects isolated for 48 hours after administering the drug. We've observed no obvious adverse side effects, even a week after taking the drug. But this is still a trial, it's an experimental drug, we expect minor problems to arise as we begin to run more tests."
Lex couldn't lie; it sounded pleasing to the ears, but he knew better. "I'm interested in seeing it for myself. Provide me with a vial of the drug." Lex watched as Pamela froze.
"I don't think that's appropriate," She began, only to be cut off by Oliver.
"I don't often agree with Lex, but we need to run tests ourselves. I'll take a couple of vials myself, I'm sure my scientist at Queen industries will be excited." Oliver smiled, "Obviously, all of the research findings we'll be sent to you, I don't intend to steal your Nobel Peace Prize."
Maybe the drug was a winner, Lex wasn't completely sure. This thing had the chance of being a game-changer for hospital patients; they weren't even sure how potent the drug was. Could it have some effect on cancer, or even mental illnesses? The potential was exponential, and the results were plenty; turns out she was right, in the end, they were both pleased.
As they walked towards the exit, Lex could see the cogs spinning in Oliver's head. For all of his antics, Oliver had a serious side that came out during times like these. "My fiancé seems to think we're friends. I was told to invite you to our engagement party that's later this week."
Suddenly, the usual Oliver returned as a smirk appeared on his face, "I'll do us both a favor and decline, send her my regards, tell her I'll be out of town or something."
Lex let out a sigh. Lana had lived a different life from Lex. She wouldn't understand the need to put on a fake smile to keep the business flowing. He and Oliver were business partners; they happened to grow up together, but that was it. Being forced to play friends in front of Lana would have been nothing more than a chore.
…
As Lana entered the elevator of the Daily Planet, she couldn't help but feel a mix of emotions. She hadn't meant to explode at Chloe, especially when she was only looking out for her safety. Chloe's unrelenting nature had been the reason for the fights they'd had while in high school, but it was something that Lana had learned to love about Chloe. Hearing the elevator ding, she steeled her resolve as the doors opened. The basement hadn't been the place Chloe had dreamed of working in all her life, but it was a start. Though it was full of copy room boys and mail clerks, the basement was a place of chaos. Unproven writers typed away at the keyboards on their desks, unproven photographers could often be found running around begging writers to develop stories around their images. Lana maneuvered through the room, finding Chloe's desk empty.
"Lana, what are you doing here?" Chloe seemed more surprised than anything.
"I came to apologize," Lana said, looking Chloe in the eyes. "You were only trying to protect me. I'm sorry for yelling."
"Lana, you don't need to apologize, Lex has done nothing but try and be a better person since he started dating you, I'm just not used to him being..." Chloe seemed to be searching for the word before settling on "normal? I'm sorry for being so me."
"Without you in my corner, I would have run away a long time ago, so please keep being the Chloe I've always known," Lana said, watching as Chloe's eyes went wide.
"Be careful what you ask for, Lana Lang," Chloe said, causing both of them to laugh.
"Not that that's out of the way, I have to ask," reaching inside her purse, Lana pulled out an invitation. "Lex and I are having an engagement party on Thursday. It would mean the world for you to be there with me."
"I wouldn't miss it for the world," Lana smiled as Chloe accepted the invitation.
"Well, I have to go buy a few last-minute things for the party. I'll see you there," Lana said, turning back towards the exit. The elevator doors dinged, revealing a stoic Clark Kent.
"Lana?" Clark asked in surprise.
"I'm glad I ran into you," Lana said as Clark exited the elevator. "I've already spoken to Mrs.Kent about it, and she's promised to be there."
"Be where?" Clark asked, interrupting.
"My engagement Party is this Thursday," Lana said, seeing Clark's face fall flat.
"You don't have to worry, Lana, I'll stay as far away as possible."
"No, Clark, I want you to be there," she said, reaching into her purse again, she pulled out another invitation.
"You do?" Clark said, surprised. "Does Lex know? I doubt he would agree," Clark said absentmindedly.
"Lex doesn't hate you, Clark. I can tell he misses the friendship the two of you once had," Lana shook her head, placing the invitation into Clark's hand. "Not to mention, even if he didn't want you there, I do, relationships are give and take, Clark, I wouldn't have you be the only person missing from a gathering of all the people we love."
"I'll be there," Clark seemed to go through a hundred emotions as he stared back into Lana's eyes. Ultimately, he promised to be there.
"Good, make sure to dress well, no flannel shirts," Lana pointed as stepping around Clark and entered the Elevator. As the doors closed, she let out a sad smile. She wondered how things would have turned out between Clark and Lex had she not found herself in the middle of their friendship. Surely Clark would have been willing to forgive Lex had he not been dating his best friends ex girlfriend. Shaking her head, she knew that most of this was Clark's fault; his secrets and lies had led the only two people forced to deal with it to bond over the pain he'd caused them both.