Luthorcorp
Lex leaned forward in his office chair as he looked at the security cameras within the mansion. Some would think it was odd, or an invasion of privacy, to have cameras situated all around and within the mansion. The cameras were placed so that they wouldn't invade the privacy of anyone within the mansion. How many times had the mansion been broken into? How many times had Lex's life been put at risk while within the safety of his own home? Lana seemed to understand, but she wasn't exactly interested in where the cameras were placed as long as they weren't pointed at the bed or in the bathroom. She had been acting odd since the engagement party; he had hoped to chalk it up to pregnancy or simply Clark's odd behavior. Unfortunately, that didn't seem to be the case. A small smile appeared on his face as he clicked the pause button. In Lana's hand was the makeshift weapon he had used against Clark. In that moment, he had noticed Mrs.Kent arriving with kryptonite and struck just before she entered range. The hoe had suffered from both the resilience of Clark and the strength of Lex. To Lana, though, it was evidence that Clark wasn't exactly normal, that this had something to do with his secret.
KnockKnock
Looking past his computer, his smile faltered for a second. Oliver Queen stood in his door, seemingly drained of all color. Even his clothes seemed to lack the professionalism he usually displayed; his suit jacket covered in wrinkles. He wore no tie, his white shirt untucked and just as wrinkled.
"What can I do for you, Oliver?" Lex asked, motioning for Oliver to enter the office.
"My team has made a breakthrough with Dr.Black's drug," Oliver didn't seem too happy about that as he put on an awkward smile. "The only problem is they've run out, and Dr.Black isn't answering my calls, so I'm wondering if you'd be open to giving me one of your samples."
"By your team, do you mean Green Arrow?" Lex asked, causing Oliver to freeze like a deer in headlights.
"What are you-"
"You're one of the richest men in the world; someone like him would have to have some kind of a backer. I don't see the Waynes having any interest in Star City, and since the passing of Virgil Swan, the Swans have been quiet. Not to mention his sudden appearance in Metropolis, I saw the serum, he used it, and you're supplying it to him," Lex said with a smile on his face, watching as Oliver began to smile before he broke out into a laugh. Would Oliver truly believe that he hadn't connected the dots? Lex wasn't too sure, but it didn't matter; he'd have no way of confirming that Lex knew the truth, not to mention it was in his best interest to believe that Lex hadn't done so.
"I should be more careful around you, Lex," Oliver paused, "So you see why it's so important for me to get another sample?"
"I understand, but I can't help you, Oliver. My team has already begun to study the serum. I'm planning on meeting Dr.Black later today if you're interested in joining." Lex offered.
"I wish I could, but I have another business meeting later today," raising his hand to his neck, Oliver began to scratch.
"I'll obtain enough samples for the both of us," Lex said.
"You're a true business partner, Lex. I'll catch you later," Oliver said, almost fleeing the room.
Lex wondered what other symptoms Oliver was showing; he was obviously phening for the drug, the scratching of the neck, the absence of color in his face. Similar to the worst addictive drugs, Lex was glad he had no interest in testing the drug on himself. Turning back to his computer, he wondered what he would do about Lana and her inquisitive nature.
…
"I don't understand why you're so interested in all of these; they're the past Lana." Chloe placed a brown box on the ground of her apartment. The place was a mess, boxes upon boxes of old Smallville High School newspapers she had worked on during her time as publisher at the school.
"I'm just curious, you've documented every meteor freak that's appeared since our freshman year of high school. I'm thinking of convincing Lex to open a rehab for those affected by the meteors," Lana lied with a smile on her face. It wasn't her idea to open the rehab; it was just something Lex was workshopping. She hadn't always been able to look past the fact that those affected by the meteors had a tendency to target her. When Alicia died, she had blamed herself; if she hadn't been so adamant that it was Alicia who attacked her, maybe she would have been saved. Seeing how her death affected Clark was something that broke Lana up on the inside. But what truly drew her to these old cases was her recent discovery about Clark. She was sure that every single one of these cases involved Clark in some way, shape, or form.
Picking up one file, a sad smile appeared on her face. Emily had died to save her life and had suffered even after her death. The experiment that brought her back to life was one of corruption. Picking up another edition, she wondered if she'd be able to make it through a stack, let alone all of the boxes within the room. Whether it was Emily, Tina, or even Adam Clark was always there to put an end to their crimes. Saving the sheriff, stopping the school from burning down, and constantly saving the lives of his friends. It had been so obvious that anyone who looked through the newspapers would see the truth. Chloe had basically documented every one of Clark's saves. All the lies, the secrets, it was all for this. Somehow, the meteors had affected Clark, but instead of harming people, he helped protect the inhabitants of Smallville.
It was why even when they had their first serious talk in the cemetery, Clark had always seemed so conflicted. As if he was carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders, that was at least up until the aliens appeared. After their appearance, he seemed so free, so normal, and down to earth. Then he died, and everything changed when he returned. It was as if he was brought back to continue to protect Smallville. Lana wasn't exactly sure, but she felt like she was missing something. She couldn't go to Clark with this information; it seemed obvious that Chloe knew. Even now, she did her best to keep Lana from connecting the dots. Why else had she skipped work to help Lana with the boxes? She didn't need to see anymore; if she was going to confront Clark, she would need more proof.
…
"How is he?" in the back of his limo, wearing a black suit and tie, Lex held his phone up to his ear.
"The subject is fine, he is growing impatient, though," the voice from the other side said hesitantly.
"Bring him back to Smallville, show him what we're building; he won't be able to see it, but at the very least, he should understand the importance of our work. If that fails, I'll have a chat with him myself." Lex didn't wait for a reply, simply slamming the flip phone shut. His iPod touch was in his other hand; B2 had been working on the building schematics for the eventual metahuman rehab. With their current resources, it was impossible to build another Kryptonian X-ray machine that focused on identifying meteor-affected DNA. Which is why subject 091 is so important, a young man who became blind due to the effects of the meteor shower. He had hoped for a cornea transplant, but Lex was sure that it wasn't his corneas that were causing his blindness. The meteor shower had affected his vision, darkening his sight but giving him the ability to spot others affected by the meteor shower. If he wished to cure his blindness, he'd need something better than a cornea transplant. Lex had given him the option of living within the rehab while helping Lex identify other metahumans. The more subjects, the better chance of identifying the source of their powers and coming up with a cure.
"We've arrived, Mr.Luthor," the driver said as the car came to a stop.
Lex stepped outside, spotting the familiar building, which was the small private hospital that Pamela Black worked out of. Stepping inside, he couldn't help but frown; the lights were dim, and the place was quiet. Even the front desk receptionist was missing, Lex pressed the bell as he waited patiently.
Then–
A scream.
Sharp. Agonized. Muffled by distance, but close enough to send a chill down his spine. Lex stiffened, his pulse spiking for just a moment before he reined it in. His fingers twitched at his side, instinctively, curling into a fist before relaxing. His eyes flickered towards the darkened hallway ahead.
Something was wrong.
And he wasn't leaving until he found out what.
His steps were slow, cautious, but full of confidence. The hallway seemed unfamiliar, the shadows that swept across the walls untold monsters. Lex could feel his own heartbeat picking up as he went deeper within the hospital.
"She deserved it, they all did!"
Lex froze as he heard the voice; it wasn't louder than a whisper, but he had heard it clearly. The lights shot to life, and Lex was barely able to see the gleam of a knife from the doorway to his right. His hand shot up as adrenaline filled him he was able to catch the wrist of his attacker. Lex immediately recognized the man; he was the patient that Pamela had tested the drug on. Looking at the knife, he quickly noticed the blood that stained it.
"And you," The man said through gritted teeth. "Of course you're funding her project, all of this is your fault, my wife, my daughter, your drug made me-" he didn't finish his sentence as his other hand shot towards Lex's chest, sending him flying into the wall behind him.
Lex let out a breath of air as his back struck the wall. The drug was more effective than he thought if he was able to send Lex flying while his Kryptonian cells were active.
"They usually die after that. You're taking the drug too?" The man said as he began to walk towards Lex.
Standing Lex knew there was no point in talking; the drug had already taken hold, if he truly had killed his wife and daughter, the anger he was likely feeling was insurmountable. But the drug only made him stronger; it didn't give him speed. Lex practically vanished as he reappeared with his hand wrapped around the neck of the attacker.
"Where's the doctor?" he asked as he began to squeeze.
"You should be more worried about yourself," the man said as he swung the knife towards Lex. Tensing his body, Lex sent a straight kick into the man's chest, sending him flying into a wall. Seeing him slouch over Lex frowned. "I guess I'll find her myself."
As he walked away, he suddenly heard footsteps turning around. He was about to attack, but it wasn't the man; it was Clark. He wore his usual blue jacket, jeans, and a pair of boots; in his right hand was a piece of paper. He seemed pensive as he looked at Lex.
"What are you doing here?" Lex asked, raising an eyebrow.