Chlex Fanfic: Orchestrato, Chapter 19
Some more Chlex in the house, people! Feels like it's been ages since I was able to post anything, RL has been incredibly tasking as of late.
Enjoy. Amazing banner by chleansmile.
Title: Orchestrato
Author: BabyDee1
Pairing: Chlex
Rating: This chapter PG13
Warnings: Some chronology-shifting with the events of Episode 4.1 (Gone)
Timeline: Safehouse Summer of Love, End of Season 3/Beginning of 4
Disclaimer: All characters belong to the CW & DC comics.
Summary: Lex inexplicably bonds with Chloe whilst keeping her survival a secret from the world
Feedback: …makes me squee. :)
Read previous chapter here.
Read story from the beginning here.
Chapter 19
Clark was true to his word.
Chloe was present in court at eight o’clock, as promised, and Lex and the rest of the courtroom watched keenly as she delivered her testimony against his father. Her evidence, along with the incriminating phone recording from Lionel’s own mouth, gave the jury all the information they needed to make a quick decision. They deliberated for less than an hour, and when they emerged, a guilty verdict was delivered.
Flashbulbs when off around the courtroom when the judgement was passed. Lex heaved a sigh of relief as his father was swiftly handcuffed and led out to the holding cell among a throng of questioning reporters.
As the crowded room began to thin, Lex spotted Chloe standing on the other side. He immediately headed towards her but just as he was halfway across the room, her father got to her and gathered her in his arms. Lex smiled, figuring he would allow Gabe Sullivan a decent reunion with his daughter without interruptions. He would see her later today and take her back home to the mansion, if her father would permit it.
Home to the mansion. He liked the way that sounded.
But first…he glanced towards the direction of the holding cell, and a smug smile lifted his lips. First, he had some gloating to do.
***
Lionel looked a diminutive figure as he sat alone in the cell, resting his chin on his shackled hands.
“Come to revel in your triumph, have you, Lex?” he asked dryly as Lex approached.
“The mighty Lionel Luthor in chains,” Lex announced. He got to the bars and mock-applauded. “We got verdict we wanted. I told you we’d win the case, Dad.”
“You’ve won?” Lionel echoed. “Is that what you think?”
Lex snorted. “Let’s see…two consecutive life sentences, plus two charges of attempted murder against Chloe and her father?” he nodded and smiled. “Something tells me you’ll be going to prison for a very long time.”
“Don’t count your chickens before they’re hatched, son,” Lionel warned. “After all, sentencing isn’t until tomorrow. A miracle may yet happen.”
“The judge isn’t going to show you leniency, not after everything you’ve done,” Lex asked, folding his arms dramatically. “Personally, I think you deserve the death penalty, but since that’s unlikely to happen, I’ll be satisfied to see you sentenced to at least ten years behind bars - with very hard labour.”
“Which with good behaviour will easily become five, and if I’m a really good boy, maybe even as low as three,” Lionel pointed out with a crafty smile. “Prison walls won’t hold me forever, Lex. Take that from someone who knows how to get what he wants.” He paused. “And right now, I’ve got you exactly where I want you.”
Lex tensed at those ominous words, but managed to maintain an air of calm.
“Well, as much as I’d love to stay and chat, Dad, I really have to dash now,” he replied, smiling. “Lots of celebrating to do; I’m sure you understand.”
“That wouldn’t be with young Miss Sullivan now, would it?” Lionel said smoothly.
Lex’s smile disappeared. “That’s none of your business.”
“True; my business is Luthorcorp,” Lionel replied. “Unfortunately, since I’ll be behind bars for the foreseeable future, my company will temporarily fall into your hands, so I’ve decided to occupy my mind with…other interests.”
Lex frowned. Other interests?
“I’ll start by updating my video collection, I think,” Lionel went on, tapping his chin. “With an interesting home video starring you and your star witness which will be sure to raise more than a few eyebrows on its release.”
Lex’s eyes hardened. “I’m afraid you’re well out of luck there, Dad,” he replied in a low voice. “I destroyed it.”
“Not before I saved myself a copy,” Lionel said with a smirk. “Oh, I knew you’d cut off the feed, so I made sure to get a back-up done; several back-ups, actually.”
Lex shook his head in denial. “You’re bluffing.”
“I don’t bluff with bargaining chips, son, you know that,” Lionel replied blandly. “Especially not with one so valuable.”
“What’s valuable about it?” Lex said flippantly. “It’s just two people having sex.”
“It’s the heir to the Luthor dynasty in an explicit video with the primary witness in his father’s murder case,” Lionel clarified with a chuckle. “The press would go crazy for it. Especially since said witness is one of their own.”
Lex swallowed hard.
“Just think of what it would do for her budding journalistic career,” Lionel continued. “The Daily Planet wouldn’t touch her with a ten-foot bargepole after something like this. I suppose the Inquisitor would see her appeal, but somehow I don’t think they rank very highly on her potential employer shortlist.”
Lex clenched his fists. “Don’t do it.”
“And then there are your political ambitions to consider. Sex with a minor, after plying her with alcohol and acknowledging both on camera…” he made a disapproving sound, and shook his head. “That won’t look good on a manifesto, Lex.”
“She’s over the Kansas State age of consent-”
“But not the national one,” Lionel pointed out. “She’s under eighteen, so I’d say that makes you a paedophile, and it certainly invalidates you from ever running for any kind of senatorial office.” He paused and smiled. “I know you have presidential aspirations, Lex. And with a simple snap of my fingers, I could ruin everything for you.”
Lex exhaled roughly. “Why are you doing this, Dad?”
Lionel shrugged. “Because it amuses me,” he replied flippantly. “Because you thought you could get the better of me.” He leaned forward, and Lex could see pure vengeance glinting in his father’s eyes. “…because you betrayed me and put me behind bars while you sat in my home, and got your hands on my money, and cars, and brandy, and everything else I own.”
Lionel got to his feet and slowly approached the bars.
“I told you before, Lex - I’m not an idiot,” he continued. “I could have killed both you and Miss Sullivan at any time to protect my past, and no-one would have been any the wiser.”
“Then why didn’t you?” Lex challenged.
“Because, as strange as it sounds, I do love you, son,” he replied honestly. “You’re the sole heir to the Luthor Empire and the only person I care for on this entire planet.”
“More than Lucas, your illegitimate son?”
“More than my illegitimate daughter, even.”
“Your - your daughter?” Lex gasped. “I have a sister?”
“Surprised?” he taunted. “There’s three of you, but you’re the only one I reckon with. Even though you’ve betrayed me worse than an enemy ever could.”
Lionel held up his hand and pointed to his handcuffed wrist.
“You’ve put me in prison, son - but I have enough to ensure that you’re in a prison of your own making, too.”
“And how are you going to do that?” Lex asked lowly.
“By forbidding you from socialising with the Sullivan girl ever again, Lionel ordered. “Starting now.”
Lex’s jaw dropped. “You can’t be serious.”
“I’m deadly serious,” Lionel warned, his voice hardening. “After what you’ve done to me, I can’t permit you to waltz off into the sunset with the woman of your dreams.”
“Who says she’s the woman of my dreams?”
“If she wasn’t, you wouldn’t be fighting me on this,” he replied. “Any other woman, and you’d have done what I asked to protect your political future; but I can tell that the mere thought of letting this one go is hurting you badly.” He glanced at Lex and smiled. “But then, maybe I should leave you to ruin this all by yourself; you’ve already taken her innocence, it shouldn’t take much for you to destroy her completely.”
“Like you did with my mother?” Lex snarled. “I’m nothing like you, Dad.”
“You’re more like me than you’d care to admit, Lex,” he said harshly. “Now, do as I say.”
Lex shook his head stubbornly. “No. I’m not letting her go.”
“You don’t have a choice,” Lionel said. “Those are my terms and conditions, son. Cut her loose.”
“No.”
“You will do as I say, Lex,” he said. “If I hear that you’ve persisted in this relationship, then the tape will magically surface. You stay away from her, and it stays where it is.”
Lex clenched his fists tightly. “How can I trust that you won’t release it anyway?”
“That’s the joy of my unique position, Lex - you don’t,” he smirked. “Every day, you’ll live in fear, wondering when your little indiscretion will come back to haunt you. Every time you turn on your computer or open the papers, you’ll wonder when you’ll make the front page.”
Lionel got to his feet and clasped his hands around the bars with a cruel smile.
“That’s right, Lex. I may be the one in prison - but even from behind these cell bars, you’re still my bitch.”
***
Chapter 20…
Enjoy. Amazing banner by chleansmile.
Title: Orchestrato
Author: BabyDee1
Pairing: Chlex
Rating: This chapter PG13
Warnings: Some chronology-shifting with the events of Episode 4.1 (Gone)
Timeline: Safehouse Summer of Love, End of Season 3/Beginning of 4
Disclaimer: All characters belong to the CW & DC comics.
Summary: Lex inexplicably bonds with Chloe whilst keeping her survival a secret from the world
Feedback: …makes me squee. :)
Read previous chapter here.
Read story from the beginning here.
Chapter 19
Clark was true to his word.
Chloe was present in court at eight o’clock, as promised, and Lex and the rest of the courtroom watched keenly as she delivered her testimony against his father. Her evidence, along with the incriminating phone recording from Lionel’s own mouth, gave the jury all the information they needed to make a quick decision. They deliberated for less than an hour, and when they emerged, a guilty verdict was delivered.
Flashbulbs when off around the courtroom when the judgement was passed. Lex heaved a sigh of relief as his father was swiftly handcuffed and led out to the holding cell among a throng of questioning reporters.
As the crowded room began to thin, Lex spotted Chloe standing on the other side. He immediately headed towards her but just as he was halfway across the room, her father got to her and gathered her in his arms. Lex smiled, figuring he would allow Gabe Sullivan a decent reunion with his daughter without interruptions. He would see her later today and take her back home to the mansion, if her father would permit it.
Home to the mansion. He liked the way that sounded.
But first…he glanced towards the direction of the holding cell, and a smug smile lifted his lips. First, he had some gloating to do.
***
Lionel looked a diminutive figure as he sat alone in the cell, resting his chin on his shackled hands.
“Come to revel in your triumph, have you, Lex?” he asked dryly as Lex approached.
“The mighty Lionel Luthor in chains,” Lex announced. He got to the bars and mock-applauded. “We got verdict we wanted. I told you we’d win the case, Dad.”
“You’ve won?” Lionel echoed. “Is that what you think?”
Lex snorted. “Let’s see…two consecutive life sentences, plus two charges of attempted murder against Chloe and her father?” he nodded and smiled. “Something tells me you’ll be going to prison for a very long time.”
“Don’t count your chickens before they’re hatched, son,” Lionel warned. “After all, sentencing isn’t until tomorrow. A miracle may yet happen.”
“The judge isn’t going to show you leniency, not after everything you’ve done,” Lex asked, folding his arms dramatically. “Personally, I think you deserve the death penalty, but since that’s unlikely to happen, I’ll be satisfied to see you sentenced to at least ten years behind bars - with very hard labour.”
“Which with good behaviour will easily become five, and if I’m a really good boy, maybe even as low as three,” Lionel pointed out with a crafty smile. “Prison walls won’t hold me forever, Lex. Take that from someone who knows how to get what he wants.” He paused. “And right now, I’ve got you exactly where I want you.”
Lex tensed at those ominous words, but managed to maintain an air of calm.
“Well, as much as I’d love to stay and chat, Dad, I really have to dash now,” he replied, smiling. “Lots of celebrating to do; I’m sure you understand.”
“That wouldn’t be with young Miss Sullivan now, would it?” Lionel said smoothly.
Lex’s smile disappeared. “That’s none of your business.”
“True; my business is Luthorcorp,” Lionel replied. “Unfortunately, since I’ll be behind bars for the foreseeable future, my company will temporarily fall into your hands, so I’ve decided to occupy my mind with…other interests.”
Lex frowned. Other interests?
“I’ll start by updating my video collection, I think,” Lionel went on, tapping his chin. “With an interesting home video starring you and your star witness which will be sure to raise more than a few eyebrows on its release.”
Lex’s eyes hardened. “I’m afraid you’re well out of luck there, Dad,” he replied in a low voice. “I destroyed it.”
“Not before I saved myself a copy,” Lionel said with a smirk. “Oh, I knew you’d cut off the feed, so I made sure to get a back-up done; several back-ups, actually.”
Lex shook his head in denial. “You’re bluffing.”
“I don’t bluff with bargaining chips, son, you know that,” Lionel replied blandly. “Especially not with one so valuable.”
“What’s valuable about it?” Lex said flippantly. “It’s just two people having sex.”
“It’s the heir to the Luthor dynasty in an explicit video with the primary witness in his father’s murder case,” Lionel clarified with a chuckle. “The press would go crazy for it. Especially since said witness is one of their own.”
Lex swallowed hard.
“Just think of what it would do for her budding journalistic career,” Lionel continued. “The Daily Planet wouldn’t touch her with a ten-foot bargepole after something like this. I suppose the Inquisitor would see her appeal, but somehow I don’t think they rank very highly on her potential employer shortlist.”
Lex clenched his fists. “Don’t do it.”
“And then there are your political ambitions to consider. Sex with a minor, after plying her with alcohol and acknowledging both on camera…” he made a disapproving sound, and shook his head. “That won’t look good on a manifesto, Lex.”
“She’s over the Kansas State age of consent-”
“But not the national one,” Lionel pointed out. “She’s under eighteen, so I’d say that makes you a paedophile, and it certainly invalidates you from ever running for any kind of senatorial office.” He paused and smiled. “I know you have presidential aspirations, Lex. And with a simple snap of my fingers, I could ruin everything for you.”
Lex exhaled roughly. “Why are you doing this, Dad?”
Lionel shrugged. “Because it amuses me,” he replied flippantly. “Because you thought you could get the better of me.” He leaned forward, and Lex could see pure vengeance glinting in his father’s eyes. “…because you betrayed me and put me behind bars while you sat in my home, and got your hands on my money, and cars, and brandy, and everything else I own.”
Lionel got to his feet and slowly approached the bars.
“I told you before, Lex - I’m not an idiot,” he continued. “I could have killed both you and Miss Sullivan at any time to protect my past, and no-one would have been any the wiser.”
“Then why didn’t you?” Lex challenged.
“Because, as strange as it sounds, I do love you, son,” he replied honestly. “You’re the sole heir to the Luthor Empire and the only person I care for on this entire planet.”
“More than Lucas, your illegitimate son?”
“More than my illegitimate daughter, even.”
“Your - your daughter?” Lex gasped. “I have a sister?”
“Surprised?” he taunted. “There’s three of you, but you’re the only one I reckon with. Even though you’ve betrayed me worse than an enemy ever could.”
Lionel held up his hand and pointed to his handcuffed wrist.
“You’ve put me in prison, son - but I have enough to ensure that you’re in a prison of your own making, too.”
“And how are you going to do that?” Lex asked lowly.
“By forbidding you from socialising with the Sullivan girl ever again, Lionel ordered. “Starting now.”
Lex’s jaw dropped. “You can’t be serious.”
“I’m deadly serious,” Lionel warned, his voice hardening. “After what you’ve done to me, I can’t permit you to waltz off into the sunset with the woman of your dreams.”
“Who says she’s the woman of my dreams?”
“If she wasn’t, you wouldn’t be fighting me on this,” he replied. “Any other woman, and you’d have done what I asked to protect your political future; but I can tell that the mere thought of letting this one go is hurting you badly.” He glanced at Lex and smiled. “But then, maybe I should leave you to ruin this all by yourself; you’ve already taken her innocence, it shouldn’t take much for you to destroy her completely.”
“Like you did with my mother?” Lex snarled. “I’m nothing like you, Dad.”
“You’re more like me than you’d care to admit, Lex,” he said harshly. “Now, do as I say.”
Lex shook his head stubbornly. “No. I’m not letting her go.”
“You don’t have a choice,” Lionel said. “Those are my terms and conditions, son. Cut her loose.”
“No.”
“You will do as I say, Lex,” he said. “If I hear that you’ve persisted in this relationship, then the tape will magically surface. You stay away from her, and it stays where it is.”
Lex clenched his fists tightly. “How can I trust that you won’t release it anyway?”
“That’s the joy of my unique position, Lex - you don’t,” he smirked. “Every day, you’ll live in fear, wondering when your little indiscretion will come back to haunt you. Every time you turn on your computer or open the papers, you’ll wonder when you’ll make the front page.”
Lionel got to his feet and clasped his hands around the bars with a cruel smile.
“That’s right, Lex. I may be the one in prison - but even from behind these cell bars, you’re still my bitch.”
***
Chapter 20…