[Fic] Titans of Industry, 7/8
Title: Titans of Industry
Author: lady_sarai and zoe_chan
Fandom: DC Comics
Characters: Tim Drake, Cissie King-Jones, Conner Luthor and assorted others
Rating: Teen
Warning: Nothing explicit, but remember, this IS for au_bigbang!
Word Count: ~15,800
Summary: Wayne Enterprises, LexCorp and Queen Industries are all vying to win a high-stakes business deal and are sending in their best representatives--Tim Drake, Conner Luthor and Cissie King-Jones. While their fathers can hardly stand each other, they have managed to become friends outside the boardroom. The week before they are to face off for the deal, Wayne Enterprises and Queen Industries are broken into by someone dressed as Arrowette. When Conner knows too many details about Cissie's business proposal, Tim and Cissie begin to wonder if he isn't following in his father's footsteps after all. But that still doesn't explain who Arrowette is or why someone would frame Cissie.
PART 7
Clark Kent leaned back in his seat, waiting for Conner Luthor to arrive. They had met years ago, when Conner was twelve, and had needed some advice on something. Clark had told him at the time that if he ever needed anything, he should feel free to call on him again. And he had. Over the years, they'd kept in touch, and Clark had watched him grow from a good kid to a fine young man.
And he'd been proud of him.
He knew he wasn't Conner's father, but anyone who knew him would be proud to see the person he'd become. Not the playboy in the tabloids, but the real Conner Luthor. The one who clung to his morals despite how easy it would be to let them slip in the games he played.
"Hey," a voice called, interrupting his thoughts. He looked up to see Conner appearing up over the side of the building, touching down lightly a moment later.
Clark smiled at him and stood. "Hi. I didn't notice you approaching the Planet. You're getting pretty good at that."
Conner grinned, pleased. "Thanks. I've been practicing. When I can, anyway." He shoved his hands in his pockets. "So, uh. Thanks for meeting me on such short notice."
"Any time, Conner. I mean that." He watched him fidget for a few moments before finally taking pity. "So--what's on your mind?"
Conner made a face, frowning at the rooftop beneath their feet. He didn't answer at first, but moved to sit on the edge of the roof. "I found out about something my dad did, and I have to talk to him about it. Get him to stop. I'm just--not sure how to do it."
He could feel Conner tensing as he sat down next to him, waiting for an "I told you so." It didn't come. "What happened?"
Conner eyed him warily. "I--off the record, right?"
He smiled a little. "Scout's honor."
Conner smirked slightly, shaking his head in amusement. "You totally were one, weren't you?" He didn't wait for a response, his expression clouding. He sighed and spoke in a rush. "Dad blackmailed Oliver Queen's adopted daughter into getting him information about Queen Industries."
Clark's eyebrows shot up. "That--is more than a little unethical." If not entirely unexpected from Lex Luthor. "How did you find out about this?"
He scowled at his feet, crossing his arms over his chest. "Trust me, I know. That's why I need to talk to him." He shoved a hand through his hair, shrugging. "It's kind of a long story. You know how I'm friends with Cissie? She thought I was involved in stealing the information her sister gave Dad. So we talked to her and Tim Drake uncovered some emails and--yeah. That's basically how it went."
He nodded a little. "I see." He sighed a little, pushing a hand through his own hair in the gesture that Conner was unconsciously mimicking. "You could present him with the evidence that the three of you put together."
"Yeah. I thought of that." Conner glanced over at him. "I just... kind of hoped maybe I wouldn't have to."
He gave Conner a slightly wry smile. "Sometimes calling someone on something--and throwing the evidence in their face--is the best way to make them rethink."
Conner blinked at him, a strange expression crossing his face before he shook his head, smiling at some private joke. "That... sounds familiar," he said wryly.
"Oh?" Clark raised an eyebrow.
He smiled, looking almost sheepish. "It's, uh. Basically what I told Cissie when she didn't want to confront her sister about it."
"Well, confronting someone you love about something they're doing wrong can be hard, but when it's the right thing to do..." He shrugged slightly. "Sometimes what's right is more important than what's comfortable."
"Yeah." Conner exhaled heavily, grimacing. "Man, this sucks. I mean, I know Dad's not exactly the most upstanding citizen, but this is low even for him."
"...No, this isn't really his usual MO," Clark agreed, not quite grudgingly.
Conner looked over at him thoughtfully. "I know you don't like him much," he said finally. "Granted, it's not like he's your biggest fan either. But--thanks. For not going off about how this makes him a horrible person or whatever."
Clark blew out a sigh. "It--he's made a bad decision. It doesn't make him a terrible person, necessarily. But it's not something that should be allowed to continue. And I think you know that."
"Yeah, I do." Conner paused, then smirked slightly. "...How hard was that for you to say?"
"I'm pretty sure I've taken Kryptonite bullets more easily," he admitted with a laugh.
Conner grinned. "Like I said. Thanks." He let out another slow breath, looking off over the rooftops of the surrounding buildings. "I guess if you can do that, and Ciss can confront Mia, I can handle Dad."
"I know you can. And you're his son. I'm sure you know how to approach him so that he'll listen to you."
He gave Clark a quick grin. "I am pretty good at making people listen to me."
He smiled back a little. "Well. You are your father's son."
"Thanks." Conner grinned again and waved his farewell as he stood and took off into the air, toward LexCorp. And Clark watched him go, wondering--as he had a hundred times--when he should finally tell Conner about the other side of his heritage, and about the name he'd already chosen for him. A family name.
Kon-El.
~*~
When Conner arrived, he went directly to his father's office, where he knew he'd be finishing up with the day's paperwork. He knocked lightly at the door frame as he entered, and Lex held up a hand to forestall his words while he finished... whatever it was that he was doing.
Conner settled into a chair on the other side of the desk and folded his arms across his chest, waiting for his father to finish.
Finally, Lex set his pen down and looked up at him, smiling slightly. "You stayed a few extra days. I thought you wanted to be back as soon as possible to keep me from terrorizing your people."
He raised an eyebrow. "Actually, I took a quick trip out to Star City with Tim and Cissie."
"Oh?"
"Yes." Conner's eyes narrowed slightly. "Anything you want to tell me, Dad?"
His father looked back at him mildly. "There are a number of things I'd like to tell you, Conner. You've been away for several days. Mercy's had no one but me to terrorize in your absence."
"I was thinking something specific. Or did you think I wouldn't find out about you blackmailing a seventeen year old girl?"
Lex sat back in his chair. "Blackmail? That's quite a thing to accuse your father of."
"It's quite a thing to find out you father is doing," he replied, frowning back at him.
"I have no idea what you're talking about, Conner. I wouldn't have thought Tim and Cissie were the type, but how much drinking did you do in Star City?"
His frown deepened. "I didn't do any drinking, Dad. I did meet Mia Dearden. She had a lot to say about you, and how I ended up with a lot of inside information on Queen Industries' proposal."
"Did she? That sounds a lot like slander to me."
"Stop treating me like I'm stupid!"
Lex leaned forward, his expression serious. "Conner, you are many things, but stupid is not one of them. You know better than to make accusations without proof. I suggest you drop this. Now."
He reached into his pocket and pulled out the thumb drive Tim had given him. He tossed it onto the desk between them. "How's this for proof? You can have a look if you want. I've already seen it. It's e-mails. From you."
Lex picked up the thumb drive and held it in his hand, looking thoughtful before plugging it into the side of his laptop. After a moment, he looked back at Conner and raised an eyebrow. "This is business. I once did Miss Dearden a favor. What is it you're trying to accomplish here?"
"A favor?" he asked incredulously. "You're blackmailing her! In what universe does that constitute a favor?"
His father shook his head impatiently. "I helped her get out of a very unpleasant and dangerous situation. The only reason she's where she is now is because of me. Asking for a little information in return is hardly the great injustice you're making it out to be."
"Actually, Dad, it is. She's a seventeen year old kid. You can't play her like that. It's wrong. If it happens again, I will know. And I'll take it to Lois Lane. I'm pretty sure it would be a nice, big front page headline for her. ‘Lex Luthor Blackmails Minor?' That would be some pretty bad PR."
Lex raised an eyebrow. "You don't think you'd be implicated? After all--who benefits?"
Conner gave him a slightly sharp smile and spread his hands helplessly. "Who, me? Come on, Dad. Everyone knows I'm nowhere near smart enough to pull something like that off."
Lex narrowed his eyes at him. "Hn. Clever."
"I am your son."
Epilogue
Author: lady_sarai and zoe_chan
Fandom: DC Comics
Characters: Tim Drake, Cissie King-Jones, Conner Luthor and assorted others
Rating: Teen
Warning: Nothing explicit, but remember, this IS for au_bigbang!
Word Count: ~15,800
Summary: Wayne Enterprises, LexCorp and Queen Industries are all vying to win a high-stakes business deal and are sending in their best representatives--Tim Drake, Conner Luthor and Cissie King-Jones. While their fathers can hardly stand each other, they have managed to become friends outside the boardroom. The week before they are to face off for the deal, Wayne Enterprises and Queen Industries are broken into by someone dressed as Arrowette. When Conner knows too many details about Cissie's business proposal, Tim and Cissie begin to wonder if he isn't following in his father's footsteps after all. But that still doesn't explain who Arrowette is or why someone would frame Cissie.
PART 7
Clark Kent leaned back in his seat, waiting for Conner Luthor to arrive. They had met years ago, when Conner was twelve, and had needed some advice on something. Clark had told him at the time that if he ever needed anything, he should feel free to call on him again. And he had. Over the years, they'd kept in touch, and Clark had watched him grow from a good kid to a fine young man.
And he'd been proud of him.
He knew he wasn't Conner's father, but anyone who knew him would be proud to see the person he'd become. Not the playboy in the tabloids, but the real Conner Luthor. The one who clung to his morals despite how easy it would be to let them slip in the games he played.
"Hey," a voice called, interrupting his thoughts. He looked up to see Conner appearing up over the side of the building, touching down lightly a moment later.
Clark smiled at him and stood. "Hi. I didn't notice you approaching the Planet. You're getting pretty good at that."
Conner grinned, pleased. "Thanks. I've been practicing. When I can, anyway." He shoved his hands in his pockets. "So, uh. Thanks for meeting me on such short notice."
"Any time, Conner. I mean that." He watched him fidget for a few moments before finally taking pity. "So--what's on your mind?"
Conner made a face, frowning at the rooftop beneath their feet. He didn't answer at first, but moved to sit on the edge of the roof. "I found out about something my dad did, and I have to talk to him about it. Get him to stop. I'm just--not sure how to do it."
He could feel Conner tensing as he sat down next to him, waiting for an "I told you so." It didn't come. "What happened?"
Conner eyed him warily. "I--off the record, right?"
He smiled a little. "Scout's honor."
Conner smirked slightly, shaking his head in amusement. "You totally were one, weren't you?" He didn't wait for a response, his expression clouding. He sighed and spoke in a rush. "Dad blackmailed Oliver Queen's adopted daughter into getting him information about Queen Industries."
Clark's eyebrows shot up. "That--is more than a little unethical." If not entirely unexpected from Lex Luthor. "How did you find out about this?"
He scowled at his feet, crossing his arms over his chest. "Trust me, I know. That's why I need to talk to him." He shoved a hand through his hair, shrugging. "It's kind of a long story. You know how I'm friends with Cissie? She thought I was involved in stealing the information her sister gave Dad. So we talked to her and Tim Drake uncovered some emails and--yeah. That's basically how it went."
He nodded a little. "I see." He sighed a little, pushing a hand through his own hair in the gesture that Conner was unconsciously mimicking. "You could present him with the evidence that the three of you put together."
"Yeah. I thought of that." Conner glanced over at him. "I just... kind of hoped maybe I wouldn't have to."
He gave Conner a slightly wry smile. "Sometimes calling someone on something--and throwing the evidence in their face--is the best way to make them rethink."
Conner blinked at him, a strange expression crossing his face before he shook his head, smiling at some private joke. "That... sounds familiar," he said wryly.
"Oh?" Clark raised an eyebrow.
He smiled, looking almost sheepish. "It's, uh. Basically what I told Cissie when she didn't want to confront her sister about it."
"Well, confronting someone you love about something they're doing wrong can be hard, but when it's the right thing to do..." He shrugged slightly. "Sometimes what's right is more important than what's comfortable."
"Yeah." Conner exhaled heavily, grimacing. "Man, this sucks. I mean, I know Dad's not exactly the most upstanding citizen, but this is low even for him."
"...No, this isn't really his usual MO," Clark agreed, not quite grudgingly.
Conner looked over at him thoughtfully. "I know you don't like him much," he said finally. "Granted, it's not like he's your biggest fan either. But--thanks. For not going off about how this makes him a horrible person or whatever."
Clark blew out a sigh. "It--he's made a bad decision. It doesn't make him a terrible person, necessarily. But it's not something that should be allowed to continue. And I think you know that."
"Yeah, I do." Conner paused, then smirked slightly. "...How hard was that for you to say?"
"I'm pretty sure I've taken Kryptonite bullets more easily," he admitted with a laugh.
Conner grinned. "Like I said. Thanks." He let out another slow breath, looking off over the rooftops of the surrounding buildings. "I guess if you can do that, and Ciss can confront Mia, I can handle Dad."
"I know you can. And you're his son. I'm sure you know how to approach him so that he'll listen to you."
He gave Clark a quick grin. "I am pretty good at making people listen to me."
He smiled back a little. "Well. You are your father's son."
"Thanks." Conner grinned again and waved his farewell as he stood and took off into the air, toward LexCorp. And Clark watched him go, wondering--as he had a hundred times--when he should finally tell Conner about the other side of his heritage, and about the name he'd already chosen for him. A family name.
Kon-El.
~*~
When Conner arrived, he went directly to his father's office, where he knew he'd be finishing up with the day's paperwork. He knocked lightly at the door frame as he entered, and Lex held up a hand to forestall his words while he finished... whatever it was that he was doing.
Conner settled into a chair on the other side of the desk and folded his arms across his chest, waiting for his father to finish.
Finally, Lex set his pen down and looked up at him, smiling slightly. "You stayed a few extra days. I thought you wanted to be back as soon as possible to keep me from terrorizing your people."
He raised an eyebrow. "Actually, I took a quick trip out to Star City with Tim and Cissie."
"Oh?"
"Yes." Conner's eyes narrowed slightly. "Anything you want to tell me, Dad?"
His father looked back at him mildly. "There are a number of things I'd like to tell you, Conner. You've been away for several days. Mercy's had no one but me to terrorize in your absence."
"I was thinking something specific. Or did you think I wouldn't find out about you blackmailing a seventeen year old girl?"
Lex sat back in his chair. "Blackmail? That's quite a thing to accuse your father of."
"It's quite a thing to find out you father is doing," he replied, frowning back at him.
"I have no idea what you're talking about, Conner. I wouldn't have thought Tim and Cissie were the type, but how much drinking did you do in Star City?"
His frown deepened. "I didn't do any drinking, Dad. I did meet Mia Dearden. She had a lot to say about you, and how I ended up with a lot of inside information on Queen Industries' proposal."
"Did she? That sounds a lot like slander to me."
"Stop treating me like I'm stupid!"
Lex leaned forward, his expression serious. "Conner, you are many things, but stupid is not one of them. You know better than to make accusations without proof. I suggest you drop this. Now."
He reached into his pocket and pulled out the thumb drive Tim had given him. He tossed it onto the desk between them. "How's this for proof? You can have a look if you want. I've already seen it. It's e-mails. From you."
Lex picked up the thumb drive and held it in his hand, looking thoughtful before plugging it into the side of his laptop. After a moment, he looked back at Conner and raised an eyebrow. "This is business. I once did Miss Dearden a favor. What is it you're trying to accomplish here?"
"A favor?" he asked incredulously. "You're blackmailing her! In what universe does that constitute a favor?"
His father shook his head impatiently. "I helped her get out of a very unpleasant and dangerous situation. The only reason she's where she is now is because of me. Asking for a little information in return is hardly the great injustice you're making it out to be."
"Actually, Dad, it is. She's a seventeen year old kid. You can't play her like that. It's wrong. If it happens again, I will know. And I'll take it to Lois Lane. I'm pretty sure it would be a nice, big front page headline for her. ‘Lex Luthor Blackmails Minor?' That would be some pretty bad PR."
Lex raised an eyebrow. "You don't think you'd be implicated? After all--who benefits?"
Conner gave him a slightly sharp smile and spread his hands helplessly. "Who, me? Come on, Dad. Everyone knows I'm nowhere near smart enough to pull something like that off."
Lex narrowed his eyes at him. "Hn. Clever."
"I am your son."
Epilogue