FIC: Truth Value
Title: Truth Value
Rating: G
Word Count: 2602
Warning: Dark
Summary: What most of us wish had happened Post “Wrath”
Thanks to my glorious beta herohunter!! <3
“I need to know that you still love me. No matter what.”
Clark looked back at Lana, staring into her dewy eyes for a long time before speaking. “No matter what? No matter if you kill Lex? Torture Lionel? Fake your death and frame an innocent man for murder?”
“Lex is hardly innocent, Clark. You and I both know that he’s killed,” Lana replied, clearly offended that Clark had said anything but a dear ‘I’ll always love you.’
“Has he? Look, Lana, I know I’ve crossed the line before. I know I’ve let my emotions get the better of me, and one of those moments was when you came to me in the barn and I told you my secret. When I heard that you’d died, I almost killed Lex! I was going to rip him limb from limb! For something he didn’t do!”
“He’s done plenty! You don’t know him like I know him!” Lana argued turning from Clark with a pout.
“What? Biblically? I was friends with the guy for four years. You were close with him for maybe a few months before you started pulling away.”
Lana whipped her head back to glare at Clark. “You don’t know what he did to me.”
Clark threw up his hands. “What? Tell me! Please, I’d love it if you could open up to me the way you open up to Chloe or Lex.”
“That isn’t fair.”
“Super. Hearing. I heard what the two of you said to each other before I got there. Lex has been going out of his mind to stop an invasion. And I’m glad you got him talking because I don’t know that I’d ever known he was so scared about it if you hadn’t. He’s not wrong, Lana.”
“Of course he is. He’ll destroy us all if he keeps this up! Remember what happened with Zod?”
“That was Zod. Not Lex. If you get off for this, then Lex definitely gets off for that. He was possessed.” Clark crossed his arms. “You weren’t.”
“I don’t believe this.” Lana began to storm out of the barn. She stopped abruptly as Clark appeared in front of her, arms still crossed, and looked down at her with a stern expression. “What are you doing, Clark?”
“You said you wanted me to hold you accountable for your actions. So I am.”
Before she could blink, Lana found herself tied up and sitting in the living room. Clark sat on the arm of the sofa, dialing his phone.
“Wh-what are you doing??”
“I’m calling Lex to see if he’s willing to press charges. I have him and Lois. Maybe Lionel. If more than one does, then it should be enough.”
“Clark! Don’t…” Her voice caught, and he looked up uncertainly, closing the phone. She blinked up at him with a creased brow. “Don’t you love me anymore?”
Clark looked at her, hard. Then sighed heavily. “Lana, I do. I really do love you. Or I think that I do. But I don’t recognize who you are anymore, and you need help. That’s why I’m doing this. I can’t let you keep on like this, and I can’t let you get away with the things you did if I don’t let the others who have gained powers off the hook.” Clark shook his head. He felt as though his heart was breaking. If he’d had a moment, just one, where he could have intervened like this, and saved Lex, then he would go back in time and take it.
Only he had already used that piece of Kryptonian technology to save this woman's life.
Lana switched tracks, sounding more desperate. “You can’t call him, Clark. After the horrible things he’s done to me? What he’ll do to me?”
“What?” Clark demanded, almost impatiently. He’d been taking her vague word for it since she’d gotten back, but she’d been lying so much it was getting hard to believe. “What did he do to you?”
Lana made a soft whimpering sound. “He… he cloned me, a-and he… he faked my pregnancy. There never was any baby.”
Clark blinked and was silent for a long moment. He reached over and petted her head gently. “We’re gonna get you some help, Lana.”
“It’s true!” she exploded, her eyes going round. “How can you not believe me?”
“Lana, how could Lex fake your pregnancy? That’s crazy. It doesn’t make any sense,” Clark protested.
“It’s true,” she repeated, grinding out the words.
Clark nodded sympathetically and dialed Lex’s number.
“You idiot! How can you have faith in him?! You lazy, worthless piece of shit! You revolting alien! I can’t believe I ever let you touch me!” Lana spat angrily. Clark winced. That had hurt. It looked as though every muscle in her tiny body was helping her to curse at him.
“You’ll… be okay. We’ll get you help,” Clark promised gently, as he turned his head and blinked back tears. “H-hey. Lex? I hope you don’t mind me calling you?”
“You have no problem breaking into my house, but you’re concerned about a phone call bothering me? Please, Clark. Favor the phone. It’s easier on my locks.” Somehow Lex’s sarcastic tone was reassuring.
“God, it’s good to hear your voice, Lex,” Clark whispered into the phone. He could hear the sharp intake of breath. He could hear Lex’s heart speeding up.
“What’s wrong?” Lex asked seriously.
Clark could hear Lana oscillating between pleading and swearing wildly.
Lex indulged him so. Clark had gone to his home only a few hours ago to blame him for Lana’s behavior and make sure that Lex wouldn’t be pressing charges. “Lex, I know this sounds crazy after I just came over… but…”
***
Clark held his hands folded between his legs and sighed. He decided that waiting areas must be industry standard, with their stiff chairs and harsh lights. He had called Chloe already, and she was on her way, but he had waited until Lana was safely locked away. He didn’t want to even think about Lana trying to hurt Chloe; although, maybe Chloe couldn’t get hurt anymore. He didn’t know. But he wasn’t willing to risk it.
”Clark.” Lex’s voice floated softly through the waiting area. Clark looked up at him with a sad, expectant frown. Lex stood in front of him stiffly, his face still covered in the bruises Lana had given him. “Nell is filling out the paperwork now.”
”Thank you.”
“You’ll understand if I’m a little surprised at your decision, Clark.”
“I’m just trying to do the right thing. Nell agreed, right?” Clark twisted his fingers.
Lex lowered himself into the chair next to Clark and leaned over as well. “You said she was saying some pretty crazy stuff. Was that before the powers wore off?”
“No, Lex. It was after. You know what she did to your father. How can you even doubt?” Clark asked incredulously.
Lex shrugged. “I’d be lying if I said I didn’t occasionally want to slam a shovel in his face.”
“She… what?!” Clark ran his hand through his hair. “How long were you two going to let her keep doing this? This is crazy.”
“I told you that she stole from me, Clark. You knew that she faked her death, didn’t you? How she accomplished that?” Lex looked at him curiously.
“I knew she came back. I didn’t… I didn’t ask any questions. I was just glad she was still alive.” Clark dropped his head into his hands. “I’m so stupid.”
“No, you aren’t. Well, you’re in love, and that includes, I think, a certain level of utter gullibility. Being in love means granting the person you’re with a suspension of disbelief.”
Clark looked up and saw that same intense yet resigned expression in Lex’s gray eyes that had haunted them throughout this entire horrible day. Lex was talking about them again.
“Do you know how Lana faked her death?” Clark asked.
“She stole her clone and blew it up in her car,” Lex answered, watching Clark’s face for a reaction. Sure enough, Clark’s eyes began to bug out of his head.
“You… you…” Clark lowered his voice and leaned in. “You really did clone her? Why?”
“I’d tell you, but you’d think I’m crazy,” Lex replied flatly.
Clark rolled his eyes. “There’s no chance of that not happening now.”
Lex sighed and thinned his lips. “Honestly, I was irrationally terrified that my mutant demon seed was going to kill her. So I made a spare body for her.”
“You’re certifiable.” Clark laughed, looking away.
Lex spread his hands to indicate the mental hospital. “Well, we’re here.”
“I’ll take a little harmless cloning over an army of evil any day.”
“My army wasn’t evil. They weren’t anything yet, other than brain dead.”
“Ha ha.”
“I’m serious,” Lex said darkly.
Clark ruffled his own hair. “Did you fake her pregnancy?” he ventured, then winced at the immediate offense and pain in Lex’s eyes. “Either you’re a method actor, or I’m sorry. It’s just… no, the clone thing doesn’t seem that crazy to me.”
“It doesn’t?” Lex frowned. “Really? Because that seems a little strange even to me.”
“I think my perception of normal has been permanently skewed,” Clark said in defeat. “I’m sorry. I’m sorry you lost the baby. I’m sorry that… Lana… do you think it was the miscarriage? I know finding out that your significant other cloned you could be a shock, but… she knew Emily, so it couldn’t be that much of a shock.”
Lex’s voice was hollow. “She started deteriorating a little before the wedding, I think. I should have been paying attention.”
“Don’t blame yourself,” Clark admonished. “It isn’t your fault.”
“You were perfectly willing to blame me earlier today…” Lex looked at his watch. “You were perfectly willing to blame me yesterday.”
“It was easier than admitting that there was something wrong with her.”
Lex reached over and patted Clark’s leg. “Clark…”
“It was always easier to blame you,” Clark admitted. “Especially when the alternative meant I failed you.”
Lex opened his mouth, but he had no words. Clark bit his lip and put his hand over Lex’s, squeezing gently.
***
Clip.
Clip.
Clip.
Lionel Luthor’s shoes hit the clean floor of the cold gray hallways. His hair bounced slightly and a gash of a smile spread across his face. Today was a good day to be a Luthor.
“Mr. Luthor,” an orderly said motioning toward a door. “The patient is lucid, sir.”
“Excellent.” Lionel nodded to the man, and when he opened the door, Lionel walked inside craning his head to the side. “Ahh... It’s good to see you.”
She looked up at him groggily from where she was sitting on the other side of a large gray table. Purplish rings were smeared under her eyes. She struggled in her straight jacket, looking smaller and more vulnerable than ever with her head shaved. She swallowed as she met his eye, and her voice came, gravelly and weak, “You have to help me.”
“Oh, dear. I’m afraid that I warned you.” Lionel walked towards her, keeping a friendly expression on his face. “See, Lana, you went after my son. That’s just unacceptable behavior.”
“Please! They think I’m crazy. You know I’m not,” she pleaded. “The things that Lex did to me, you have to understand, I’m only trying to protect myself and Clark-“
“That’s really enough, Lana. These things you’ve been saying. You’re clearly deluded. Let the doctors help you.” Then Lionel gave her a broad smile that made her shudder.
“You know the horrible things he’s done to me. The way he manipulated me. He faked my pregnancy to get me to marry him!”
Lionel tilted his head. “Do you really expect people to believe that?”
“It’s the truth!” she spat at him.
“The truth value of what comes out of your mouth lately, Lana, has greatly diminished,” Lionel replied in a scolding tone. “I’d suggest that you start playing along with the doctors if you ever want to get out of here.”
“One of them will listen to me,” she said, lifting her chin confidently. “I’ll get out. And expose both of you for the lying snakes you really are!”
“Oh, no, they won’t, Lana. Unfortunately, they’ve been clued into your games. It’s why they cut your hair off, you see. Didn’t you know? Your ability to make people love you is in that shiny hair of yours…” Lionel chuckled suddenly. “Well. It was. I imagine that now it will be difficult to get people to acquiesce to your demands quite so easily.” He leaned over on his hands. “I’ve spoken with your aunt, and we both agree that it’s best that you’re kept here. You’ll be safe from the others, my dear. “
“I’m not a freak. And I’m not crazy,” Lana insisted. “Lex gave me hormones. He faked my pregnancy-“
“I find it strange that your delusion casts Lex in the villain’s role, considering it wasn’t he who coerced you into marrying him on your wedding day.” Lionel rubbed his chin.
A light went on in Lana’s eyes. “You.”
Lionel stood with a sly smile. “Was it because it was easier for you to hate him than to realize you were the one betraying him?”
“You! You did this to me! You did this to us! Why!” Lana screamed in both anger and shock. “Why would you do that to me?”
The guards came up to her and held her down forcibly.
“You must stay calm,” Lionel urged in a fatherly tone. “No good will come of these little outbursts, Lana. “Be a good girl while I’m gone, and perhaps I’ll let the boys visit you.”
It only made her angrier. She winced as the stuck a needle in her arm.
When Lionel left the cell, Nell was waiting outside with an alarmed look on her face. “She- she was talking so strangely, Lionel. What happened? How did she go downhill so quickly?”
Lionel shrugged and took her arm, steering her away so that she would not have to face the sight of her niece being dragged back to her room. “These things happen, I’m afraid. The infection has gone to her brain, and she’s entirely unstable. I really thought that I’d lose my son, and after I’d just been returned to him.”
“I’m so so sorry for what she did to you. Both of you,” Nell assured him, looking up at him with wide eyes. “Poor Lex. I trust he’s healing well? If there’s anything I can do?”
“Well, I’m healing now. Don’t concern yourself. Perhaps there’s something I can do,” he offered.
She shook her head. “You’ve done enough.”
“Come for a cup of coffee with me,” he said with a slight smile. When Nell paused, he frowned. “I’m sorry, are you and Dean trying to patch things up?”
“No, no. We’re finished. I… yes. Let’s go for coffee. Well, tea, maybe. I could do with some relaxation.” Nell sighed and shook her head as she walked out of the building with Lionel.
“Couldn’t we all,” Lionel agreed, guiding her to his car. He wouldn’t be seeing Martha until the weekend. He could swing this.
Back in her cell, Lana looked from orderly to orderly. “No, no, no… you have to believe me. I’m telling you the truth. Let me out of here! There are aliens! And Lex Luthor is a liar! Lionel is even worse!”
They tightened her restraints and left her in her room. Lana caught sight of her reflection in the two-way mirror.
She began to scream.
Rating: G
Word Count: 2602
Warning: Dark
Summary: What most of us wish had happened Post “Wrath”
Thanks to my glorious beta herohunter!! <3
“I need to know that you still love me. No matter what.”
Clark looked back at Lana, staring into her dewy eyes for a long time before speaking. “No matter what? No matter if you kill Lex? Torture Lionel? Fake your death and frame an innocent man for murder?”
“Lex is hardly innocent, Clark. You and I both know that he’s killed,” Lana replied, clearly offended that Clark had said anything but a dear ‘I’ll always love you.’
“Has he? Look, Lana, I know I’ve crossed the line before. I know I’ve let my emotions get the better of me, and one of those moments was when you came to me in the barn and I told you my secret. When I heard that you’d died, I almost killed Lex! I was going to rip him limb from limb! For something he didn’t do!”
“He’s done plenty! You don’t know him like I know him!” Lana argued turning from Clark with a pout.
“What? Biblically? I was friends with the guy for four years. You were close with him for maybe a few months before you started pulling away.”
Lana whipped her head back to glare at Clark. “You don’t know what he did to me.”
Clark threw up his hands. “What? Tell me! Please, I’d love it if you could open up to me the way you open up to Chloe or Lex.”
“That isn’t fair.”
“Super. Hearing. I heard what the two of you said to each other before I got there. Lex has been going out of his mind to stop an invasion. And I’m glad you got him talking because I don’t know that I’d ever known he was so scared about it if you hadn’t. He’s not wrong, Lana.”
“Of course he is. He’ll destroy us all if he keeps this up! Remember what happened with Zod?”
“That was Zod. Not Lex. If you get off for this, then Lex definitely gets off for that. He was possessed.” Clark crossed his arms. “You weren’t.”
“I don’t believe this.” Lana began to storm out of the barn. She stopped abruptly as Clark appeared in front of her, arms still crossed, and looked down at her with a stern expression. “What are you doing, Clark?”
“You said you wanted me to hold you accountable for your actions. So I am.”
Before she could blink, Lana found herself tied up and sitting in the living room. Clark sat on the arm of the sofa, dialing his phone.
“Wh-what are you doing??”
“I’m calling Lex to see if he’s willing to press charges. I have him and Lois. Maybe Lionel. If more than one does, then it should be enough.”
“Clark! Don’t…” Her voice caught, and he looked up uncertainly, closing the phone. She blinked up at him with a creased brow. “Don’t you love me anymore?”
Clark looked at her, hard. Then sighed heavily. “Lana, I do. I really do love you. Or I think that I do. But I don’t recognize who you are anymore, and you need help. That’s why I’m doing this. I can’t let you keep on like this, and I can’t let you get away with the things you did if I don’t let the others who have gained powers off the hook.” Clark shook his head. He felt as though his heart was breaking. If he’d had a moment, just one, where he could have intervened like this, and saved Lex, then he would go back in time and take it.
Only he had already used that piece of Kryptonian technology to save this woman's life.
Lana switched tracks, sounding more desperate. “You can’t call him, Clark. After the horrible things he’s done to me? What he’ll do to me?”
“What?” Clark demanded, almost impatiently. He’d been taking her vague word for it since she’d gotten back, but she’d been lying so much it was getting hard to believe. “What did he do to you?”
Lana made a soft whimpering sound. “He… he cloned me, a-and he… he faked my pregnancy. There never was any baby.”
Clark blinked and was silent for a long moment. He reached over and petted her head gently. “We’re gonna get you some help, Lana.”
“It’s true!” she exploded, her eyes going round. “How can you not believe me?”
“Lana, how could Lex fake your pregnancy? That’s crazy. It doesn’t make any sense,” Clark protested.
“It’s true,” she repeated, grinding out the words.
Clark nodded sympathetically and dialed Lex’s number.
“You idiot! How can you have faith in him?! You lazy, worthless piece of shit! You revolting alien! I can’t believe I ever let you touch me!” Lana spat angrily. Clark winced. That had hurt. It looked as though every muscle in her tiny body was helping her to curse at him.
“You’ll… be okay. We’ll get you help,” Clark promised gently, as he turned his head and blinked back tears. “H-hey. Lex? I hope you don’t mind me calling you?”
“You have no problem breaking into my house, but you’re concerned about a phone call bothering me? Please, Clark. Favor the phone. It’s easier on my locks.” Somehow Lex’s sarcastic tone was reassuring.
“God, it’s good to hear your voice, Lex,” Clark whispered into the phone. He could hear the sharp intake of breath. He could hear Lex’s heart speeding up.
“What’s wrong?” Lex asked seriously.
Clark could hear Lana oscillating between pleading and swearing wildly.
Lex indulged him so. Clark had gone to his home only a few hours ago to blame him for Lana’s behavior and make sure that Lex wouldn’t be pressing charges. “Lex, I know this sounds crazy after I just came over… but…”
***
Clark held his hands folded between his legs and sighed. He decided that waiting areas must be industry standard, with their stiff chairs and harsh lights. He had called Chloe already, and she was on her way, but he had waited until Lana was safely locked away. He didn’t want to even think about Lana trying to hurt Chloe; although, maybe Chloe couldn’t get hurt anymore. He didn’t know. But he wasn’t willing to risk it.
”Clark.” Lex’s voice floated softly through the waiting area. Clark looked up at him with a sad, expectant frown. Lex stood in front of him stiffly, his face still covered in the bruises Lana had given him. “Nell is filling out the paperwork now.”
”Thank you.”
“You’ll understand if I’m a little surprised at your decision, Clark.”
“I’m just trying to do the right thing. Nell agreed, right?” Clark twisted his fingers.
Lex lowered himself into the chair next to Clark and leaned over as well. “You said she was saying some pretty crazy stuff. Was that before the powers wore off?”
“No, Lex. It was after. You know what she did to your father. How can you even doubt?” Clark asked incredulously.
Lex shrugged. “I’d be lying if I said I didn’t occasionally want to slam a shovel in his face.”
“She… what?!” Clark ran his hand through his hair. “How long were you two going to let her keep doing this? This is crazy.”
“I told you that she stole from me, Clark. You knew that she faked her death, didn’t you? How she accomplished that?” Lex looked at him curiously.
“I knew she came back. I didn’t… I didn’t ask any questions. I was just glad she was still alive.” Clark dropped his head into his hands. “I’m so stupid.”
“No, you aren’t. Well, you’re in love, and that includes, I think, a certain level of utter gullibility. Being in love means granting the person you’re with a suspension of disbelief.”
Clark looked up and saw that same intense yet resigned expression in Lex’s gray eyes that had haunted them throughout this entire horrible day. Lex was talking about them again.
“Do you know how Lana faked her death?” Clark asked.
“She stole her clone and blew it up in her car,” Lex answered, watching Clark’s face for a reaction. Sure enough, Clark’s eyes began to bug out of his head.
“You… you…” Clark lowered his voice and leaned in. “You really did clone her? Why?”
“I’d tell you, but you’d think I’m crazy,” Lex replied flatly.
Clark rolled his eyes. “There’s no chance of that not happening now.”
Lex sighed and thinned his lips. “Honestly, I was irrationally terrified that my mutant demon seed was going to kill her. So I made a spare body for her.”
“You’re certifiable.” Clark laughed, looking away.
Lex spread his hands to indicate the mental hospital. “Well, we’re here.”
“I’ll take a little harmless cloning over an army of evil any day.”
“My army wasn’t evil. They weren’t anything yet, other than brain dead.”
“Ha ha.”
“I’m serious,” Lex said darkly.
Clark ruffled his own hair. “Did you fake her pregnancy?” he ventured, then winced at the immediate offense and pain in Lex’s eyes. “Either you’re a method actor, or I’m sorry. It’s just… no, the clone thing doesn’t seem that crazy to me.”
“It doesn’t?” Lex frowned. “Really? Because that seems a little strange even to me.”
“I think my perception of normal has been permanently skewed,” Clark said in defeat. “I’m sorry. I’m sorry you lost the baby. I’m sorry that… Lana… do you think it was the miscarriage? I know finding out that your significant other cloned you could be a shock, but… she knew Emily, so it couldn’t be that much of a shock.”
Lex’s voice was hollow. “She started deteriorating a little before the wedding, I think. I should have been paying attention.”
“Don’t blame yourself,” Clark admonished. “It isn’t your fault.”
“You were perfectly willing to blame me earlier today…” Lex looked at his watch. “You were perfectly willing to blame me yesterday.”
“It was easier than admitting that there was something wrong with her.”
Lex reached over and patted Clark’s leg. “Clark…”
“It was always easier to blame you,” Clark admitted. “Especially when the alternative meant I failed you.”
Lex opened his mouth, but he had no words. Clark bit his lip and put his hand over Lex’s, squeezing gently.
***
Clip.
Clip.
Clip.
Lionel Luthor’s shoes hit the clean floor of the cold gray hallways. His hair bounced slightly and a gash of a smile spread across his face. Today was a good day to be a Luthor.
“Mr. Luthor,” an orderly said motioning toward a door. “The patient is lucid, sir.”
“Excellent.” Lionel nodded to the man, and when he opened the door, Lionel walked inside craning his head to the side. “Ahh... It’s good to see you.”
She looked up at him groggily from where she was sitting on the other side of a large gray table. Purplish rings were smeared under her eyes. She struggled in her straight jacket, looking smaller and more vulnerable than ever with her head shaved. She swallowed as she met his eye, and her voice came, gravelly and weak, “You have to help me.”
“Oh, dear. I’m afraid that I warned you.” Lionel walked towards her, keeping a friendly expression on his face. “See, Lana, you went after my son. That’s just unacceptable behavior.”
“Please! They think I’m crazy. You know I’m not,” she pleaded. “The things that Lex did to me, you have to understand, I’m only trying to protect myself and Clark-“
“That’s really enough, Lana. These things you’ve been saying. You’re clearly deluded. Let the doctors help you.” Then Lionel gave her a broad smile that made her shudder.
“You know the horrible things he’s done to me. The way he manipulated me. He faked my pregnancy to get me to marry him!”
Lionel tilted his head. “Do you really expect people to believe that?”
“It’s the truth!” she spat at him.
“The truth value of what comes out of your mouth lately, Lana, has greatly diminished,” Lionel replied in a scolding tone. “I’d suggest that you start playing along with the doctors if you ever want to get out of here.”
“One of them will listen to me,” she said, lifting her chin confidently. “I’ll get out. And expose both of you for the lying snakes you really are!”
“Oh, no, they won’t, Lana. Unfortunately, they’ve been clued into your games. It’s why they cut your hair off, you see. Didn’t you know? Your ability to make people love you is in that shiny hair of yours…” Lionel chuckled suddenly. “Well. It was. I imagine that now it will be difficult to get people to acquiesce to your demands quite so easily.” He leaned over on his hands. “I’ve spoken with your aunt, and we both agree that it’s best that you’re kept here. You’ll be safe from the others, my dear. “
“I’m not a freak. And I’m not crazy,” Lana insisted. “Lex gave me hormones. He faked my pregnancy-“
“I find it strange that your delusion casts Lex in the villain’s role, considering it wasn’t he who coerced you into marrying him on your wedding day.” Lionel rubbed his chin.
A light went on in Lana’s eyes. “You.”
Lionel stood with a sly smile. “Was it because it was easier for you to hate him than to realize you were the one betraying him?”
“You! You did this to me! You did this to us! Why!” Lana screamed in both anger and shock. “Why would you do that to me?”
The guards came up to her and held her down forcibly.
“You must stay calm,” Lionel urged in a fatherly tone. “No good will come of these little outbursts, Lana. “Be a good girl while I’m gone, and perhaps I’ll let the boys visit you.”
It only made her angrier. She winced as the stuck a needle in her arm.
When Lionel left the cell, Nell was waiting outside with an alarmed look on her face. “She- she was talking so strangely, Lionel. What happened? How did she go downhill so quickly?”
Lionel shrugged and took her arm, steering her away so that she would not have to face the sight of her niece being dragged back to her room. “These things happen, I’m afraid. The infection has gone to her brain, and she’s entirely unstable. I really thought that I’d lose my son, and after I’d just been returned to him.”
“I’m so so sorry for what she did to you. Both of you,” Nell assured him, looking up at him with wide eyes. “Poor Lex. I trust he’s healing well? If there’s anything I can do?”
“Well, I’m healing now. Don’t concern yourself. Perhaps there’s something I can do,” he offered.
She shook her head. “You’ve done enough.”
“Come for a cup of coffee with me,” he said with a slight smile. When Nell paused, he frowned. “I’m sorry, are you and Dean trying to patch things up?”
“No, no. We’re finished. I… yes. Let’s go for coffee. Well, tea, maybe. I could do with some relaxation.” Nell sighed and shook her head as she walked out of the building with Lionel.
“Couldn’t we all,” Lionel agreed, guiding her to his car. He wouldn’t be seeing Martha until the weekend. He could swing this.
Back in her cell, Lana looked from orderly to orderly. “No, no, no… you have to believe me. I’m telling you the truth. Let me out of here! There are aliens! And Lex Luthor is a liar! Lionel is even worse!”
They tightened her restraints and left her in her room. Lana caught sight of her reflection in the two-way mirror.
She began to scream.