Lex struggled futilely against the two men dragging him back to his room, Kal-El’s words ringing in his ears.
“Whatever my father is paying you, I’ll double it,” he tried bargaining. “Ha, and have Lionel Luthor after us? You have to be joking!” one of the men smirked. “Get dressed,” the other ordered him. Lex clenched his jaw and did as he was told. “You’ll regret this,” he said quietly. “Oh, I don’t think so,” the first man, the one that had hit him, smiled unpleasantly, “In fact, we’re going to enjoy this a lot. I always wanted to try rich boy ass.” Lex stiffened, biting his lip against sudden worry. He had to hope his lover knew what he was doing, Lex knew Kal-El would never survive him being raped. The second man grabbed him again and he was dragged out of the castle to a nearby helicopter. Shoved inside, Lex was strapped in between the two men and they took off. Lex stared back at the castle, catching sight of Kal-El at a window. He sighed regretfully, resisting the urge to put his hand on the window. As he’d expected, Lex was flown to Metropolis and taken to one of his father’s security holdings, where he’d been known to keep people in his more unscrupulous dealings. If he could just get away from his father’s goons, he might still have enough security clearance to get out. As the first man got out of the chopper, Lex twisted and kicked him hard, elbowing the one behind him in the face. He leapt out of the helicopter and ran for the elevator. He didn’t even have time to enter his code before he was slammed into the door. “Little shit,” the man grunted, twisting him round to smack him in the face. Lex swallowed blood and grimaced, so much for that effort. God, he hoped Kal-El could find him. “Oh I am going to enjoy you,” the man whispered in his ear, before licking his neck. Lex managed to suppress a shudder, but couldn’t help trying to pull away, but he was held firmly. “Let’s go, rich boy.” The door and Lex was shoved into the elevator, flanked by his two captors. He was taken down to the lower levels, where the cells were and unceremoniously shoved into one. The men smirked at him and slammed the door shut. Lex sat down and sighed heavily. He prayed for the first time in a long time, prayed that Kal wouldn’t kill the farmer, that he *had* thought of something to try and save them both. Lex couldn’t bear the thought of Kal being forced to do something so against his nature in order to protect *him*. If he could, Lex would kill his father to protect Kal. It was a mistakes for his father’s goons to think he was completely helpless. Lex stood up and wandered over to the corner under the security camera, carefully removing the knife from the heel of his shoe and putting it into the sheath incorporated in his pants. Then he went and sat down again. Lex was sure he could rely on his father to come and gloat at some point. When that happened, Lex would make sure he regretted ever hurting Kal. @>*~ Once Kent had got his shotgun, he headed for the truck. “Shall we go?” “Uh, it’ll be quicker if I ran,” Kal-El smiled ruefully. “Run?” Kent raised an eyebrow, “What about me?” “I’d have to carry you,” Kal-El shrugged. Kent looked doubtful. “Be careful, Jon,” Mrs Kent said worriedly. Kent swept her into his arms and Kal-El had to look away, the sight of such a loving couple giving each other support and comfort was too much for him to bear when the man he loved was in danger. “Let’s go,” he said gruffly. Kent nodded and Kal-El bent slightly, hauling the older man over his shoulder. “Keep your face covered and hold tight.” He felt Kent nod and bury his face in his back. Kal-El started to run, holding tightly onto the man over his shoulder, following the tugging feeling in his chest that would lead him to Lex. Kal-El ran into the city, his first time in a city and he didn’t even notice; he just kept going until the feeling that was leading him grew and the pressure in his chest lessened. Stopping outside a large building, Kal-El knew they were close. He put Kent down, steadying the other man as he staggered slightly. “Dear God,” Kent muttered, taking a deep breath. “This is it, I know it,” Kal-El stared down. Jonathan Kent nodded, “This is a LuthorCorp property, he could be here. How do you expect us to get in?” “I think I’ll have to use the speed to get us as far as possible. I fell, I think he’s underground,” Kal-El tried scanning through the lower levels of the building, but something was blocking him. He just had to hope there wasn’t too much meteor rock in the building. He was counting on the fact that Lionel wouldn’t know that he could find Lex and wouldn’t have more than the necklaces on the thugs. “Even getting in as fast as we can, the gun will still set off the alarms, I’m sure,” Kent pointed out. Kal-El bit his lip, “Well the speed should hopefully give us enough time to get Lex, I can deal with any problems getting us out.” “Are you going to be able to carry us both back to Smallville?” Kent asked quietly. Kal-El nodded, “That won’t be a problem.” Kent licked his lips, took a deep breath and nodded, “Let’s go.” @>*~ Lex looked up when the door opened, one of his father’s men came in with a tray. “Keeping me healthy?” he asked sarcastically. The man just smirked and left again. Lex noticed he was still wearing a meteor rock round his neck and frowned. He wondered if his father could be expecting a rescue attempt, or if it was just a precaution. Could Kal even find him? Lex thought that he might, if the strange feeling in his chest that seemed to connect him to Kal was real. In fact the pressure was lessening somehow, as if Kal was closer. Lex closed his eyes and hoped, trying somehow to feel his lover’s presence, feel if he was close. He got an odd feeling of reassurance and sighed, praying it wasn’t just his imagination. Whatever happened, once his father came, Lex intended to show him just how much he was his father’s son. He shifted so he could feel the reassuring hardness of the blade pressed into the small of his back. Lex just hoped Kal would be able to forgive him. The alarms going off startled him and Lex leapt to his feet, pulling the blade out in readiness. @>*~ Kal-El picked Kent up again and ran into the building, past the security desk and straight to the doors by the elevators. The alarm had gone off almost as soon as they’d entered, so time was of the essence. With a hard shove, Kal-El broke the door open and it hit the wall, glass shattering with the force of his push. He ran down the stairs, until he could almost swear he could feel Lex’s presence and smashed through another security door. Continuing to run, Kal-El burst through two more security doors, startling several guards who didn’t even see them. He knew those and other guards would be converging on them, so he had to hurry. Slowing, he put Kent down and took the shotgun, wordlessly leading the other man down another corridor. Rounding a corner, they came face to face with one of the men from the castle. Kal-El aimed the gun at him in a flash, staying well back as he started to feel the effects of the meteor rock round the man’s neck. “Stay right there,” he growled. The man snarled at him, but raised his hands and backed away. “Get Lex,” Kal-El nodded to Kent. Jonathan nodded, heading for the open cell door, just as they heard a scream. Kal-El forced himself not to panic, and keep watching the thug, but his heart caught in his chest. @>*~ The door burst open and Lex leapt at the man, brandishing the knife. The man twisted in time to see him and managed to catch his wrist as they both fell to the ground. Lex landed on top, but was momentarily winded. It was enough for the man to shove him away, and Lex swore as the knife was knocked out of his hand and out of his reach. He rolled and tried to grab it, but the man grabbed him by the waist and yanked him back, rearing over him with a raised fist. Lex just managed to brace himself for the blow, and returned it, catching the man in the jaw. He shoved hard and reached for the knife again. The man crawled over him and wrapped large hands round his throat, squeezing. Lex bucked up, trying to dislodge him, clawing at the hands round his neck with one hand as he stretched for the knife. The tips of his fingers were just touching the tip of the hilt, but he couldn’t quite get a purchase on it. As the edges of his vision started to blur, Lex pushed hard, his fingers wrapping round the hilt and he stabbed forward. The man screamed, fingers tightening convulsively round his throat and blood started to stain his shirt. A blond man ran into the room and yanked the goon off him. Lex stared up, stunned and out of fight. “Come on, we have to get of here,” the stranger helped him to his feet, “Are you okay?” Lex nodded dumbly, uncomprehendingly, until he was led out of the cell and greeted by the vision of Kal-El with a shotgun. “Kal,” he gasped. Kal-El looked over, relief flooding him, “Lex, are you okay?” “Now you’re here,” Lex whispered. “I said I’d come back for you,” Kal-El smiled softly. “I never doubted you,” Lex sighed. “Kent, put him in the cell, would you?” Kal-El indicated the man he was aiming at. Lex watched the blond man shove the second thug into the cell and slam the door shut. “Isn’t that the guy you were supposed to kill?” Lex asked. “Yeah,” Kal-El nodded. “Let’s go,” Kent said urgently, taking the shotgun again. Kal-El nodded. “Shit, too late!” Kal-El twisted as two guards started shooting at them. He shoved Lex and Kent behind him, taking three slugs to the chest, then speed ran forward, grabbing the guns and knocking the guards into the wall. “Kal-El!” Kal-El almost didn’t want to look back, he already knew what had happened. Swallowing hard, he turned, watching the blood blossoming through Lex’s shirt in horror. Kent was kneeling next to him, pressing a hand to the wound. “Oh God,” Kal-El felt sick, but as much as he wanted to run over, he could hear more guards drawing nearer. “Stay with him, I’ll be right back.” Kent nodded and Kal-El ran again, clearing a path for them, careful to only knock out the security guards. When he got back, he was relieved to see Lex was conscious. Kent had ripped off the bottom of his shirt for a makeshift bandage. Kal-El dropped to his knees and buried his face in Lex’s neck, suddenly overwhelmed. Lex held him briefly, himself flooded with relief and love, dulling the pain a little. “Kal,” he whispered, “I’m okay, come on. I need you to be strong, just a little longer.” Kal-El nodded and took a deep breath, “I have to carry you.” “I’ll be fine,” Lex nodded, “We have to get out of here now.” Kal-El helped him to his feet and bent to lift both men over his shoulders. It was a little awkward but his strength more than compensated for it. He started to run, through the corridors and back up the stairs. At the top, he realised that there was a row of guards lined up in front of the doors and large screens had come down behind them. “Hold on,” he whispered, before letting go of Kent so he had an arm free. As soon as he felt the man’s arms wrap round his waist, he put on a burst of speed, zooming past the guards, smashing the doors and rending a large hole in the screens. Lex groaned, pain jolting through his shoulder, but suddenly they were outside and all he felt was relief. The run took his breath away and he kept his eyes closed and his face buried in Kal’s back, inhaling his lover’s scent as he tried to stay conscious. After what was starting to feel like forever, Kal-El slowed and stopped. He put Kent down, and carefully manoeuvred Lex into his arms. Lex stared up at his lover, managing a smile, trying to reassure Kal. “Lex,” Kal-El breathed, bending his head to press a kiss to his lover’s brow. “I’m okay, Kal, really,” Lex whispered. “Come on,” Kent interrupted them, “Let’s get to the Sullivan’s and sort out his shoulder.” Kal-El nodded. “The Sullivan’s?” Lex asked, confused. “We can’t go back to the castle or the Kents’ place, your father would find us,” Kal-El explained. “Yes but, why the Sullivan’s?” Lex still didn’t understand. “Chloe offered,” Kent said shortly, before walking off. Kal-El followed him, holding Lex carefully, trying not to squeeze too tightly in his relief at having his lover safe again. Lex couldn’t quite help snuggling into the strong arms, managing somehow to ignore his shoulder with the feeling of safety he had. When they reached the house, Chloe hurried out with Martha Kent. Mrs Kent ran to her husband and was swung into his arms. “Oh thank God you’re okay,” she exclaimed. “Can we go inside?” Kal-El asked Chloe urgently. She nodded, staring wide eyed at Lex, and led them inside and up to a bedroom. Kal-El lay Lex down carefully and pulled the bandage off. Lex groaned. “What happened?” Chloe asked. “He was shot, have you got something I can clean him up with and a bandage?” Kal-El asked. She nodded and left the room. Kal-El X-rayed Lex’s shoulder, relieved to see that the bullet had passed straight through muscle without breaking any bones. Grimacing at Lex’s pained expression, Kal-El carefully pulled off the remainder of his shirt. “I’m sorry,” he whispered. Lex caught his hand worriedly. “Why? Kal, you’ve nothing to be sorry for, God, this is all my fault,” Lex squeezed his eyes shut. “No, Lex,” Kal-El sighed, “You are the one good thing in my life. What your father did is not your fault.” “I’m no good for you,” Lex sighed, “You don’t know what I’m capable of. I was going to kill my father, Kal.” “I know,” Kal-El said quietly, “But so was I.” “What?” Lex opened his eyes and stared at his lover in shock. “Lex, why were you going to kill him?” Kal-El asked quietly. “Because he hurt you,” Lex whispered. “Exactly,” Kal-El replied, “I wanted to kill him for hurting you, I still will if I have to.” “No, Kal,” Lex gasped. He didn’t want his lover to lose his innocence, to do something like that, for him. “Please, Kal, promise me you won’t kill him.” Kal-El looked away, “I don’t think I can.” Lex squeezed Kal-El’s hand. “I… only as a last resort?” he compromised. “Okay,” Kal-El whispered. He sighed. The events of the day, the worry, the pain, the fear, finally overwhelmed him and he shut his eyes against tears. “Oh, Kal,” Lex reached up to gently stroke his cheek. “Come here.” He shifted over carefully and Kal-El lay down next to him, putting his head on Lex’s undamaged shoulder. Lex wrapped his arm round him, burying his fingers in thick, soft hair, stroking gently as Kal-El cried quietly. “I got, oh, sorry…” Chloe stopped at the door. “It’s okay, come in,” Lex said quietly. She nodded and walked round the other side of the bed. Grimacing a little, she started to clean up his shoulder before deftly wrapping a bandage round it. “Is he okay?” she asked quietly. Lex nodded. “Today was tough on him.” “On you both,” she agreed, “I never realised your father was so…” she trailed off. “Yeah,” Lex smirked, “What about your father, what are you going to tell him?” She shrugged, “I’ll think of something.” “The Kents?” “They’re still downstairs, they’ll have to stay here too,” she replied. “Yes,” Lex nodded. Kal-El barely listened to the conversation. He just lay on Lex, the feel of soft skin under his cheek grounding him. He could hear Lex’s heartbeat, strong and soothing. It wasn’t till Lex shifted that he realised they were alone again. Kal-El lifted his head and Lex gently wiped the tears from his face. “You took a big risk going to Kent,” Lex said quietly. Kal-El nodded, “I know, but it was all I could think of. I couldn’t kill him and I knew I’d need help getting you.” Lex nodded, “But they know now… about you.” Kal-El shivered a little at Lex’s dark expression, “They’re good people, Lex, they won’t hurt us.” “I…” “Please, trust them,” Kal-El whispered. “Do you?” Lex asked. He wanted to protect Kal, but not if it hurt him to do it. “Yes, I do,” Kal-El said firmly. Lex sighed, “Okay, I will try to trust them too.” “Thank you.” Kal-El leaned up and kissed him gently. Lex tightened his grip in Kal’s hair, pulling him closer, kissing harder, his own relief coming out with a desperate exploration of his lover’s mouth. Kal-El pulled away gently and smiled at him, “I love you, Lex.” “I love you too,” Lex sighed. “You need to sleep, we can talk about what to do next, tomorrow,” Kal-El got up and gently undressed Lex, pulling the covers over him, before stripping down to his boxers and sliding into bed next to him. He curled up against Lex, laying his head on his shoulder again. Lex hugged him close and shut his eyes. @>*~ A knock at the door woke Kal-El. He glanced over at Lex, who was still sleeping peacefully, and smiled. “Come in,” he called softly. Chloe poked her head round the door and raised an eyebrow at him. Kal-El couldn’t quite help flushing at her knowing gaze. “Time to get up guys, we have a problem,” she grimaced. Kal-El frowned at her worried tone. “What?” he asked. “Just get dressed and come down, Lex too,” she sighed, and shut the door again. Kal-El leaned over and gently kissed Lex until he stirred. Lips moved under his and he pulled back, grinning at the soft moan of complaint. “Now that’s the way to wake up,” Lex whispered, opening his eyes to smile up at his lover. “We have to get up, Lex, something’s happened,” Kal-El sighed as Lex’s expression darkened. “I’m sure it has,” Lex sighed. He pushed himself up with a groan. “What am I going to wear?” “You can wear my t-shirt,” Kal-El suggested. Lex nodded and let Kal-El help him get dressed. He tried to protest at Kal-El carrying him downstairs, but his lover wouldn’t listen. In the lounge, the Kents were sitting with Chloe. Jonathan looked angry, Martha and Chloe looked worried. Kal-El gently put Lex down and sat next to him. “Okay, what’s he done?” Lex asked without preamble. “Apparently you’ve been kidnapped by armed terrorists, who allegedly killed several LuthorCorp employees and guards whilst storming one of the LuthorCorp buildings,” Kent growled. “I am now wanted for questioning in relation to the kidnapping and murders.” Kal-El bit his lip, guilt overwhelming him. Lex glanced over at him and gently squeezed his knee. “I should have seen that coming,” he sighed, “I’m sorry, Mister Kent, my father isn’t in the habit of losing.” “No,” Kent snapped, “My court case is ruined now though, what am I supposed to do? They’ll have me on security cameras. I could be convicted.” “No,” Lex shook his head, “I will do whatever’s necessary to prevent that.” “That’s not very comforting,” Jonathan sighed. “I’m sorry,” Kal-El whispered. Kent stared at him for a moment, then his expression softened. “I know, Kal-El. You did what you thought was right, so did I,” he sighed. “So, what do we do now?” Mrs Kent asked quietly. “I need to make some phone calls,” Lex pursed his lips thoughtfully, “But I need an untraceable line and I can’t go back to the castle or the plant.” “I, uh,” Chloe cleared her throat, “I can help there.” She flushed as all eyes turned to her, “What? I need it for my work.” Lex laughed suddenly, “Remind me to recommend you to Perry White when you finish school.” “Daily Planet?” she gasped, “Really?” Lex nodded and she beamed happily, “Come on.” Lex struggled to his feet, stopping Kal-El from helping him with a glance, “I’m fine, Kal, really.” Kal-El raised an eyebrow, knowing perfectly well his lover was in a lot of pain. But he gave in at a brief pleading look, planted a quick kiss on upturned lips and sat back down. The Kents were staring at him and he flushed lightly, shrugging one shoulder. Mrs Kent smiled gently and he sat back feeling a little relieved that they didn’t seem to be angry with him. “Here you go,” Chloe tapped a few keys on her PC and gestured at the phone. “Thanks,” Lex sat down gingerly. When she didn’t leave, he raised an eyebrow at her and she flushed. “I’ll, uh, leave you to it then,” Chloe said hurriedly. Lex nodded, waiting till she’d shut the door behind her before picking up the phone. He dialled quickly. *Hello?* “Kimmie.” *Lex, oh my God, is that really you?* “Yeah, hi.” *I heard you’d been kidnapped.* “You heard wrong.” *But your father…* “Is lying, my so called kidnapping was a rescue. My ‘father’ was holding me prisoner.” *What?! Why?* “You remember the boy?” *Well, of course.* “My father was trying to use me against him.” *Oh shit. What do you need?* “I need to know all his movements, schedules, what the police and Feebs are doing, any leads, and I need you with me, you know where.” *You got it. I’ll meet you there.* “Thanks, Kimmie.” *No problem, Lex, I still owe you, remember?* “Yeah, see you.” Lex hung up and sighed. After a moment, he dialled again. *White.* “Perry, Lex Luthor.” *Lex?* “Yes. Can we talk frankly?” *Off the record, you mean?* “Yes.” *Go ahead.* “Thank you, Perry. I haven’t been kidnapped.” *Really? How do I know you aren’t being forced to say that?* “No offence, Perry, but if I’d been kidnapped, I wouldn’t be phoning you.” Lex smirked at the laughter on the other end of the line. *I’m sure, Lex. So what’s going on?* “I have… ‘control’ of uh, let’s call it a weapon, that my father wants to use. He’s already tried and failed to coerce me. My alleged kidnapping is a result of this, he’s attempting to get me back.” *This ‘weapon’, is it dangerous?* “Not naturally, no, but potentially.” *Why are you telling me this, Lex?* “I want you to get someone onto this, expose my father if possible.” *That could be very dangerous.* “True, but one hell of a story, don’t you think? Start with the Smallville plant, I’m sure it will be very interesting.” *I’ll see what I can do.* “Thank you, Perry.” Lex hung up and stared at the phone for a moment, before taking a deep breath and dialling one last time. *Wayne.* “Bruce?” *Lex?* “Belfry.” *Lex, wait…* “Don’t, Bruce.” *I’m… sorry. I’ll see you there.* The ring off tone echoed abruptly in his ear, and Lex squeezed his eyes shut for a moment before he switched off the phone, sitting back with a sigh. He took a couple of seconds to wipe the call memory from the computer and carefully got up, heading back downstairs. Kal-El was by his side in a flash, helping him over to the couch, for which he was supremely grateful, the pain in his shoulder was steadily getting worse. He sat down with a grimace. Kal-El was confused. While he could feel how much pain his lover was in, and ached to help relieve it somehow, he could also feel something else, a confliction of sorts within his lover. Sighing, he took Lex’s hand and squeezed it gently. Chloe handed Lex a packet of painkillers and he smiled gratefully. “So, what’s happening?” Kent asked. “We have to leave here, obviously,” Lex started, “I have a safe house just outside Gotham City.” “Gotham City?!” Jonathan exclaimed, “That’s miles away.” “I know, we have to leave now, we’ll be meeting a couple of my… friends who will help us plan the next step,” Lex replied. Kal-El noticed the slight pause and frowned. Kent’s jaw clenched briefly, then he sighed and nodded. “Okay.” “You can take my car,” Chloe suggested. “Thanks, Chloe,” Martha Kent said quietly. Chloe nodded, then looked at Kal-El, “Don’t forget your promise.” Kal-El flushed and nodded, especially when Lex frowned at him. He picked Lex up and carried him outside, followed by the others. “Promise?” Lex whispered, for some reason feeling jealous. “I promised her a story,” Kal-El sighed. “Oh,” Lex blinked, feeling guilty, especially as he was the one keeping a secret from Kal-El, “Oh, okay.” “Really?” Kal-El asked in relief. He’d been worried Lex might be annoyed. “Yeah, ow!” Lex grimaced with pain when Kal-El hugged him. “Sorry,” Kal-El was distracted from the growing confliction and confusion he was feeling by his panic, and he bent his head to kiss Lex gently, “Sorry.” “It’s okay,” Lex chuckled softly at Kal-El’s worried expression, “Calm down, would you?” Kal-El nodded and carefully helped him into the car. He slipped in the back with his lover and the Kents got in the front. “I’ll give you directions when we get close to Gotham,” Lex said quietly, lying down in Kal-El’s lap. Jonathan nodded and started the car. @>*~ It was dark when they neared the outskirts of Gotham. Lex was asleep and Kal-El was reluctant to wake his lover, but he had to. The journey had been uncomfortably silent, and while he was used to that, Kal-El hadn’t been able to relax, not with Lex still needing proper medical attention. Even as he was thinking about waking him, Lex stirred and he gently stroked the smooth scalp. Blue eyes gazed up at him and Lex smiled. “Hey.” “Hi,” Kal-El smiled, “How are you feeling?” “Stiff,” Lex grimaced, struggling to sit upright. “We’re almost there,” Jonathan interrupted bluntly. “Right,” Lex nodded. He gave Kal a long, gentle kiss and settled back against the strong chest of his lover. Looking round to get his bearings, Lex directed Kent to his safe house. “Go round the back,” he said when they got there, “There’s a security panel under the ivy by the gate, the code is belfry.” Kent nodded. They drove through the gate and down into a dark garage where two more cars were parked. “This way,” Lex led them from the car to an elevator where he keyed in another code. It opened ominously silently and they got in. Kal-El could sense that Lex was nervous, but he didn’t understand why, so he took his lover’s hand. Lex smiled up at Kal and squeezed gently. He wasn’t sure what was going to happen with Bruce and he hoped not having said anything to Kal wasn’t going to hurt his lover. The doors opened again and Lex led them out into a plain, dark hallway. At the end, light was coming from one of the rooms and he headed for it. Kal-El was really nervous now, he knew somehow that the way his heart was pounding was something to do with Lex, but why? There were two people in the room and they got up. The dark haired man’s face almost lit up. “Lex,” he took a step forward, then his eyes dropped to where Kal-El was holding Lex’s hand and he stopped abruptly, looking confused. The girl just grinned and bounced forward, giving Lex a kiss. “Hi, Lex, wow, you didn’t say your boy was even more gorgeous in person!” she exclaimed. Kal-El flushed. “Kimmie, really,” Lex shook his head, “He’s not ‘my boy’, this is Kal-El, my partner. Mister and Missus Kent, Kal-El, may I introduce Bruce Wayne and Kimmie Chang, old friends of mine.” “Less of the old,” Kimmie poked him and Lex grunted. Kal-El reacted without thinking, stepping in front of Lex protectively and pushing Kimmie back. “Kal,” Lex smiled gently at his lover’s instinctive, if unnecessary reaction and reached up to squeeze his shoulder. “It’s fine, she didn’t know I was shot.” Kal-El flushed again, “Sorry.” He stared at Bruce Wayne who was staring at him, glaring at him in fact. “He couldn’t keep you safe *then*?” Bruce snapped. “Bruce,” Lex said warningly, “He saved my life, I’m lucky I only got one bullet in me.” Bruce’s nostrils flared, “Better let me see to that.” Lex nodded, “Okay. Kimmie would you please look after the Kents, it’s been a long day.” “Sure,” she grinned at him, “Are you hungry?” she asked them, leading them out of the room. “So, were you planning on telling me…” Bruce started. “Telling you what?” Lex raised an eyebrow. Kal-El shifted closer to Lex frowning slightly. “Never mind,” Bruce snapped, “Let’s sort out your shoulder.” Lex nodded and led Kal-El out after the dark haired businessman to a small office. Bruce got out a box of medical supplies while Kal-El helped Lex take his t-shirt off and unwrap the bandage. “It’s a clean wound, goes right through,” Lex told Bruce. Bruce frowned, “How do you know?” “Well, apart from the fact that it would hurt a hell of a lot more if it wasn’t, I just know,” Lex snapped, gritting his teeth for the injection of anaesthetic. Kal-El hovered anxiously, and Lex held out his hand to him. He took it, squeezing tightly. Bruce washed out the wound carefully then sewed up the entry and exit points before rebandaging. “You should rest,” he said quietly, his hands lingering on Lex’s shoulders. Lex shrugged him off and Kal-El frowned, picking up on Lex’s discomfort. “Kal, would you go to the fourth door on the right and find me a clean shirt?” Lex asked quietly. Kal-El shifted, glancing at Bruce, who seemed to be smirking suddenly. “But,” he started. Lex pulled him close, “Please, I’ll be fine, I just need to talk to Bruce, okay?” Kal-El stared suspiciously at the dark haired man, then looked back at his lover and sighed, “Okay.” He leant forward and brushed a gentle kiss over Lex’s mouth, sighing quietly at the brief touch. Lex smiled at him and Kal-El left the room. Lex’s expression turned to a frown when Bruce stepped closer. “What made you think you had any right to touch me?” he asked coldly. “I was just treating your shoulder.” “Bullshit,” Lex glared at him. “Lex, I, come on…” Bruce started. “Come on, what?” Lex tilted his head inquiringly. Bruce moved closer and Lex had to force himself not to shrink back. “Lex, why are you with him? I mean, he’s just a boy. We were good together, why can’t you just admit it?” Lex snorted derisively, “As I recall it, Bruce, you were the one who left, who wanted to be just friends and business partners. I need you, but only for what you can do to help me against my father. Kal is all I need otherwise.” “What can he possibly have, that I don’t?” Bruce frowned. “He’s pretty, admittedly, for a fuck.” Lex cut him off with a punch to the jaw. Shaking his fist slightly in pain, Lex glared at his old lover who looked completely shocked. “Never insult him again,” he hissed, “I love him and if you try and hurt him, I *will* kill you, don’t doubt that.” They stared at each other, Bruce shocked and Lex angry until a knock interrupted them. “Lex?” Kal-El called out. He was getting worried, Lex seemed to be taking forever, and he didn’t know what was going on, only that Lex was agitated and that made him nervous. “Come in, Kal,” Lex called out, with a final warning glare at Bruce. He turned and smiled up at his lover. “Kimmie wanted to know if we’re going to eat,” Kal-El said, as he helped Lex put the shirt on. “Hmm, that would be a good idea. We can discuss plans tomorrow,” Lex nodded. Kal-El smiled, relieved that the tension seemed to be easing a little. They walked to the kitchen where the Kents were sitting with Kimmie. “Food?” Kimmie asked, getting to her feet. “Please,” Lex grinned, “Don’t tell me, scrambled eggs?” Kimmie laughed, “How’d you guess?” “Well, as it’s all you learnt how to cook at school, it was a safe bet,” Lex laughed. Kimmie shook her head and poked her tongue out at him, “Well, that’s what take out is for.” The three men sat down and Jonathan Kent raised an eyebrow. “What happens now?” he asked. “We sleep and discuss our options in the morning,” Lex said quietly. “We have options?” Kent looked sceptical. Lex stared at him, “I always have options and I will do whatever it takes to protect Kal from my father.” “What does your father want with him?” Bruce asked with a frown. “Kal has abilities my father wants to exploit,” Lex said quietly, gently stroking Kal’s arm. He felt safer somehow with the solid presence of his lover beside him, and it helped calm his mind from worrying about the steps they were going to have to take to discredit and ruin his father. “What kinds of abilities?” Bruce pressed further. Lex glanced at Kal-El, while he trusted Bruce, despite their awkward past, he wasn’t going to just tell, he waited for permission. Kal-El shrugged and nodded. Everyone else in the room knew, Kimmie too from what she’d implied, if Bruce was going to help them, even though Kal-El didn’t quite trust him, he felt he should know. “Strength, speed…” Bruce snorted, “Like Batman doesn’t.” “No like Batman doesn’t,” Lex snapped, “Kal can outrun a Ferrari, can Batman do that? Without his armour, can Batman withstand bullets? Can *Batman* rip apart lead shielding with his bare hands?” Kal-El put his hand on Lex’s arm soothingly, confused by the extent of Lex’s agitation. Bruce was staring at them both in shock. “What’s Batman?” Kal-El asked quietly. “A vigilante nutcase who thinks he’s a hero,” Lex said with a smirk at Bruce’s stiffening posture. “He is not,” Bruce snapped. “Oh please, he’s a madman who just keeps from crossing the line,” Lex goaded his ex-lover. He’d always hated Batman, and the importance he had held in Bruce’s life. Even though there was nothing between them now and Lex had moved on, he couldn’t resist. “Shut the fuck up,” Bruce snarled. “Why? I’m right,” Lex smirked. Bruce lunged at him and before anyone could even blink, the billionaire found himself slammed against the wall, feet inches off the ground, his collar gripped by a furious Kal-El. Kal-El growled and shook the man who’d dared attack his Lex. The fact that he knew something was going on between them but didn’t know what, only made his anger worse. Lex hurried over, for some reason he could tell Kal was on the edge of losing control and he had to stop him. He stroked the strong back gently and murmured soothingly until Kal dropped Bruce and turned, almost collapsing into his arms. “God, Lex, I think I was going to…” Kal-El choked on tears, overwhelmed by the feelings his anger had caused. “No, it’s okay, you wouldn’t, I know,” Lex whispered. “How?” Kal-El sniffed quietly, burying his head in Lex’s undamaged shoulder. “Because I know you,” Lex stroked thick, dark hair gently, “I know you, in my heart, in my soul, just like you do me." Kal-El smiled, and hugged Lex tightly, his lover was right, he did, they did. Their connection was just as strong, if not stronger after what they’d been through. He lifted his head and kissed Lex hard, tongue delving deeply. The urge to reconnect physically with his lover suddenly irresistible. Lex moaned and gripped at his lover tightly, massaging the exploring tongue with his own, pressing his body close to Kal’s. A throat clearing loudly, broke them out of their mutual haze and Kal-El flushed at the stares. Lex sighed, he needed his lover. “Good night,” he said quietly and promptly dragged Kal off to his bedroom.