Clark approached the building nervously and cautiously. He knew he was being watched, both by Lionel's security and by Lex and the pack. Neither of which was particularly reassuring right that second. He and Lex had gone through the plan umpteen times before Lex had finally given up trying to delay things and let him go. He could feel Lex's nervousness, pounding heartbeat and anxious mind in the back of his head and it was only a small comfort. Clark really didn't know what he was going to find, what was going to happen to him before he and his parents were rescued. Always assuming the plan worked of course. Clark took a deep breath and opened the door, heading inside, determined to see it out.
"Mr. Kent." Clark stepped into the room and was immediately grabbed from either side. He wanted to shake the men off but, suddenly, Clark started to feel weak and nauseous. His wrists were yanked behind him and bound, the cuffs burning into his flesh painfully. Clark groaned quietly, forcing himself to stay upright. "Where's Lex?" Lionel asked. Dropping his head, Clark sighed, letting his breath hitch. "He- he left me." Lionel snorted, "Seen some sense has he? Well, I certainly understand, what he saw in you in the first place I'll never know. Well, no matter, it won't be hard to find him, then he can join us here." Clark just stopped himself from attacking his lover's father, remembering that Lex was supposed to have desserted him. "So, you've come to rescue your adoptive family all by yourself? How touching," Lionel sneered. "You must have known I'd have meteor rock here to restrain you." Clark nodded. "You can have me. Without my family, without Lex, I have nothing to live for," Clark said quietly. "Just please, release my parents, they're of no use to you." "Oh, quite the opposite, my dear boy," Lionel chuckled, "I know how stubborn you can be, I'm sure keeping your parents safe and well will be adequate motivation for you to comply." "Comply with what?" Clark asked quietly. Lionel gestured at the two men holding him and Clark was dragged through the small room into yet another lab. His parents were strapped down to two tables on the far side, unconscious. Clark was strapped against the wall, arms above his head. "Your little terrorist operation has cost me years in research and billions of dollars, but I'm sure you'll be making up for that," Lionel mused. "Your blood alone is worth it. That sample I had is the reason my Lex clone developed so quickly. With your help, I'm going to go a step further. A clone of Lex with alien DNA incorporated into the genome." "You can't!" Clark gasped in horror. "Oh, I assure you, I can. I've made some mistakes in the past of course," Lionel shrugged, "Julian was the first of many. Lucas was marginally more successful but still defective. Lex turned out to be the best candidate for cloning because he is already Wolfbreed and because his DNA was affected by the meteor shower." Lionel smirked unpleasantly, "It must feel terrible to be responsible for so much misery, Clark." "It wasn't my fault!" Clark shouted angrily, somehow truly believing it for the first time. Lionel just raised an eyebrow. "Now then, no time for procrastination. Miles?" He gestured imperiously and a small, mouselike man scurried over to Clark. "Get a sample." The man nodded, holding up a scalpel carved from kryptonite. Clark gritted his teeth and closed his eyes, trying desperately not to react as the kryptonite cut into his skin, pain like nothing he'd felt before. By the time Miles had milked out a sample of blood, Clark was panting urgently for breath, trying not to throw up. He sagged against the wrist cuffs holding him to the wall. Clark forced his eyes open, watching Miles hurry to the other side of the lab while Lionel looked on with a smirk. Miles took a pipette and removed some blood from the test tube, adding it to another tube standing in a rack. Then he carefully stoppered the sample and put it into a small refrigerator. He held up the second tube and shook it gently, looking at it expectantly. "Well?" Lionel asked impatiently. "It's ready to go," Miles nodded excitedly. "Well, get on with it," Lionel snapped. Miles took a syringe with a long, fine needle and sucked the liquid out of the tube. Clark stared in horror, realising the scientist was heading for his mother. "No! What are you doing?" Lionel laughed. "She refused to sleep with me, did you know that? She wouldn't have me, so she can bear my child. We decided a living womb was the best option." Miles injected the blood mixture into Martha's stomach. "No!" Clark screamed, struggling helplessly against the kryptonite in his cuffs. Lex! he shouted silently, Lex, you have to stop this please! Coming, love, hold on for me, Lex replied, concern and love pouring through the link in their minds. "What have you done, oh my God, what have you done?" Clark sobbed. "Your blood was the catalyst for a handy little retrovirus which will rewrite the clone's DNA. We'll have a nice superpowered Wolfbreed vessel," Lionel laughed. "To replace Lex," Clark said stonily. "Oh yes," Lionel smirked, "But I've decided to go one better, after all what's better than a malleable heir, than being one's own heir?" "What?" Clark gasped. It was even worse than he'd thought. Lionel smiled, sharklike and triumphant, "And I have you to thank for it. Before the meteor shower none of the Wolfbreed experiments survived. It took us a while to figure out the signal we received, but after that it wasn't hard to work out what had happened. Now, nothing can stop me." The door burst open suddenly. "Want to bet on that, Dad?" Lex snapped, fully Wolfbreed and clearly furious. "Ah, the prodigal returns," Lionel laughed. He held a taser in his hands suddenly and pointed it at Clark. "Really think you can stop me from hurting him... and what about his parents, hmm?" With a gesture, the Kents had guns aimed at their heads. "You wouldn't waste the child you forced on Martha, would you, Dad?" Lex growled. Lionel frowned. "How did you... interesting. Nice ploy, Lex, shame you just played into my hands. You always were too emotional, boy." Lex tipped his head back and howled. Answering calls shattered through the building and suddenly screams could be heard from all directions. Lionel gestured again and enormous lead shutters slammed into place, sealing the entire room. "Lex, really, did you think I wouldn't have taken your little pack into consideration?" Lex's nostrils flared in anger and he moved slowly towards the Kents. "Do you think you can save them and your lover?" Lionel smirked. Lex stopped. He stared at his father. "Are you really going to risk all your potential research by harming him?" he asked. "Of course not, Lex," Lionel tutted, "But I observed something very interesting at the lab in West Coolidge which was simply confirmed by your knowledge of what I told Clark earlier. If I hurt him, I will hurt you too." "You think so?" Lex sneered. "I know so," Lionel nodded. "Trouble is, Dad, I'm not fighting by your rules anymore," Lex smiled. Clark, now. At the signal, Clark bit down on the capsule of Lex's blood he had hidden in his mouth and swallowed. At the abrupt lessening of the weakness and nausea, Clark ripped himself free of the wall cuffs and grabbed Lionel as Lex leapt at the gunmen threatening the Kents. Lex knocked them out quickly, growling at the scientist who was cringing in a corner. Okay, Clark? he asked mentally as he quickly checked the Kents over. Yes, hurry, blood wearing off, Clark replied, struggling with Lionel who must have had kryptonite on his person somewhere because Clark was weakening fast. Lex loped over to his father and lover, taking Lionel from Clark and holding his arms tightly behind his back, happily letting his claws dig in. "You okay, sweetheart?" Lex gasped quietly. Clark blinked, "Sweetheart? Sweetheart? Is that your revenge for babe?" Lex frowned, "No, that was worry." "Oh," Clark sighed, sagging just a little, "Sorry." "Give me a kiss and go see to your parents, love," Lex said quietly. Clark nodded, leaning into Lex, yet away from Lionel who was cursing and struggling, and softly kissed his lover. "Oh how nauseating," Lionel spat. "Shut up, Dad, you're in no position to make comments like that," Lex snarled, baring his teeth, "I've already killed one alpha male threatening my position and my mate, don't think I'll hesitate in killing another." Lionel sneered at him but remained quiet. "You there," Lex pointed at the scientist, "Get these shutters up." "Sir?" the white coated man looked at Lionel. "Does he look like he's in charge any more?" Lex growled, "Do it." Looking frightened, the small man nodded and in a moment, the shutters were gone and the pack were streaming in, bloody and jubilant. "Everything okay?" Marina asked. Lex nodded, "Take him for me, would you?" Lucius pushed past his mother and grabbed Lionel for Lex. "Thanks cousin." "You're very welcome," Lucius said with a toothy grin. "Try not to kill him," Lex laughed and hurried over to where Clark was trying to get his parents to wake up. "Don't worry, love," Lex gently touched Clark's neck, "Let's take them to the mansion and get them settled and we can call a doctor, okay?" "Selene is our Doctor," Marina said quietly, "She'll take care of them. Better than bringing in an outsider." "Thank you," Clark said in relief, wiping away tears of worry. Lex relaxed into human form and hugged his lover tightly. "It's going to be okay, now, love, I know it," he whispered. "Did you get what we came for?" he asked Marina. "Plenty of evidence, Lex, don't worry," Marina assured him. "Shit!" Clark exclaimed. "What?" Lex asked, watching Clark rush across the room and set fire to a small refrigerator. "Blood sample," Clark gasped, "Nearly forgot." "Come on, love," Lex smiled gently. "How about I take your mother? I can't imagine your father being too pleased if he found out I'd carried him." Clark couldn't help a laugh and he nodded, gently stroking his mother's hair before relinquishing her to his lover. They carried the Kents out to a waiting car and hurried back to the mansion, trusting Lucius to take care of Lionel. "I'm so sorry about Julian, Lex," Clark whispered, reaching over to take his lover's hand. Lex smiled tightly. The pain at hearing his baby brother had merely been another experiment had been considerable and had severed any link he'd still felt towards the man that had sired him. "Thanks, Clark," he whispered, gently kissing Clark's hand, "Love you." "Love you too," Clark replied softly. "Everything's going to be okay now, right?" "I think so, my love," Lex sighed, "I hope so." "Yeah," Clark said quietly. Back at the mansion, Marina led them to a room where they could safely leave Clark's parents, while Lucius dragged Lionel down to the cellar. "Let Selene look after them, you go and get some rest," Marina suggested, patting Clark's arm gently. Lex growled lightly, still a little too on edge to allow the touching of his mate. Marina lifted her hands and backed away, "Sorry, Lex. I'll see you later." Clark nodded, putting his hand on Lex's neck and rubbing gently. "Thank you once again, Marina, we couldn't have done all this without you and the pack." "It's been our pleasure, I assure you," she said with a smile. Clark kissed his parents, sighing worriedly at the lack of response. "Come on, love, they'll be fine," Lex said quietly. "My mom is pregnant, Lex, how is that fine?" Clark almost snapped. "We'll take care of her," Lex replied. Clark collapsed into his arms, suddenly too tired of everything to do anything but seek comfort in his lover's arms. "Take a sip, Clark, you need it," Lex whispered. Wrapping Lex up in his arms, Clark pulled his lover up and bit down hard into his neck. Lex whined quietly, shuddering against his body, but Clark was too busy sucking at his blood, needed too much to stop. Lex pulled him closer, reassuring him silently that he was okay. "Clark?" Clark yanked himself away from Lex in shock, wiping hurriedly at his mouth. "Mom?" he whispered tentatively. "Mom, are you okay?" A little disorientated, Lex still managed to push Clark towards the bed. He felt lightheaded and weak, but he could wait for Clark to talk to his mother. "I think so, honey," Martha frowned, "What happened?" "Lionel took you," Clark gasped, "But it's okay now, we'll take care of you. Just get some rest, Mom, and let Selene look after you when she comes up." "Selene?" she asked in confusion. "Lex's aunt, she's a Doctor," Clark explained. "Okay honey." Martha frowned again, "Clark, is Lex okay?" Clark span round, gasping in horror, Lex looked pale and waxy and was swaying on the spot. "Lex! Oh man, I took too much. Mom, I'll be back soon, I promise, I need to..." "Go take care of him," she interrupted with a smile. Clark smiled gratefully and speeded into action, sweeping Lex into his arms and off to their room. He climbed onto the bed holding Lex close, urging his lover's head up to his neck. "C'mon, babe, drink," Clark whispered. Lex pouted, growling lightly at the annoying endearment. He nuzzled Clark's neck, muttering, "You ass." Then he bit, groaning in satisfaction as the rich blood filled his mouth. Swallowing rapidly, Lex felt himself returning to normal, head no longer hazy. Clark smiled, stroking Lex's head gently. "Still waiting for dire retribution," he murmured. Lex lifted his head, licking his lips slowly. "You keep waiting because it'll come when you least expect it," he said in a silkily dangerous tone. "Promises, promises," Clark whispered with a little shiver. Lex grinned and kissed Clark's cheek. "How's your Mom?" "She seemed okay," Clark sighed. "I'd better phone the guys and let them know Mom and Dad are okay." "Good idea," Lex agreed, "You can use my cell if you want." "Thanks." Clark dialled quickly while Lex went into the bathroom to freshen up. "I told Pete," Clark yelled through the door, "He's going to tell Chloe and Lana." Lex opened the door and grinned. "Okay. Do you want to check on your parents?" "Yeah!" Clark exclaimed, grabbing Lex's hand to drag his lover after him. In his parents' room, Clark found them both awake, talking seriously to Selene. "Selene?" Clark said anxiously. "They're both fine, my dear. I've explained about the pregnancy," she replied with a gentle smile. "Mom, Dad, how are you feeling?" Clark asked as Selene left the room quietly. He squeezed Lex's hand tightly for reassurance. "A little tired and a lot shocked, son," Jonathan said quietly, "What happened to Lionel?" "We have him locked up downstairs," Lex assured him. Jonathan stared at him for a moment. "Thank you, Lex, for helping us." Lex felt Clark's joy and saw Martha smile softly. "You are more than welcome, Sir." "What about you, Mom? I mean what are you going to do?" Clark asked. "I want to keep the baby," she said firmly. "What?" Lex, Clark and Jonathan gasped simultaneously. "What better way to gain revenge on Lionel than to keep this child and love him?" Martha said quietly. Lex smiled and nodded, "I'm sure Clark would love a baby brother as much as I would." Martha smiled back at him. "That's right. Not a replacement for the baby I lost, and not a replacement for Julian," she smiled apologetically at Lex, "But a child we can love just the same." "Are you sure, honey?" Jonathan asked. "Yes, Jon, very sure," Martha confirmed. "Will Lionel be a danger to us now?" Jonathan turned to Lex. "Not if I can help it," Lex said seriously, "We managed to gather evidence from the lab, plus we have your testimony against him. We should get him put away for a long time." "But will we be safe?" Jonathan asked again. "I'll do everything in my power to make sure you are," Lex said with a nod. "LuthorCorp will be mine now, I'll have the resources we need." "Okay, good," Jonathan nodded. Clark smiled and sat on the bed to hug his mother. "I love you, Mom, Dad, I'm glad you're okay." "I'm glad you are too, honey, and you, Lex. Feeling better?" Martha asked. Lex blinked, "Much, thank you." "Lex, dinner's on." Lucius poked his head round the door, "And Sel says Mr. and Mrs. Kent need to rest." "Okay, we'll be right down, Lucius, thanks," Lex replied. "See you later, guys, get some sleep okay?" Clark said softly. "Okay, honey." Clark grabbed Lex's hand and they headed downstairs, both suddenly starving. Joining the family in the dining room, they ate ravenously. "How are you feeling, boys?" Selene asked eventually. "Better now my Dad's locked up," Lex sighed, "I only hope it's enough now." "It will be," Clark said calmly. He had complete confidence both in his lover and in their actions. "Thanks, love," Lex said quietly. "Why don't you two actually relax? Watch TV," Marina suggested, "Let your folks get a few hours sleep." "TV?" Clark blinked. He hadn't watched television in what seemed like forever. "Good idea," Lex nodded. They retired to the sitting room and curled up together on the couch. @>*~ Clark was dozing lightly in Lex's arms when his lover nudged him. "Hmm?" Clark mumbled. "We have a visitor, love," Lex whispered, smiling at the newcomer. Clark opened his eyes and grinned. "Pete! What are you doing here?" "Had to come and make sure you were all okay, man," Pete replied, grinning back. "How are your parents doing?" "Doing okay," Clark said, sighing in relief at the knowledge. "Good." Pete nodded. "Chloe and Lana say hi, they're really happy everything turned out okay." "Cool," Clark said with a nod, "I'm glad you're here, man." Pete sat down and watched TV with them for a while, before they all headed to bed, Lucius coming in to show Pete to another room. "You want to check on your parents, Clark?" Lex asked before they went into their room. "No, I'll let them sleep, they need it," Clark replied, pulling Lex inside, "Right now, I just want to snuggle in bed with you and sleep." Lex smiled softly, "Sounds like a plan, sweetheart." "Stop calling me sweetheart," Clark said in horror. Lex pulled a sad, apologetic face. "It's not deliberate, it's because I love you." Clark blinked and sighed, feeling guilty. "Sorry, Lex, I guess... I guess I don't mind." "Really?" Lex hid an evil grin, "Thanks love." "Bed," Clark sighed, stripping down to his boxers. Lex nodded, stripping down to join Clark in bed. He curled up round his lover's half naked body and gently stroked his chest. Clark let the soft touch soothe and relax him until he was half asleep. "Love you," he mumbled. "Love you too," Lex whispered. @>*~ Waking to pain and a feeling of aching loneliness, Clark opened his eyes and howled. Lex wasn't in the room and a large piece of kryptonite weighted down his chest. The door burst open and Lucius, in full Wolfbreed form, bounded inside, growling at the sight of a helpless Clark. He grabbed the kryptonite and launched it out of the room. "Lex?" Clark gasped. "Don't know, Lionel's out, Pete's gone." "Pete?!" Clark exclaimed uncomprehendingly. A loud whirring noise started up, getting louder outside. Clark got up, speeding out of the mansion. He looked round wildly, then up at the wind whipping around him. In a LuthorCorp helicopter, sat a smirking Lionel Luthor and a triumphant Pete, Lex unconscious on the floor between them. "See ya, freak," Pete sneered. Pain and anger at his oldest friend's betrayal slammed through Clark even as certain things suddenly made sense. How much Lionel seemed to have known when Pete was the one who knew everything, not Chloe. But he couldn't let them get away this time, this was it, no more. As the chopper flew higher and turned in the direction of Metropolis, Clark concentrated hard. "Come on," he muttered, "For Lex." And suddenly, he was floating. Clark smiled maliciously. Raising his arms in the air instinctively to direct himself, Clark was actually flying and he sped after the departing helicopter. Shooting up behind them, he batted the tail rotor to knock them off balance, then grabbed a blade, watching in sadistic delight, Lionel's and Pete's terrified faces when the body of the helicopter began to spin. Clark yanked on the blade, dragging the chopper back to the mansion, where he twisted, slamming it full force into the ground. The pack loped out of the house, surrounding the crushed hulk of metal, eerie howls filling the air. "Lex?" Clark gasped, dropping to the ground with a thud. Shaking himself, Clark ran over to the helicopter, shoving past pack members. "Lex?!" Ignoring Lionel's body and Pete's pained whimpers, Clark wrenched metal apart to drag Lex clear. He wrapped his lover in his arms, whining quietly, rocking slowly. Lex was almost conscious, was fighting for it because he could feel Clark's pain, but the drugs he'd been given and the effects of the crash had worn him out. Managing a tiny growl, Lex hoped Clark would hear him and understand what he needed. Clark froze, almost uncomprehendingly. Then he remembered what Marina had said about Wolfbreed needing blood. He lifted Lex to his neck. "Come on, Lex, please," he begged, "Please be okay." Lex barely had the energy to extend his teeth, but they were sharp enough to slice through Clark's skin and he sucked eagerly on his lover's blood. He could almost feel Clark's strength flowing through his body, repairing the damage. An agonising crunch and suddenly, Lex could move his arm and he dragged Clark closer, drinking deeply. Clark shuddered happily against his lover, filled with relief, touching every inch he could to reassure himself that Lex was really there, really safe. Wrenching away from Clark's neck, Lex didn't even pause to lick his lips before sealing them over Clark's mouth, kissing him hard and deep, thrusting his tongue into his lover's mouth. Clark moaned and held on tight. Love you, love you, he chanted over and over in his head. Finally, Lex pulled away, gasping for breath. "Love you too." "Oh God, it's over," Clark gasped. His eyes filled with tears and he grasped at Lex frantically. "It's finally over," he sobbed. "It's okay, love, it's okay," Lex whispered, petting Clark gently, "You saved me again." He looked up, spotting Lucius who was hanging back, giving them space. "What happened, Lucius?" "He flew!" Lucius blinked, "Clark flew, man!" He shook himself, "Your Dad's dead, Lex, but the kid's hurt. What do you want to do?" "Call the police, and an ambulance. Ask for a Lieutenant Foley, he'll actually listen, it'll save time." Lucius nodded and ran off to find his mother. "Sweetheart," Lex turned his attention back to Clark, "Come on, let's get inside." Clark nodded slowly, not even objecting to Lex's endearment in his relief that it all seemed to be over. Lex took Clark up to see his parents, who were anxious to know what was going on, and left him there with a kiss to go and make arrangements. There was a lot to be done now that Lionel was dead. @>*~ After everything was finally cleared up with the police, Lex was free to take over LuthorCorp, and he did so with a strong hand. With Clark's help between school and chores, Lex set about cleaning LuthorCorp up, getting rid of anything unethical or illegal, destroying huge caches of kryptonite and finally finding and getting rid of, the kryptonite refinery. Even though it wasn't easy on Clark dividing his time; his parents' acceptance and his new ability to fly made it feasible. Chloe and Lana had rallied round him against Pete, their disbelief and horror at his betrayal, equal to Clark's. Clark couldn't even look at his former friend any more, not even when he'd recovered and went back to school. Especially as it turned out he had been working with Lionel, supposedly the man he hated more than anything, almost since he'd found out Clark was an alien. Lex had taken steps to ensure Pete never revealed that little tidbit of information. Once back in Smallville, Lex had got the best and most discrete doctors to check on Martha regularly until they were sure that a normal birth in Smallville Medical Center would be okay. False papers for health tests and vaccinations etc. were already in place. Clakr and Lex settled into a routine that still allowed them to see each other as much as possible considering their schedules and nine months later, they were happily ensconced in each other's arms watching the huge TV in Lex's penthouse, most of the LuthorCorp clean up finally behind them. They were looking forward to more time together from now on. the end