Sixty Seconds Chapter (4/?)

Chapter 3
(Chloe POV)




I watched as Jonathan shuffled his feet in front of us. My baby was getting so big. I ruffled his hair, and he looked up at me. I grinned.

“Have a great day sweetheart.”

He smiled. I leaned down and hugged him. I watched as he moved over to Clark, who squatted down to give him a hug.

“Behave son.”

Jonathan rolled his eyes.

“I will. Who’s going to pick me up from school today?”

Clark and I spoke at the same time.

“Mommy.”

“Daddy.”

I frowned and glanced at him.

“I told Oliver I’d help him with that thing tonight remember? He’s sending a car to The Planet for me.”

Clark sighed.

“I have a meeting with Perry. He wants to talk about my ‘late mornings’. I can’t cancel on him again Chlo.”

Jonathan tugged on mine and Clark’s hands to get our attention. We glanced down at him and he spoke.

“What about Aunt Lois?”

Clark looked from Jonathan to me and grinned.

“Our son is a genius. We’ll call Lois on the way to The Planet.”

A young woman who didn’t look to be much older than me came to the door. She called out to all the parents and children standing around.

“Good Morning! My name is Miss Winchester. Class is about to begin so, if I can have all of the parents give their children on last kiss, kids you can come inside, and we’ll start.”

She smiled warmly and I glanced back down at Jonathan. His grin was even wider now as he waved to us one last time before walking into the classroom. My eyes grew watery and I felt a strong arm wrap around me.

I lifted my head and looked at Clark. He saw the pout on my face, and chuckled as he lead me out of the building. He held the door open as we walked out into the fresh morning Metropolis air. His arm came back around my waist, and he placed a kiss on my temple before speaking.

“Don’t pout. You know he’s going to have a blast there. He’s been waiting to start kindergarten since the summer.”

“I know. It’s just…he’s getting so big Clark! My baby is in school now. Soon he’ll be in high school!”

He chuckled again and shook his head. I watched a smile light up his face as he turned to face me. He lifted his hand to my cheek and spoke in a voice filled with amusement.

“Oh here we go with the over-exaggerating.”

I slapped him lightly, he caught my hand in his before, and brought his head down for a kiss, which I granted. When he pulled away we grinned at each other, he entwined our fingers, and we started off to the car so we wouldn’t be late for work.

We hadn’t even gotten two feet from the school when I knew something was wrong. Clark’s whole body tensed and I felt his grip tighten on my hand as he yanked me to his side. I grunted, frowned, and glanced up at him. I was about to ask him what was wrong when out of the corner of my eye I caught a glimpse of the black limo in front of us.

I looked at the license plate and it had ‘Luthor 1’ written on it. That’s Lex’s limo, but I know there is no way he’s in it. Lex died the night he killed me. That leaves only one other person it could be. Lana…I watched as the driver got out and opened the door.

A little boy, who couldn’t have been older than five stepped out of the limo. Oh my god…that must be Alexander…He stood on the sidewalk looking into the limo with a smile on his face. I watched as he waited for Lana to make her way out of the limo and hang up the phone she was talking on.

She was dressed in an expensive pants suit, her make-up was immaculately done, and her hair was long and wavy. This is the first time Clark and I had seen Lana in five years. Well, in person that is. We’ve seen pictures in magazines and we’ve covered stories for the Planet of course, but never in person.

Five years ago, Clark warned her to stay away from us, and true to her word, she has. I watched as she grinned at her son and took his hand. They looked almost normal. It was that moment that she looked up and saw us. Time froze as we stood there on the sidewalk opposite each other.

Someone in a black suit got out of the front of the limo and stood by the door. The Luthor security team…why am I not surprised. He stood at the ready glancing at Lana and between Clark and I. A small voice brought us all out of our thoughts.

“Mommy, we’re going to be late.”

He tugged on her hand and I watched her pull him in closer to her as she held Clark in a glaring contest. I could feel the anger coming off him in waves. I needed to stay calm. I tugged on his hand a little bit before speaking in a soft voice.

“Clark…we’re going to be late for work. You know how Perry gets.”

He looked at Lana, then me and then back at Lana before speaking in a hard tone.

“Chloe, go inside and get Jonathan. He isn’t staying here.”

I opened my mouth, but before I could say anything Lana looked at Alexander, smiled and spoke.

“Sweetie, why don’t you go inside. Bartlett will walk you in.”

She gave him a hug and a kiss before straightening up. I watched as the man in the suit, Bartlett, Lana called him came over to Alexander. He spoke to Lana in a low voice.

“Mrs. Luthor…I’m not sure if this is the best idea.”

She waved him off.

“Take him inside. Have a great day Alex. Grandpa will be here to pick you up at three.”

He nodded and called out to Lana.

“I love you mommy.”

She turned her head and gave him a genuine smile.

“I love you too baby.”

I watched as Bartlett and Alexander disappeared inside. It took less than two seconds for Lana to switch from concerned mother to cold-hearted bitch. Her stance straightened and her body tensed as she looked between us. She smirked.

“What’s the matter Clark…not happy to see me?”

He took a step forward and I grabbed his arm. Now was not the time or place for this…

“Don’t. She’s just trying to get a rise out of you. Don’t lower yourself to her level.”

She turned her attention to me and smirked as she met my eyes.

“Chloe, you’re sure looking at lot more lively then the last time I saw you. I lost less bloody too.”

Clark cut her off.

“I warned you Lana, I warned you to stay away from my family.”

She scoffed, took a few steps closer to us and spoke in cold voice.

“Trust me I don’t want anything to do with your family Clark…”

Her voice lowered to a whisper before she spoke again.

“Or should I say Superman”

The emphasis she put on the name made my insides churn. I moved between her and Clark, put an arm out in each direction and spoke to both of them even though I faced Clark.

“Stop it…both of you. We are all mature adults and the two of you are starting to draw an audience.”

They glanced around and saw some people outside watching us. They composed themselves and took a step back from each other. I saw Bartlett approach us and stand by Lana’s side. His pager went off and he glanced down at the read out.

“Mrs. Luthor we need to go. Your appointment is waiting.”

She nodded, turned and started to head back to the limo. Her hand was clasped on the door and she turned her body at an angle to face us.

“This isn’t over…”

Clark spoke in a harsh voice.

“It ended five years ago Lana…this is the end…”

The smirk she gave us sent shivers up my spine.

“No Clark, It’s just the beginning.”

She slipped a pair of sunglasses on, got into the limo and it pulled away. Five years had changed us all…but no one more than Lana…gone was any leftover innocence…she was as cold and distant as Lex…ruthless and conniving in business and in life…she didn’t just take over Lex’s business when he died…she became him…

(Lana POV)

The loud clicking from my heels echoed as I walked down the corridor to Lex’s office. My hands pushed the double doors open and I walked straight to the back of the room. I opened the small draw on the right-hand side, and typed in a five-digit code in the keypad. The keypad slid open and I pushed a small red button before closing the draw off again.

I looked up and to the left of the room. The wall parted to reveal an elevator. I walked forward, and placed my hand on the rectangle pad next to the elevator. It scanned my handprint and then the elevator doors opened.

I stepped inside and pushed the only button on the side panel. I felt the elevator shift before it descend. Forget about Chloe and Clark right now…don’t let them ruin this moment. Because of them, you and Alex have spent the last five years without Lex…but today all that is going to change.

The elevator dinged and the doors opened. I walked out and I froze in my tracks. I could hear two voices clearly arguing and a grin lit up my face.

“Can you tell me your name.”

“How many times are you going to ask me the same question?”

I could hear frustration in doctor Rhinehouse’s voice.

“Until you actually answer the question.”

He grunted.

“My name is Lex Luthor, I’m married to Lana Lang…I am going to fire you when I get out of here.”

I chuckled and shook my head. I couldn’t wait any longer. Forget being professional. I ran down the corridor and my heels made a loud noise. I didn’t care. I kept running until I came to the room they were standing in. Their heads turned in my direction and Lex’s eyes widened. His voice was low, almost like he didn’t believe what he was seeing.

“Lana…”

He got up and moved in my direction. I met him half way and threw my body at him. He caught me and I felt his arms wrap around me tight. It felt blissful. I buried my face in his neck and whispered to him as tears flowed freely from my eyes.

“Thank god it worked…I knew It would…I missed you so much…I love you…”

My words died down when he loosened his hold, moved me back so he could look at me, but didn’t let his hands leave my hips. I watched his eyes scan over my body and he grinned.

“Lana…you look amazing.”

Lex is the only person in the world who can make me blush. I looked down then titled my head to the side before glancing back up into his face.

“You don’t look so bad yourself.”

My eyebrows scrunched together as I slapped him lightly on the shoulder before speaking.

“Don’t you ever leave me again.”

He chuckled and my face grew serious.

“How are you feeling?”

I watched him take a moment to assess the situation. He clenched his fists, closed his eyes, and took a deep breath. He looked back at me.

“I feel strong…like a million dollars.”

He gave me a half a smirk and spoke in a light tone.

“I’m not used to being on this side of the questioning. What happened? The last thing I remember is fighting with Clark and then waking up here.”

He motioned around him. I nodded and glanced at doctor Rhinehouse.

“Can you give us a moment?”

He nodded and stepped out of the room. Lex watched as I paced back and forth before he took my hand in his and broke the silence.

“Talk to me Lana.”

I sighed.

“Lex…the last thing you remember, fighting with Clark, it happened five years ago.”

His jaw tensed and he nodded. I watched as his emotions closed off and he reverted into what I liked to call his ‘business mod’. I hated watching him close himself off especially with me…but I guess for the purpose of reintroducing him into society it was the best way to handle the situation. I continued when he didn’t speak.

“After I was brought to the hospital and the facility collapsed It took Bartlett and his men a day and a half to find you. When they did…well it wasn’t pretty. It took five years to create the serum that is allowing you to stand here in front of me now.”

He shook his head, walked over to a chair and sat down. He glanced up at me and spoke with a look of confusion on his face

“I’ve been gone five years? Where does everyone think I am?”

“Dead.”

He stood up and rubbed a hand over his face. He was quiet for a minute before speaking.

“They wouldn’t give you control over Luthor Corp or any of my assets unless I was pronounced dead.”

I nodded and spoke in a soft voice.

“I needed access to everything in order to find a cure. I won’t apologize for what I did. I wasn’t going to let you die.”

He gave me a slight grin and chuckled.

“I'm not angry. It was very resourceful. I’m proud of you Lana.”

His smile faded as he looked at me and his tone was urgent when he spoke.

“What about…our son?”

I looked at him for a second before my face broke out in a wide grin.

“Our son, Alexander, started his first day of Kindergarten today. Lex…he’s perfect. We couldn’t have asked for a better child.”

I saw tears form in his eyes as he reached for me and pulled me into a hug. I could hear the emotion in his voice when he spoke.

“Thank you Lana…thank you for taking care of everything while I was gone…for not giving up on me …for giving me a second chance at life.”

I felt the tears start again as I gripped him tighter.

“Don’t thank me…I couldn’t loose you Lex…I’ve been lost these past five years without you.”

I felt him smile against my neck before he released me. He searched my eyes before a smirk appeared on his face and he spoke.

“Let’s go home.”

I nodded.

“I wouldn’t have it any other way. We need to follow the plan though to make sure everything goes smoothly. Did doctor Rhinehouse fill you in on our plan to reintroduce you into society?”

He nodded.

“I really am quite impressed with you Lana. I knew you were clever when I married you, but I didn’t realize you were so underhanded.”

He laughed and I chuckled. I raised an eyebrow and spoke in a flirty tone.

“I learned from the best. You’re going to be even more impressed with the welcome home I’ve got planned”

I winked and he chuckled. God I missed that chuckle…I watched doctor Rhinehouse come back into the room and start prepping Lex for his big debut. We’ll see what Superman and his Justice League have to say about this…you won the last battle Clark…but you won’t win the war.

(Clark POV)

Chloe and I walked into the bullpen and my mood was foul. Out of all the schools in Metropolis Lana had to send her son to the same one as Jonathan. It’s a ridiculous statement, I know that. Lana didn’t know where we were sending Jonathan…it was just one of those coincidences, and I should be able to be mature about it.

I’ve grown a lot in the past five years, but for some reason when it came to Lana…I couldn’t control my anger. I took a deep breath and closed my eyes for a second. When I opened them I caught Chloe looking at me with a worried expression on her face.

I gave her a half smile, which she returned before sitting down and going through the papers on her desk. I was about to sit down when I heard my name being called. I winced.

“Kent! Get in here.”

I sighed and headed toward Perry’s office. If I didn’t know better I would think that Perry hated me with the amount of times he reams me per week, but it’s a well know fact that Chloe and I are his best reporters. No matter how much he yells, he’s a good guy. A far cry from the drunk who visited Smallville all those years ago.

I walked in and raised an eyebrow. He glanced at me briefly before speaking.

“What is this?”

“What is what sir?”

He tossed a few papers across his desk. They landed on the edge and I walked over and retrieved them. I looked over the pages and then placed them back on the desk.

“It’s the story I covered when the Green Arrow was in town. Is there something wrong with it?”

“Why is it here on my desk?”

My eyebrows scrunched together in confusion.

“Uh…is that a trick question sir?”

He gave a heavy sigh and looked up at me from his paperwork.

“Kent…you were supposed to send it to the photo desk so they could send a photographer out to get a photo.”

I nodded.

“I did.”

He gave me a palms up gesture and motioned around his desk.

“Then where is my photo?”

I glanced around and there was no photo to be found. I sighed to myself. I really don’t know how things like this are always happening to me. I follow procedure and yet, I always seem to get in trouble. Chloe never has these issues…

“I will get a photo right now.”

“You better or I’m not running the story.”

I nodded and made my way out of the office. You know…I’m pretty sure I spoke to Jimmy about covering that assignment…I snorted. Figures…Chloe’s voice broke through my thoughts. I glanced at her leaning on my desk. She grinned.

“What did Perry want?”

I glared in her direction, sat down and shoved her lightly away from my drawer so I could open it.

“My story on the Green Arrow is missing a photo, even though I took it to the photo desk yesterday.”

I heard a light chuckle come from her throat and my glare increased. My tone was sarcastic when I spoke.

“You should have a little talk with your boyfriend Chlo, Jimmy shafted me on my picture.”

Her laughed only increased at that statement. I could hear the amusement in her voice as she spoke.

“Aww, poor baby.”

She reached out to pinch my cheek and I pushed her hand away. I leaned back in my chair and met her eyes. Her arms were folded across her chest and there was a smile on her face. I cleared my throat before speaking.

“Well, I have work to do.”

She raised an eyebrow.

“Are you kicking me out of your work space?”

I nodded.

“Sure am.”

She got up and started to walk back toward her desk. Halfway there, she stopped and glanced at me from over her shoulder.

“I’ll remember that later tonight Clark Kent.”

I grinned and she smirked before sitting at her desk. Our workplace banter was a daily occurrence. I never thought working with Chloe would be so much fun. When we were in high school I was marginally interested in Journalism.

After Chloe had Jonathan we both went back to Met U. and I decided to take it up again. Now, I’m glad I did. We were partners at home and at work. I couldn’t ask for a better life. I swiveled my chair so I was facing the desk.

I booted up the computer, and signed online to check my emails. As I scrolled through the news tips that were sent to me this morning, out of the corner of my eye, I saw Chloe make her way into the break room.

Probably getting another cup of coffee. I shook me head. Fifteen minutes later I was well into a story, when a loud commotion caught my attention. I looked up and saw a bunch of people crowded around the flat screen against the wall.

I was having trouble focusing on a single voice. The crowd got louder followed by a deafening crash on the other side of the bullpen. I turned my head in the direction of the crash and my eyes widened. Chloe…

I jogged over to her and placed my hands on her arms. My voice was full of concern when I spoke.

“Chloe…what’s wrong?”

She didn’t answer me. She was staring straight ahead. I frowned and turned to look in the direction that held her attention. I finally caught the sight on TV and I froze. No…that’s impossible…on the screen surrounded by people stood Lex Luthor.

The broadcaster droned on about his miraculous recovery and I couldn’t even form coherent thoughts. I felt a persistent vibration at my hip, but I ignored it. This can’t be happening…Lex is dead…As I watched his smiling face on TV I felt a chill go through my body.

Not only has my worst nightmare come back to life…but he knows who and what I am…in the back of my mind I was always terrified this day would come…and now it was here…this changes everything… knowing Lex he’ll be out for blood…

Revenge…and he’d start with me…at this point in time my family is no longer safe…Lana was right…this is just the beginning…