Lex stood looking into a mirror as a woman circled him carefully. In her hand was a measuring tape, it was obvious from the frown on her face that she took her job seriously.
"I have the perfect idea for your costume, I'll make sure this new woman of yours matches perfectly." She dropped the frown on her face as she smiled at Lex.
"She should be back shortly," as Lex spoke the door opened revealing a growing Lana. In her hand was a single magazine.
"The next Lex girl," Holding the magazine up for Lex to see she eyed him closely. "Is that what I am?"
"Why don't you give Lana and me a moment to ourselves," Lex turned to the costume designer.
"I'll wait outside," Lex nodded turning back to Lana he waited for the door to close before responding.
"If you're asking what the general public sees you as then the answer is yes. But if you're asking if that's what I see you as, I'd have to say I'm a tad bit disappointed." Lex understood why Lana was angry. Originally she had moved in simply because she had nowhere else to go. But as time went by it was obvious that the two of them were beginning to develop feelings for one another.
So, for the public to put her in the same category as Lex's flings, her anger was justified, albeit a bit misplaced.
Lana's face softened for a bit as she quickly realized she wasn't angry at Lex. "Who was that?" Lana said motioning towards the door.
"She's the costume designer for the charity ball that's being held tonight. She'll be needing your measurements I'm sure she'll pick the perfect costume for you."
"Yeah after this I don't think I'll be going to that, " Lana tossed the magazine to the side as she spoke.
"I get that you're not used to the public eye but it's best of you simply ignore-" Lex stopped himself upon seeing the anger return to Lana's face. "Alright I get it if you change your mind she'll be here all day. I have some business to take care of so I'll see you at the ball if you decide to come."
Walking over to Lana, he patted her shoulder before heading out the doo,r leaving her to her own thoughts.
Headed outside, he hopped inside one of his signature black porches. He understood what Lana was currently going through. Afraid that she would lose herself in the public eye. But ultimately it was up to her to decide whether or not she wanted all of including a more intimate relationship with Lex.
Lex on the other hand had more important things to focus on. How much had Zod taking over his body affected him? With Alex and Lex joining together, were they someone new or simply a combination of the two? That was a question he wasn't sure he'd ever have an answer to but he could answer the former.
Driving to the Lexcorp power plant he got on the elevator before heading to floor 13. This wasn't referring to the height of the floor but to Lex acknowledging that he was playing with fire. Studying the people affected by kryptonite ultimately to give himself their abilities. It was suicide something he was well aware of but if that's what it took to reach Clark's level, to protect himself then he had no other choice.
What happened next was extremely boring. Lex had his blood drawn, took his vitals, the boring stuff. The results would immediately be sent to his office upon returning home.
What he currently didn't have the equipment to do was identify Kryptonian technology. He needed Brainiac back up and running, but he wasn't dumb enough to open that box without a few reassurances. How hard could it be to recalibrate a twelfth-level intellect computer? Lex would take his time with this one. He was simply glad this brainiac was simply a Kryptonian science project. An AI designed to help Krypton survive, he had been corrupted during Krypton's destruction. Maybe wiping Braniac's hard drive was the best option. It was never explained how the league had reprogrammed him.
Shaking his head he decided whatever he did it would have to be on a secure server. He couldn't allow Brainiac to take over all the computers in Metropolis. Maybe running the tests here in Smallville was the best option.
He'd let Dr.Groll run his tests but he'd simply tell Lex what he already knew. Once that was done, he'd take the box back and reprogram Brainiac. He'd be sure to set up a certain Boy Scout as a contingency. Did he wish to reveal he was aware of Clark's secret so soon? No, but he cared more about his life.
…
Entering the Luthor Mansion he frowned as a security guard walked towards him.
"Sir, we have an intruder in the greenhouse, we're sending guys there now."
"No need, I'll take care of this," Lex waved the guard off as he headed to the back of the mansion, quickly reaching the garden. Stepping into the greenhouse he quickly recognized that blue jacket and broad shoulders.
"You've always had an eye for beauty," Lex didn't know why but he felt like antagonizing Clark. No, he knew why, Clark claimed to be his friend, and yet his own fear had stopped him from telling Lex his secret. Clark was so afraid that he allowed his fear to push away his friends.
As Clark turned around, Lex continued, "Its Latin name, Formositas Falsus, it means beauty that belies a dark nature."
"So even your plants have secret agendas," Clark said causing Lex to smile.
He couldn't help it, Clark was allowing his anger at himself to be placed on Lex. It was his fault that Lana left him, he was the one who refused to tell her his Secret. Fear had taken hold of him.
"What is it that you want Clark, or are you simply here to admire the beauties?" Lex had once helped Clark get closer to Lana and now he could only admire from afar.
"A strange vine has popped up over the ridge at Lone Pine. It's attacking people." Clark spoke with a hint of accusation in his voice.
"And naturally, you come to my little shop of horrors to fool my ingenious plot to repopulate the planet with vegetation. I can promise you this, Clark, I'll leave the eco-terrorism to the beautiful redheads in Gotham." Seeing Clark not get the joke Lex continued. "Look Clark in the past when we were friends it was okay for you to show up unannounced but now. I think it'd be best if you called first. I'll send Lana your regards or not, I'm not sure she'd care either way."
Lex smirked as he reached up, patting Clark on the shoulder. "Bye, Clark," Walking past him Lex shook his head as he walked back toward the front of the mansion. Even if he wanted to prove he wasn't evil to Clark it wouldn't be easy. It was a good thing he could care less about Clark's opinion.