Before Lex knew it, a few hours had passed, and he hadn't moved from his desk in that time. Luthorcorp was a multi-billion-dollar company, and Lex had ideas to expand even larger. This was a world currently behind in technology, Lex would change that.
"Mr.Luthor the party will begin soon," Lex looked up from his computer. The costume designer stood there with his costume. It was easy to confuse the army and sword for a costume of Mark Antony. But Lex had always found himself fascinated by Alexander The Great and it wasn't because they had the same name.
Standing from his desk he took the costume in his hand. "Thank you, has Lana changed her mind?"
"I haven't seen her yet but I already have the perfect Costume for her."
Lex nodded before motioning for her to exit the room. It wasn't long before he stood there clad in armor with a sword by his side.
He entered the party alone, and the guests had already begun to arrive. He did his best by taking to those who needed taking to. Though he could care less about these people he had no choice but to entertain them. Right now, he needed to keep up appearances or change his for the better.
On the stage was a band, the All-American Rejects, to be precise. Lex thought it would be easier to draw in donations with the help of such a band. Getting them to come to Smallville hadn't been easy.
"Welcome to the first annual benefit ball for the victims of Dark Thursday. On behalf of Lex Luthor, we'd like to thank everybody for reaching into your pockets and supporting the families affected by this disaster." The lead singer said before the band began to play and he started singing.
Lex walked through the dancing crowd, setting his sights on the entrance. He had a feeling Lana would eventually show up. She was strong, stronger than the press that wanted to paint her as just a fling.
Suddenly as if time stopped he saw her, she wore a golden robe with a crown to match. She wore old Egyptian garbs fitting of a Queen Lex immediately recognized her costume as Cleopatra. She seemed to smile as she noticed him, confidently she made her way across the floor to his side.
"I'm glad you decided to come," Lex said with a genuine smile on his face. He knew what continuing this thing with Lana meant for him and yet he couldn't help himself. Right now they were on the precipice of becoming lovers, and with Lana deciding that the press didn't matter she had already taken the last step. It was up to him now was it worth the eventual heartbreak?
"Me too," Lana replied with a grin on her face.
Reaching his hand out Lex waited for Lana to take his hand before leading her through the crowd. Out of the corner of his eye, he spotted Oliver Queen, only he looked different from his memories. This Oliver was the one who truly experienced Hell on the Island. Lian Yu better known as purgatory had shaped him into a killer. Unable to help himself he overheard as Lois commented on Oliver's choice of costume.
"You should see him him a tutu," Lex commented with a smile on his face. It was obvious that this Oliver and the one expected to see had combined. He didn't know the full story but hiring someone to kidnap him meant this Oliver wasn't completely like the one from Lian Yu. Was he a smarter more put together Green Arrow? That would be problematic.
"Lex Luthor, with a girl he doesn't have to inflate," Lex smiled hearing his response turning to look at Lois he couldn't help himself.
"And you with a girl who will never truly be yours, Lois make sure to tell him about your dreams of caped crusaders in red tights."
Lois seemed confused by his words before anger appeared on her face. "Smallville told you about that?"
"So you do dream about caped crusades in red tights?" Oliver couldn't help himself as he watched Lois stumble over her words.
Lex looked down at Lana seeing a frown on her face. Remembering himself, he cleared his throat, "Enjoy the party, you two," not waiting for their response, he pulled Lana away.
"Sorry about that, he's always had a way of getting under my skin," Lex said, noticing the look Lana was giving him, one of curiosity.
"Who was that and why'd he talk to you like that?"
"That's Oliver Queen we went to boarding school together. His recent move to Metropolis perplexes me, especially considering he arrived just after Dark Thursday."
"You think he had something to do with the kidnapping," Lana asked as she stepped in front of Lex looking him in the eye.
Lex didn't reply instead he gave her a knowing look causing her to nod his head. "I don't know if you noticed Lana but a lot of people Hate me. Oliver can't be called a friend, but as of now, he isn't an enemy. I'll find out why he's in Metropolis, and then we'll have a chat."
"I want to be there," Lana said with a tone that wasn't exactly asking.
"It's probably best I meet with him alone," Lex said stopping watching Lana's reaction/.
"Why?" Lana looked at him with her beautiful green eyes. "If he had something to do with your kidnapping, I want to be there," Lana said, narrowing her eyes.
"We don't know if he had anything to do with it, it's not an interrogation, just two old friends meeting for a chat " Lex responded with a smile on his face effectively ending the conversation.
It was a couple of hours later when the party finally ended. Lex found it funny that Clark was most certainly out protecting Smallville while he laughed and danced with Lana by his side.
He and Lana walked the dimly lit halls of the Luthor mansion hand and hand. Lex could feel himself walking down a path he wasn't sure was right. But then he remembered the time he had been shot and almost killed last Christmas. He had dreamt of a happy life alongside Lana. His mother had been the one to tell him of his two paths and yet this one felt like neither of them.
Lana was by his side, he had opted not to fake her pregnancy if she did decide to be with him. He had decided not to harm her whether that was mentally or physically. But he still had a fear that one day she would leave him. Was that the difference, him accepting that she might leave him rather than trying to manipulate her into staying forever?
"What's wrong you're being quiet," Lana's voice pulled him from thoughts.
Looking at her he couldn't help but smile, "I'm curious, why did you decide to join me tonight?"
"I guess I realized that it wasn't the press that scared me. I was allowing the ghost of my past relationship to hold me back. That was unfair to you, so with some advice from Chloe, I've decided to live my life. The first step was to stop letting my own fear get in the way."
"That's very insightful," Lex couldn't help but comment as they entered the main room where his office and study were.
"Not as insightful as learning Lois dreams of men wearing red tights and a cape." Lana couldn't hold back her laughter.
Lex laughed as well but inside he wondered why he didn't keep his mouth shut.
"No, no, no, you're not doing that again," Lex raised an eyebrow, hearing Lana's words. "You keep getting distracted in your own thoughts. Stop focusing on the future and focus on the now." Lana didn't give Lex a chance to respond as she placed a kiss on his lips.
As the kiss broke and Lex owned his eyes he couldn't help but comment. "Always so insightful," Lana grinned upon hearing his as she reached over and unbuttoned his costume.