Lex entered his office ignoring Dr.Groll, walking over to his desk he flipped through the papers on his desk before walking over to the minibar.
"Mr.Luthor can we talk about the device," Dr.Groll fixed his glasses as he looked at Lex.
Lex sighed as he opened a bottle of water taking a sip, Dr.Groll wanted a Nobel Prize. He believed that the device would lead him to achieving that but Lex knew the truth. Eventually, the device would return to its original form of matter. When that happened it would be impossible to reprogram Brainiac he could waste that much time. But he still needed Dr.Groll as a backup plan.
"Dr.Groll you're aware of the meteor shower that recently took place in the smallville correct?" Lex asked, walking over to his desk.
"What does the meteor shower have to do with the device Mr.Luthor?" Dr.Groll asked clearly annoyed.
"It has nothing to do with the device and everything to do with your chances of winning a Nobel Prize." Hearing Lex's words the good doctor kept his mouth shut listening closely. "You're aware of the government's tests to create the ultimate soldier."
'A fruitless effort," Dr.Groll commented.
"Dr.Groll you've seen alien technology with your own eyes and you believe creating a "Super Solider" is impossible," Luthor chuckled at the notion. "Dr.Groll you're right the government will never achieve a supersoldier but you can." Walking around to his chair Lex pulled out a box, inside was a tiny shard of kryptonite. He opened the box showing the kryptonite to Dr.Groll.
"You think this green rock is more important than the device?" Once again Dr.Groll couldn't hide his displeasure.
"Listen Dr.Groll alone this is just a rock, but by mixing this rock with certain environmental factors it gives people unexplainable abilities. It's your job to find out how to imitate the process. Scrounge up every piece of green K you can find, you will follow all of the safety protocols while handling this rock. Do you understand?" Lex asked as he closed the box.
"You think it's dangerous, Mr.Luthor? I can assure you it's simply a rock."
"It shares the same components as the device," Lex said, seeing the light in Dr. Groll's eyes. "Now do you understand how important this is? There's only one device but this rock is everywhere in Smallville."
"I'll get on it immediately, thank you, Mr.Luthor." Dr.Groll quickly stood up, wiping his hands on his jacket before shaking Lex's.
"Take it, I think in the future we'll change the world, Dr.Groll." Lex smiled as he pushed the box towards Dr.Groll. "Remember Dr.Groll, follow all of the safety protocols."
Seeing him leave Lex couldn't help but sigh, he was taking so many risks. If Dr.Groll failed to follow all of the safety protocols and someone ended up a meteor freak, Lex knew this would bring unknown enemies his way. Unfortunately, he didn't have much of a choice; he needed to work on the Brainiac Core. If it failed and he couldn't reprogram Brainiac, he would have to depend on Dr. Groll's research.
In the past he had hired plenty of people to do the same, only they focused on the kryptonite while Dr.Groll would focus on the effect it could produce when interacting with Environmental factors. Hopefully, the good doctor would have some success; Lex's biggest hope was that he would be able to create certain powers for himself. How else would he fight against the Man of Steel and the insane number of problems he seemed to produce?
Hearing the door open, Lex sighed, "Dr.Groll if you have any more questions email me."
"Lex it's me," Lana's voice surprised him as Lex spun around in his chair smiling at the beauty.
"Lana, what are you doing here? Not that I mind the surprise visit at work." Lex smiled but seeing her face he quickly stood up walking over to her side. "What's wrong."
"Lex I didn't tell you everything about Dark Thursday, when you weren't yourself, your father and I, we decided that you had to die." Lana looked up at Lex with tears in her eyes. "I was gonna kill you Lex, and now your father is threatening me. He wants the device, but you can't give it to him. It's the only thing that can protect us if they return."
"Lana, you're right I wasn't myself. Thank you for telling me, everything we're doing it's to protect the world. Most people wouldn't understand but you do, sometimes the ends justify the means. If killing me would have saved the world, you made the right call." Lex pulled her into his arms holding her tightly. Looking towards the door he frowned, it seemed his father truly wasn't on his side. It made sense though, even before his father had been changed by the spirit of Jor-el he hated Lex. Lex wondered what he should do about him, revealing his secret would make it hard for him to cooperate with Clark. Problems seemed to be constantly popping up, but for now, he needed to focus on Brainiac. Once he was reprogrammed, things would be easier.
"You did the right thing by coming to me Lana, I don't want you to feel like you ever have to lie to me. Even if it is to protect me, I'll talk to my father, his interest in the device intrigues me." As Lex spoke he looked Lana in the eyes before placing a single kiss on her forehead.
"No Secrets," Lana said looking into Lex's eyes.
"No secrets, no lies," Lex smiled as Lana nodded. Their relationship was growing stronger, and yet he still wasn't sure if that was a good or bad thing.
"How about we go home cuddle by the fire and watch a movie," Lex suggested.
...
The next morning Lex opened his eyes, surprised to find himself and Lana in the study. They had cuddled up by the fire and watched a movie but that eventually led to other things and next thing he knew they were asleep.
"Lana," Lex whispered as he loomed over the sleeping Lana.
"You go first, I'll shower after you," Lana replied as she rolled over hoping to go back to sleep.
"Lana we never made it to bed last night," Lex laughed a little as he looked at her.
"We fell asleep?" Rolling back over Lana looked around the room surprised that they were still in Lex's study.
"You know Lex this place has plenty of rooms I'm sure you and Miss Lane would find them far more comfortable."
Turning to see his father Lex half smirked, looking at Lana he was the anger on her face.
"What's he doing here?" She asked quickly using the cover to hide her body. She wasn't naked but obviously didn't want Lionel to see her black laced panties and bra.
"I asked him to come though I didn't expect him to arrive so early," Lex turned back to his father amused.
"Like I've always told you, Lex, the early bird gets the worm. Now, is Miss Lang staying for our discussion, or should I come back later?" Lionel smiled, walking over to the mini bar.
"Lana, give me a minute to talk to my father. I'll meet you at the table for breakfast."
Lana looked reluctant to leave, but ultimately she stood up, still glaring at Lionel. The cover dragged across the floor as she exited the room.
"You disappoint me, Lex," Lionel commented as he poured himself a drink.
"Tell me, Dad, what have I done to disappoint you now?" Lex stood from the floor, throwing the two pillows back onto the black leather couch.
"Your choice of lovers, I mean, you'd think you'd have learned your lesson by now, and yet you're still walking straight into the awaiting arms of the Latrodectus." Lionel shook his head as he sipped at his whiskey.
"You think Lana's a black widow, your imagination truly does amaze me." Lex laughed as he looked at his father. Here it was, the riddles and tests, it seems some things never change.
"I beg to differ, it wasn't long ago in this very room that Lana Lang almost followed through in killing you. It seems that if it came down to you or her own life, she wouldn't hesitate to stick a dagger in your heart." Lionel eyed his son with a hint of pity in his eyes.
"I know, it must have been hard for her, but she made the right choice," Lex said with a bit of pride in his voice. Lex had to play a part; it was the only way to get him off his back. Once Brainiac was reprogrammed, Lex would decide whether or not to end things with Lana.
"She told you?" Lionel asked with a hint of surprise in his voice.
"Of course, she told me, I have to thank you, Dad, you've only made our relationship stronger. But we're done talking about that, tell me why you are truly interested in the device?" Lex couldn't help but smirk as he asked the question.
"It's dangerous, not to mention I'm not too sure you can be trusted with it." Lionel raised his glass to Lex as he said that.
"You should leave. The device is safe." Lex no longer wanted to entertain the man. He could tell Lionel was trying to keep up pretenses, but that wouldn't fool Lex. The real Lionel was a cunning snake; he was vile and cautious. There was no way he wouldn't have known about Lana telling Lex. She had practically done it in the open; Lex's office wasn't that far from Lionel's. The real Lionel would have already cooked up some insane plan to procure the device for himself.
"I know you think you can trust Miss Lang, but when that inevitable day comes, and trust me, Lex, it will come. Remember I warned you, " Lionel placed his cup down before exiting the study.
Lex watched as his back disappeared, knowing he wasn't wrong. There were plenty of reasons he couldn't completely trust Lana; that was only one of them.