I hope this is long enough. It's 7 pages typed and 11 pages handwritten (yeah I'm old school so sue me). And it's a bit Cless lite but necessary for the overall plot which will start to kick in soonish.
Disclaimer: I do not own Smallville. If I did, Luthor would have aired 4 days ago.
Chapter 5
“Wakey Wakey sleeping beauty.”
Tess rolled over, swatting at the annoying voice attempting to wake her. Her hand connected with a strong jaw.
“Ow. You know that violence isn’t always the answer don’t you Tess?”
“Oliver.” Tess opened an eye to glare at the handsome blonde billionaire standing over her. “What are you doing here?”
“I’m taking you and junior to the zoo.” He answered cheerfully. “Now up and at ‘em.”
Tess sat up, unsure if she was hearing right. “The zoo.” She repeated.
Oliver nodded. “Yup.”
“You who hates animals is taking me and Jonathan to the zoo.” She looked at him incredulously.
He flung the sheet off her. “Things change. Now get up. Breakfast is on the table.”
“You cooked breakfast?”
“Don’t look so worried; it’s insulting.” Oliver told her, holding out her dressing gown. “Clark cooked it before he left.”
She stood and took the dressing gown. “Where’d he go?” It was a Saturday; even Clark Kent didn’t work Saturdays at the Planet.
“Hardware store. Said he wanted to fix up some things.” Oliver answered over his shoulder as they descended the stairs.
“Essa!” Jonathan called from his high chair. The chair was positioned it was clearly visible from both the kitchen and lounge room so he could see everything but, more importantly, so the adults could see him.
“What am I? The doorman?” Oliver demanded playfully, a mock hurt expression on his face.
“Unca Ollie.” Jonathan pointed at him. “Silly.”
Tess laughed while Oliver looked put out. “What have you been saying to my godson?”
“The truth.” Tess replied cheerfully, taking her seat at the table and digging into her cereal.
“Essa! Zoo.” Jonathan declared, visibly excited. “See fons.”
Oliver frowned. “Do you mean lions?”
“No he means dolphins.” Tess answered.
“Brainwashing him already?” Oliver teased.
“At least I didn’t give him a bow and arrow set.” Tess retorted, remembering the chaos the baby sized gift had caused with a smile.
“How was I supposed to know that it was for kids 3 and over?”
Tess snorted. “Read the label.” There was a ‘duh’ her tone.
“Eat up and shut up.” Oliver told her flippantly, ignoring her statement. “We gotta go soon.”
“So why are we going to the zoo again?” She asked between mouthfuls.
“Do I have to have a reason?” Oliver asked, collecting the now empty plate.
“You always have a reason, Oliver.”
He ignored the implicit jibe at their past, turning to put the dishes in the sink. “Can’t a guy spend a day with his family?”
“I suppose so.” She watched Oliver with his back to her. He was planning something. She was sure of it.
**
The Metropolis zoo was packed. They past a myriad of families strolling around the park. The crowded paths becoming harder to navigate with Jonathan trying to escape them. “Not so fast Baby.” Tess plucked him up off the ground as he started moving at a non-human speed.
Oliver looked around to make sure no one saw. “Who knew the zoo was so popular.” He commented.
“Some people like animals.” Tess told him as they ambled towards the tiger enclosure. “They remind them of certain people.” She looked at him with a pointed teasing expression.
“Ha ha.” He drawled. “Look Jonathan, tigers.” He pointed the three orange and blacked stripped tigers lounging around in the grass behind the fence.
Jonathan mimicked his godfather’s action. He pointed at the tiger and yelled, “Kitty!”
“Big kitty.” Oliver agreed with a smile. The boy was adorable.
“My kitty. Kitty play” Jonathan squirmed in Tess’ arms, trying to get loose so he could play with the tigers. Tess winced as his foot connected with her ribcage.
“Easy buddy.” Oliver took him out her arms before he could seriously hurt her. “You don’t wanna hurt Tess.” He whispered to the boy.
Jonathan looked up at him questioningly then calmed down a fraction. “Wanna play.” He pouted.
People around them laughed at his antics. “You’ll be mince meat dearie.” An elderly woman told him with a smile.
“You don’t want to play with them.” Tess said gently, also holding back a smile. “They’re too big.”
“Me big.”
Tess chuckled. “Not big enough.”
Oliver shifted the boy onto his shoulders so he could see the tigers better. “I’ll tell you what buddy. You be good for Tess and Daddy and when you’re as strong Daddy, I’ll buy you a tiger.”
“Tiger?” Jonathan repeated, not fully understanding anything but the word.
“Oliver…” Tess complained. Knowing the man-child as she did, the promise may actually be fulfilled. That’s gonna be fun.
“Bribery and corruption. Why am I not surprised?” Lex Luthor said from behind them. Everyone in the viewing room turned to stare at him. He looked out of place in his suit and tie compared to the jeans and T shirts everyone else wore.
“Just taking a leaf out of your book, Lex.” Oliver replied lightly. “Your family did write the book on it, right?”
“Careful,” Lex warned with a small smirk. “My sister may take offence to that.”
“None taken,” Tess said with a rivalling smirk. She remembered how to play his game even if she didn’t want to.
Lex held out a hand to her. “Care to take a walk?”
“She’s not going anywhere with you.” Oliver moved in front of her protectively. People were starting to watch the spectacle with interest. It wasn’t everyday you saw the future President argue with his somewhat estranged sister.
“I can speak for myself Oliver.” Tess told him coolly, walking forward. “You have 1 minute.” They couldn’t afford any longer or any more people to stare at them. Jonathan’s secret needed to be protected.
Lex steered her into a private corner of the room. “I should have predicted the animosity. We didn’t part on good terms.”
“You have 55 seconds left.” Tess told him, watching Oliver and Jonathan take a seat at a table. Oliver nodded to her, letting her know he had her back. She mentally started counting down. 54, 53…
“It’s simple. I’m going to be the President so I won’t have time to run LuthorCorp so I’m giving it back to the person I trust: you.”
Tess stopped thinking, shocked. “You trust me?”
The bald man nodded. “Yes. You ran the company efficiently in my previous absence, apart from the merger.”
“I seem to remember certain cameras.” Tess’ voice dropped in volume to a near whisper. “Bionic cameras. In my eyes.”
“An insurance policy. I barely knew you then.” He shrugged it off cavalierly. “Won’t happen again.”
“No, it won’t.” Tess declared, standing up to the man that had saved and destroyed her. “I’m not your blind lackey anymore Lex. I’m not that naïve.”
“You’re naïve enough to believe in redemption.” He took a step towards her, invading her personal space. “That is what you’re trying to do, isn’t it? Erase all your demons in your heart by helping Clark.” He began to whisper in her ear. “If Clark knew the things you’ve done, do you think he would let you raise his child?”
She froze at the low blow, her mind racing and doubts only eased last night surfaced with a vengeance. Her eyes found Jonathan and he smiled at her. All doubts left her mind. It’s the ultimate trust, Clark’s words floated back to her. She regained her composure and a slow deliberate smirk played on ruby lips. She gave her half brother a cold look. “Are you that desperate Lex? No one else wants your dirty washing?” She leant over and whispered in his ear. “I am not your family. I will never work for you again.” Tess turned on her heel and left the President Elect in her wake.
Seeing her approach, Oliver stood up and passed her Jonathan. “You okay?”
She hugged Jonathan, breathing in his scent, trying to suppress the pain Lex made her remember. “I will be.” Jonathan babbled incoherently and she almost smiled. “Can we just go?” She looked up at Oliver, her emerald eyes almost pleading with him.
“Sure.” Oliver led the way out, following the winding path. After a minute he asked the question he’d been waiting to ask. “What did he want?”
“To give me my old job back.”
Oliver’s eyebrows shot skywards. “Really?”
She nodded. “Can we just go home now?”
“How about we go see the dolphins?” Oliver suggested, his fingers fidgeting slightly.
Tess’ narrowed her eyes. “What are you planning?” She asked suspiciously.
“Nothing.” A knowing smirk gave him away.
“It’s not your surprise is it?”
He grinned broadly. “Nope.”
**
Clark stood back and admired his handiwork. He was impressed with himself, it had exceeded his expectations. The doubt starting creeping in as he heard Oliver’s 4WD pull up the drive. Maybe I should have done red instead of blue, he thought. Maybe she’ll hate it.
“Oliver, is the blind fold necessary?” He heard Tess ask. “I can’t see a thing.”
Oliver laughed. “That’s the point. Just wait a second. I have to get Jonathan out of this contraption. And stop trying to peak.”
“I hate surprises.” Tess grumbled under her breath.
“I wouldn’t have guessed. “ Oliver drawled dryly, finally freeing Jonathan from the car seat.
“You’ll like this one.” Clark told her, walking up to her.
“Dada!” The baby squealed seeing his father.
“Clark?” Tess asked unnecessarily.
“Watch the step here.” He guided her up the front stairs. “Turn.” He looked back over his should. “You have Jonathan Oliver?”
“Yes.” Oliver told him, carrying Jonathan in the door.
“Do I get a hint?” Tess asked.
“It’s something that you’ll need now that you basically live here.” Clark answered cryptically.
“Is it a new bed?”
Clark laughed. “Kinda.” He positioned her in front of a door at the end of the hallway. “Okay you can open your eyes now.”
She eagerly took off the blindfold and stared at what as in front of her. A door. She frowned. “That wasn’t there this morning.”
“Wasn’t it?” Clark couldn’t hide his grin. “Open it.”
She complied, her expression changing from confusion to shock then delight as she processed what was she saw. Tess turned to him, a mega watt smile lighting up her face. “You built me a room?”
“Yep.” He nodded proudly. It was as big as the master bedroom upstairs with 3 white walls and an ocean blue feature wall. A queen sized bed was guarded by two nightstands and a vase of red roses rested atop of one.
“Thank you.” She threw her arms around him and held him tight. “I love it. Thank you.”
“It was my pleasure.” He replied honestly.
Disclaimer: I do not own Smallville. If I did, Luthor would have aired 4 days ago.
Chapter 5
“Wakey Wakey sleeping beauty.”
Tess rolled over, swatting at the annoying voice attempting to wake her. Her hand connected with a strong jaw.
“Ow. You know that violence isn’t always the answer don’t you Tess?”
“Oliver.” Tess opened an eye to glare at the handsome blonde billionaire standing over her. “What are you doing here?”
“I’m taking you and junior to the zoo.” He answered cheerfully. “Now up and at ‘em.”
Tess sat up, unsure if she was hearing right. “The zoo.” She repeated.
Oliver nodded. “Yup.”
“You who hates animals is taking me and Jonathan to the zoo.” She looked at him incredulously.
He flung the sheet off her. “Things change. Now get up. Breakfast is on the table.”
“You cooked breakfast?”
“Don’t look so worried; it’s insulting.” Oliver told her, holding out her dressing gown. “Clark cooked it before he left.”
She stood and took the dressing gown. “Where’d he go?” It was a Saturday; even Clark Kent didn’t work Saturdays at the Planet.
“Hardware store. Said he wanted to fix up some things.” Oliver answered over his shoulder as they descended the stairs.
“Essa!” Jonathan called from his high chair. The chair was positioned it was clearly visible from both the kitchen and lounge room so he could see everything but, more importantly, so the adults could see him.
“What am I? The doorman?” Oliver demanded playfully, a mock hurt expression on his face.
“Unca Ollie.” Jonathan pointed at him. “Silly.”
Tess laughed while Oliver looked put out. “What have you been saying to my godson?”
“The truth.” Tess replied cheerfully, taking her seat at the table and digging into her cereal.
“Essa! Zoo.” Jonathan declared, visibly excited. “See fons.”
Oliver frowned. “Do you mean lions?”
“No he means dolphins.” Tess answered.
“Brainwashing him already?” Oliver teased.
“At least I didn’t give him a bow and arrow set.” Tess retorted, remembering the chaos the baby sized gift had caused with a smile.
“How was I supposed to know that it was for kids 3 and over?”
Tess snorted. “Read the label.” There was a ‘duh’ her tone.
“Eat up and shut up.” Oliver told her flippantly, ignoring her statement. “We gotta go soon.”
“So why are we going to the zoo again?” She asked between mouthfuls.
“Do I have to have a reason?” Oliver asked, collecting the now empty plate.
“You always have a reason, Oliver.”
He ignored the implicit jibe at their past, turning to put the dishes in the sink. “Can’t a guy spend a day with his family?”
“I suppose so.” She watched Oliver with his back to her. He was planning something. She was sure of it.
The Metropolis zoo was packed. They past a myriad of families strolling around the park. The crowded paths becoming harder to navigate with Jonathan trying to escape them. “Not so fast Baby.” Tess plucked him up off the ground as he started moving at a non-human speed.
Oliver looked around to make sure no one saw. “Who knew the zoo was so popular.” He commented.
“Some people like animals.” Tess told him as they ambled towards the tiger enclosure. “They remind them of certain people.” She looked at him with a pointed teasing expression.
“Ha ha.” He drawled. “Look Jonathan, tigers.” He pointed the three orange and blacked stripped tigers lounging around in the grass behind the fence.
Jonathan mimicked his godfather’s action. He pointed at the tiger and yelled, “Kitty!”
“Big kitty.” Oliver agreed with a smile. The boy was adorable.
“My kitty. Kitty play” Jonathan squirmed in Tess’ arms, trying to get loose so he could play with the tigers. Tess winced as his foot connected with her ribcage.
“Easy buddy.” Oliver took him out her arms before he could seriously hurt her. “You don’t wanna hurt Tess.” He whispered to the boy.
Jonathan looked up at him questioningly then calmed down a fraction. “Wanna play.” He pouted.
People around them laughed at his antics. “You’ll be mince meat dearie.” An elderly woman told him with a smile.
“You don’t want to play with them.” Tess said gently, also holding back a smile. “They’re too big.”
“Me big.”
Tess chuckled. “Not big enough.”
Oliver shifted the boy onto his shoulders so he could see the tigers better. “I’ll tell you what buddy. You be good for Tess and Daddy and when you’re as strong Daddy, I’ll buy you a tiger.”
“Tiger?” Jonathan repeated, not fully understanding anything but the word.
“Oliver…” Tess complained. Knowing the man-child as she did, the promise may actually be fulfilled. That’s gonna be fun.
“Bribery and corruption. Why am I not surprised?” Lex Luthor said from behind them. Everyone in the viewing room turned to stare at him. He looked out of place in his suit and tie compared to the jeans and T shirts everyone else wore.
“Just taking a leaf out of your book, Lex.” Oliver replied lightly. “Your family did write the book on it, right?”
“Careful,” Lex warned with a small smirk. “My sister may take offence to that.”
“None taken,” Tess said with a rivalling smirk. She remembered how to play his game even if she didn’t want to.
Lex held out a hand to her. “Care to take a walk?”
“She’s not going anywhere with you.” Oliver moved in front of her protectively. People were starting to watch the spectacle with interest. It wasn’t everyday you saw the future President argue with his somewhat estranged sister.
“I can speak for myself Oliver.” Tess told him coolly, walking forward. “You have 1 minute.” They couldn’t afford any longer or any more people to stare at them. Jonathan’s secret needed to be protected.
Lex steered her into a private corner of the room. “I should have predicted the animosity. We didn’t part on good terms.”
“You have 55 seconds left.” Tess told him, watching Oliver and Jonathan take a seat at a table. Oliver nodded to her, letting her know he had her back. She mentally started counting down. 54, 53…
“It’s simple. I’m going to be the President so I won’t have time to run LuthorCorp so I’m giving it back to the person I trust: you.”
Tess stopped thinking, shocked. “You trust me?”
The bald man nodded. “Yes. You ran the company efficiently in my previous absence, apart from the merger.”
“I seem to remember certain cameras.” Tess’ voice dropped in volume to a near whisper. “Bionic cameras. In my eyes.”
“An insurance policy. I barely knew you then.” He shrugged it off cavalierly. “Won’t happen again.”
“No, it won’t.” Tess declared, standing up to the man that had saved and destroyed her. “I’m not your blind lackey anymore Lex. I’m not that naïve.”
“You’re naïve enough to believe in redemption.” He took a step towards her, invading her personal space. “That is what you’re trying to do, isn’t it? Erase all your demons in your heart by helping Clark.” He began to whisper in her ear. “If Clark knew the things you’ve done, do you think he would let you raise his child?”
She froze at the low blow, her mind racing and doubts only eased last night surfaced with a vengeance. Her eyes found Jonathan and he smiled at her. All doubts left her mind. It’s the ultimate trust, Clark’s words floated back to her. She regained her composure and a slow deliberate smirk played on ruby lips. She gave her half brother a cold look. “Are you that desperate Lex? No one else wants your dirty washing?” She leant over and whispered in his ear. “I am not your family. I will never work for you again.” Tess turned on her heel and left the President Elect in her wake.
Seeing her approach, Oliver stood up and passed her Jonathan. “You okay?”
She hugged Jonathan, breathing in his scent, trying to suppress the pain Lex made her remember. “I will be.” Jonathan babbled incoherently and she almost smiled. “Can we just go?” She looked up at Oliver, her emerald eyes almost pleading with him.
“Sure.” Oliver led the way out, following the winding path. After a minute he asked the question he’d been waiting to ask. “What did he want?”
“To give me my old job back.”
Oliver’s eyebrows shot skywards. “Really?”
She nodded. “Can we just go home now?”
“How about we go see the dolphins?” Oliver suggested, his fingers fidgeting slightly.
Tess’ narrowed her eyes. “What are you planning?” She asked suspiciously.
“Nothing.” A knowing smirk gave him away.
“It’s not your surprise is it?”
He grinned broadly. “Nope.”
Clark stood back and admired his handiwork. He was impressed with himself, it had exceeded his expectations. The doubt starting creeping in as he heard Oliver’s 4WD pull up the drive. Maybe I should have done red instead of blue, he thought. Maybe she’ll hate it.
“Oliver, is the blind fold necessary?” He heard Tess ask. “I can’t see a thing.”
Oliver laughed. “That’s the point. Just wait a second. I have to get Jonathan out of this contraption. And stop trying to peak.”
“I hate surprises.” Tess grumbled under her breath.
“I wouldn’t have guessed. “ Oliver drawled dryly, finally freeing Jonathan from the car seat.
“You’ll like this one.” Clark told her, walking up to her.
“Dada!” The baby squealed seeing his father.
“Clark?” Tess asked unnecessarily.
“Watch the step here.” He guided her up the front stairs. “Turn.” He looked back over his should. “You have Jonathan Oliver?”
“Yes.” Oliver told him, carrying Jonathan in the door.
“Do I get a hint?” Tess asked.
“It’s something that you’ll need now that you basically live here.” Clark answered cryptically.
“Is it a new bed?”
Clark laughed. “Kinda.” He positioned her in front of a door at the end of the hallway. “Okay you can open your eyes now.”
She eagerly took off the blindfold and stared at what as in front of her. A door. She frowned. “That wasn’t there this morning.”
“Wasn’t it?” Clark couldn’t hide his grin. “Open it.”
She complied, her expression changing from confusion to shock then delight as she processed what was she saw. Tess turned to him, a mega watt smile lighting up her face. “You built me a room?”
“Yep.” He nodded proudly. It was as big as the master bedroom upstairs with 3 white walls and an ocean blue feature wall. A queen sized bed was guarded by two nightstands and a vase of red roses rested atop of one.
“Thank you.” She threw her arms around him and held him tight. “I love it. Thank you.”
“It was my pleasure.” He replied honestly.
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