Archive of Our Own

Chapter Text

The police did end up letting the three of them leave, with the assurance that tomorrow they'd come down to the station and give their statements.

It was silent the whole way back to Wayne manor. Lex again sat up front with Alfred, and when he stole glances through the rearview mirror at Lin and Lian, he saw they still looked shell-shocked. They'd been shot at. All three of them had almost been killed, not just Lex like in the car accident a few weeks ago.

"Will you be needing the car again today, Master Lex?" Alfred asked from his left.

Lex turned his head away from the window and met the man's kind eyes.

He cleared his throat. "No, Alfred. Not until the morning."

"Very good, sir," he replied with a nod, and Lex smiled a bit.

"How many times do I have to ask you to call me just 'Lex?'"

"At least once more, sir," Alfred replied easily, returning Lex's weak smile with one of his own. Lex watched the older man's hands as they deftly steered the car up to the security gates. The guard there nodded at Alfred and pressed a button, which then caused the gates to swing open for them. With a final wave at the guard as they passed through, Alfred eased the car over the slight dip in the road and onto the property. When they'd cleared the gates, Lex turned in his seat to look back and watch as they slowly closed again. And as he shifted back to face forward, he took what felt like the first full breath he'd had since. . . this morning.

Alfred slowed the car to a stop right in front of the main doors of the house. With a sad smile at Lex, he turned his head to say back to Lin and Lian, "Here we are, boys. I believe Miss Liza said she would be down in the solarium this afternoon."

"Thanks, Alfred," Lian said. And when Lex unbuckled himself and got out of the car, Julian was looking up at him. Lian was holding Colin's hand, waiting for him to finish unhooking his seatbelt.

Lex held their door open. When Lin was done, Lian tugged on his hand and scooted across the seat and out the passenger side, forcing Lin to follow him if he didn't want to break that handhold.

After the two of them had gotten out, Lex shut the door and waved at Alfred as the other man started driving the car around the corner to the garage. They climbed the stairs and just as Lex had started reaching for the left door handle, it opened. Surprised, he flinched back before realizing who it must have been. Bruce held the door open as Lian pulled Lin inside, and then he looked at Lex.

"I heard about what happened downtown," was all he said, and Lex nodded and stepped inside. He saw Lian dragging Lin down the hall, presumably towards the solarium and Liza.

"And you're all okay?" Bruce asked. He stepped close and put his hands on Lex's shoulders.

Lex shrugged. "Yeah. But we have to go back in the morning to give our statements. I s'pose I should call Nick, right?" Lex started walking down the hall, and Bruce let one of his hands fall down to his side, his other arm sliding across Lex's back and pulling him closer against his side.

"Hmmm. Actually, though I'm sure Nick is now well versed in all manner of legal process, I don't think you really need him."

Lex turned his head to look at Bruce. "'Don't need him?' Are you saying we should go alone? I don't really want to risk that, Bruce. And I know-- I mean, I'm sure nothing will happen, but just to be safe I want somebody with us."

They'd reached the door to Bruce's office, and Bruce reached forward and pushed it open. He stood back for Lex to pass by, and then gestured over to the area by the window.

Once they'd sat down, Bruce said, "I do actually agree with you. It's sometimes best to err on the side of caution. What I meant to say was, though I believe Nick would do a very fine job, I have somebody else in mind. You never met her, I don't think, but she works at Cranston and Phillips, one of the big firms here." Bruce gave a little shrug, and a brief smirk flitted across his mouth. "Well, it and Fallin & Fallin are probably the two main legal firms. But Cranston and Phillips is more geared towards civil suits, whereas Nick and Burton's firm is obviously corporate stuff-- "

"Bruce," Lex interrupted. He was smiling a bit, if only because of the sheer surrealism of watching Bruce Wayne babble. "Who is this woman?"

Bruce had been looking into Lex's eyes up until that point, but at his question, turned his head away. Lex leaned forward, frowning. Something was going on here, something between Bruce and this mysterious lawyer, and if it succeeded in making Bruce nervous, it was a big something.

Bruce cleared his throat, looking over at the window. "Her name's Rachel," he said. "Her mother used to work here on the estate. Back when. . . " After another few seconds, Bruce finally turned back to meet Lex's eyes, but he never finished that sentence. There was no need to, after all. Lex knew what he meant.

"So she's a friend?" Lex asked.

But Bruce only shook his head and returned to looking out the window. "No. Well, maybe she used to be, but we-- we kinda had a falling out a few years ago. She drove me to the hearing, Chill's. . . hearing, and I-- I made a complete ass of myself." Bruce huffed a little, his version of a chuckle. "She told me off and then I left."

Lex swallowed and sat further back in his chair. So, this Rachel was one of the last people to see Bruce before he'd run off three years ago.

"I see," Lex said.

Bruce shook his head, sadly. "You don't, but you will. Once you meet her. I'll call her." And with that, he abruptly stood. Bruce walked the short distance to his desk and picked up the phone, his fingers dialing a number from memory. Lex remained sitting, watching him, wondering what the hell was going on in his life these days.

"Rachel Dawes, please," Bruce suddenly said into the phone. After a moment, he said, "Tell her it's Bruce Wayne."

Lex chuckled at the smug note in Bruce's voice. So this Rachel Dawes had supposedly told Bruce off years ago. Lex could only imagine the kind of shock it would be for her to just out of the blue get a call from Bruce, a few weeks after his much-publicized. Bruce glanced at Lex for a moment, and Lex felt himself smile at the look on Bruce's face.

He looked every inch the spoiled playboy the population at large believed him to be.

Brucie was going to have fun playing. Lex actually felt a little sorry for Rachel Dawes.

But only a little.

***

In the morning, they were scheduled to meet over at the Cranston and Phillips law offices at nine o'clock sharp. There, they'd confer with Rachel and then proceed over to the police department.

At a loss as to what to do after everything had been set up, Lex wandered around the house for a bit, taking in the artwork and sculptures on the third floor. Finally winding up somehow standing outside the kitchen doors, Lex pushed them open and went in. Alfred was slicing some potatoes at the island over to the right, and across from him, sitting on a stool, was Lin.

Lex walked over, coming to lean against the granite counter top near Colin. Lin was drawing again, but looked up when Lex moved closer in an attempt to see the subject of the sketch.

"Hey," Lex said, giving Lin a tired smile. "What's this?" he asked, moving his hand to indicate the drawing.

"It's just a-- just something I made up." He glanced over at Alfred and back quickly. Not in front of Alfred? Probably a memory then, Lex guessed somewhat breathlessly.

"May I see?" Lex asked, carefully. He held Lin's eyes until he nodded, and then with a slight push Lin nudged the sketch pad over to him.

"I'm thinking maybe I could color it. I mean, the walls should be. . . this sorta icy blue color, and the. . . floor type place is white and. . . swirly."

Lex studied the drawing before looking up. Colin was glancing between the sketch and Lex's face, looking unsure.

Lex smiled at him again, reassuringly, and shifted closer so he could drape his arm around Lin's shoulders. "I think that sounds really cool, Lin. Let me know when you're finished so I can see it."

Lin smiled and looked back down at the drawing as he picked up his pen.

Lex's arm was still curled around his back.

***

After dinner, the four of them retreated up to the library again. The fireplace was crackling, sending orange and red bursts of light dancing around the room. This time Lex didn't sit down, but instead just leaned his back against the mantle and watched Lin.

" --it just all happened at once, that I didn't have time to think about it," Lin was saying, heatedly. "We were being shot at, Lex! What should I have done?"

Lex raised his eyebrows at the anger in Lin's voice. "Not wear that damned necklace, for starters," he replied, watching the color drain from Colin's still too-pale face.

"You don't understand," Lin muttered, dropping his eyes and slumping down into the sofa.

"Then explain it to me," Lex snapped. He pushed away from the fire and started pacing in front of it. He noticed Bruce's eyes following him as he crossed back and forth, and Lian was looking far too scared for Lex's taste. "Cos from where I'm standing, it looks like you were deliberately wearing something we know for a fact hurts you." Lex came to a stop suddenly, right in front of Lin. "Why would you do that, Colin?"

When Lin's head came up, Lex knew he'd been right to use his full name. Lin looked even angrier than he had just a minute ago, and that had already been angrier than Lex had. . . ever seen him.

Wait, no he had seen Lin that mad before. Back in Metropolis, in Rick Jameson's office, when Bruce had first come in to help them, Lin had seemed to deliberately bait Bruce. And then when Lex had stepped in, Lin had gone off on him.

Lin stared back at Lex, from the corner of his eye, Lex saw Julian scoot a little farther away from Lin, and his whole body. . . seemed to vibrate with tension. He'd done that back in Jameson's office too, and before that, on that very first afternoon Lex had come back to Metropolis, with Lionel wanting to tell them something and Lin storming out before he could.

"I don't have to tell you anything," Lin said with a sneer.

"No, you don't," he agreed, at a loss as to how to respond.

"Just because-- I mean, you come back all of a sudden," Lin said, "and just expect us to still be here waiting for you? To fall all over ourselves as we try to get close to you. Again. Where were you?" Lin still looked and sounded angry, but on that last, Lex also heard desperation.

"Where were you when we needed you?!" Lin shouted.

"Lin, I can't-- I don't know what happened. It all just. . . fell apart. You stopped talking to me. We stopped talking." Lex steeled his resolve and said, "I left, Lin. I left and I ran away, and it's the worst thing I've ever done in my entire life. But you didn't tell me. You didn't say anything to me."

He watched as Lin's face went blank, all except his eyes, and felt like the world's biggest asshole.

"Why didn't you say anything, Lin?" Lex asked quietly. He crouched down. "Didn't you trust me? I would have done something. I could've done something to help!" Lex dropped his eyes to the floor. "I don't know what, but I wouldn't have just stood by and-- "

"No, you couldn't've," Lin interrupted. Lex raised his head and met his eyes. "He told me he'd. . . kill you if I said anything. Never Lian, never Lucas. Lex," and here Lin grabbed at Lex's hand, catching it up and holding it so tightly it verged on painful, "he always said it'd be you. I didn't-- I didn't tell anyone! You've gotta believe me! I never told, I never did. And he kept everyone away, and-- and. . . " Lin stuttered to a stop, still gripping Lex's hand hard.

Lex heard Lian sigh, and then from out of nowhere, Bruce said, "Tell him about the winters, Colin."

Lex shot Bruce a confused look, but only got the man's stone-blank face in return.

"Lin?" Lex asked, tentatively. "What does he mean, 'the winters?'"

"At the Centre," Lin mumbled. "I always went there during the winter. Always. And every year it was today. I mean," he said, with a shake of his head. "It's always the first Friday in November."

Lex nodded. "Which is today." Lin nodded back. "And the necklace? Is that part of it?"

Lin sighed heavily. "It felt. . . wrong not to wear it today." He stared back at Lex, earnestly. "I always wear it today. I'm supposed to have it on all the time, unless. . . he says not to, but I haven't been. Because you told me," Lin said, glancing at Lian, "you told me I didn't have to."

"And," Lex said, before taking a deep breath, "how long did you stay in the Centre? In the winters."

Colin's face scrunched up. "Until March. Usually."

Lex pulled back in shock and anger, making it necessary for Lin to drop his hand. As he turned to face the fire, Lin hurriedly added, "Sometimes not as long. One year I was home in February -- for your birthday, cos he was organizing that huge ball-party-thing and he needed me to be there." Lex was leaning on the fireplace mantle again, so he couldn't see Lin's face. But he heard the sadness in his voice clearly enough as he said, "That was the year you never showed up, and he made up some story about forgetting that you were overseas, or something. But I was still at the house after that, so I didn't really mind. Plus, Lian was so cute back then," he added. Lex felt his eyes prickle at Lin's attempt to lighten the mood.

He turned around. Bruce was sitting in the shadows, his right hand covering his mouth and hiding whatever expression might be there. Lian was sitting close to Lin again, but he still looked apprehensive and scared, constantly glancing between Lex, Lin, and Bruce.

And Lin was simply looking at Lex. There was no anger there anymore, but there was also no overt love, either. Lin had his own blank face on.

"Lian?" Lex asked, causing the boy to look at him. "What'd you do with the necklace?"

"I, uh-- I had Alfred open the trunk." Lian's face took on a shy, nervous look. "I forgot to get it out, though. It'll still be in there, right?"

Lex looked at Bruce, who nodded and stood up from his chair.

"Don't worry, Julian," Bruce said as he began walking towards the door. "I'll just go down and get it." And he was gone.

"Sorry, Lex," Lian whispered.

"You did good, Kid," he countered. And when the boy's head came back up, Lex repeated it, saying, "That was quick thinking. You got rid of the problem without introducing any other complications." Then Lex smiled at him, albeit tiredly, and received a shy little grin in return. "That's damn good spy work, Agent."

Lian gave a little chuckle and his smile became a bit more genuine. Lex shared a look with Lin, as Colin then reached over and wrapped his arm around Julian.

"All in a day's work, Chief," Lian responded.

"Same shit, different day," Lin murmured.

Lex watched Colin lean his head back to rest on the sofa, before turning around to the fire once more.

Just another day in the lives of the Luthor boys.

***

When he was first introduced to her, Lex's first thought was, 'Huh. She's not how I pictured her.'

Rachel Dawes was not stunningly beautiful, which wasn't to say that she was unattractive or ugly. . . quite the opposite, in fact. And she was not cold, aloof or particularly distant. All of which Lex had expected her to be. She was pretty, in a no-nonsense, no-fuss sort of way, and she was passionate. Lex could tell she was an idealist within the first five minutes of meeting her.

She was also prejudiced against the name Luthor, and he suspected her of thinking Lin. . . slow.

It wasn't anything she overtly did or said that gave it away, but more in the way she avoided looking at Lin or addressing him individually. Rachel spoke to Lex. She spoke to all three of them in general. She even talked a little to Lian at one point, something about how he reminded her of an old friend, but only once would Lex say she'd tried with Colin.

"And you say you weren't able to see the shooter's face?" she'd asked, her eyes on the legal pad in front of her as she took notes. She hadn't looked at Lin.

"No."

Rachel had raised her head at that point, but whether it was in reaction to Lin's terse answer or the obvious anger in his tone, Lex hadn't been able to tell.

"Okay, then," she'd muttered, eyes darting back down to the pad.

And that'd been it. Lex didn't quite know why Lin was angry, but Rachel for all intents and purposes now ignoring him certainly didn't help.

"So," Rachel said now. She stood up from her desk and started putting things into a nearby briefcase. "Did you drive over?" She shook her head, and then with a quirky smile went on to say, "Never mind. I forgot for a second who you're staying with. Of course you wouldn't drive."

Lex raised his eyebrow, wondering if he'd just been insulted. Or would the offense be on Bruce's behalf?

"Oh, no!" she exclaimed upon seeing his expression. "I didn't mean it like that. I just-- Alfred drives everyone. He always picked us up, my mom and me. . . when we went there. So I simply assumed that he would be driving you, too. I truly meant no offense; that just came out wrong."

"It's all right," Lex replied, putting on one of his charming smiles. "And you're correct. Alfred did drive us. He's waiting, no doubt, to take us over to the police station, as well." He paused, studying her. "You're of course more than welcome to ride over with us. I'm sure Bruce would insist."

Well, there was an interesting reaction, Lex thought. At his words, Rachel's mouth thinned out and she turned her head away from them, picking up her coat and shrugging it on. Then, briefcase firmly in hand, she gave Lex a small smile -- a valiant effort, but it actually looked more like a grimace -- and led the way outside the building. Alfred and the car were already idling at the curb, and as the four of them approached, Alfred opened the rear passenger side door.

"Ms. Dawes," he said, his eyes crinkling at the corners as he smiled warmly at her.

"Alfred," she replied with a nod. As she then ducked to get inside the car, Lex saw her briefly smile before schooling her face back into solemn focus.

Lex nodded to Alfred, then followed Rachel in, taking the seat next to her. Lian came in next, scooting over to sit across from Rachel, with Lin bringing up the rear and sitting opposite Lex. The car was one of those old fashioned types. The back featured forward and rear-facing seats, much like a miniature version of a limousine.

"Have you seen Bruce yet?" Lex asked out of the blue, already sure of the answer.

Rachel flinched, but nonetheless returned Lex's gaze evenly.

"No, I haven't," she replied. Her voice was neutral, but the expression on her face was hard. "So much going on these days, it seems. Haven't had the time," she said, turning her head to look out the window.

"Yes," Lex agreed. He settled back in the seat and unabashedly studied Rachel's profile. "I definitely understand being. . . swamped."

Rachel chuckled, then, turning to look at him again, said, "Just one thing after another, isn't it?" At Lex's look, she added, "I do read the papers, Lex."

"Of course. My mistake," Lex offered.

"And I also. . . know some people. Around." Here, she waved her hand, as though encompassing all of Gotham in the circular motion of her wrist.

"Is that so?"

With a sigh of frustration, Rachel shook her head. "You sound just like him at times, you know." She turned back to the window again. "I can tell you've been friends for a long time."

"Nearly ten years," Lex said, answering the unspoken question quietly.

"How is he?" she asked, her eyes still turned away.

"Okay, I think." Lex smiled a little to himself. "It's hard to tell with Bruce."

Rachel nodded, distractedly.

"He's always been. . . distant," she murmured.

They fell into silence then. Lex looked over at Lian, who gave him a small smile back, and then he tried to catch Lin's eyes. But Lin was staring at Rachel with focused determination, and didn't seem to notice Lex's eyes on him.

***

The statements took all of half an hour, and Lex felt like a fool when it was over. A simple questioning of what they'd seen, heard, and done and they were finished. Quick, painless, and Rachel hadn't needed to do anything.

"Here's my card," she'd said, as the car had pulled up in front of the Cranston and Phillips offices again. "That's my cell, there. And," she'd pointed to the number below it, "that's the one to my apartment." Catching Lex's eyes, she'd said clearly, "Use it. If you need me. Yeah?"

Lex had nodded, and taken the card from her. "Thank you," he said sincerely.

She'd shrugged and, as Alfred had already opened the door for her, stepped out onto the sidewalk in front of the law offices.

"Oh!" she'd said suddenly. Then deftly opening her briefcase and bending forward at the same time, Rachel had withdrawn a manilla folder, handing it to Lex with a grave expression. "You might," at this point she'd cast a quick glance at Lin, "be interested in that." She'd met Lex's eyes once more, then had quietly said, "I got it from a friend in the DA's office, so be careful who you show that to."

After another grim attempt at smiling, Rachel had turned, nodded at Alfred as she closed up her briefcase, and crossed the pavement back to the office building.

Lex now sat with the folder in his hands while Alfred took them home again. He stared at it, wondering what was inside.

Wondering what damage this would cause.

When the car came to a stop, Lex realized he'd spent the entire trip back in a daze. Lin was already out of the car and up the entranceway stairs by the time Lex looked. Lian just shrugged at him, and then got out.

Lex held the folder tightly as he, too, stepped out of the car. Both hands were on it as he went inside, as he walked across the foyer and into the entranceway. . . as he climbed up the stairs to the second floor.

He finally set it down on the bedside table once he'd reached Bruce's room. Lex found his eyes coming back to it again and again as he drifted around the room, pulling off his tie and changing out of his suit.

It was like a venomous snake, that folder. And no matter the fact Lex knew, knew with every fiber of his being, that what was inside that folder was nothing good. . .

. . . he still found himself sitting down on the bed, reaching for it, opening and reading and. . .

***

Lex closed the bedroom door behind him and started off down the hall. As he neared the library, though, he heard sounds of loud pounding and screeching. Getting closer, he was finally able to pick out the strains of a scratchy guitar and realized that what he was hearing was music.

Loud, angry music coming from the. . . library.

Lex pushed open one of the doors and stepped inside cautiously. A quick glance around the room proved his suspicions correct. It was Lin's loud music blaring down the hallway.

Or at least, Lex assumed the long legs visible underneath the large easel belonged to Lin. They certainly weren't Liza's.

Lex walked around behind so he could see what Lin was painting, trying to make his approach obvious so as not to startle him. As he did, he glanced around the room, looking for the source of the music and finally spotting an impressive stereo system over in the corner.

As Lex drew closer, Lin stepped back and to the side. He looked between Lex and the canvas pointedly, and then finally gestured towards the painting. Lex took that as permission and looked.

It was a split subject acrylic. The upper half was a bigger, more detailed version of Lin's drawing the other day. It was a room. . . of sorts, with hints of blue in the swirling texture of the walls and large streams of solid white along what Lex guessed would be considered the floor. And inside this room were a young man and woman, arms wrapped around each other. Lex felt his breathing shallow out the longer he studied the work. Both figures were tall, both had shiny hair -- the man's was shorter, darker. It curled about the collar of his. . . garment, while the woman's hair was a frothy golden foam down her back. Both were smiling. If he squinted at just the right angle, Lex thought the scene almost appeared to take place in something of a bedroom. There was the arch of a door set into one of the walls behind the couple, and a tapered and heavily decorated table stood not too far away from the woman's trailing skirts. On it, Lex thought he saw little glass bottles and assumed them to be perfume or. . . their version of makeup, perhaps.

Their version. Lex stole another glance at Lin, who was biting his lip as he looked at the painting. Lin's left hand held a paintbrush, and when Lex looked closer he noticed Lin making small movements with it. Up and down his hand went, as though he were painting the air around the canvas, or perhaps just visualizing what he would do next.

The room was suddenly quiet and Lex realized the music track had ended. The silence didn't last long, though. Two beats later, another song began to scream out of the system, pouring out of the speakers and filling the room with the fast strumming and steady beat of Lin's band of choice today.

"What is this?!" Lex shouted. Lin's head jerked up from his study of the canvas, focusing distractedly on Lex's face.

"Bauhaus!" Lin shouted back, with a smirk. "Lian and Liza are outside!" And he pointed towards the windows on the other side of the library.

Lex nodded, not feeling up to yelling anymore and fast coming to the conclusion that Lin was fully absorbed in painting these two scenes. It was a contrast of styles: the lightness and warmth of the upper half's embracing couple contrasting with the cold, black and green monstrosity on the bottom half of the painting.

Lex didn't want to look at this piece of Lin's art anymore. It was painful and harsh, the loving scene ruined and made ugly after taking in the screaming boy being cut open beneath it.

Lex raised his arm and pointed to the library doors. "I'll leave you alone!" he shouted, trying not to show on his face the horror he felt. "Come get me if you need anything, okay?!"

Lin nodded, already back to contemplating the painting, hand still making those slight slashing motions with the paintbrush. Lex turned, and with one last look at Lin, crossed the room, stepped out into the hallway, and closed the doors firmly behind him.

The images in the painting still stuck with him, though.

***

The folder contained a list. Lex read it, reread it, and then placed the papers back inside. Afterward, he stuffed the entire thing into the bottom drawer of his bedside table, the one in the room he was originally supposed to stay in. Not that Lex was under the impression Bruce, or Alfred and thereby Bruce, would somehow never be able to find it there. No, he knew the score, but it still seemed wrong to have all that. . . filth. . . near the bed he and Bruce shared. In here, it was out of the way.

He resolutely ignored the reason why he didn't just burn the whole file.

***

Criminal Sodomy

Aggravated Criminal Sodomy

Rape

Indecent Liberties with a Child

Aggravated Indecent Liberties with a Child

Contributing to a Child's Misconduct or Deprivation

Abuse of a Child

Aggravated Indecent Solicitation of a Child

Sexual Exploitation of a Child

Abandonment of a Child

Aggravated Abandonment of a Child

Endangering a Child

Aggravated Endangerment of a Child

***

When they'd left this morning, Bruce had said his "See ya later's" and then promptly shut his office door. Lex had a sneaking suspicion the terse farewell had something to do with the dreaded Batman's appearance in the newspapers again this morning. 'Hero or Villain' had been one headline, and underneath the bold black letters was a fuzzy picture of the supposed Batman.

Lex thought Bruce's costume looked more like a black devil, complete with horns, than it did a bat, but that was just his opinion. Bruce was the one who had to wear the thing.

There was a new Warrior Angel movie out and Lex had suggested the three of them -- he, Lin and Lian -- go see it before their appointment with Daniel this afternoon. Lian had then, for some reason, asked if they could invite Nick for lunch, his eyes doing that puppy imitation which never failed to make Lex give the boy whatever he wanted. So they were making a day of it. An early showing of 'A Warrior's Nightmare,' to be followed by lunch with not only Nick, but his father Burton, as well. Then at two they'd meet Daniel for their second therapy session. Lex just hoped nothing too bad happened today: no car accidents, no shootings, no suicide attempts or disappearances.

This time, on the ride into the city proper, Lian elected to sit up front with Alfred. They were taking a smaller car, still luxury but not as big as the one they'd taken to meet Rachel and give their statements. The whole ride, Lex was uncomfortably aware of Lin sitting next to him.

He wondered if the leg pressed next to his own were deliberate or just chance.

***

The movie was good, but, like all films that were adapted from a source material, certain aspects of the original story were significantly altered. For one thing, there hadn't been a love interest in the original comic arc. And so a comatose Warrior Angel battling his own personified conscience and guilt, having been injected with a serum developed by Devilicus, had therefore also not been essentially saved by said love interest. The comics were all the better for the absence of that particular plotline in Lex's opinion, but he didn't say anything. It was just too much fun watching Lin get all ramped up about a movie.

"I don't care how accurate the costumes and sets were to the novel," Lin was saying as they got out of the Rolls. Lex noticed Alfred smiling from his place behind the wheel. "If they can't at least get some of the story right, why should they be allowed to use the same title? Why not just change it, make it up like they did the whole stupid plot, and save all of us who went in thinking we were seeing a Warrior Angel film the shock of paying for trash that only vaguely resembles something we love and enjoy?"

Lex couldn't help it. He laughed as he grabbed the door to the restaurant, stepping back as he pulled it open so Lin and Lian could go in. Lin glared at him and Lex held back any further chuckling by dropping his head and biting his lip.

"Aren't you angry that they changed so much?" Lin asked him once they were inside. Julian had gone up to the host and given their name, so Lex met Lin's eyes and smiled.

"Actually, I was surprised by how much of the story they managed to keep intact. You forget the rules of the medium, Lin. Movies are movies, no matter what, and movies have to appeal to as wide and diverse an audience as they possibly can -- to recoup all the money that goes into producing one." Lian had turned around and was waving at them, so Lex laid a hand on Lin's shoulder and guided him over to the smiling host. Apparently their party had already arrived, so the three of them trailed along behind the man on the way to the table.

"I still think it was stupid," Lin muttered. Ahead of them, Lex could see Nick and Burton stand up from their table. "And the movie doesn't even make sense. It sucked."

"So not one you'll be watching again and again, eh?" Lex asked, eyes meeting Nick's across the way. "Unlike those depressing Tim Burton films you seem to love so much."

"Hey!" Lin exclaimed, "That man is a genius. At least he knows how to tell a story. His films are art!"

"I think they're scary and weird," Lian said from Lex's right.

Lin just sniffed and started hanging back, forcing Lex into going first.

"Lex, it's nice to see you again," Burton said once they'd reached the table. He extended his hand for Lex to shake. As he gripped the older man's hand, Lex looked over at Nick. The young lawyer looked distinctly uncomfortable, his body slightly turned away and closed off from his father beside him. No love lost there, it seemed.

"And you, sir," Lex replied as they dropped their hands away from each other. He then reached across the table to shake Nick's hand, giving it a hearty squeeze before letting go. The corner of Nick's mouth quirked up so Lex thought he'd gotten the message. 'It's okay,' Lex had been trying to say. 'Just relax.'

"And may I introduce my brothers, Julian and Colin," Lex said, gesturing towards them in turn. Lian promptly stuck his hand out, and Burton took it with a smile, shaking it efficiently.

Repeating the process with Nick, Lian said, "It's a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Fallin. Shall we sit?"

Lex bit his lip again, quelling the urge to just grab Lian up and hug him silly. With a glance at Lin, Lex realized Lian was attempting to fill in the awkward silence left by Colin's noticeable ignoring of the introductions.

"Yes, I think that's an excellent idea, Julian," Burton replied, surprising Lex. The man sat down and the rest of them followed suit.

As their waiter appeared at Nick's left, Lex risked another look Lin's way and saw him exhale deeply, eyes focused entirely on the plate in front of him.

"And for you, sir?" the waiter asked, and looking up Lex realized he was the one being addressed.

"Iced tea, please. Extra lemon."

"Very good," the guy replied, jotting it down on the pad in his hand. He looked up, and Lex watched as his eyes repeatedly darted over to Lin. With growing unease, Lex realized the long looks the waiter was giving Lin were of the 'come hither' variety and promptly coughed as a distraction. The waiter flinched, his eyes jerking over to meet Lex's, where he received the full weight of Lex's death glare.

"Um, and for you?" the waiter asked Lian, eyes on his pad and shoulders hunched.

"Just water, please," Lian replied quietly.

"I'll be right back with those," the young man muttered, all but scurrying away.

Looking around, Lex met Nick's eyes as the other man raised an eyebrow. Lex just shrugged minutely and turned to Burton.

"I was surprised you had time to meet us today, sir."

"Oh, nonsense," Burton replied. As Lex looked closer, he saw the older man's hand was tapping rhythmically against the table top. As he recalled, Burton Fallin was a heavy smoker. It'd probably been too long since his last cigarette. "When Nicholas mentioned he was meeting you and your brothers, I saw it as the perfect opportunity to give you my condolences."

"Condolences?" Lex asked, frowning.

"On the loss of your father," Burton replied with an evil little smile. "Though, truly, perhaps I should be congratulating you, eh?"

"Jesus, Dad," Nick hissed. He met Lex's eyes and said, "Sorry, Lex, but as you may have remembered, my father somewhat lacks in tact."

"No, it's perfectly all right," Lex said, setting his napkin in his lap before looking back to Burton. "It's always nice to talk to someone who actually says what he means. And, yes, this is one estrangement I don't think I'll ever regret."

"Do you know Lionel that well?" came Lin's voice. Lex turned his head and saw Lin looking at Burton determinedly.

Burton chuckled, his fingers still tap-tapping against the tablecloth. He returned Lin's gaze and said, "No, I know him only in a vaguely professional sense. The firm did some business with him a few years ago, and, like with all our big clients, I personally met with him once or twice to make sure everything was going smoothly. But, make no mistake, Colin, I have as little to do with that man as I possibly can. . . while still running a good business, mind you."

"A true capitalist," Lin said. Lex praised the sleazy waiter's timing, for just as Lin spoke, their drinks arrived and it was time to place their orders. Any longer, and Lin might have gone into what Lex now thought of as 'Lionel-mode.' With that comment to Burton, Lin's face had already fallen into the same superior sneer as Lionel often wore, and Lex didn't want a repeat of the scene two weeks ago in Rick Jamseon's office.

Halfway through the meal, as Lex was about to take another bite of his chicken, Burton suddenly set his silverware down on his plate and leaned his elbows on the table. He seemed to study the salt and pepper shakers intently for a moment, then looked up and met Lex's eyes.

Lex lowered his fork and raised his eyebrows in question.

"I've come to a decision and I'm hoping you'll hear me out before you refuse."

"And why would I refuse?" Lex asked, intrigued.

"Because everyone has their pride, and from what I've heard about you over the years, you most certainly don't lack in that area. I want to cover some of your fees myself," he said plainly.

Lex was about to interrupt, but Burton raised his hand and waved him quiet. "With Nicholas here, and Rick in Metropolis, you're going to have some steep bills no matter how much of a personal favor they do you and knock off some of those zeroes." He gave a great sigh and looked at Nick for a moment before returning to Lex. "I know my son, at least I like to think I do. And I'm sure he's doing this pro bono, much like Rick, I would imagine. Much like Ms. Dawes over at Cranston and Phillips," he added, and Lex forced his mouth closed after it dropped open.

"Let me do this, Lex," Burton said. His eyes were vaguely pleading and Lex noticed the man's fingers weren't tapping anymore. "And my reasons are my own. I have money, and it's mine to dispose of how I wish. My wish is that you and your brothers get the best representation without having to feel indebted. You'll feel that way anyway, with me of course, but at least this way all of us can exorcize some of our demons, and none of us have to go broke. Bruce Wayne may be richer, but he's doing his part already. Let me do mine to bring about some justice."

Lex swallowed heavily and looked away. Taking a few deep breaths, he raised his head and nodded.

"Great!" Burton said, leaning back in his chair. His fingers started tapping again. "Wait till I tell Rick that his next paycheck is coming from me. The shouting will be so loud, I imagine Nicholas'll hear it from all the way on the other side of the office!" Burton chuckled some more, shaking his head and grinning in satisfaction like the cheshire cat himself.

Looking over at Nick, Lex made out the surprised look on the man's face as he studied his father. Unsure what that was all about, Lex next looked at Lian and returned the kid's smile with one of his own. Lin, meanwhile, was staring at Burton and, when Lex turned his head, he saw that Burton was staring right back.

"I hope this alleviates some of your guilt, Mr. Fallin," Lin said. "But don't forget that it's never too late to make amends. I'm sure he'd forgive you."

Burton frowned and his eyes flickered over to glance at Nick before turning back to Lin.

It was comforting somehow to have proof that the Luthor family wasn't the only dysfunctional one.

***

"I want you to say the first thing that comes to mind. Try to say what you're thinking. We're going to clear the air, so to speak. Okay. Lex? Let's start with you. We'll go oldest to youngest, if that's all right with everyone?"

Lex frowned, looking towards Julian and getting a nod from the boy in reply. Lin just shrugged.

"Well, guilt is the first thing that pops up. Next, anger. Sadness and despair. And, uh, a tiny bit of happiness, I guess," he finished, looking out the window so he didn't have to see the looks on their faces at that last one.

"Well, since it's clear that the happiness is what's troubling you most," Daniel said. "Why don't we start with that? Tell me, Lex, why do you feel happy?"

Lex sighed and folded his arms across his chest. "It's an accumulation of things. We're out of that environment, my brothers are safer here, my best friend is back in the States. I'm just. . . maybe relieved is a better word for it-- "

"No, no," Daniel interrupted. "You said happiness. And, Lex?" Daniel waited until Lex met his eyes, then said, "It's okay to feel happy. It's okay to feel. Your emotions aren't wrong."

Lex shook his head angrily. "Is that 'your' as in a universal 'you,' or 'your' as in me specifically? Because I gotta tell you, if you're talking about mankind and all its emotions being 'okay,'" and here Lex used air-quotes to fully show his disdain, "then you're full of crap. And wrong. Dead wrong."

"Why do you say that? Which emotions are 'wrong?' Your word, not mine."

"The ones that caused all this to happen!" Lex shouted. "Every emotion my father has is wrong. Every single one that allows him to think that what he did was just fine. That's what I mean by 'wrong,' and I gladly use that term."

He turned his head back to the window, refusing to meet Daniel's understanding gaze.

"Okay, Lex, I can take a hint," Daniel said quietly. "We'll move on. Colin? What about you? What are you feeling right now?"

"Disgust, hatred, shame," Lin rattled off, his voice a monotone that Lex knew was a bad sign. A quick glance at Daniel showed the man had the same suspicions as Lex did regarding the object of those emotions.

"And what disgusts you, Colin? What do you hate? What are you ashamed of?" Daniel asked, his face scrunched up in obvious dread of the answer.

Lin just smiled his Lionel-smile and said, "Me, of course. The answer is 'myself' to all three, but then," he gave a harsh chuckle, "none of us are surprised by that, now are we? I mean, that's what all victims of abuse feel, right? Every boy who's forced into sex with his father feels disgusted when he looks in the mirror. Every 15-year-old hates himself, is ashamed of existing in a world with good people. Clean people. Isn't that right, Dr. Tucker?"

"You're provoking me, Colin, but I'm not going to yell at you. I'm not going to punish you." Daniel paused, then said quietly, "You can't make me leave this time, Lin."

"Fuck you," Lin snarled. "I can make you leave if I want to. I can leave any damn time I want. All I have to say is. . . " he stopped speaking, continuing to look at Daniel intently. And the look on Lin's face was ugly -- harsh and evil and snide. He had his Lionel-face on.

"Whatever you say, Lin," Daniel said in a rush. "Whatever happens next is up to you." Lex studied the psychologist closely upon hearing that. Daniel sounded panicked, almost like he was. . . guilty of something. "You're right, you're not powerless anymore. Lionel isn't here to force you to do anything. It's up to you."

"Right," he sneered in response, "just guilt me into silence. 'It's natural, my boy.' That's what dear ol' Pops always told me. Don't you agree, Daniel? Sex is a natural act, a natural part of love and life. What's wrong with showing someone. . . just how much you love them?"

"You know what's wrong with it, Lin," Lex said quietly. Lin's head whipped around to look at him, surprise that Lex had spoken clearly written all over his face. "You forget yourself," he added, pointedly glancing at Lian who was sitting on Lin's other side.

Lin slowly turned his head to look at Julian, his features hidden from Lex by the angle.

"I've never been a good role model," he said. "Just ignore me, Lian."

"Shut up," Lex heard Lian say, and his eyebrows rose up at the tone of his little bother's voice. Lian sounded angry. Really angry. "You may hate yourself, but that doesn't mean I do. You saying mean and nasty things isn't going to make me hate you, either. That's Dad's trick, Lin. And talking like him isn't scaring me anymore, so just stop it. I'm sick of you always tearing into yourself. I love you. I've always loved you. Lex loves you, and all these other people do, too. Stop pushing us away and just let us love you." Lian paused, taking a deep breath before saying, "And quit being a dick to Daniel. You know he's only trying to help."

"Jesus, Lian," Lin muttered, wonder apparent in his voice. Lex leaned forward to peer around Lin, looking at Lian sitting there calmly on the sofa, a tiny smirk on his face.

"Well, Lian?" Daniel said, clearing his throat a little nervously. "What are you feeling right now?"

"Hope, happiness." Lex had braced his arms on his legs, leaning forward far enough that he saw as Lian next looked up at Lin with a warm, open smile on his face.

"I feel love," Lian said, and Lex had to look away and blink rapidly.

But only because there was something in his eye.

***

Bruce didn't usually come to bed at night until around four in the morning. Lex would wake up, the lingering tingle of a kiss on his neck or the glide of Bruce's hand down his side bringing him to the surface.

He'd given up waiting up for him. Lex had tried that those first few nights, shrugging off sleep until Bruce came back from being The Batman. After the fourth night Lex had been awakened in the chair next to the bed, Bruce made him promise to just go to bed. And he did, knowing it was pointless to stay up worrying. Bruce would survive on his own. Lex losing sleep over him would do nothing but make both of them tired and uncomfortable.

So, waking up to the feeling of a hand on his face wasn't all that surprising. Lex sleepily smiled and placed his own hand atop Bruce's.

Looking over at the clock, he closed his eyes and murmured, "Back early? It's not even three yet."

"Lex, you need to wake up and come with me."

Lex's eyes shot open and he sat up quickly, trying to make out Lin's body in the darkness of the room.

"Lin? What's going on?"

"Bruce. . . he's been hurt. And I think you should come, okay?"

It was so dark, only a tiny sliver of moon in the sky tonight. Lex couldn't see anything and Lin's hand was still resting on his cheek.

"Yeah," Lex said. He pushed the sheets back and climbed out of the bed. "Yeah, let's go. Where is he?" he asked, already moving to the door and half-turning back to catch Lin's expression.

"I'll show you," Lin replied, pushing past him in the hallway to take the lead.

They headed down the stairs towards the foyer. Then, at the entranceway, Lin took a left into a part of the house that Lex didn't recall ever seeing before.

"Where are we?" he asked, after following Lin through yet another hallway. "I've never been here before."

"You'll see," was all Lex got in reply. There was a set of black doors straight ahead, Lin pushing them in when they'd reached them. After all the suspense, Lex expected more than just another music room. It was pretty standard, as far as these things went. A piano, several heavy bookshelves set with mirrored backings, and a few groupings of chairs scattered around the room. Lin motioned Lex into the room, promptly shutting the door tight after he'd passed through.

"What the hell is going on, Lin? Where's Bruce?" He tried to catch Lin's eyes, but failed as the teen just turned his back to him and moved over to the piano. Lex stared incredulously as he then plinked out a few notes on the keys. What the fuck?

Then there was a swishing noise, and one of the bookshelves swung out to reveal a. . . secret passage.

"God, it's like something out of a movie," Lex said. Lin tugged on his arm, pulling him forward and Lex just followed his lead again.

Behind the bookcase was a crude metal lift, two levers designating which direction it could go -- one to go up, the other down. Once they had shimmied onto it, Lin finally looked at Lex. He looked worried, his brow furrowed and his mouth twisted into a tight frown.

"Put your hands here," Lin told him, moving Lex's hands up to the railing that encompassed the lift. "And hold on. I've only done this once before, so I-- "

Lin didn't get to finish what he was going to say, his words stolen by the sudden plummet downwards. He'd jerked on the left lever, the one marked 'Down' in Bruce's handwriting. The air whipped up at them, causing Lex's eyes to water and he made the mistake of looking down.

There were lights beneath them, enough to show just how far they were descending. . . and how fast.

"Oh God, oh God, oh God," Lex whispered, shutting his eyes tight and gripping the rail hard in his hands. "Oh God, oh God, oh-- "

They came to a crashing stop, the bottom of the lift rattling ominously as Lin slammed the lever back into its resting position.

" --God," Lex gasped. "What the-- what the hell was that?!" He turned to look at Lin, only to have his fingers pried up and Lin take a hold of his hand again. He pulled Lex out of the lift, and down yet another hallway, this one more like a tunnel than the others.

"Almost there," Lin said quietly. They rounded a corner, and where Lex would have stopped short at the sight, Lin kept moving forward, tugging him along after.

Down below, in the middle of the huge cavern, Lex could make out Alfred. He was leaning over something and--

It was Bruce, lying on a table, and Lin was saying, "Now will you listen?" in a tense, angry voice.

"No hospitals," Bruce gritted out.

Lex shrugged off Lin's hand, striding quickly over to Bruce's curled form.

"What's wrong?" he asked, turning to look at Alfred and Colin as well. "Bruce? What's-- Oh, my God!"

As Lex went to lay a hand on Bruce's shoulder, he finally got a good look at what the man had been clutching at -- his whole left side was covered in blood. The remnants of that black soldier suit Batman wore framed the huge wound, which curved down Bruce's side, ending just above his hip.

So much blood, Lex thought. It must be deep.

"You fucking crazy bastard," Lex said. "You're going to the hospital even if I have to knock you unconscious to get you there. Bruce! What the fuck were you thinking?! This isn't some game, here. You're seriously wounded and-- "

"You think I don't know that?" Bruce rasped, tilting his head back so he could meet Lex's eyes. "Feels like I'm on fire. . . "

"Then what the fuck are we still doing here?!" Lex exclaimed. "We'll get the damn suit off you, if that's what the problem is, and then I'll drive you to the hospital myself."

"Scary thought, that," Bruce replied in a pain-filled whisper. A ghost of a smirk flitted across his lips before his face contorted in pain.

"Come on," Lex said. "Help me get him up, and we'll need-- "

"I'm not going to the hospital, Lex," Bruce said, in a surprisingly calm voice. "I can't. Word of this gets out. . . and we're dead. They'll find out who I am and-- " he stopped, clutching at his side again and gasping in pain.

"Well, I'm not just gonna let you bleed to death!" Lex shouted.

"Sir," Alfred broke in, moving closer to Lex. "I've already tried to convince him, but it seems that we'll have to-- "

"Just sew it up."

Lex and Alfred turned as one to stare at Lin in surprise.

"What?" Lex asked, finally.

Lin waved a hand at Bruce. "Patch him up," he said, matter-of-factly. "You know, with stitches and bandages."

"No, Lin," Lex began. "You can't just stitch someone back together. It doesn't work like that. I don't know the first thing about how to do that, and I don't think Alfred does, either, so-- "

"So I'll do it," Lin interrupted. "I bet you, Bruce has the equipment." He turned to look down at Bruce. "Don't you, Bruce?"

Lex whipped his head around just in time to catch Bruce's nod. Glancing between them, Lex asked, "What the hell?"

"Where is it?" Lin asked, moving to crouch down beside Bruce.

"Shelf. Over there," he gritted out, jerking his head to indicate a nearly-invisible shelf along the wall to their left.

The words were barely out of his mouth, before there was a rush of wind and Lin was suddenly placing a hand over Bruce's, slowly pulling it away from his side. There was a large black case resting near the head of the table and, as Lex watched, one of Lin's hands blurred over to it and back to Bruce's side in less than a second.

"You are taking this," Lin said, assertiveness making him straighten up to his full height. Lin opened his hand, in which he lightly held a syringe and a small brown bottle. In response, Bruce shook his head, but Lin gripped his arm tight and made him meet his eyes. "You will. Don't be stupid."

"Colin, I can't. . . " Bruce bit out, still trying to clutch at his side. Lex met Lin's eyes briefly as he moved to take Bruce's hand. With a closer look, Lex could easily see the fear in Lin's expression, the sheer panic masked by that damned bravado of his. And it was fast becoming a tell. Whenever Lin felt overwhelmed, he put on his Lionel mask and played cool and abrasive. And that lift of the brow, that squinting Lin was doing was pure Lionel.

The kid looked scared out of his mind.

Lex grabbed Bruce's hand, forcing his attention away from Lin for the brief moment it took to load the syringe with morphine. Staring into Bruce's eyes, Lex bent over the table and wrapped his arms around the man's own, holding them out of the way as Lin injected the narcotic.

"You'll be fine, now," Lex whispered to him. "Just go with it." He moved his forehead to rest against Bruce's and said, "Let go, Bruce."

"Per-- personal. . . wisdom?" Bruce whispered back.

"You betcha," Lex replied, moving back to look into his eyes again. They were glassy and, even as he watched, Lex saw them go dull. Finally Bruce's eyelids fell shut, and Lex kissed the man's forehead before moving back and crossing over to Lin.

"You know what you're doing?" he asked.

Lin nodded and turned to drag a small table closer. He began setting various things out on its surface, motioning Lex back when he made a movement to touch one of the large, curved needles.

"How?" Lex asked. "How do you know this? Lin," he said, grabbing Lin's arm to get his attention. Lex stared into Lin's now calm eyes and asked, "Where did you learn how to do this?"

"I was never hurt that long," Lin said. "After they took the green away, I was fine. But I told you I wasn't the only one." He sounded hurt and angry that Lex didn't already know the answer, that he hadn't already put it together.

"Lucas. You're talking about Lucas, aren't you?"

With a sneer, Lin replied, "He's only human. Just like you and Lian. Now, if you'll move back, I'll start on this." And with a light nudge, Lin pushed him aside.

Lex circled around the table again, catching sight of Alfred and closing the distance between them. Alfred, too, looked scared, his normal collected expression replaced by scrunched up worry and concern.

"He'll be fine," Lex said, softly. He placed a hand on Alfred's shoulder. "Just look at Lin. He knows what he's doing."

Alfred nodded, gaze focused on Lin, as he dipped the thin curving needles into alcohol.

"He'll be fine," Lex repeated. He, too, turned to watch Lin work, the teen's hand blurring along Bruce's side so fast it was like watching a contained whirlwind. A little more than a minute later and Lin was asking Alfred for some warm water and a sponge.

"To clean it," he explained. "Before I put the bandages on, I always clean it again. Just in case."

Alfred remained still for a moment, then shook himself and gave Lin a tired smile. "I'll go get you some," he said, and turned away. He began picking his way back towards the lift, and Lex watched him. Alfred didn't look back once, just kept moving forward, even turning his back once he'd climbed into the lift.

A glance back at Lin, and Lex sighed.

Same shit, different day.

***

After Alfred returned and Lin had cleaned the wound again, they managed to get Bruce up to bed with no one else in the house seeing. The additional staff at the manor wasn't as large as, say, Lionel's house, but there were still enough people around to warrant more discretion than usual. Wouldn't do to have someone see Lin carrying a passed out Bruce up to his room.

Lex walked in front, moving forward to open the bedroom door for Lin. Colin walked over to the bed and gently shifted Bruce under the covers, pulling them up to the man's chin and smoothing them out. He stepped back, met Lex's eyes and headed for the door again.

"You're gonna stay with him?" Lin asked, pausing just inside the doorway. Lex nodded, turning back to look at Bruce's lax limbs and forced stillness. "Good. Because that morphine is still a risk for awhile. Lucas once-- " Lin started, but cut himself off. Lex turned his head to look at him, but Lin wouldn't meet his eyes. "I'll keep Lian away," he said quietly. "Maybe tomorrow, right?"

Lex nodded, still trying to get the kid to look at him. "Yeah, Bruce'll be awake by then, hopefully. It won't seem so bad tomorrow."

With a last nod, Lin left the room, closing the door softly behind him.

Lex went to lie down on the bed next to Bruce -- a mockery of their usual positions.

"Just you and me and our good friend morphine," Lex said, putting his arms behind his head and crossing his ankles. "And the hits just keep on coming. . . "

***

Around noon, there was a light knock on the door, which turned out to be Lin. He came in, sketchbook and pencil in hand, and shrugged when Lex asked him why he was there.

"Liza took Lian to the museum," Lin said. He dragged a chair over to the foot of the bed, propping his feet up on the footboard and ruffling through the pages of his sketchbook briefly, before finally settling on a blank page.

"You going to draw us?" Lex asked, raising his eyebrows.

Lin smiled a little, eyes still on the pad. "No," he said. "Bruce wouldn't like the thought of me seeing him like this." Lin looked up. "He won't like that you're seeing him like this."

"Well, too damn bad. I'll just tell him that's what he gets for being a superhero -- when he gets hurt, I'm going to see he's not perfect." Lex turned his head to look at Bruce, still unconscious but breathing deeply and steadily. "Idiot," he said, fondly, reaching out to push some of Bruce's hair back from his forehead.

"What's it like?" Lin asked, causing Lex to jerk his hand away. He looked over to see Lin focused on Bruce's face. A vague feeling of dread began to creep up, and Lex slid up on the bed into a sitting position, his back against the headboard.

"What's 'what' like?" he returned.

Lin's eyes shifted over to glance at Lex before he went back to staring at Bruce.

"Being in love," Lin said.

What? How would Lex know what being in love felt like? He'd never once been--

Oh.

With a small laugh, Lex said, "Lin, I'm not-- I mean, Bruce and I? We're not really-- "

Lin interrupted him with a disdainful snort.

"Well, we're not!" Lex protested, angrily. "I mean, we're good friends and all, but I don't think we'll ever really be more than that."

Lin just stared at him with his eyebrows raised, a small, disbelieving smirk on his face. "So because you think you two don't have a future together, that somehow means you can't be in love?" He shook his head and sighed. "Lex, that's about the dumbest thing I've ever heard. Who told you that?"

"I don't know what you're talking about," Lex replied, stiffly. He turned his head to glare at the window.

"Oh, geez, don't be like that," Lin said. "Look, I'm sorry, but you're wrong, okay? Loving someone isn't contingent upon them loving you back. A lot of the time, that's what makes you love them in the first place."

Glancing at Colin quickly, then returning to look out the window, Lex asked, "What do you mean? I would think loving someone is all about reciprocation. Why do it if the person you love doesn't even know you exist? Or, better yet, totally despises you? Where's the reward in that?"

For a second, Lex thought he'd stumped Colin. That was, until he heard the laughter. Turning to glare at him, Lex saw Lin holding his stomach, apparently overcome by the humor in Lex's words.

"What?" he asked, peeved. "What's funny about that?"

Sighing, Lin met Lex's eyes again. There was a spark there, a flare of something that made Colin look more alive in that moment than he had for. . . a long time.

"You think loving someone is a choice," Lin said, mouth quirked up in what Lex was guessing to be pity. "Lex," he said, moving his feet off the bed and putting them on the floor. He rested his forearms on his thighs and told him, "You love someone and that's it. That's all there is to it. You can't make yourself feel something, or not feel something. Emotions aren't under your control. And being in love. . . " Lin had a dreamy look on his face, his gaze once more moving over Bruce's features. "Being in love is like the holy grail of emotion."

Lex just stared at this person in front of him and felt out of his depth. Lin knew more about life than Lex did most of the time. What the hell did that say about him?

"When'd you get so smart?" he asked instead, in an attempt to change the subject. "You know what, I miss that little boy who used to ask me why we had to use silverware to eat. That was an interesting teaching session, let me tell you!"

Lex chuckled and Lin dimpled in embarrassment. After a moment, though, he snorted in amusement, meeting Lex's eyes with a smirk.

"You told me it was because it looked good in one's hand, the silverware. You also said that socks were ridiculous, but wearing them made Mom happy, and that if I wanted to run around naked I had to stick to the east section of the second floor."

Lex laughed out loud, having forgotten all that and looking at Lin in a new light. "And, if I recall correctly, you did stick to the east wing. Isn't that how Mary got fired?"

Lin nodded and laughed. "Yeah, Mom stumbled across me one day, bare-ass naked right in the middle of the hall, and Mary passed out drunk still in the playroom. You remember that room?" Lex nodded, smiling nostalgically. "The one with the mural on the wall. I loved that mural. You know," Lin said, once again leaning back in his chair. "That was one of the first things I ever drew."

"What was the first thing?" Lex dared.

Lin met his eyes, seeming to search for something for a moment. Then, with a small, bitter smile he said, "Mom. I wanted to try and carry her hair around with me because. . . because of the color, I think. I'd never seen anything that color before."

"Never?" Lex asked, raising his eyebrows. "Or never?"

Lin broke the eye contact, dropping his head down. His hands were twirling the pencil around and around in his hand, Lin's way of fidgeting.

"I don't-- I don't really know," he finally confessed. "I just remember that was the first thing I saw. When I came there, and he introduced me as her new son, I remember her hair was what made me go over to her." Lin's shoulders were tense and his whole body was rigid in the seat, but his voice was soft and. . . so full of sadness. And love.

"It was so soft, too," Lex said quietly. Lin's head came up and he nodded, meeting Lex's sad gaze. "I can still smell her perfume sometimes, if I think about it. Roses, and lavender. Jasmine. I've tried to find out what it was a few times over the years, but I haven't managed to. Maybe it was specially made for her, I don't know."

"Did she-- did Mom ever wear a blue necklace?" Lin asked, hesitantly. He was looking at Lex, eyes on his, but unfocused and with that dreamy quality to them.

"Blue? I honestly can't recall. Maybe. She had so much jewelry, I don't think I could ever remember it all. I wonder what he did with it after she died. Probably threw it away or sold it, knowing him."

Lin shook his head, eyes still far away. "No, he kept some things," he said. "That pearl choker she liked to wear when she had to get dressed up, and the butterfly brooch she always kept in her pocket." Lin's eyes finally flicked over to Lex's, something dark and angry in their depths. "He kept them in the top drawer of his night stand, along with his gun and another meteor rock necklace."

Lex just sighed and leaned his head back against the headboard. "What a prick." He heard Lin's startled chuckle and smiled.

But as he thought about it, it made a certain kind of sense. Lionel was practical. In his head, the man most likely reasoned that the most important things in his life belonged together, safe and within easy reach. The weapon that could protect him from most intruders, and the other that would protect him against the only one that that gun wouldn't stop. The fact that Lionel kept his dead wife's jewelry so close by could actually be considered a compliment to her. The choker and brooch served no real purpose other than recalling some of their former owner's presence. They couldn't protect Lionel, not like the gun or the necklace made of meteor rock.

The only reason Lex could think of as to why Lionel would keep her jewelry there, the only one that might make any sense, was one he definitely didn't want to contemplate.

Because he had loved her, and missed her.

"'He's only human,'" Lex murmured to himself, "'just like you and Lian.'"

Colin had said that about Lucas, but it applied to Lionel, as well.

He was only a man.

***

Bruce didn't fully come awake until about mid-afternoon. And when he did, the first thing out of his mouth had to do with repairing his Batman suit.

Lex forced out a smile, told Bruce he'd have Alfred come up and talk to him, and then had promptly left the room. Sometimes, you had to pick your battles, and arguing with a still-injured Bruce Wayne about the man's suicidal crusade was not one that Lex wanted to fight. Not today.

But, when he went downstairs, it was to the sight of several large men hauling numerous cardboard boxes into the foyer. Alfred was standing right in the middle of the sea of brown cubes, signing something on a clipboard for the man next to him.

"There you are," Alfred said, handing the clipboard back. The mover took it, and with a faint zip sound, tore off a sheet of paper which he handed to Alfred.

"Your copy," the guy told him. And with a nod, the guy moved away, crossing the entranceway with long, deliberate strides. "Watch it there, Frank!" he yelled, when one of the men nearly dropped a box.

Picking his way through the chaos, Lex sidled up to Alfred and asked, "What's going on?"

Alfred turned to him with a smile. "Your things have arrived, sir." And at Lex's confused look, he went on to say, "From Boston. Master Bruce arranged to have everything packed and shipped here the other day. It's just now arrived."

"Bruce," Lex stated. With a sigh, he clapped Alfred on the back and started peeking into the already moved-in boxes. Over near the grandfather clock, there was a thin crate that made Lex do a double take. He walked over to it, and after a moment figured out what it must be.

He patted the crate before moving on to the other boxes.

***

"What's this, Lex?" Lian asked, holding up a thick, black strap out of the box.

Lex smiled. "My camera," he replied, turning back towards the many boxes of books he'd been sorting through. "There was a time when I fancied myself a true photographer in the making." Lex glanced back at Lian, before saying, "Unfortunately, I became more interested in the camera itself and the chemicals one used than in the aesthetic aspect. That's when I knew it was time to get out of the darkroom and back into the lab."

Lian laughed and yanked on the strap of the camera bag, eventually managing to dislodge the thing from its well-packed niche. Lex turned back to his books, smiling as he heard the bag being unzipped.

"Lex?" came Lin's voice from across the room, and with a slight giddy feeling, Lex looked up again.

"Yeah?" he called back, spotting Lin over by the clock -- standing uneasily in front of the large crate.

"Is this-- Uh, where do you want this?" Lin sounded nervous, and he kept an eye on the crate like he thought it might bite him.

"Why don't you open it, Lin?" Lex asked. He set the stack of books in his hand down on the floor, and slowly crossed the distance over to Lin. When he'd come up beside him, Lex said, "We can open it together."

Lin turned his head to look at Lex, furrowed brow and down-turned mouth showing his discomfort. Lex just laid a hand on his shoulder and gave him a reassuring smile.

"I'll go get a hammer," Lex said, starting to move away. "Maybe a crowbar, or something-- "

Lin's hand darted out, grabbing Lex's arm and stopping him. Searching out Lin's eyes, Lex was surprised by the sudden smugness he saw there.

"I don't think we'll be needing those," was all Lin said with a smirk. "Lian!" he shouted, beckoning the boy over when Lian looked up. Setting the old camera down carefully, Julian got to his feet quickly, bounding over and coming to a stop on Lex's other side.

"Yeah?" he asked, looking between Lex, Lin and the crate curiously.

"I just wanted you to see this," Lin responded. Releasing Lex's arm and moving closer to the crate, Lin bent down slightly and placed a hand on either side of a seam in the wood. He took a slow, deep inhalation of breath, then, with a loud crack, ripped the wooden case apart. The wood easily splintered and broke away, and within ten seconds all that was left standing was a large, sheet-wrapped rectangle. Lin shuffled back to stand even with Lex and Lian, the pieces of the former crate littering the tile floor.

"What are we looking at?" Lian asked quietly. When Lex looked down at him, Lian was tilting his head to the side and squinting, like if he could just find the right angle it would all make sense. Lex chuckled, still looking at him, and Lian jerked his head up with scowl and gave Lex a little shove with his hands. "Well, you tell me what we're doing, then," he said, with a pout.

"It's a drawing Lin did a long time ago," Lex said. "Lin?" he asked, waiting until he looked over before continuing. In a softer voice, "I think you should unwrap it. It's your drawing, after all."

Lin shook his head with a frown. "No, it's yours," he replied. "I gave it to you. That makes it yours."

Lex quirked his lips up, amused by Lin's logic. With a shrug, he took the few steps to the painting and slowly undid the wrapping. When he'd loosened it enough, Lex gave one final tug and the entire thing fell away, leaving--

It was Lian's gasp that made Lex step back. From his angle, from where'd he'd been standing -- clutching that sheet tight in his hands -- Lex had been face-to-face with her. With Mom.

He stepped back and took in the whole of the drawing. It was a large one, all right. Lex remembered marveling at how big it was when Colin had given it to him for Christmas that year.

Their first Christmas together. Lex had been 11, and Lin was just four. Or thereabouts.

"When'd you do this, Lin?" Julian asked. His voice was only a little above a whisper, and Lex wrapped an arm around the boy's shoulders.

"That first Christmas," Lin answered. "I gave it to Lex. And to Mom. I thought-- " He paused, and Lex looked over at him. Lin was frowning again, but not in anger or frustration or confusion. Lex could tell that much. "I thought we could all look at it," Colin murmured. "And we'd all smile, and it'd hang somewhere for years and the next year I could do another one, with all of us in it -- Lex and Mom, and me, even Da--  . . . and then the new baby who was coming. . . but-- " Lin stopped, shaking his head and looking away. He turned his head and took another one of those deep breaths. Then, without looking at Lex or Lian, he said, "I'm going to go see if Liza needs anything," and left.

Lex watched Lin climb the stairs steadily, but didn't miss the fact that the teen's hands were clenched into fists at his side. With a one-armed hug to Lian, Lex said, "I haven't even looked at it since then." He felt Lian's eyes on him, glancing down briefly before going on. "I put it away after Mom died, and never looked at it again." He gave a low chuckle. "And here I thought I'd be the one who'd break first."

"She's beautiful," Lian said, his voice soft with wonder and sadness.

Lex nodded, squeezing him close. He looked towards the stairs again, now empty, and said, "She was the most amazing woman I've ever known."

***

After sorting through everything, Lex sent Lian off to clean up and headed towards Bruce's room to do the same. When he drew closer to the door, though, he heard voices -- angry voices -- and ended up coming to a stop in the middle of the hallway.

It felt wrong to eavesdrop, but it was Lin shouting, Bruce shrugging him off and being all defensive about his actions. Lex knew it was wrong, but that didn't make his feet move.

" --and next time you're going to end up with more than 'just a cut.'" That was Lin mocking Bruce, which was a sure-fire way to piss the man off.

"It happens. You expect me to just give up because I got hurt? I got hurt; I'll heal. I also cut my hair and it grows back. I shave every day -- well, not today, but you get my point-- "

"Fine," Lin said, and Lex could hear the strain in his voice even from out here. "You get murdered tonight -- cos don't think I'm stupid enough to believe you're staying in bed -- and I'll have to be the one who tells Lex. Who makes sure he knows you're not coming back, you selfish prick."

There was a pause, where Lex could tell Bruce had said something, but couldn't make out the exact words, which was then followed by Lin demanding, "What'd you say?" in a cold voice.

"Oh, come on," Bruce replied, sarcastically. "You say you're not stupid, that you know me so well. Well, it works both ways, Lin. Green is a good color on you, you know. Brings out those pretty eyes so nicely."

"I'm not jealous! I'm concerned. Though there's no reason why you should know that, considering you've never had anyone care about you. Right? Big, bad Bruce Wayne is all alone in this harsh world. No one loves him, the poor billionaire. What a crock of shit."

"Maybe you'd better take your teenage temper tantrum somewhere else," Bruce replied. Lex recognized it as part of the man's 'calm mask.' The calm in the eye of the storm, that was.

"I knew him first!" Colin shouted. "I've known him longer, and losing you is not something he'd just get over-- "

"Loved him first, you mean." There was another pause, then Bruce added, "Loved him longer, love him more. Stop me when I overstep."

"I love Lex, yes," Lin said, and Lex felt the urge to put a hand over his own mouth to hide how fast he was breathing. Jesus Christ. "I've loved him for years. But that's not the point, and you know it. You're scared, and you're hurt and you're still harboring the belief that no one loves you! And I am here because you need to realize how completely fucking wrong you are."

"Why, do you love me, Lin? Do you look up to me and respect me and-- ?"

"Yes, I do! I fucking love you! And you know Lex does, and Alfred and Julian, and that lady lawyer Rachel. . . Jesus Christ, Bruce. You're not the only one who's had bad shit happen to him."

Another pause, during which Lex quietly walked over to the wall and leaned against it heavily. He brought his hands up to his face and ran them over and over his head. He clenched them into fists and willed himself to just walk away. Walk away, he told himself.

Walk away.

"Colin, just leave it alone," Bruce said, and there was a certain tone in his voice that made Lex especially nervous. Bruce used to get into fights at school. At Excelsior, he was often called 'The Psycho.' Crazy Wayne. But it wasn't his nickname that got Bruce riled up. It was when the other boys picked on someone smaller, some poor nerdy kid who had no clue how to defend himself.

Lex had been 'The Freak,' and every time someone called him that around Bruce. . . that was when Bruce proved his nickname remarkably apt.

"Leave, now, and we won't say anything else about this," Bruce was saying. "I'll forget that you ever said-- "

"You'll shut me up, too? Push me away like you do everyone? Like Rachel and Alfred? Like Lex. Your parents were killed, Bruce. That doesn't mean you have to be dead, too."

And with that, Lex could tell Lin was walking away -- leaving the room and coming straight towards him.

As quickly and quietly as he could, Lex scuttled down the hallway, jerking open a door on the left and throwing himself through it. And slowly, slowly, trying desperately to be as sneaky as he could, Lex eased the door closed behind him. Please, God, don't let Lin have seen me, he thought. Don't let him know I was there.

Lex stayed in that room -- some semi-dusty guest room -- for over an hour. He sat on the floor, against the wall, and never fully closed the door at his elbow, afraid that somehow, even 70 minutes later, Bruce would hear it if he did, and know Lex had been listening.

Lex sat there, sweaty, dirty, and kept replaying what he'd heard of the conversation over and over in his head.

He loved Lin, too. But he knew neither Bruce nor Lin had meant it in the same way. . .

***

"Did you have a car there, too?" Lian asked. His food had been abandoned about 20 minutes ago in favor of asking Lex endless questions about Boston and all the things he'd kept at his house. Julian was poised on the end of his chair, staring at Lex in avid fascination as he related stories of his neighbors and daily life in that city. "What was it? One of those fast ones? Or like Alfred's car, maybe? The-- the Rolls?"

"I drove a silver Porsche," Lex replied, with a bemused smile. Lian looked as excited and happy as a puppy, like he was one step away from wagging his tail. "Actually-- Alfred?" Lex said, turning to get the other man's attention. "Is that being delivered, too? Or what did Bruce have planned, do you know?"

"I believe it's being flown in tomorrow, sir. Along with Master Julian's birthday presents and a special surprise for Master Colin." Alfred looked smug, and Lex would swear the man had just winked at him.

"Presents?" Lian squealed, his face as bright as a Christmas morning. "Bruce got me presents?"

"Oh, I'm sure of it," Lex said, grinning.

"And Lin gets something, too!" Lian enthused. "What do you think it is, Lin? Did he get you a. . . a horse?"

Lex watched Lin's face break into a grin, as the teen turned to Lian and put on a thoughtful expression.

"Maybe a. . . rocket ship?" he guessed.

"A whole skyscraper," Lian suggested, before hiding his laughter behind his hands. "He's having the whole thing flo-- flown here," he said, in between giggles.

"Maybe it's a. . . dog," Lin said. His face was vaguely wistful before he caught Lian's eyes again and added, "You know, one of those Shih Tzus."

Lian just laughed even harder, his face turning red and his little body shaking.

"Yeah," Lin continued, nodding. "I'm pretty sure Bruce knows how much I love Shih Tzus, and decided to get me one out of the kindness of his heart. . . "

There was a wheezing sound coming from Lian, and Lex grew a little concerned -- hazy memories of his own asthma attacks running through his mind. But Lian was just out of breath from laughing. As the boy dropped his hands and sucked in a lungful of air, Lex himself released some of his worry on an exhale. It was good to see the two of them laughing and playing, especially Lin. And considering what Lex had overheard in the hallway earlier, it was also gratifying to know that no matter how upset or angry Lin was with Bruce -- with anybody, Lex would guess -- he'd never take that frustration out on Lian. Not that Lex had ever really thought he would, but. . . it was just good to have proof.

"If I may, sirs?" Alfred asked, bracing his hands on the table top as he leaned forward. There was a small conspiring sort of smile on the butler's face, and Lex caught the man's eye and, with a lifted eyebrow, returned the wink from a few moments ago. "I believe the surprise in question bears a certain kinship with Master Lex's Porsche."

"A. . . car?" Lin asked, incredulously. "He bought me a car?" Lin looked to Lex, confusion written all over his face. "Why?"

"For your birthday?" Lian suggested. Then shaking his head, the boy said, "But that was back in August."

"Not always," Lex said. Sharing a look with Lin, he went on. "Used to be, Lin celebrated his birthday with Mom." Lex shrugged. "Perhaps Bruce hopes to reclaim that tradition."

Lin smirked. "Works for me," he said, leaning back in his chair and crossing his arms over his chest. "This way, I get two birthdays this year. . . and never have to share one again."

Lex nodded, understanding. "So," he said after a moment. "Who're you going to have teach you to drive?"

Lin smiled. "Hey, Alfred?" he asked, eyes still on Lex's, "you busy tomorrow?"

***

When Lex went up to check on Bruce after dinner, he walked in on the man's pitiful attempts to get out of bed. Bruce was standing. . . sort of. He had one hand braced on the mattress, his other clutching at his side, and was breathing like he'd just run a marathon.

"You're one stupid son-of-a-bitch," Lex said in a conversational tone from the doorway. Bruce's head darted up, showing Lex eyes half-closed in pain and a bottom lip torn bloody.

"Lex. . . " Bruce started, but he gasped halfway through whatever he'd been about to say and Lex strode over to him quickly. He came around behind Bruce, wrapping an arm around him and trying to get him back into the bed.

"Now's not the time," Lex told him. He managed to gently push Bruce back so that he was sitting, then bent down and brought the man's legs up onto the mattress as well. Taking another look at how pale Bruce was, Lex reached over and poured a glass of water from the pitcher on the night table. Alfred, he guessed, thinking it just like the butler to make sure everything was right there. "Batman is taking a holiday. And Bruce is staying in this bed until he can get out of it without whimpering."

"I didn't whimper," Bruce muttered sullenly. But he took the glass of water Lex offered him.

"You gonna keep trying, or can you finally see the problem with this situation?"

Bruce just met Lex's frown with one of his own, sipping at the water in between heavy sighs. Lex, himself, sighed, then turned to pull up a chair, dragging it next to the bed and sitting down.

"You really need to just heal," Lex said. "You won't do anyone any good this way. Well," he said, after a moment's consideration. "The criminals you try to stop might thank you."

"I get it," Bruce replied tersely. "No more escapes."

Lex snorted and said, "Like you could! I'm sure we'd hear your bitter rants as you tried to navigate those stairs. . . have to apologize to Liza for a week. You forget, I've seen you pissed off before. You curse worse than a sailor."

Bruce's lips twitched, which was all Lex had been hoping for. He stretched out his legs, shifting in the chair to a more comfortable way of sitting.

"So," Lex said, trying for distracted. "Most of my stuff arrived today. From my place in Boston." He waited for a reaction, but all Bruce did was blink at him. "When'd you arrange that?"

"Last week," Bruce replied after a brief hesitation. "It was obvious that you weren't going back there, so I. . . figured I'd help out."

Lex nodded, smirking. "Well, thank you. It'd totally escaped my mind. With everything else that's been going on, I just. . . " He trailed off, meeting Bruce's eyes and seeing the understanding there.

"You're welcome." Bruce slowly slid down the headboard, coming to a stop when his head could rest on the pillows. "I'm supposed to be tired, aren't I?" he asked.

Lex shrugged. "I guess. I mean, that's what I'd think, but. . . you aren't?"

Bruce shook his head a little, his hair rasping on the pillow. "No, not really."

"You in any pain?" Lex asked, then felt like hitting himself for the sheer stupidity of the question. "I mean, do you want me to get you something?"

Bruce smirked. "What, have Colin come up here and shoot me up again?"

Lex winced, and tried to smile. "Bruce Wayne: Morphine Addict. You should have that leaked to the press. Then it would really be inconceivable that you were the Batman, all doped up and incoherent," he teased.

"Lex?"

"I still find it amusing that everyone buys this whole facade of yours. All that media attention you used to get -- remember that article a few years back? The one that White guy did? About how you, Queen and I were all too messed up to be trusted with our respective companies?" Lex shook his head and chuckled. "And now they're all doing a double-take with Luthorcorp, and you no longer look like a sociopath. Now you're just another good-for-nothing playboy with too much time and money on his han--"

"Lex, quit stalling," Bruce said quietly.

" --ds. What?"

Bruce just raised an eyebrow at him. "You're stalling, which means something's being mulled over in that head of yours quite seriously. What is it?"

"No," Lex protested. "No, I was just trying to distract you. You said you didn't want any more morphine, so I thought getting your mind off it would help. With the pain."

"Is this about Colin?" Bruce asked, staring at Lex's face intently.

Lex didn't know what expression was on his face, but something gave it away. Bruce sighed heavily and closed his eyes.

"You heard, didn't you?" he asked, finally opening his eyes again and staring at the ceiling.

"I did, yes," Lex said after a moment.

Bruce's lips twitched again, and before Lex knew it the man was. . . smiling.

"What?" Lex asked, confused and mesmerized by that tiny smile. "What's so funny?"

"This has got to be a new record for us," Bruce replied, turning to meet Lex's eyes. "No secrets? Everything out in the open, for all of us." He shook his head and the smile faltered, his expression finally fading back into his usual somberness. "I don't think I could have told you."

"That you love me?" Lex asked gently. "That-- that Lin loves me?"

"He does, you know. He loves you so desperately, with everything he has. Lex," Bruce said, stretching a hand out for him to take. Lex gripped it and Bruce squeezed his hand tightly. "I can't love you the way he does. I can't-- I can't give you everything." He shook his head and his eyes went distant for a moment. "I don't want you to have to see everything there is of me."

"That's bullshit, and you know it," Lex replied heatedly. "You're not some monster, Bruce. I won't run away from you. Ever."

Bruce closed his eyes again. "It's okay. I've seen it coming for awhile now-- "

"What? Me leaving you for-- for Colin?! How is that something that would ever cross your mind? I sure as hell never saw it coming."

Bruce just smiled that smile again, opening his eyes and keeping them focused on the ceiling.

"Talk to him; tell him you know." He turned and met Lex's incredulous stare. "Make him stay."

"What do you mean?"

"We're all so much alike sometimes," Bruce said. "I ran, you ran. Lex," and he squeezed his hand again. "Don't let Lin run, too. Make him stay," he repeated, then moved his hand away. Bruce closed his eyes again. "I think I'm actually tired now," he murmured. And sure enough, a few moments later, Bruce's breathing evened out and he was asleep.

***

Lex sat at Bruce's bedside for awhile, before rising and leaving the room. He didn't really intend to seek out Lin, but somehow ended up in the entertainment room anyway. Earlier over dinner, Lian had said he and Lin were going to watch some tv tonight, something Lionel had never allowed them. Lex well remembered all the rants and lectures they'd each had growing up, about it rotting the brain and making them imbeciles. He also remembered that the first few days he and Bruce had lived together in their house outside Princeton, Lex had flipped through the channels on their television set every chance he got.

So when Lex entered the dimly lit room, he naturally expected two people. Instead, there were four -- Lian, Lin, Alfred, and Liza. Alfred was reclining in one of the lush leather chairs, and as Lex came farther into the room he smiled tiredly. Lin was sitting in the middle of the couch, Lian on his left, engrossed in the tv, and Liza on his right. She met Lex's eyes and raised her eyebrows, her gaze pointedly shifting down to the head resting on her shoulder.

Lin was asleep on Liza's shoulder, and Lex smiled.

"Hey," he said, coming up to Lian and laying a hand on the kid's shoulder. On the tv, some cops were busting into a warehouse, guns blazing. "Whatcha watching, Kiddo?"

Lian, eyes still riveted to the screen, replied distractedly, "Law & Order. I like it. They catch bad guys."

"They don't always, Julian," Liza said quietly. "Sometimes the criminals get away. And sometimes the suspects aren't even guilty."

Lian shrugged, rubbing his shoulders against the back of the couch as though his shirt were too tight. "I like it when they're sent to prison," he said, and Lex felt himself shiver at the coldness of Lian's voice.

"So," Lex said into the silence. "I can see Lin found it as equally stimulating."

Liza smiled and looked down at her charge. "He must have been just exhausted. Barely made it through the opening sequence before he was out." She looked up at Lex and asked, "How's Bruce?"

Lex smiled. "Sleeping, as well," he told her.

She raised her eyebrows, and her lips quirked up a little. "Well," she mused, turning back to the tv. "Well."

"There's another one after this," Lian said quietly when the program went to commercial. He met Lex's eyes and asked, "You wanna stay and watch with us?" He sounded warily hopeful. With his previous thoughts of Lionel and Lionel's rules still plaguing him, Lex wanted to make sure Lian knew it was okay to watch tv.

He wanted to show them that he wasn't. . . like Lionel in any way.

***

Lex went to bed that night around midnight, staying up with Liza and Alfred long after Lian had gone to bed. Lin had remained sound asleep until about 11:30, when he woke with a flinch and a stifled scream. Liza had taken him upstairs then, a calming hand on his shoulder as she guided him out of the room.

Then Alfred made his excuses and Lex was all alone again.

When he woke up the next morning, Bruce was gone. Lex went to the bathroom and followed his morning rituals, dressed, and at 8:43 left the master bedroom on his way down to the kitchen. But as he came closer to the doors, Lex became aware of panicked voices coming from inside. Picking up his pace, he pushed his way into the kitchen, coming to a stop just inside the doorway.

" --just calm down, okay? Deep breaths and we'll figure this out. There's no need to panic, Colin. Just keep breathi-- "

" --what it is! Why can't I see, Alfred? Lin? Lin, what's wrong? We should get Lex here. He'd know what to-- "

" --now, Master Colin, please. This isn't doing anybody any good. You just sit back down and I'll go and fetch your brother, yes? Would that be-- "

"Have you seen this?!" Lin shouted from across the room. His wide eyes were pinned on Lex, and he looked to be in the middle of a panic attack. In Lin's hand was a tightly-rolled newspaper, and Lex had a guess as to what might have set him off.

"Seen what, Lin?" Lex replied in his calmest, most soothing tone of voice.

"This!" he screamed, throwing the rolled-up paper at him. Lex caught it and Lin began pacing, yanking at his hair and breathing erratically.

"Lin, you need to calm down, okay?" Lex said. He slowly walked closer to him, noticing Liza had kept Lian on the far side of the room and that Alfred had started moving away, too. That left Lex and Lin in close proximity, as the teen came pacing closer to Lex. "I don't care what's in here," he said, holding up the newspaper. "First thing is, you have to calm down."

"You don't care?!" Lin screeched, coming to an abrupt stop in front of Lex. He stared at him in shock, and again Lin raised his hands to his head, his fingers digging into his short hair and tugging at it almost unconsciously.

"Whatever it is, it's not worth you getting this upset over," Lex said. If he could just get him to stop ripping at his hair, then--

Lin gave a tearing, grating laugh then said, "It's all in there, Lex." He met Lex's eyes and there was such hopelessness there. Lin's eyes were dead again, just like they used to be, like they hadn't been for weeks now. "All the charges they're pressing against him. Stuff about me and what-- what he did." He dropped his hands down in a defeated manner, then raised his left one to shakily point at the paper in Lex's hands. "All of it, in there."

Lex shook his head and sighed. "It still doesn't change anything." Lin hung his head, and Lex leaned over in an attempt to catch his eyes. "It doesn't change how I see you."

Lin laughed that humorless laugh again, raising his head and staring at Lex like he was a stranger.

"You say that now. . . " he murmured, shaking his head. With lightning-quick movement, Lin pushed past Lex and hurtled out of the kitchen.

"Is it bad?" came Lian's scared voice, and Lex looked over at him sadly.

"I don't know," Lex replied. He slowly trudged over to the table, dropping into a chair and unfolding the newspaper. "I didn't even look. I was too focused on getti-- Oh, shit."

"I tried to hide it this morning, sir," Alfred said. "But Master Colin cheerfully took it away from me when I did. Said he wanted to read the comics to Master Julian."

"Damn, damn, damn," Lex whispered. He scanned the article -- a reprint of one originally turned in to The Daily Planet.

'Luthor House of Horror: DA Charges Lionel Luthor with Incest and Sexual Abuse.'

"Where would he go, Lian?" Lex asked, raising his head and looking at his brother sadly.

Lian shrugged. His eyes looked wet and Lex reached over to pull him into a hug. "Maybe the library?" Lian suggested, his head pressed into Lex's neck.

"Yeah," Lex sighed, squeezing Lian tight. "Yeah, we'll check there first."

Over Lian's back, Lex's eyes darted down to the article again. And he mentally flipped off the byline.

When he got his hands on Thom Aerson, Lex was gonna make sure the man knew just how much damn trouble and pain his articles had caused them.

***

Interrupt

Dad was shouting and Lian didn't know what to do. He was stuck standing in front of his chair, too afraid to move for fear that he'd get yelled at, too.

" --you'd better!" Dad was saying. His voice had gone softer now, but Lian knew he was still angry. Just cos Dad wasn't screaming, didn't mean he wasn't mad. "I won't have this happening anymore. I just won't. You hear me?" he demanded, reaching out and grabbing Lin's chin. "Hel-looo? Anyone in there?"

Lin jerked his head, trying to get Dad's hand off him. It didn't work, though. Their father just smiled, still holding Lin's head up and staring at him.

"Yes," Lin whispered. "I hear you. Sir. No more field trips."

"Field trips," Dad snorted. He shook his head and Lian scrunched a little farther into the corner of the room. "You expect me to believe that? You were only, what? Taking him to the zoo? Showing him the Museum of Art downtown?" He moved even closer to Lin, shaking Lin's head and his pleasant, soft voice disappeared. Dad's voice became mean and nasty again, and his face fell into a snarl. Lian thought he looked like a hissing snake. "You know the rules, my boy. Nothing, ever. I leave them alone, and you do as I say." He shook Lin again by the chin, his hand squeezing so hard Lian saw red marks appear on his brother's face when Dad's hand shifted slightly.

"I did," Lin whispered. He'd dropped his eyes down, like he always told Lian to do. 'Don't look, Lian,' he'd say. 'Don't make him see you.' "We just went to see a movie. Nothing happened-- "

"Don't lie to me!" Dad shouted suddenly. Lian jumped, and when he looked, Dad's head was still right up in Lin's face. He'd shouted right in Lin's face, and Lian thought he saw something wet on his brother's cheeks. Spit, he realized, fisting his hands into his pant legs.

"Wanting to make an example, are we?" Lin asked in a low voice. It wasn't a whisper anymore, and when Lian glanced up again, he saw Lin looking at him from out of the corners of his eyes. "Or did you just forget he's still here?"

Dad suddenly whipped his head over to Lian, and Lian flinched before he could stop it. He dropped his eyes just like Lin said to and held his breath.

"Julian," Dad said shortly. Lian hesitantly looked up, darting his head back down once he'd seen his father's angry eyes glaring straight at him. "Julian, look at me." Lian raised his head, biting his lip as he met Dad's eyes. "Where did you go today? Did you have fun with your. . . brothers?" Dad was still squeezing Lin's face, but all his attention seemed to be on Lian. Like he'd forgotten that Lin was even there.

"I-- I don't. . . " Lian stuttered. "I don't know what-- what you mean, Father. Sir." He couldn't keep the eye contact, his head dropping down again. "I just. . . we went, and Lin and I stopped at the theatre, sir. And-- "

"Julian!" his father shouted, and Lian's head jerked up. "Where did you go today, and don't lie to me." He turned his head and snarled into Lin's face, "I won't stand for my sons lying to me."

Lin made a snorting sound, and Lian saw Dad's eyes narrow even more.

"We went. . . to the movies, I swear," Lian whispered. Dad was still glaring at Lin, so Lian kept talking. "It was a kids' movie, abou-- about a boy and a big robot. And-- and I got popcorn. We just. . . " His father's gaze landed on him again, and Lian pleaded, whispering, "We went to the movie, Father."

And then it was like his father was a whole other person. He smiled and stepped back from Lin, releasing Lin's face as he started coming closer to Lian.

"Oh, Lian," he said, that nice smile still on his face. Dad reached down a hand -- the same one that'd just been squeezing Lin's face -- and rested it on Lian's shoulder. He gently squeezed, and Lian flinched, terrified that Dad was going to yell in his face and spit on him and bruise him like he'd done to Lin. "I believe you, son. Don't worry, everything's fine. Why don't you run along now and see what your new nanny is doing?"

Lian kept his head down. "New-- new nanny?" he asked quietly. "Where's-- what happened to Susan?"

Dad's hand squeezed him again, as he replied, "She wasn't right for us, my boy. It became apparent to me that she just wasn't a good fit, so I found you a new one -- someone who I think is going to prove a very wise choice. You go along now," he said, releasing Lian and standing up straight. As Lian quickly moved towards the door, he risked a look up, seeing Dad's eyes on him and Lin's bruised face looking sad. Lin moved one of his hands gently, motioning towards the door.

And Lian was so scared that he just left -- as soon as he had closed the door behind himself, he started running down the hallway. Left Lin alone, to take the blame for Lian getting to see Lex.

***

Lin came into his room later that night. He knocked first, then slowly pushed the door open and stuck his head around the frame.

"Hey," Lin said uncertainly, but Lian sat up on his bed and waved his brother over.

When Lin sat down next to him, Lian scooted closer and wrapped himself around him. And Lin just went along with it. He moved his arms up to cradle Lian closer, resting his head on top of Lian's and gently rocking him back and forth.

"I'm sorry," Lian said into Lin's shirt.

"Don't be," Lin told him. "I wanted to take you."

"But-- but if I hadn't asked, you wouldn't have, and then Lex-- "

Lin's arms tightened and he said, "Shhhh," real low and quiet. "Don't talk about it," he whispered.

"Lin?" Lian asked, pulling his head away from Lin's chest and trying to get a look at his face. "Why not? What's the matter?"

But Lin just turned his head away, and in the darkness of Lian's dimly lit bedroom, very little of his face was visible.

"Lin," he repeated, but his brother just 'shh-ed' him again and kept on rocking him. "Thank you," Lian finally whispered some time later.

"You deserve only the best," Lin whispered back.

***

Lex had called on a Friday. It was smart, the best time, really. Dad left around eight every morning, and the house staff was always smaller on Fridays. Lian was happy because at first he thought Lex was calling to tell him he was coming home. It was the first week of May, and he knew Lex got done earlier each year than he did. Maybe Lex was gonna stay here for the summer?

But that wasn't it. Lex did want to see Lian, though. That's really what the phone call was about. He wanted to meet Lian somewhere in the city, take him out and hang together all day -- away from Dad, and 'Dad's little spy.'

It took Lian nearly the whole conversation to figure out that Lex meant Lin when he said that.

But. . .  but he just wanted to see Lex so badly that he didn't. . . ask about why Lex was saying that, calling Lin untrue names and kind of being a jerk. Everyone was always fighting now. Lian knew Lex and Dad were somehow arguing, even with Lex now in Boston all the time. And Dad and Lin were always glaring at each other, and Dad kept grabbing at Lin all the time and then Lin would try to push him off because he hated it when Dad touched him and. . . And now Lex and Lin were fighting, or something, and Lian just didn't want to fight anymore. So he ignored how mean Lex was being, instead focusing only on the fact that he wanted to see him.

"The trick, Lian," Lex had said, "is sneaking out when everyone already thinks you're gone. Mention that you're. . . I don't know, going to the movies with one of your friends, or something. That way, none of the people in the house have reason to get anxious when they don't find you. Hell, ask Dad's permission, if you want. He never checks up on that kind of stuff, anyway."

Lian had said "yes," and that he would. "Sure, Lex." And then they'd agreed on the movie theatre on 4th and Grant at 11:40 a.m. Lex had told Lian he loved him, said, "I can't wait to see you again, Kiddo!" and soon after they'd hung up.

It was only later that he got to thinking. Rather than just saying he was going with Graham or Sammy to the movies, Lian wondered if maybe. . . ?

Since it was a Friday, Lin was home. He stayed home all day on Fridays, and a couple nights ago at dinner, Dad had even told Lin to look out for Lian because he didn't have school this Friday. Lian's teachers had asked when his father would be coming in to see them, when to expect Mr. Luthor, but Lian had just told them that he didn't know. Evidently, all the parents were supposed to go talk to the teachers today, and Lian felt sad. He knew Dad wouldn't go. He was too busy to just stop and go over to Lian's school.

But he and Lin had eaten breakfast late together. Then Lin asked Lian if it was okay if he went and worked on some of his assignments, that they'd meet up later and have the whole afternoon to hang out. Lin didn't go to school, really, but he still had homework. An older man had been here earlier for a little while, and he'd seen Lian in the hallway and smiled kindly at him.

"You must be Lian," he'd said, and Lian had smiled. Only Lex and Lin really called him Lian, and this man must have been one of Lin's tutors. Sometimes Dad did say Lian instead of Julian, but that was only after he'd. . . yelled, so he didn't think that really counted. Most of the time, Dad just looked at him, told Lin to look after 'his brother,' and went back to reading his paper or eating or talking on the phone.

"Can you tell me where Colin is, by chance?" the man had asked. He'd dropped down on his knees, so Lian could look at him face-to-face since he was still so short. "I have some additional books I wanted to give him, and I didn't want to wait for Tuesday."

Lian had nodded and smiled again. "He's upstairs in the library," he'd told the man. "And he's working really hard on that essay. I went in to give him some of Cook's scones -- for a snack, like she said -- and he was writing a lot."

The man had smiled and looked really happy when Lian said that. He'd reached out and lightly patted Lian's shoulder, getting back to his feet and switching his briefcase to the other hand. Lian thought it looked heavy and figured the books he'd mentioned must be in there.

"Thank you, Lian," he'd said. Then he'd smiled again and started walking up the stairs to the library.

And Lian thought that later, after the nice tutor had left and Lin was done with his studies, he'd ask Lin to take him to the movies next Saturday.

To the theatre on 4th and Grant at 11:40 a.m.

***

He didn't know when Lin had figured it out, only that he had. Last night, he'd come into Lian's room to give him some money. "In case you get separated from him," he'd said, and Lian had looked at him in shock.

"But. . . Lin, I don't-- "

"It's okay," Lin had said. He'd sat down on the bed next to Lian and reached out to ruffle his hair, smiling when Lian batted his hand away. "I just want you to be able to get back here okay." Then Lin had shrugged and said, "Just in case."

And when Lian had been thinking it out, planning how he'd get all three of them in the same movie theatre at the same time, he'd deliberately ignored the little voice in his head that wondered if maybe Lex wouldn't be all that happy to see Lin. Maybe he'd just leave and walk away when he saw Lian and Lin get out of the taxi together.

So, instead, Lian just pretended it would all work out, and come Saturday had nearly managed to convince himself. He and Lin left the house around 11, plenty of time to get to the theatre and find Lex before the show started at noon. The taxi was driven by an Indian man with a thick accent, and Lian started talking to him just to hear him speak. The car eventually slowed down in front of the old Prairie Theatre, and Lian started looking around for Lex.

"D'you boys be careful now," the taxi driver said, looking worriedly at them through the rear view mirror. Lin just handed him a wad of money, not even looking to see how much he'd given. As the nice driver said something in surprise, Lin herded Lian out of the cab, getting him out and closing the door before the Indian man could say anything else.

"You see him anywhere?" Lian asked quietly. He stayed close by Lin's side, as there were a lot of people around. Lots of kids, he saw, his age and younger, standing in line with their parents and grandparents. Lian felt a little sad and envious as he looked at one family. The Mom had bright red hair and the father was wearing glasses and there were two older people with white hair talking to the kids. They all had smiles on, and Lian wished he and Lin could have that. And Lex, too.

"Lian," he heard, and looked up. Lin was bending over slightly, looking at him with a serious expression and making sure he had Lian's attention before going on. "Lex is over there to the left, by the cafe." He leaned over even more, wrapping his arms around Lian and hugging him close. "I'll see you at home, okay? Be safe."

And then, before Lian could even ask him why he was leaving, Lin started walking away. Lian turned his head to watch him, his mouth still hanging open in confusion as he saw Lin gradually just slip away into the crowd.

"Lian!"

He turned around again, seeing Lex coming towards him in a hurry. Lex was grinning and he was wearing jeans and a ball cap, which made Lian smile. He walked forward, meeting Lex halfway, and his brother swept him up in a tight hug.

When he set him down again, Lian pointed at Lex's hat and grinned. "What's that doing there?" he asked. "You never wear hats."

Lex leaned down with a smile to whisper in his ear, "I'm in disguise. Don't want any of these soccer moms to recognize me." Pulling back, he winked at Lian and ruffled his hair. Lian just smiled.

"So whaddya say we go in?" Lex asked. He drew Lian closer to his body with a hand on his shoulder, guiding him towards the ticket booth.

"Yeah," Lian said. "There are a lot of people here. . . "

"Best get our seats, then," Lex said cheerfully. They stopped in front of the small glass enclosure and Lex reached back to pull out his wallet. "One adult, and one child for 'The Iron Giant,'" he told the man inside. There was the sound of something whirring and then two tickets came shooting out, the theatre man grabbing them and ripping them off. He slid them under the glass to Lex, and in return Lex gave him some money. Lex nodded to the man, before slipping his wallet back into his pocket and guiding Lian to the entrance. "You want some popcorn, Lian?" he asked, as they slowed down in front of the concessions. "I could go for some. . . "

"Sure," Lian said. "And-- and a soda, maybe?"

Lex looked at him and smiled again, a bit sadly this time, and Lian wondered what he'd said to make Lex look like that.

"Anything for my kid brother," he said as he went back to scanning the list. "Only the best. . . "

And Lian looked out the front windows and wished that Lin could have been there, too.

***

" --and may I ask why you are canceling today's session?" Daniel's voice asked. There was an audible sigh over the telephone line, and then the man went on. "Lex, you know this is important -- for all of you, but especially Colin. And. . . in light of that article that was printed yesterday, getting him to talk, to truly confront what's happened to him. . . it's even more crucial."

"Look," Lex jumped in. "I get that. I really do. And we're not just giving up or slacking off. Lin's sick, okay? He was in the bathroom puking his guts out all night, and now that he's finally asleep, I'm not gonna wake him up and drag him downtown so that he can talk. What he needs now is rest, is some calm and quiet. Daniel, I'm sorry, but we're really not coming to the appointment."

There was a brief silence, then Daniel sighed again and said, "Yeah. Yeah, we'll reschedule it for, what? Monday? That'd be two days."

"I'll give you a call when Lin's feeling better. But, yes, probably by Monday, I would think."

"Take care, then," Daniel said seriously. "And, Lex?"

"Yeah?" he asked warily.

"Spend a little more time than usual with Colin these next few days. After that article. . . well, he'll need some reassurance from you and Julian that he's still loved. Don't let him push you away, either. Really hang around, yeah?"

Lex swallowed. "Yeah, I'll be sure to do that. Talk to you in a few days."

"Till then," Daniel replied. And he hung up.

Lex snapped his phone closed and dropped his head into his hands. It felt like playing hookey, to call Daniel and slough off going to their session today, but what else was he supposed to do? Lex and Lian couldn't very well show up without Lin, and Lin. . . didn't look to be returning any time soon.

He wasn't in the house. Lex doubted he was even still in Gotham. Lin was gone, had been gone for -- he looked at his watch -- 28 hours, four minutes and counting. And Lex hadn't even repeated his mistake from the last time Lin had disappeared. Then, he'd been so caught up in figuring out where Colin could have gone that he forgot the most important person in Lin's life: Julian. Colin trusted Lian more than anyone else on this planet, and little Lian had definitely seemed to know where Lin had run off to last time. So Lex had asked him right off the bat yesterday where he thought his older brother had gone. And Lian had suggested the library, the grounds, the pool. He'd said to look for the sunniest room in the manor, that Lin loved the sun.

No Lin anywhere. And when Lex had pressed, when he'd caught Lian's eyes and asked him point-blank, "Where did he go last time, Lian?" there'd been no definite response. Julian was keeping it a secret, wouldn't be budged. And Lex was growing tired of guessing games.

"Just think, Lex," Julian had said. It had sounded like pleading, like he was begging Lex to figure it out himself. But he couldn't. Didn't Lian get that? If Lex could have gotten it by now, then he would have! If he knew where Lin was right this minute, he'd go and get him, follow him and beg him to come back. Lex would tell Lin the truth. Anything he wanted to know, Lex would tell him -- the feelings he had for him, the reasons why he'd left, every single bad or mean thing he'd ever done. If only Lin would come back. . .

"Think of where he'd feel safe," Lian had told him. "If he's not here, then where would he go?"

Not here. And Lin wouldn't go back to. . . Dad, would he? No, he thought decisively. He'd never do that. So the house and the Centre were out. Lin was fast, he could run. . . anywhere in the world maybe, but to where had he been that he would want to return? Metropolis. If Colin wasn't in Gotham, then he would be in Metropolis. And what special places were there in the city? Where would be a safe place for him?

Jameson's house was Lex's first guess, but he quickly dismissed that as a possibility. He was operating on the assumption that where Lin was right now was the same place he'd run off to back then, and so the Jamesons' home was also out. But where else was there? Lin could have a million little places he liked, and Lex would never know what they were. He'd been gone for years and years. What if Lin ran to a favorite coffee house, or the museum or an art gallery? Lex didn't know, couldn't know about places like those. . .

Lex was sitting in the library, facing the fireplace. Bruce had been using his home office and the library was closer than their bedroom, so Lex had come here to make the call to Daniel. Julian and Liza were outside, traipsing around in the snow again for some sort of educational purpose, no doubt.

But leaning against the mantle on the floor, was the portrait of Lex and their mother, and when he raised his head and saw it, an idea began to form in his mind. It slithered up to him, unfolding gradually. What if-- what if Lin had gone to see Mom?

It made sense. Lillian had always been a safe harbor for them, growing up. She had loved them, and protected them to some degree from Lionel. She had chased away nightmares and lavished affection on them.

He's gone there, Lex thought. He's gone. . . home.

Lex stood up and slipped his phone back into his pocket. He went to leave the room, but turned back to look at the drawing again. I'll get him, he thought, looking at his mother. I'll bring him back.

***

"So you're just going to jet on back into the city and pick him up?" Bruce asked, the derision in his voice almost palpable. "And what if he's not there? What if, by the time you arrive, Colin has already moved on and truly disappeared? Or if he were never there in the first place? Then you'll be in that city, alone." Bruce shook his head, and the frown already marring his face grew more pronounced. "No, Lex. This is a bad plan. There are too many holes, too much you're leaving to chance and guess-work. I don't like it."

Lex blew out a breath in frustration. "So you're telling me to drive there? Or fly commercially, with the media clawing at the gates even as we speak?" As Bruce opened his mouth to protest, Lex continued. "Because I'm going. If I have to drive half-way across the country, then so be it, but I'd. . . Bruce, please." He brought his hand up to his chest and said, "I know I'm right. I can feel it. He's there, just like he was last time, and I have to save him. I have to bring him back."

"'Save him?'" Bruce repeated back to him, his eyebrows raised in question. "This is about all of it, isn't it? Your guilt is eating you up, and so you jump onto the first thought you have without really questioni-- "

"No, this is not about guilt!" Lex interrupted, yelling. Bruce was sitting behind his desk, his hands resting under his chin as he leaned back in his chair. But when Lex shouted, those hands dropped down and Bruce sat up straight in his seat.

"Everything's always about guilt," Bruce replied angrily. "Everything anybody does is because of guilt. You're being reckless, Lex." He waved his hand and said, "Just dashing back into your father's city on the off-chance Colin's there? By yourself. How is that smart?" Bruce sneered. "How is that genius?"

And Lex just stared at Bruce, seeing him in a new light after all these years. How cynical was it for Bruce to think that, to really believe that people only did things because they felt guilty for some reason or another? How sad was it that Lex knew Bruce truly believed that, too?

"I'm going," he said firmly. "If you won't permit me to use the jet, then may I borrow a car?" Bruce's scowl intensified, but Lex just plowed on. "If not, then I'll call a cab and I'll go to the airport, and I'll book a flight my-goddamn-self! I'll fucking rent a car if I have to, but I. Am. Going."

It was like an old Wild West stand-off, Bruce sitting there glaring at him, and Lex returning it with one of his own. And it was always he who broke first. In the past, Lex always gave in before Bruce, always. But not this time. He'd be damned if he'd just ignore Lin again, just leave him and abandon him and. . .

. . .oh, my God, he thought.

"Oh, my God."

"What?" Bruce asked, the puzzlement clear in his voice. "Lex? What's wrong?" he asked worriedly.

Lex raised his eyes back to Bruce's. "It is because I feel guilty. Because I left him alone and. . . "

Bruce sighed and closed his eyes. Opening them a moment later, he eased himself out of his chair and slowly walked over to stand in front of Lex. Bruce raised his right hand and laid it against Lex's neck. He took another deep breath, then said, "No, I'm sorry. I didn't-- " He shook his head and looked away, seemingly lost in a struggle for the right words. "I didn't mean that." Bruce looked back up into Lex's eyes. "Not about you."

Lex quirked his lips humorlessly. "Yes, you did. It's okay, though," he added quickly, forestalling Bruce's interruption. "You're right. But," he said, taking a deep breath and letting it out slowly. "That still doesn't change the fact that I'm going after him. Lian will stay here of course, and you'll. . . you'll look out for him while I'm gone?"

Bruce licked his lips -- his only nervous gesture, Lex thought, inwardly smiling -- and nodded.

"Of course," he assured him quietly. "You know me, Lex," Bruce emphasized. "What I said. . . I. . . " he trailed off, and the uncertainty was written on his face as clear as day.

Lex leaned in and kissed him. It was slow and felt more like 'hello' than 'goodbye' -- or 'see ya in a bit,' to be more accurate. Lex would never say goodbye to Bruce. It'd be like cutting himself in half, to leave Bruce forever. Never.

They would always from now on be friends and partners.

But a small voice in his head quietly, sneakily, added. . .

'But not lovers. Not for always, that.'

***

Their mother died on a Saturday. Her funeral was on a Tuesday.

Lex was ordered to be ready to leave the house by eight that morning, and Pamela helped him. Dad hadn't been home much since. . . and, truth was, Lex was glad. He hadn't felt like getting out of bed the last couple days, and without his father around nobody was there to make him. He went up to see Julian a couple times, but other than that he never left his room really. Pamela brought him trays of food, but every time he'd sit down to eat it he'd start to think of how his mom wouldn't ever eat anything again. He couldn't bear to eat anything after he thought that.

Dad had taken Colin away, so Lex didn't even have him to talk to. He wanted to see Colin. He wondered if the boy had even been told what had. . . happened. Was he crying? Did he want Mom so badly it hurt, too? Lex felt like he was running with asthma every time he took a breath. It'd been years since he'd had to use his inhaler, but when he thought of. . . it felt like his lungs were closing up and his throat and he couldn't breathe because Mom was never coming back.

He had to wear a suit and tie for the funeral. When he'd been trying to knot the tie, his fingers had kept slipping and fumbling on it. Pamela hadn't waited for him to ask for help. She'd just come over and done it for him without saying a word. Dad would have sneered and made a big deal about it, but Pamela didn't.

Dad was standing waiting in the entryway just as Lex descended the stairs with Pamela. The two of them had gone up to say hello to little Julian before coming down, and Lex guessed that it'd probably taken longer than Pamela had planned. Lex wanted to hold the baby, hug him and tell him he loved him.

"Let's go, son," his dad said, and Lex nodded and moved away from Pamela. She was going to the service with the staff, as Dad only wanted family in the car.

When they walked out of the house, it was raining. Lex almost smiled in appreciation. Even Zeus, the Rain-God, mourned his mother.

The driver opened the car door for him, and Lex climbed in first, his father following after him. Colin was sitting inside and Lex slid in next to him. Dad turned his head to look out the window, and Lex grabbed up Colin's small hand in his own. He squeezed it gently and heard Colin sigh, as the boy shifted a little closer to Lex's side.

Their parents had both been raised Catholic -- Lex had even been baptized, confirmed and had taken his first communion at the church -- and so their mother's funeral services were being held at the Church of Michael the Archangel, on 15th and Logan.

When they'd reached the church, the driver drove the car around and stopped in the nearby parking lot. Then he got out and came around to open their door again. Dad got out first, but when Lex went to follow him, he felt a tug on his hand. He turned to look at Colin and saw tears running down the boy's face.

"Lex?" their father called impatiently from the sidewalk.

"Just a-- just a minute, Dad," he said. Leaning his head out the door, he looked up at his father and told him, "We need just a minute. . . Colin's. . . his tie's come undone and I need to fix it-- "

"Just come in when you're done," his dad interrupted. He waved his hand and told him, "Don't take too long," then started walking briskly towards the church.

Lex signaled the driver to close the door, and made sure the man was staying outside before he turned back to face Colin. There were still tear tracks on his face, but he'd stopped crying. He was looking up at Lex with huge watery eyes, and clutching at his arm. Lex reached over and pushed some of the boy's hair off his face. He smoothed the wrinkles from Colin's jacket and finally just pulled him into a tight hug.

"It'll be okay," Lex whispered. "We've still got each other."

Colin was shaking, and at his words he buried his face in Lex's neck.

"Oh, Colin, I'm sorry, but-- but we have to go inside now." Lex tried to gently extricate himself, but Colin wouldn't let go. "Dad might get mad if we're-- "

And suddenly Colin was climbing over him and pushing at the door, frantically attempting to get out.

"Hey," Lex said, laying a hand on the boy's shoulder and trying to get his attention.

"Time to go," Colin whispered, his eyes still on the door.

"Yeah." He looked out at the parking lot already starting to fill up with other cars. Men and women in stylish black clothing floated and hesitated everywhere. Lex finally reached over to push the door open again. The driver instantly grabbed the handle from the outside and pulled on it the rest of the way.

"Colin," Lex said. He waited until the boy turned to look at him, then said, "I love you."

His little brother still looked ready to burst into tears at any moment, but Lex felt proud when Colin tried to smile for him.

"I love you, too, Lex," he whispered.

Lex nodded and put his hand back on Colin's shoulder. When they'd both gotten out of the car, he molded his arm around Colin, holding him close the whole way into the church. He sat right next to him, and made sure he never left the boy alone, not once.

And Colin didn't cry again. He looked like he might, and he didn't say anything when people came up to give their condolences, but not one tear escaped his eyes the whole time.

Only Lex had seen that, and he thought that maybe. . . maybe Colin had cried for both of them.

***

He told Lian goodbye, dropped onto his knees and hugged him tight and close out in the snow. Liza courteously wandered a ways away to give them some privacy, while Lex promised he'd bring Lin back.

"But why can't I come?" Lian had asked. "I can help! He'll listen to me. He will!"

"I know," Lex had told him. "But. . . it's not safe. Lin's there and I have to go get him. There's. . . I don't want you to get hurt, Lian." He'd squeezed his brother tighter and said into his hair, "You'll be safe here, and when we get back. . . Lin will come knowing you're here, safe and sound and not. . . anywhere near Lionel."

Lian had sighed and gripped Lex harder, then pulled away. He stood back from Lex and met his eyes, every inch of him radiating determination and confidence.

"Then I'll see you soon, Lex. I'll wait for you -- for you and Lin." He'd lifted his head a little bit then, glancing towards the manor and back again. "Bruce and I will wait here."

"I love you, Kiddo," Lex had whispered. He'd stood, dusted off his pants, now soaked through at the knees, and touched Lian's cheek before trekking back across the snow-covered grounds.

"Lex!" Lian had shouted, and he'd turned around to see Julian running towards him frantically.

"Yeah?" he'd asked.

Lian had come to a stop in front of him, his mittened hands gripping and clenching on each other, and his small, kind face twisted into sadness.

"I love you, too," Lian'd said. "Please be careful. Don't-- don't forget we love you. Don't let-- just be careful," he'd finished weakly.

"I won't forget," Lex had responded. "We'll see you soon," he'd told him, and had felt it appropriate that they were using Bruce's words, the man's way of saying goodbye.

Then Lex had looked up to see Liza striding towards them. He'd met her eyes briefly and then had turned around and walked back to the house. Bruce had been waiting next to Lex's bag, in the entryway, and Lex had reached down to pick it up before meeting the man's eyes. No words had been exchanged, no warnings or goodbye's. Bruce had stared into Lex's eyes and sighed, before leaning forward and pressing his lips against Lex's briefly. Then Bruce had turned away, placing a hand on Alfred's shoulder as the older man came down the hall with the keys to the Rolls in his hand. Lex had hoisted his bag a little higher, had gotten into the Rolls, and had Alfred drive him to the Wayne Enterprises private air strip.

And then he was flying.

And three hours and seven minutes later, Lex was that much closer to Lin. He arrived in Metropolis and wasn't surprised this time when there was a car waiting for him. The same driver from last time too, Andy, and Lex smiled at the man before giving him the directions.

"Where to, sir?"

Lex looked out the window at the passing scenery. From the hangars and dark, gritty industrial section of the city, to the more lush and aristocratic parts. . . Metropolis.

"Farrin-Layne Cemetery. South entrance."

***

He told Andy to wait by the car, then started wending his way towards. . .

So many dead, he thought. This was the most expensive cemetery in the city, the most expensive in the state, even, and every monument and headstone seemed extravagant. Angels with trumpets and marble mausoleums for as far as the eye could see, and yet in the distance it was still easy to make out the tall obelisk that marked their mother's grave.

There was a hill between him and her grave. As Lex reached the top of it, he looked down and instantly made out Colin's form -- a dark spot curled around the tall structure like a wayward comma. Lex slowly approached him, eyes taking in all points around them. Just in case.

When he'd reached him, when he'd come within a foot of Lin's body, Lex hesitated. Lin was lying in the snow, his clothes and hair drenched. . . and yet he wasn't pale, or shivering. His chest was rising steadily, and there was color in his face, his cheeks flushed pink and healthy.

"Lin," Lex said quietly.

"When was the last time you were here?" Lin asked. His eyes were closed, and his body was still curled around the obelisk, but Lex saw his arms loosen around the base.

Lex turned his gaze upwards, staring at the top of the stone structure. The sun shone just behind it, and Lex felt like simultaneously smiling and crying.

"Five, maybe six years," he answered.

"She would be happy," Lin said, and when Lex looked down, he saw Colin's eyes staring back at him. "She'd be glad."

Lex frowned. "What do you mean?"

"That you don't come here," Lin said. He scooted back from the monument and sat up, leaning his back against it and looking at Lex with sad, dull eyes. "She'd be happy that you have your own life, that you've. . . moved on." He tilted his head back and looked up at the top upside-down, much like Lex had just a moment ago.

"And what would she say about you coming here?" Lex asked.

Lin's mouth quirked, and he dropped his head back down to meet Lex's eyes. "She'd tell me to quit being stubborn. To wake up and. . . let her go." He licked his lips nervously.

"Will you come back with me?"

Colin's eyes broke away, and he paused before responding. "If you help me. . . do something first, while we're here."

Lex tilted his head and scanned the area again, before coming back to look at Lin.

"What do you need me to do?" he asked.

And Lin looked up and smiled. Lex didn't like the look of that smile one bit.

"We're going on a rescue mission," Lin told him.

***

"Well, I can't do it!" Lin shouted angrily. He was gripping his hair again, pacing back and forth agitatedly. "You don't think I've tried?"

"No," Lex replied. "I know you've tried. That's not the point. Lin," he chuckled humorlessly, "how is this going to work? I can't just-- I can't just walk in there and ask to see him! 'Excuse me. Yes, I'd like access to my bastard half-brother's cell, please. No, he'll be leaving with me. No, my father knows nothing about this. Oh, you don't say? Well, then I'll just sneak in if that's all right?'" Lex scowled and dropped the light mocking tone. "Jesus, Lin! This is. . . reckless and stupid and. . . " He stopped, and shook his head. "And now I sound like Bruce."

"I can't do it, or I would!" Lin yelled at him. "The whole place is wired and lined with that rock, and I. . . I can't go near it, or they'll-- they'll take me back and lock me up." Lin came to a sudden stop in his pacing then rushed over to Lex, dropping down to kneel before him. Lex was sitting on one of the nearby cemetery benches, and Lin met his eyes beseechingly. "It has to be you, Lex." He reached out and took up Lex's hands, holding them tight in his own. "You've got to help me!" he pleaded. "I can't-- I can't just leave him there anymore!"

There was a quavering and shaking quality to Lin's voice, and Lex saw the sheen of tears in his eyes. He sighed, then sighed again. He mentally said his apologies to Bruce and Lian, and directed his gaze back to Lin.

"Of course," he said, and wasn't even shocked by the strength of his voice. "I'll get him out of there, and then we'll all go back to Gotham. Together."

And the hell that was in store for him would be worth it, for who could turn away when Lin looked at you like that? Love and gratitude, and Lex smiled and shook his head.

"Bruce is gonna say 'I told you so' when we get back, I just know it."

***

Walking through the place, it was hard not to snarl and bare his teeth in disgust. A lie, this whole place was a lie, something made to look official, even a bit silly and over-the-top. Decadent.

But it wasn't.

The Centre was three stories, maybe even sub-levels, as well. The first was reception and conference rooms, primarily. And when Lex asked, he was shown the second floor. . . no problem, as Chance would say.

As Chance had said, 20 minutes ago when Lex called him up and asked him for his help.

"You finally calling that in, man?" Chance's amused voice had asked.

"Yes," Lex'd replied. "But it's going to be. . . hmmm, not dangerous exactly, but definitely not completely. . . benign, either." He'd paused, trying to gauge Chance's reaction by the sound of his breathing over the phone. Steady and deep, no tell there. "You still up for it?"

There had been a chuckle, and then Chance had said, "I'm always up for the secret-agent stuff, Lex. Where do you need me?"

And that was it. Lex had given Chance directions to the cafe down the block from the Centre, and the three of them -- Lex, Lin, and Chance -- had hashed out a. . . plan of sorts.

" --and then when there's a knock on the door I'm standing in front of. . . " Chance had pointed to Lex.

"You open it," Lex had said. "And help me carry him out to the car, where-- "

" --I'm worriedly waiting," Lin'd interrupted quietly. "Sitting with the engine running and. . . " He'd taken a deep breath, staring at the table and the rudimentary diagram comprised of salt and pepper shakers, various sugar and creamer packets, three empty coffee cups and a plate. Lin had stared at the table for a moment, then had looked up and met Lex's eyes with determination and. . . relief. "Ready to go," he'd finished, almost smiling.

Lex had nodded and looked towards Chance. . . who'd been grinning like a buffoon. Lex'd raised an eyebrow and cleared his throat, getting the man's attention.

"So, we ready?" he'd asked, looking pointedly at Chance.

"Yeah. Yeah, let's do this thing," Chance had said seriously. The grin then disappeared, the knee he'd been bouncing up and down under the table had stilled, and Chance had met Lex's gaze and nodded. "Let's go be heroes, man."

Lex had smiled and patted the man on the back. He'd looked back at Lin, still studying that half-assed map like it was the answer to everything, and had then slowly let out the breath he'd been holding--

" --and this is the main lab," his tour guide was saying, "where a great deal of the research and information is produced. Here, we endeavor to generate the results your father has come to expect, Mr Luthor." The smiling woman flung her arms wide, encompassing the whole room in her satisfaction and pride. "Here, we attempt to change the world!"

Lex resisted the urge to say a bitter 'I bet you do,' instead nodding his head distractedly and moving his eyes towards the back of the room. . . where Lin had told him there was a hallway.

"And what's back there?" he asked, making sure he sounded bored and put-upon. He was employing his own version of 'Brucie'. . . Lexie? and so far it'd been a roaring success. The woman -- doctor? nurse? Lex had stared hard at her the first few minutes after he'd met her, trying to figure out if she'd been one of the monsters to cut Lin open -- in her desire to impress him and gain another patron, had been continually granting him access to the more secure portions of the Centre. She must be some kind of higher-up to even have access to these parts of the building, and Lex breathed in deeply when she turned away and frowned in confusion towards the back of the room.

"Oh, that's where. . . " There was a slight hesitation, very brief and it might have gone unnoticed, had Lex not been waiting for it. " . . .the patients are housed." She turned back to him with a smile, fake and plastic just like the rest of her, and Lex smiled in return.

And here we go.

"If you'll just follow me, sir," she said, beginning to walk towards the door. "I can show you some of the individuals who have helped us remain one of the top research facilities in the world." She turned away and pushed the door open, holding it for Lex as he passed in front of her. "Right this way, Mr Luthor."

It was the second. . . room, just like Lin had said. The first, Colin had told him, was his. Sure enough, when Lex glanced through the glass window, he saw drawings and pictures taped up on the walls. Lin's, by the look of it. They'd let him put drawings up at least. That was. . . something. Maybe.

Maybe it was just another way to torture him.

"And here's Lucas," the tour guide for 'Lionel Luthor's Playing Doctor Facility' told him. She stopped in front of the door, reaching to her belt to draw out her key chain and. . . now unlocking the cell where Lucas would--

He was surprised, to say the least. For some reason, Lex had been expecting someone sick and frail. Lin said all the experiments on Lucas had involved blood, giving, taking, and so Lex had naturally assumed he'd be carrying out some skinny, pale boy with big eyes. But. . .

Lucas looked healthy. His skin was a tan brown Lex would kill for, and he was seated at a desk, reading a book. And when Lex and the woman entered the. . . cell, Lucas didn't even look up, just kept reading.

"Lucas," the monster in woman's clothing crooned out softly, "I have someone I'd like to introduce you to. This is Mr. Lex Luthor," she said, trying to share a conspiratorial look with Lex. But Lex didn't meet her eyes, wasn't even minutely interested in what she was doing. For before the woman had even finished saying 'Lex,' Lucas' eyes had darted up. He met Lex's stare unflinchingly, and Lex tried to pass the message on just by looking at him.

When Lucas dropped his head back down to his book, Lex knew he'd failed. Well, no problem, mentally smiling as he thought of Chance's "distraction" about to take place downstairs. Lex checked his watch, rather obviously, as it played well into his bored playboy persona, and saw he had about three minutes until Chance started.

"And what's wrong with him?" Lex asked the woman beside him. He made sure his tone was distracted and added in just a touch of prideful disgust for spice. "He isn't sick, is he?" And Lex took a hesitant step back towards the door, as though he were afraid of catching some deadly virus.

"Oh, no, no, no!" the woman exclaimed, moving forward and gesturing with her hands worriedly. "No, Lucas here is very healthy. A fine example of what we can achieve. . . " She paused significantly, looking at Lex with a somewhat embarrassed expression. Lex could see through it easily. "Given enough resources and funds, that is," she amended, tilting her head and shrugging girlishly.

Lex felt like throwing up on her, but valiantly held back. He looked at Lucas again, who was ignoring them in favor of his book, and surreptitiously glanced at his watch. Still more time to kill.

"Well," Lex said with a dumb laugh, "that's where I come in, isn't it?"

His tour guide just smiled more broadly at him. Lex swore to God that if she shuffled her feet, he was gonna implement the plan a little ahead of schedule and punch her right in the face.

"Well, yes," she responded, "if you're so inclined, your assistance would be extremely beneficial. Together, with your father's regular contributions, this facility could expand, maybe even widen the work pool and allow other scientists from around the world to contribute to this amazing research."

Lex met her eyes at the end of her little speech, but he'd been focusing on Lucas up until that point. And he wasn't disappointed by the boy's reaction. When Ms. Evil-Facade had mentioned their father, Lucas' hand had twitched, and his frown had deepened. Good. It'd be much easier to get him out of here if he wanted to escape.

A last check of his watch -- bingo! -- and Lex turned to his escort with a wide grin. The woman initially smiled back, but when Lex just kept on grinning like a loon, her expression went stiff. She unconsciously took a step back from him and at that point Lex gave in and laughed.

"Mr. Luthor?" she asked, hesitantly.

Lex chuckled. "You people are incredibly stupid. And arrogant," he added, before moving forward and pinning the woman to the wall.

"Oh, God," she cried out, "what are you doing? I'll-- I'll give you anything. Just leave and-- "

"I don't want anything you have," Lex snarled at her. "You disgust me."

"Then what do you wan-- ?"

Lex knocked her head into the wall, and felt no remorse at all for it.

"For you to shut the hell up," he muttered, before stepping back and watching her unconscious body crumple to the floor. Lex slowly turned around.

"Why did you do that?" came a quiet voice, and Lex smiled as his eyes met Lucas' again.

"Lin sends his regards," Lex said, watching as the boy's eyes widened and his mouth dropped open. Lex glanced at the doorway, waiting for the siren to start. . .

. . .and there it was. A loud blaring tone sounded, and Lex closed the distance between himself. . . and his brother.

"What are you doing?" Lucas asked incredulously.

"Rescuing you, little brother," he replied, grabbing Lucas' arm and pulling him out of the cell.

***

Interrupt

He wasn't a stupid man. He recognized his own intelligence and thanked his luck every day for good genes. So, it wasn't stupidity that made him careless, just. . .

He didn't like being injured. Few people probably did, in fact, but Bruce hated it. Which is why he normally took as many precautions as he could, so that nothing would put him down for the count. But that madman had gotten the jump on him, setting up explosives and then luring Batman there. He'd walked right into the trap, and it'd only been luck that'd seen him make it back to the cave at all.

Lex had left yesterday and there was still no word from him. And Bruce wouldn't call. Lex didn't need him checking up, and if Lex were doing what Bruce suspected he was. . . then the last thing Lex needed was an ill-timed phone call giving away his cover.

He was in the meditation room when he realized something was wrong. His side had been bothering him that day, a lot more than the previous day, and when Bruce vaguely thought about it while meditating, he saw what must be happening. Infection. But it wasn't stupidity that had led him here. It was pride and hatred and weakness. Bruce hated feeling weak. More than anything else in the world, he detested being at the mercy of forces not his own. And perhaps he'd subconsciously decided that if he pretended hard enough, his problem would go away. If he acted like normal, uninjured and whole, then he would be like normal.

But it never worked that way. Bruce was sure he was running a fever by the time he got upstairs. And he was dizzy too, gripping the railing and dragging himself up like. . . he chuckled, like his life depended on it.

Alfred looked like he wanted to slap him, when Bruce explained. Julian must've been up with Liza, he thought, looking around. Bruce literally collapsed into a chair at the kitchen table, while poor Alfred started gathering up the things needed to put his employer back together again.

"Like Humpty Dumpty," Bruce murmured to himself.

"What was that, sir?"

But he shook his head sluggishly, and got his shirt up so he could see the damage. Alfred came over and jerked his hands away, frowning at him in that way he had. Then he slowly pulled the bandages off, and Bruce hissed.

"Jesus," he gritted out.

"Dear Lord, Master Wayne. What-- how on earth did you allow it to get this bad?" Alfred was almost shouting at him, and Bruce could count on one hand the number of times he'd ever heard the man raise his voice, let alone the single time he'd shouted at Bruce.

"Wasn't part of the plan, 'lfred," he mumbled.

"Yes, well, now we just have to start all over, don't we?" He turned away, picking something up before he turned back. In a low voice he said, "And without that boy here to help you."

"Sorry," Bruce whispered miserably. Alfred poured alcohol on him then, and Bruce bit his lip in two trying not to scream.

He thought he might have passed out for a time, or at least spaced out, because next thing he knew, Alfred was holding one of his hands and had tears sliding down his face.

" --stupid, stupid boy!" he hissed. "How can you be a genius and a bloody imbecile at the same damn time?"

" 's a gift, I s'pose," Bruce slurred out. "God, that hurts-- "

"Good," Alfred retorted sharply. "Means you're still alive, you fool!"

Bruce groaned, laying his head back.

"Although how I'm going to get you up those stairs myself, I have no idea," Alfred said, and Bruce felt like smiling.

***

Lex was always so passionate, so into everything at once, that maybe that's what made Bruce want to kiss him. If even a small part of that intensity were directed at him. . .

And Lex fell into it like he picked up everything, effortlessly and wholeheartedly. In their room, when Bruce would come back late at night, he'd find Lex still awake, waiting for him and smirking. He'd once even cornered him by the closet, stuck his arm out next to Bruce's head and blocked his way.

Bruce had just looked at him, wanting Lex to say it out loud.

"I never figured you one for playing hard to get," Lex had mused aloud. His eyes were bright and fully aware that day, and Bruce remembered wishing they were always like that. Too often Lex was. . . cloudy. Doped up, his mind supplied, and Bruce thought it might have been that which caused him to love Lex. That need to protect him and hold him together, like Lex would fall into a million pieces if Bruce weren't there.

Bruce shrugged and turned his head away, finishing the buttons on his shirt before reaching for the tie. Lex stopped him with a hand, though, his fingers curling around Bruce's own and squeezing slightly.

"Do you want me, or not?" he asked, and Bruce nearly smiled at the determination in Lex's voice.

"Yes," Bruce replied, saying it just to see that pissed off expression take over Lex's face.

"Bruce," he said in warning, and the hand tightened. "Quit playing games and just answer me."

He turned and pressed right up close to Lex's body. "Yes," he repeated, and knew that Lex understood this time. Those clear eyes dilated, and the hand still squeezing Bruce's fell away.

"Well," Lex breathed out. He visibly swallowed and Bruce finally gave in to his urge to smile.

"Well," he agreed. "Hey, Lex?" he asked in a casual voice.

"Uh, yeah?" and Lex craned his head back to meet Bruce's eyes.

"Let's run it again."

Lex frowned in confusion before suddenly getting it. "The experiment?" he asked, excitement and fondness in his tone.

"Mmmm," Bruce agreed, nodding gently. He reached out and laid his hand on Lex's smooth cheek. "The experiment."

Then he moved forward and caught Lex's lips, molding his own to their pattern and striving to get just a little closer. . . just a bit further. . .

They were late to Latin, and Lex wore a smile the rest of the day.

***

"My brother tried to kill himself, I think," Lex whispered next to him.

Bruce turned his head and could just barely make out the soft glow of light off Lex's face. The room was very dark, and Lex always had to double-check that the curtains were fully closed before going to sleep.

"Colin?" Bruce asked quietly, and Lex just nodded. He slowly slid closer to Bruce's side, and Bruce lifted up his arm for Lex to crawl under, pulling him in tight and secure.

"Jesus, he's just 12!" Lex stuttered out. "Why the hell. . . would he? Bruce, why would Lin do something like that?" He shook his head jerkily a few times, and Bruce brought up his other arm to wrap Lex fully in his embrace. He held onto him while Lex pretended not to cry.

He held onto him and never said a word about Lionel, about being stuck in a loop of pain and torture and guilt. Bruce didn't say anything but, "I love you," and somehow felt dirty and weak when Lex said it back.

***

The first few weeks were the most difficult. He was totally out of his element, in a completely different world from that upper-class, east coast aristocratic one he'd been miming for the last 11 years. The fourth day on shore he'd given in and stolen an orange. He'd thought it would taste like ashes in his mouth, but it'd been the most delicious thing in the world. It was like holding perfection in his hands, and Bruce found himself wishing for. . .

He kept moving at first, wanting to get it all in, every experience and situation he could. Soon though, he stalled and people around him began to recognize him. Not as Bruce Wayne, but as a comrade, a brother in arms. A thief and crook.

Bruce met men, and some women, and he joined them on a few jobs. He stole and planned, and was amazed every time they got away with it. Also stunned by how often his father's company was the target. If it weren't jewels or plain money, then it was Wayne Enterprises, like it was the only international company worth stealing from. Maybe it was. Though, once, he and 'Adam' pulled a heist on some Queen Industries paraphernalia. Bruce never knew what was in the briefcase they lifted off some guy on the street, only that he and Adam would be splitting the pot fifty-fifty, and it was a good way to keep his hands quick.

It didn't feel good or satisfying to do it, to steal and claim someone else's property as his own, even if only temporarily. But it wasn't altogether unpleasant either. It was what it was, as 'Mari' had used to say. Bruce tried to keep in mind his reasons for doing it, but somehow he'd always forget. Once, he remembered looking up in the market and seeing the name Luthor bold on a magazine cover and stuttering to a sudden stop. It'd been in the second year he'd been away, and that was when Bruce remembered he'd forgotten to wish for. . . Lex. . . in a long time. Those early days, he'd always longed for him, wanting to call Lex and talk to him, tell him sorry and let him yell till he was hoarse. But somewhere along the line he'd forgotten, and Bruce hated himself more then than he ever had while actively committing crime.

From that moment on, Bruce went on more and more reckless jobs. He volunteered for the riskiest ones and even put together one of his own. A set of jewels in a nearby city, and four of his 'fellows' whom he'd each known more than half a year, and they were all set. They were in and out in less than 20 minutes and away in a stolen car, courtesy of Bruce himself.

A week later, he went with Adam on another lift and grab of Wayne Enterprises stuff and got nabbed.

He wished for Lex then, and hated himself for it. He wished for Alfred and Rachel, for that kind cop back in Gotham, for Professor Hilferty at Princeton. . the one person besides Lex to whom Bruce had talked the entire time he'd been at that school.

He wished for Lex first and last, and in between he wished for his parents.

Then like a whirlwind, his life changed again. Bruce just kept running along with it, kept holding on by his fingernails every time fate stepped in and pushed him over there, over here, shoved him up a mountain then sent him careening down it. When it was finally time to go back, he was glad.

He waited for Lex, wondering if he'd even want to talk to him. The third day, when he called, Bruce answered with a smile. He'd wished for Lex and there he was, in Metropolis with his brothers, and Bruce flew out the next day.

***

"You're a damn sight heavier than you used to be," Alfred muttered at his side.

Bruce groaned as they came to another turn and set of stairs.

"How many stairs are there in this place?" he complained, and Alfred just hoisted Bruce's right arm a little higher onto his shoulder.

"You're-- " he huffed out, breathlessly. "You're telling me, Master Wayne."

"Sorry," Bruce mumbled again.

"Oh, stop that!" Alfred gritted out. "Look! Four more and we're on your floor, sir."

Bruce grunted and just kept thinking to himself that he was not weak. He would not just lie down on the stairs, no matter how appealing that sounded at that moment.

"Thank heavens," Alfred breathed as they came to the floor. Down the hall and straight ahead was Bruce's room, and collapsing was within his grasp.

"You gonna tell Lex about this?" Bruce asked quietly, as they trudged forward together.

"Sir, I don't think I'll have to!" And Alfred sounded like he was laughing.

Bruce just scowled and tried to move faster, but Alfred deliberately held onto him tighter, negating any attempts he might have made at. . . escape.

"Master Wayne, he'll take one look at you and know what-- "

"Why are you calling me that?" At Alfred's tiredly questioning look, he clarified, "'Master Wayne.' You've always said Bruce before."

Alfred didn't answer, and soon the two of them had reached the master bedroom. Alfred pushed the door open with his shoulder, and he and Bruce stumbled over to the bed, both falling on it in a heap. Luckily, Bruce avoided landing on his side and Alfred avoided landing on him.

It was silent, save for their out-of-breath panting. Then Alfred climbed to his feet and bent over to help Bruce scoot further onto the bed.

"You stay here, and I'll bring you something to do," Alfred told him sternly. "And something to eat, as well." He stood up and went about straightening his clothes, then turned towards the door.

"Alfred?" Bruce called out.

Still facing the door, Alfred said softly, "You're not a boy any longer, sir, and it didn't feel proper to call you that anymore. And what happened today?" He turned just his head, meeting Bruce's eyes over his shoulder. "That fair reminded me of your father, sir. He always was a stubborn man."

Alfred smiled a little then nodded and left the room, and Bruce turned his head so he could look out the window.

Lex, he thought, and perhaps later he'd ask Alfred to bring Julian by. The boy was surprisingly interested in martial arts and Bruce had thought about teaching him some things. He could direct him from here for a little while and later, when he was back to normal, Bruce could show him.

***

The hall was a mess, people crashing and bumping into each other in their desperation to evacuate the building. Lex gripped Lucas' wrist just a little tighter, willing them not to get separated in the crowd.

He took a hard right and slammed open the maintenance stairwell doors. Leave it up to his father to have primary and secondary staircases, for God's sake, but in this case it actually worked to their benefit. No one would think to use these, and thus it presented the perfect escape route. . . when one was stealing vital Luthorcorp property.

Lucas was silent, not even any heavy breathing to show he was there. Only his footsteps on the stairs behind Lex and the bony wrist under his fingers served as proof. When they reached the first floor landing, Lex came to a quick stop, pulling Lucas close and praying he'd listen and follow directions.

He stared into Lex's eyes, still bewildered and confused, and Lex took a deep breath.

"We're going to run for it, okay?" he asked rhetorically. "And I need you to keep up. . . not that that's a problem obviously." Lex gripped Lucas' shoulders and said in a lower, calmer voice, "Lin is out in the car, and when we get in, he'll drive us to the airport and we'll. . . leave."

But the kid didn't nod or say 'Yeah,' like Lin would have, or Julian. He didn't contradict Lex or devise a different plan like Bruce. All Lucas did was stare at him in surprise and Lex knew if they got through this unscathed. . . Lucas was going to need some help.

One last breath for courage, and Lex said to himself, "Let's do it." Then he pushed the doors open again and tore off down the hallway.

--a right again, left. . . now straight, straight, straight until--

There it was! He skidded to a stop and banged on the door in front of them, silently begging Chance to be there and the way clear.

There was a whoosh of air as it opened up to the outside, and Chance was waving his arm at them to come through. Lex jerked on Lucas' arm again, wondering how many bruises he'd left by now, and then together the three of them jogged down the alley behind the Centre.

"Two police cars just passed by before you knocked," Chance said in a whisper. They were nearing the mouth of the alley and Lex dragged Lucas up against the wall of the building. Peeking around slowly, he saw three police cruisers and cursed their luck. Well, it could only stretch so far, and he was just glad they'd gotten to this point with no trouble.

"How're we gonna get past 'em?" came Chance's whisper, and when Lex glanced at him, he saw the other man staring at Lucas.

"I don't know," Lex muttered turning his head back. "What if-- Chance, you go out and get the car. Drive it here and Lucas and I can-- "

"Lex!" Chance hissed. "They're not gonna let me just leave and then come back! This is an evacuation, and I was lucky those other cops thought I was leaving. They'll never let me back through the barricade, especially not driving a car!"

"Okay," he said. "Yeah, you're right. We'll just have to. . . we'll just all have to go." Lex nodded his head decisively, knowing it was the only way to get out quickly while they still had time and before--

Before Lionel showed up, having been notified that a bomb threat had just been called in on his building.

Lex met Chance's gaze once again and saw the realization that their time was running out slowly dawn in the other man's eyes. He nodded back at Lex and visibly swallowed.

Lex started to move forward, then a thought came to him and he put a hand out to stop Chance. "Wait," he said. "Chance, give me your coat." When he just looked at Lex in confusion, Lex again gestured with his hand impatiently and clarified, "For Lucas. You've got shirts on underneath. Lucas is only wearing that tee, and it'll look strange for us to be leaving so late after the alarm and not have an excuse." Chance whipped his coat off and held it out to Lucas, and at least the boy wasn't completely shocked, for he reached out and shrugged it on slowly. "Okay," Lex said. "Lucas, keep up and look like you belong here. The story is, you guys are buddies of mine and I was showing off some expensive weapons when the siren went off. Third floor," he emphasized, beginning to walk forward. "Katanas and Wakizashi swords are on the third floor. Private elevator." Then Lex jerked his head around and reverted to 'Lexie' as they neared the haphazard police blockade.

"What the hell?!" he cried out, striding imperiously over to the nearest officer. "What's going on here? Why all the cops and what is with that godawful siren blaring in there?" Lex pointed behind him at the Centre, surreptitiously scanning the parking lot for Lin and the rental car.

A uniform walked closer to him nervously and put his hands out in front of him in a calming manner. Lex just lifted his chin and narrowed his eyes at the unlucky bastard. He'd drawn the short straw, and now Lex had to go off on him just so they could get away and not make anyone too suspicious.

He wasn't going to say it was totally unpleasant, but Lex could easily think of a million other things he'd rather do than yell and shout at some poor guy just trying to do his job. The Officer was just in the wrong place at the wrong time, and sometimes, Lex thought, being a nice guy just wasn't as important as family.

***

"God, thank you again," he told Chance, giving the man's hand one last shake before releasing it. Chance ducked his head down and smiled a little.

"It was. . . kinda fun actually," he replied, and Lex chuckled. "All that planning and sneaking around. I always wanted to be a spy when I was a kid." He cast a look back towards Lin and. . . Lucas, and Lex watched the amusement die on his face. Chance slowly met Lex's eyes again and Lex felt like hugging him. "I'm glad I could help, Lex," he said quietly. "Honored too, that you trust me so much."

Lex forced a smile onto his face. "You know I seriously owe you now, don't you? We all do," he added in a more serious tone. "And you. . . you be careful, okay? Keep in touch and let me know if any-- just keep in touch," he repeated, not wanting to completely freak Chance out, but at the same time wanting to make sure he knew to be on the lookout.

Chance stood straight, pushing the driver-side door closed and tapping on the roof of the car. "See ya, Lex," he said, and stuck his hands in his pants pockets. Lucas still has his coat, Lex thought suddenly, and Chance never even said anything about it.

"Look, I'll buy you another coat. You like leather? I know a really good designer in Milan who specializes in-- "

Chance interrupted him with an upraised hand, shaking his head back and forth. "You know I can't accept that. I didn't do this for a reward, and besides," he mused, shrugging, "if I suddenly show up one day wearing a leather coat more expensive than my parents' house. . . it'll lead to questions. You know, from. . . everyone." There was guilt in Chance's eyes, and Lex knew exactly how it felt to have to apologize for someone else's actions -- someone you were related to, someone you shouldn't have to be sorry for.

"Nah," Lex said, brushing it off and pulling on a teasing face. "Think nothing of it. I know where you stand, Chance, and. . . I consider you a friend." He felt happy when Chance blushed and smiled, and Lex waved to him one last time, waiting for him to step away from the car.

"See ya soon!" he called out, and Chance waved back.

"See ya, Lex!" His eyes shifted, and Chance then tentatively waved at the backseat of the car. Lex watched in the rear-view mirror as Lin raised his hand in farewell.

And then, with one final smile, they were off. Lex drove away from the mall they'd dropped Chance off at and sped all the way back to the airport. They were on the other side of the city from Luthorcorp and the Centre, and Lex knew he wouldn't relax, wouldn't be able to, until the three of them were in the air.

Till they were back in Gotham, and then everything would be okay.

***

He kept expecting Lucas to. . . do something. Say something or make eye contact or. . .

But the kid just sat there. He didn't look up from his hands in his lap, and Lex wondered if this silence would last the entire flight back to Gotham. He was about to rest his head back against his seat, in preparation for a nap, when Lin spoke.

"Any change?" he asked, and Lex realized he was talking to Lucas.

Lucas shook his head and Lin sighed in apparent relief.

"So, was it. . . was it any different?" Lin asked. He unbuckled his seat belt and leaned forward, swiveling his chair and trying to catch Lucas' eyes. "After I left, did they do more? Or less?"

"Not much," Lucas said so quietly, Lex almost couldn't make it out. "Lot of samples is all. No procedures." He did raise his head at that point, looking back at Lin with a blank face devoid of any emotion. . . at least as far as Lex could tell. "Since you left, there haven't been any more transfusions."

"Good," Lin replied strongly. "You seen much of him lately?"

"No, he doesn't come around as often. It's been," and here Lucas looked far away and frowned to himself before turning back to Lin, "more than a month since the last time. Probably not interesting to him anymore. Never was, compared to you, you know."

Lin's lips quirked before he blanked his face. He glanced over at Lex as he leaned back in his seat again.

"This is Lex," he said to Lucas, gesturing to Lex with his hand. "He's the one who saved me. Well, he and Julian and Bruce all did, but Lex put together the plan today, too. He got you out." And Lex didn't miss the slight emphasis Lin put on the word 'he.'

Lucas had dropped his head down again as Lin was talking, and Lex now watched him lean over his armrest to whisper something in Lin's ear. Lin's face went startled then sad, and Lex was left wondering what had been said.

As Lucas moved back, Lin began shaking his head. "No," he said softly. "No, it's not like that at all." Lin reached out for one of Lucas' hands, picking it up and holding it gently in his own. "Lucky, hey, Lucky," he whispered, again cajoling Lucas into meeting his eyes. "I told you, didn't I? And. . . and I'm sorry." Lex could hear the tears in Lin's voice, but he forced himself to remain silent. "I tried, but he-- he added more to the walls and I couldn't even get through the doors.

"But," Lin said, blinking rapidly and putting a watery smile on his face, "we're out now, huh? God, you're gonna love it there! Lian-- oh, wait till you meet him! He's the greatest. You know, he loves 'Huck Finn' too. Did I tell you that? I remember, he told me once he was reading it at school and that their class had just received the books the day before. Lucky," and Lex saw Lin squeeze Lucas' hand, "Lian had already read the whole book the night before. Sneaky kid stayed up the whole night and he finished it, just like that! And I know Alfred's gonna flip when he sees you. Another boy to feed and dote on. He loves doing that, I can tell. Remember I told you about Bruce?"

Lucas nodded. Lex supposed it was improvement, considering he hadn't done anything up until then to indicate he was listening at all.

"He's kinda. . . gruff," Lin said, "but he's really very kind and thoughtful. And I think he understands a little bit, too." And Lex felt the urge to laugh at that description of Bruce. Yes, Bruce Wayne was definitely 'gruff' and when he looked over at Lin, he saw Lin looking back.

"Lucas, I would like to introduce you to Alexander," Lin said confidently. Lex marveled at the strength and surety in his voice, and wondered if taking care of Lucas made. . . Lin feel better. "Lex, this is Lucas Dunleavy. Our brother."

Lex waited, somehow knowing the right moment would come, and wasn't disappointed when, not ten seconds later, Lucas lifted his head and looked at him.

He cleared his mind of everything ugly and cruel and petty, and just let all the need he felt for family and safety and understanding show on his face. He met those hazel-green eyes, unlike any he'd ever seen -- from Lucas' mother, Lex thought in awe -- and said, warmly, "It's a pleasure to meet you, Lucas. I hope you'll be happy in Gotham."

And while Lucas just ducked his head again, nodding slightly, Lex caught Lin's eye. He was looking at Lex with pride and. . . love, and Lex didn't mind if the rest of their flight back home was made in complete silence.

It was a peaceful silence now, and Lex leaned his head back and closed his eyes. And after a minute or so, he gave in to his urge to smile.

***

And here he'd always thought of Lin as being extremely quiet.

Lin didn't ask the boy any more questions, and Lucas didn't say anything more. . . probably because Lin didn't ask him anything else.

And now more than any other time, Lex felt. . . like it was truly only a matter of time before--

They'd done it. All of them, all of Lionel's sons, were out, were free.

***

He set a hand on Lin's shoulder, and leaned close. "Why don't you take him up to your room?" Lex suggested quietly. "And I'll go and. . . break the news."

Their cheeks were very nearly touching, and Lin had only to shift his eyes a little to see Lex from out the corner of his.

"Come talk to me later, okay?" he asked, and Lex nodded gently.

"Of course." He turned to Lucas and smiled at the kid. "Lin'll find something for you to change into, I'm sure. Maybe show you around, if you like?" He phrased it in such a way, asking, not telling, in the hopes that Lucas would respond. In vain, of course, but Lex could still try.

One last pat to Lin's shoulder, and he watched them climb the stairs together. He tilted his head and studied them a little closer after they'd reached the first riser platform. The two were in exact step, like identical soldiers marching side-by-side. And as they turned at the same time, now at the second floor and heading towards Lin's room, Lex thought he saw them. . . holding hands.

Well, with all they've been through, it was a wonder either of them was still alive. He couldn't rightly begrudge them a little hand-holding. Lex shook off the feeling he had and turned in the direction of the kitchen. He hadn't brought any bags to speak of when he'd left, and neither had Lin. But they'd returned with something extra -- someone -- and Lex didn't doubt that a certain person already knew that. But Lian wouldn't, and perhaps neither would Alfred.

Pushing open the door, Lex saw Julian at the counter, eating some spaghetti and nodding at whatever Alfred was saying to him. He paused there, in the doorway, letting the stark pleasure at the scene warm him. Lian was here, eating and smiling and warm. Whatever he'd gone through back at the house with Lionel and Lin. . . and with Lex himself once upon a time, the kid was here now, and that would always be worth it. Lex felt grateful at that moment for everything he'd managed to hold onto. And regain. And like when he and Lin and Lian had been in that hotel, that first night he'd taken them away, Lex thought, it'll all be okay now. Whatever happens from here on out, at least we're all here together.

"Lex?" came a shocked voice, and he shook his head and looked up again.

"Hey, Kiddo," he said tiredly, and smiled as Lian jumped off the chair, running over to him. He flung himself into Lex's arms and squeezed, and Lex chuckled. He rested a hand on Julian's hair. "You save any of that for me?" he joked, nodding towards the counter and Lian's plate.

Lian drew back, looking up into Lex's face. He was frowning, staring at him worriedly, and Lex smiled at him again.

"What's wrong?" Lian asked, his eyes wide and full of concern. He looked around, shifting a little to scan behind Lex, before meeting his eyes again. "Where's Lin?"

"Upstairs," Lex replied. He sighed, and jerked his chin towards the stools. "Let's sit, all right? And I'll tell you. . . what happened."

Lian's frown deepened for a second, and the expression was familiar somehow. Lex couldn't place it though, and Lian withdrew a bit, one hand coming down to tug at Lex's. See, a voice whispered. You're holding hands. . . just like they were, but Lex forced it, too, aside impatiently. What did that matter in the grand scheme of things really?

Why did that image of them keep coming back?

Lex sat down on the stool next to Lian's, resting his elbows on the kitchen island and meeting Alfred's kind eyes across the way.

"Master Lex," the man said, nodding at him.

Lex smiled in reply, before ducking his head and trying to think of what the hell he was going to say.

"Would you care for some spaghetti with marinara, sir?" Alfred asked him quietly. Lex lifted his head and saw the man had already started fixing him a plate full of the pasta. With his back to them, Alfred went on. "Master Julian expressed a desire for the dish and I confess, I've always had a certain fondness for it." He turned, gently placing the plate down in front of Lex. And, with a smile, held out a fork, saying, "Eat, and tell us what's going on now."

Lex reached out and took the fork. Eyes on his food, he twirled up some of the noodles and said, "You have another guest in the house, I'm afraid." He lifted the fork, staring as the sauce slowly dripped back onto his plate. "We brought Lucas back with us," Lex told them.

And then he took a bite.

***

Bruce, when he asked, had apparently suffered a relapse of sorts, and was back in bed. Lex had doubts about what had actually occurred, but, with Lian under his arm, the two of them made their way up to the third floor. . . and Bruce.

Pushing the door open slowly, he peeked around first. Spotting Bruce awake and aware, staring right back at him in fact, Lex flung the door all the way open and strode over to the bed.

"So what's this I hear about a relapse?" he asked by way of hello.

Bruce grimaced and let out a sigh. "Yeah, well, things like this aren't uncommon."

In the meantime, Lex had reached out and placed a hand on Bruce's forehead. Hot and clammy, and Bruce was too pale. Catching the man's eyes, he said quietly, "You let it get infected, didn't you."

Another sigh. Then, a moment later, a nod, and Lex plopped down on the edge of the bed. He turned a little, and with a wave of his arm gestured for Lian to come closer. Turning back to Bruce as Julian slid into the nearby chair, Lex said, "I brought Lin home." To which, Bruce nodded. Lex took a deep breath, meeting those feverish eyes, and added, "And we got Lucas out. He's down in Lin's room."

Bruce closed his eyes, settling back into the pillows stacked behind him. "And how did you get him out, Lex?"

It was the tone that irritated him. Bruce sounded so superior at that moment, like Lex was a foolish child, and he the disappointed parent. Bruce, the man lying here in his own bed because he'd most likely refused to take proper care of himself.

"The only way we could," Lex replied coldly. Bruce opened his eyes, looking a little bleary, but Lex just raised his chin and set his jaw. If it were he who were ill, if Lex were the one in that bed and their positions reversed, he was damn sure Bruce wouldn't take any mercy on him. . . infection or no. "Chance Aerson and I got him out. Lin had to stay in the car, but he told us how to do it." He breathed out through his nose. "Whatever happened, the fact is, Lucas is downstairs and we need to. . . all of us need to decide what should happen. With him." Lex shook his head, dropping his eyes down to his hands.

"What do you mean?" Bruce asked quietly. "Is he-- is there something wrong with-- ?"

"No!" Lex exclaimed. "No, no, he's fine. It's just. . . " And he jerked his head up again. "He's said hardly anything and I've. . . yet to see any real emotion on his face."

"So he's definitely traumatized," Bruce said. "And he's withdrawn, but Lex? I hate to say it, but how is that any different from how Colin is?" He kept his eyes up, but Lex could tell it was a battle for him. Bruce licked his lips and said, "How is that any different from the way you are, the way Julian is sometimes?"

"No," Lex replied sternly. He shook his head. "Not like this. Lin is. . . " He hesitated, trying to pick the best words and failing. "He and Lin are similar, but Lucas. . . I don't think Lucas ever left that place. Once he was inside."

"And Lin got to come home," Lian quietly said. Lex turned to look at him and saw that same worried look on his face, the one from the kitchen. And then it clicked. Why his face looked familiar, why it made Lex squirm.

Dad. Lian looked like Lionel when he frowned.

Lex nodded at Lian. Then looked at Bruce quickly. "You should stay in bed, but Lian and I can go down and see him. Them," he corrected. "Lin and Lucas. Maybe tomorrow we'll bring him up here?" Lex smiled a little. "It's not like there's any rush, I don't think."

But Bruce just frowned. "I hope not," he said, but it was quiet and low, and Lex thought him probably just thinking out loud.

***

Lex took Lian's hand this time, not the other way around, and shut the door behind them. Walking down the hall towards the stairs, he periodically sneaked glances at his brother's face, trying to decipher what the boy was feeling.

"How old is he?" Lian asked, halfway down the stairs.

"I don't know for sure," Lex answered. "But at a guess, I'd say a couple years older than Lin." His eyes on Lian's profile, he said, "Maybe 17 or 18."

"And he doesn't talk?" Lian turned his head and met Lex's eyes. "He's quiet? Like Lin?"

Lex just nodded and squeezed the boy's hand.

"I wonder if he'll. . . " Julian trailed off, and Lex bumped his arm against him to get his attention back.

"'If he'll,' what?" he asked him. They'd reached Lin's room and were stopped just outside his closed door.

Lian looked into Lex's eyes and smiled a bitter smile, a smile a kid shouldn't know how to give.

"I wonder if he'll like me," Julian said, embarrassed. Lex pulled him close again, hugging him to his chest and biting the inside of his own cheek.

***

Lin was sitting up against the headboard of the bed, a couple pillows easing his back, and Lucas next to him. There was a tv in Lin's room, in all their rooms actually. Lucas was angled on the bed in such a way that he could see the screen, and still keep an eye on the door, all while lying flat on his back. Lex stopped in the doorway, Lin's head turning to them, and a smile overtaking his face at the sight of Lian standing there.

"Hey," Lin said, his eyes happy as he looked at his little brother. Lian smiled back, and nodded, but made no move to get any closer to the bed. "Lian," Colin called. He lifted his arm and gestured, frowning. "Come here." Julian took one tentative step forward, then another, and Lin forced a smile again. "It's okay. There's someone I want you to meet," his eyes glancing at Lucas before moving back to Lian's face.

Lex gave the kid's back a little shove and leaned against the doorjamb. He looked over at Lucas, and was surprised to find him looking back, expressionless.

Lin shifted his legs off the bed, setting his bare feet on the floor as Lian came closer. Then, lifting his arms, Lin waited for Julian to tuck himself under them, walk up close and wrap his little arms around him in a hug.

Lex heard Lian say something, thought it might have been a question, and then Lin respond, "Yeah," on a sigh. "I promise I won't."

Pushing away from the wall, Lex dragged a chair from the corner of the room and brought it up to the footboard of the bed. From here, he was close to everyone in the room, and not snubbing anyone, either, by sitting down on one side of the bed and not the other.

"Lin," Lex said, waiting until he looked over before continuing. "Perhaps you'd like to make those introductions now."

"Yeah," he replied, drawing back from Lian, but still keeping an arm around him. With a wave of his hand, Lin said, "Lian, this is Lucas. Dunleavy. He's our brother," and Lex smiled at the joy he saw on Lin's face as he said that last part. It was the same as what he'd said to Lex, and now he knew how much rescuing Lucas had meant to Lin.

Now they had something else in common.

"Lucas," Lin was saying. "This is Julian, Lian, for short."

Lian looked over to Lucas, and Lucas returned it. "It's nice to meet you, Lucas," he said in a quiet voice. "I'm glad you're here now." And then little Lian smiled that sad, bitter, so-adult smile, and Lex held his breath, looking between the three of them on the bed.

Lucas moved into a sitting position, keeping his eyes on Lian the whole time. He leaned over Lin a bit and said, straight into Lian's eyes, "It's my pleasure, Julian, to meet you. Lin always said you were an incredible person, and now I can see it for myself." Lucas stretched out his hand, holding it out for Lian to shake, and Lex smiled when Lian did. Julian crowded into Lin in his haste to give that handshake. Lex didn't know if it were chance, or if Lin had somehow already told Lucas of Lian's love of formality, but he had no doubt Lucas was already firmly ensconced in Lian's big heart.

And with that gesture, Lex realized he was also in his. Lucas hadn't spoken down to Lian, had never, in fact, ever even referred to him as a child or boy. He'd treated him like an adult, and maybe it had just been wishful thinking, but Lex thought he'd seen a small smile briefly wash over Lucas' mouth.

And if anyone could break through to Lucas, perhaps it wouldn't be Lin. . . but Lian. God knew, he'd done it for everyone else in the house, and effortlessly, too. Lian was so open and affectionate and caring so naturally, that he made you want to be that way too. Lex wished he could see the world through Lian's eyes -- jaded a bit, yes, but still so full of hope and love.

Lucas' broken heart didn't stand a chance against Lian.

***

He and Julian brought up plates of food for Lin and Lucas, and then Lex went to see Lian to bed. He tucked him in and hugged him, and on his way out of the room, Lex gave in and hummed a familiar tune under his breath.

He went up again to check on Bruce, but, finding him asleep, decided to busy himself elsewhere. Lex went into his old bedroom at one point in his wandering. He walked over to the bedside table and pulled out the bottom drawer. And, picking up what was inside, he tucked it under his arm and left the room. Lex walked down the stairs, making a brief stop in the kitchen, before heading down to the indoor track.

He pushed open the doors and strode across the recycled rubber surface, soon reaching the pseudo locker room. Coming to a stop inside the large shower, Lex brought the folder out from under his arm and dropped it down on the tiles. He pulled out the small gas lighter he'd lifted from the kitchen, and bent down. Clicking it, and then a second time, Lex touched the end to a corner. He watched it go up in flames, and got to his feet again. Stepping back, it felt like a weight was lifted from his chest. Burning the file didn't change anything, didn't negate any of the effect Lionel had had on any of them, but it did make Lex feel better.

For him, the act of destroying that list was that of wiping the slate clean. From here on out, they were a family, bound and bonded together against everyone who wished them ill.

Lex watched the folder burn until it was just ash, then he turned on the shower, and watched again as the water swept everything down the drain. The tiles were washed clean, and when he himself stepped under the water too, Lex smiled and laughed. He washed himself of Lionel and wanting to please him.

Lex watched his guilt sweep down the drain, and grinned on his way back up the stairs, soaked clothing sticking to his every move and his oh-so-expensive Italian shoes utterly ruined.

He'd never felt happier.

***

Climbing into bed, he was careful not to jostle Bruce. He didn't want to mess up the man's side any more than it already was -- again. But when a hand slid up his arm, Lex actually smiled. Bruce hardly ever slept soundly, and it was comforting in a way for him to wake up every time Lex moved around in bed. Like he was waiting for him, or making sure Lex was really there and not just a dream. Putting his own hand over Bruce's, Lex smiled a little wider at the thought that perhaps. . . he was projecting a bit. Normally he was the one waiting up, but this time it was reversed.

He moved his mouth to Bruce's ear and whispered, "Go back to sleep. Everything's all right." Lex squeezed Bruce's hand and laid his head down next to him on the pillow.

"Mmm," came Bruce's low rumble. His eyes slipped shut again, and he turned his face towards Lex. "You're quiet. Couldn't even tell you were here till you got in the bed. . . "

"Is that a compliment?" Lex teased in a quiet whisper, closing his eyes, too.

"Very good, Grasshopper," Bruce murmured in reply, and Lex huffed a laugh.

***

Lex made sure to wake up a little earlier than usual the next morning. He wanted to be there for breakfast, perhaps give Alfred another little warning about Lucas and. . . broach the subject of their newest addition to Liza. Lucas would have to be tested, to see where he was at, learning-wise. Just as he hit the last landing on the stairs, though, Lex stopped, the thought occurring to him that perhaps Lucas would need more than just an educational assessment.

Who was Lucas? Did he exist in the system, in records, or had he been written off as 'missing' all those years ago? And if the latter, then what the hell were they gonna do? Bruce had connections, most definitely the man had some major contacts, but enough to forge the sort of documentation they'd need? Did Bruce have the means to give Lucas an identity? Because Lex sure as hell didn't. Not even close.

Stepping down the stairs again, Lex pushed those worries aside in favor of the more immediate problem. He walked into the kitchen and spotted Julian sitting at the island. Lian was talking to Liza, who stood with the fridge open and a shocked look on her face.

" --but I think he's gonna be staying. Lin made it sound like he was," he was saying. "You'll teach him too, right, Liza? Lex said he's only 17 or 18. He won't have to go to school, will he? I don't think he'd like it there-- "

"So I see you've already heard the news then," Lex said. He smiled when Julian turned to him, but then locked eyes with Liza again, gauging her reaction.

"I-- I'm not sure if I'm understanding this correctly," she replied. Shutting the door to the refrigerator, Liza leaned her back against it and frowned in confusion. "You. . . have another brother?" she asked hesitantly.

Lex nodded, moving to take a seat next to Lian at the counter. "Lucas is our half-brother, technically," he said. "But, yes, he's our brother."

Liza shook her head and pushed away from the fridge. Walking up to the island and setting her hands on top of it, she took a deep breath and met Lex's eyes.

"And where has he been this whole time?" Liza smiled tightly, then added, "Don't get me wrong. I have nothing against him, but. . . why is he here now? Why not before? Lex," and she reached out to lay a hand on his, "Lex, where did he live before?"

Lex sighed and shared a brief glance with Lian before turning back to face Liza. Might as well tell her, he thought. If Bruce brought her here, then he had to have had faith in her. He wouldn't have risked someone untrustworthy around them, not Lin and Lian. . . not with how much Bruce knew Lex cared for them.

"Lucas was kept somewhere by my father," he told her. Liza's eyes first went wide, then confused, and Lex went on. "Not at the house. Someplace else. He's-- Lucas is Lionel's son and. . . I truly don't know all the circumstances, but I do know that he wasn't there voluntarily. Lin saw him sometimes, and that's where we were yesterday: getting Lucas."

It was the briefest, most simplified version of the truth imaginable, but it was still true. For some reason, it felt wrong to lie to Liza -- at least explicitly. Lies of omission were a different breed, and in some cases the only way to protect her.

She squeezed his hand, looking worried and concerned. "What did you do, Lex?" she asked.

He shook his head, jerking his chin up a little, and slowly withdrew his hand.

"What needed to be done," Lex replied coldly.

"But-- if he were under-- ?" Liza began. She trailed off, however, when the door to the right opened.

Looking between them with raised eyebrows, Lin said lightly, "Hope we're not interrupting anything. . . " He met Lex's eyes and Lex smirked at his timing.

"No, not at all," he replied. Catching sight of Lucas behind Lin, Lex gestured to Liza then said, "And, Liza, may I introduce the man of the hour, Lucas Dunleavy." Lin and Lucas were holding hands again, he saw, as Colin tugged Lucas forward. "Lucas," Lex said, surprised when those eyes turned to look at him. He waved a hand at Liza. "This is Liza Olexi. She's a tutor who's been helping Lin and Lian these past few weeks."

Liza's mouth hung open for all of a few seconds, before she smartly snapped it shut. Then stretching her hand out, she said, "A pleasure, Lucas," tilting her head when he made no move to shake her hand.

Just as she appeared ready to drop it back to her side, though, Lucas pushed past Lin to take it. He cradled her hand in both of his, and looked into her face in. . . wonder? Lex craned his neck in an attempt to better make out Lucas' expression. Wonder, he thought. And delight.

Was that a smile he saw?

"Ms. Olexi," Lucas murmured softly, "the pleasure's all mine, I'm sure."

And it was strange -- as if any part of their lives weren't strange -- that right after he said that, Lin moved close again and laid his own hand on Lucas' shoulder. Lucas was still staring, enraptured, at Liza, and when Lex studied Lin's profile he saw. . . anxiety.

"Why don't we all sit and have some breakfast?" Lin suggested in a tense voice. He looked at Lex then, and that vague feeling of dread crept down Lex's spine again.

Sliding off the stool, Lex moved an arm to Lian's shoulders and said, a little too loudly, "Good idea, Lin." It worked, though, and Lucas' eyes darted over to him. He dropped Liza's hand and stepped back into Lin's steadying ones. Lex breathed out slowly, turning and steering Lian to the table. "I'm surprised Alfred isn't here yet," Lex ventured, meeting Lin's eyes across the way.

Lin's mouth quirked, and as he guided Lucas into a chair -- three away from Liza, Lex noted -- he tilted his head up towards the ceiling. Lin's eyes became unfocused for a moment, before snapping back to Lex with a look of smug satisfaction on his face.

"He's upstairs talking to Bruce," Lin said with a smirk.

Lex narrowed his eyes at him for a moment, then just shook his head and smiled. Lin chuckled, taking his seat, and when their eyes met again, Lex saw a lightness there. Delight, he thought to himself, and realized the expression on Lin's face now mirrored the one that had been on Lucas' just a minute ago.

"I hope it's not oatmeal today," came Lian's voice, and Lex looked at him with a smile.

"No, I think it'll be something a little fancier," Lex replied. "After all, today's a celebration of sorts, right?"

Lian nodded and slid down farther into his seat, his head resting back on Lex's arm.

***

"Do you want to come, Lian?" he asked as they neared the top of the second floor. "You don't have to, you know."

Julian looked between him and Liza for a moment before shaking his head. "No," he said quietly. Lex dropped to his knee right there on the stairs, and met the boy's eyes dead-on. Lian just gave him a quirky smile and shook his head again. "You go ahead. Liza and I are working on math today."

"Okay, then, Kiddo," Lex told him. He stood up and laid a hand on Lian's shoulder, waiting for him to look up again. "I'll see ya later. Have fun, yeah?"

Lian nodded, reaching out to hug Lex around the middle. Then drawing away, he grabbed Liza's hand and took off down the second floor hallway towards the library.

Lex turned back to Lin and Lucas, and together the three of them resumed their trek up to the master bedroom. Lex went to the door first, giving it a perfunctory knock before pushing it open. Then he went inside, meeting Bruce's alert eyes before stepping back to make way for Lucas and Colin.

Bruce was dressed in a pair of old jeans and a sweater, thick socks on his feet as he laid on top of the covers. So, Lex thought, somewhat amused, this is what Alfred was "talking to Bruce" about. Never wanting to seem weak, it was just like the man to force himself into clothes for the sake of appearances. He'd bet anything it'd been Alfred's influence only that had kept Bruce from trying to get into a suit and down to his office.

Closing the door behind them, Lex crossed the floor over to the bed. "Lian's studying in the library," was all he said, making no move to touch Bruce. . . no matter how much he wanted to.

Bruce nodded distractedly, eyes lighting on Lucas. He and Lin were standing down at the foot of the bed, and Lex gestured for Lin to take over while he grabbed a chair and sat down.

"Bruce," Colin said, lifting his head in acknowledgment. "This is Lucas Dunleavy. Lucas," and Lin's voice was noticeably softer and lower, "This is Bruce Wayne."

Lucas' head was down, his eyes on the floor, and Lex was so confused. The way he. . . acted, the different reactions Lucas had to everything and everyone was very strange and. . .  It almost seemed like a code of conduct, like a set of rules or law he had to obey. He responded to Lin like an equal, almost, but not quite like a brother or friend. And Lucas was still wary of him, Lex knew, almost like he couldn't figure out what to make of Lex -- which category to put him in. But Lucas acted nice to Lian, had tried to ingratiate himself to Liza, if overtly flirting with her could be called ingratiating.

And now he wouldn't even meet Bruce's eyes. Lex had an idea as to why that might be, but he was loath to really think about it. Lionel was a sick, sick bastard, and if he'd. . .

Not for the first time, probably not for the last, either, Lex wished something heavy and immovable would fall on Lionel. He wished they could all just be done with him, once and for all.

"It's good to finally meet you, Lucas," Bruce said from his position on the bed. "And it's good to know you're out of that place."

Lex was watching him closely, and so he caught Lucas' brief flinch at Bruce's comment. They weren't holding hands anymore, he noticed as he looked closer. Lin was even standing a bit farther away than usual from Lucas, not touching him in any way. Another question he'd never be able to bring himself to ask.

Bruce stared at Lucas for a little while more, then looked towards Lin. He jerked his head over to indicate the chairs near him, and Lin nodded back. With a hand on Lucas' back, he guided them over and took the seat closest to the bed, closest to Bruce, leaving the other for Lucas. Lex was on the other side of the bed.

"Lucas," Bruce called softly. "I need to ask you some questions, about. . . certain things, and. . . " He trailed off, and Lex looked at him.

"We need to know how you came to be there," Lex said, drawing all their eyes to him. Lucas had jerked his head up when Lex started speaking, and now Lex was determined to put that to good use. "Do you remember how you came there?" he asked gently.

Lucas just stared blankly at him for a moment, then sighed and closed his eyes. Lex could see from the corner of his eye Bruce tilting his head in confusion, but he kept his focus on Lucas.

Lucas dropped his head down again then, and said quietly. "I was living with this couple." He shrugged. "They were okay. A lot of cats, though, but it wasn't. . . too bad. Better than the group home."

Lex swallowed and realized anew what an asshole his father was. Lucas was forced to live in an orphanage, in foster homes, when all along his real father knew and just. . . didn't care. Until he became useful.

"I was only about. . . six when he came, and. . . " Lucas paused, taking a deep breath before continuing. "He was at the table, in the house, when I got back from school. And. . . God! I can't even remember their names." He shook his head in apparent frustration. "What were their names?" Lucas asked rhetorically. "I can't remember, but. . . he was there. He called himself my 'teacher,' said he was going to take me to a different school, a better one. One for smart children."

"God," Lex whispered, closing his eyes.

"I met Lin the third day, I think," he went on. Lex opened his eyes and saw Lucas still staring down at his lap, at his hands, it appeared. But he wasn't fidgeting at all, just sitting there as still as could be.

It was unnerving.

"And then, things just happened." Lucas shrugged again. There was a long moment of silence, then Lucas said, so quietly Lex actually leaned forward in his chair, "I think-- I think, in a way, I didn't know it was really bad until later. I thought he was just a teacher, for so long, but. . . "

Lex swallowed and brought a hand up to cover his mouth, to hide his reaction, he thought. He looked over to Bruce and saw him breathing a little faster than normal, his eyes centered on Lucas. But when Lex turned to Lin, he saw his head turned away. Lin was looking at the other side of the room, and his body showed no tension or strain. In fact, the only thing that gave away how uncomfortable Lin was. . . was the fact that he didn't look uncomfortable at all. Except for some specific instances -- and even those, Lex could count on one hand -- Lin always looked just a bit. . . uneasy. He wasn't completely comfortable in his own skin, and it showed. Not that it was any wonder, really, with all the garbage Lionel must have drilled into his head over the years, but Lex didn't think he'd ever seen Colin truly, 100 percent happy.

Lin would never be complacent about anything, and just the thought made tears prickle in the corners of Lex's eyes.

So the fact that Lin looked relaxed and easy, actually just served to highlight how much Lucas' story was affecting him.

"I was eight when he told me the truth," Lucas said. "Lin was gone for awhile, and I'd-- I'd asked where he was." He raised his head and looked at Lex, and there was real emotion there. Lucas looked so sad and heartbroken, and Lex wondered if this were his real face. . . or just another mask he wore, trying to fit in. "Your mother had died, and he'd taken Lin away for the-- for the funeral."

Lex didn't know what expression was on his own face, but it must not have been very encouraging. Lucas just sagged a bit more in his chair and dropped his head down again.

"Lin said-- " Lex started, pausing when Lin turned to look at him quickly. But he continued, focusing on Lucas and saying, "Most of the experiments involved. . . blood? Transfusions?" Lucas' hands were clenched together now, but Lex couldn't stop, not when they were this close to finding out, not when-- "What kinds of things did-- "

"No."

Lex jerked his head over to Lin, surprised by the anger in that one word. Lin just stared right back at him, eyes hard and head held high.

"Lin, we need to know what happened," Lex argued.

"Not now," he replied coldly. "And not like this, either. You didn't make me tell everything. Why should Lucas have to?"

"I'm not asking for everything, but we need to know, and-- "

"You keep saying that!" Lin shouted, and Lex saw Lucas flinch away from him minutely. "'We need to know.' 'We,' 'we,' 'we.'" He shook his head angrily. "You mean you need to know, Lex. And why? So you can see how awful things were?"

"What are you talking about?" Lex countered. "I want to know because I want to figure out how to get Lucas his life back. How to make him safe from Lionel. Right now, Lin-- " He gave a sharp laugh and smirked. "Right now, it's illegal for him to even be here, and we're all guilty of kidnapping. You wanna give Dad that kind of leverage? Just let him walk in here and take everything away, all with the law on his side, I might add?"

Colin scowled at him, but he didn't say anything more. Lex crossed his legs and folded his arms across his chest, and just raised a questioning eyebrow at Lin.

"I think that's enough for right now, don't you?" Bruce asked calmly. Lex looked at him and saw Bruce and Lucas staring at each other. And, breath suddenly sticking in his chest, Lex watched as Lucas nodded at Bruce. "Why don't we all call it a day?" He leaned back and rested his head on the pillows behind him. "Lucas, you're welcome to explore the manor to your heart's content. All I ask is that you take Colin with you, when you do. He's more familiar with the place, and. . . " Here, Bruce smirked a little, looking towards a still-scowling Lin. "I'm sure he'll be able to find a way out, should you become lost."

"Right," Lin said, standing and waiting for Lucas to, as well. When he had, Lin met Lex's eyes once more before striding quickly from the room. Lucas followed more slowly, carefully closing the door behind himself with a soft click.

They were silent for awhile. Then, with breezy whish of air, Bruce said, "I thought that went well."

Lex could hear the smile in his voice, and when he looked over, indeed saw the small smirk that was Bruce's gleeful grin.

Lex shrugged, going for unaffected. "Could've been worse," he agreed.

"And they call me the distant, cold one," Bruce mused.

"Oh, shut up. You are the distant, cold one," Lex snapped.

"That's why it's so gratifying to see you mess up once in awhile," he returned, causing Lex to bite his lip in annoyance. Bruce turned his head to look at him. "Lets the rest of us know you're human, and not some magic-bonding-machine."

"What?" Lex laughed. "'Magic-bonding-machine?' What the hell is that?"

But Bruce didn't smile or laugh. He didn't even chuckle or smirk, and Lex felt the humor slide off his face.

"People, most people, like you," Bruce said. "Well, decent people do. Criminals and scumbags. . . who cares what they think. You're a good guy, a charming one, too, and. . . "

"And, what?" he encouraged. "You're every bit as charming as I am, Bruce. More so, considering you can play on your looks, as well." Lex leaned forward in his chair, staring into Bruce's eyes and trying to figure out what the hell he was talking about. "What do you mean?"

"You're not perfect, either," Bruce said softly. "And sometimes I forget that, forget that I'm not the only one." His lips twitched.

"What, not the only one who's messed up?" Lex asked incredulously. He stood up and then slid onto the bed next to Bruce. "Then, no, Bruce. You're not the only one, not even close." Lex sighed heavily and shrugged back into the pillows, too.

"You make it look so easy, Lex. I forget that it's hard for other people, too." Lex turned his head and Bruce was looking right back at him, so near and immediate.

"It's not easy. Only with you," Lex said quietly.

But Bruce just looked sad and corrected, reaching a hand out and cupping Lex's cheek, "And Lin."

***

Lex skipped lunch, avoiding it in favor of working out in the gym. After he'd cleaned up, he made a deliberately vague call to Chance, just checking in to see how things were going. Chance called him on it and told him not to worry. He sent his regards to Lin and asked after Lucas.

Lex told him everything here was fine, and Chance laughed, telling him he was a "piss-poor liar."

After another discussion with Alfred, Lex later volunteered to go upstairs and get everyone for dinner. Lian was first, and he and Liza started off towards the kitchen. . . leaving Lex to track down Lin and Lucas.

They weren't in Lin's room, or any of the other rooms on the second floor. Lex checked Bruce's office, even going down to the gym and shower room.

And then he remembered overhearing Lin saying something to Lucas about riding. The stables, he thought, grabbing a coat and heading out into the snowy evening. Thankfully, there was a cleared, stone path from the manor to the stables, since Lex hadn't thought to change his shoes.

Pushing open the door to the building proper and walking inside, he was warmed and comforted by the earthy, strong smell of horses. Hot noses came out to investigate him as he walked farther into the stable. He smiled, petting the mare he'd ridden last time. "Hey, there, girl," he cooed, stroking the soft velvet of her head. "You see two boys anywhere?" She blew out a rush of hot air on his hands, and Lex chuckled. "Yeah, well, keep an eye out for me, will ya?" One final pet, and he moved away.

It was over near the doorway to the other side of the building that Lex found them. One door to a fenced-in paddock was open, and there, black against the snow, they stood -- Lucas, with his back against Lin's chest, and Lin, with his arms wrapped securely around him.

They were both gazing up into the sky, stars already lighting up the night, and Lex felt like an idiot.

"Hey," he called softly. Lucas spun in the circle of Lin's arms, his face showing shock and stark surprise, but Lex only had to look at Lin to know he'd heard him approaching. Lin just gazed back at him, no expression on his face. Lex maintained eye contact and said, "Dinner's ready."

Then he turned around and headed back inside.

***

Interrupt

It was difficult sometimes, to keep focused and steady, to remember where and when he was. . . who he was, here.

Lucas needed someone to look after him, always had, as far as Lin knew. And for awhile there, that'd been his job, his only job. He took care of Lucas. He tried to shelter and protect Lian.

He always, always tried to hide the truth from Lex. Always.

What was it they'd used to say -- be steady, and we'll be done soon.

They'd lied. It didn't matter how still or obedient he was. Lucas always fought, and Lin tried, tried so hard not to. If it were the two of them in the room, if some new experiment needed a control and Lucas was well enough. . . then Lin always tried to be steady. For Lucas' sake.

And he'd always believed that your life flashed before your eyes when you died, but they lied about that, too. It was just, one moment you're there and struggling for just. One. More. Breath. . . and the next, your chest feels like it's on fire and Dr. Garner is leaning over you with that smirk on his face.

He just couldn't escape it. If it weren't something at the Centre, then it was something at the house. He'd come back with-- with Lionel, and then something would happen. That man would say something cruel about Lex, or Lian sometimes. He'd make fun of Lin, or just treat the staff like thieving imbeciles, when everyone was really too terrified to even think of stealing.

And these days, he wasn't even there anymore. None of them were, nor ever had to be again. But. . . he still was. Every day was waking up and trying to be okay. Every moment, he had to orient himself back to here and now and them.

And it was because of him. Because of Lionel. He poisoned everything he touched. He turned everyone against each other, and then just sat back and laughed. Sometimes in his nightmares, Lin dreamed that he'd escaped, that Lucas had, even. . .

. . . but that Lian was somehow trapped, locked forever in Lionel's arms and listening to that man's every word. He'd have loved that, Lionel would, to have turned Julian into himself. Like he'd tried with Lex, before recognizing it as impossible. Like Lin thought he might have attempted with Lucas, way back when he'd still. . . acted sort of human. Lian was strong, and he was brave and loyal, and so very loving and kind. But he was human, too. He was just as weak as he was strong, like everybody, and there was only so much hatred and ruthlessness a person could listen to before they started. . . believing it. Before they couldn't tell the difference between the truth and reality. . . and the world he created. Everyone had weaknesses, and. . . and Lionel's favorite game was to turn those fears and damaged spots against a person.

He wasn't there anymore. He'd escaped. They'd gone back for Lucas; they'd taken Lian with them. Lex was so strong and compassionate now. Lucas would heal, he knew he would. As long as he had his books and someone to check up on him, he imagined Lucas could live a relatively normal life. Maybe he'd find a girl, or maybe he'd live alone and be happy. Just him and his words, secure in the knowledge that he would never be trapped like that ever again.

Lucas would be fine. Lex would be. . . amazing, when all this died down. Lex was always amazing. Julian wasn't okay. He could see that every time he looked at the poor kid, but that boy was made of strong stuff. Strength and power and genius and fortitude were all in his blood, and Lian had enough love and compassion and humanity in him to overcome anything.

But they were here now, with Bruce. And maybe someday, they'd move -- all together, or in ones and twos. Eventually, they'd all leave this house. Bruce would say goodbye and get back to living his life, instead of theirs.

It would change again, and again, and again. Maybe he'd-- maybe Lionel would be confronted with his crimes, and maybe he wouldn't. Maybe he'd die and finally do something good.

They were free. They were all free, and there was so much hope that it overflowed onto everything and everyone. He could see it sometimes, the color of it as it passed from people's eyes, out and across their entire faces. Happiness was like a beam of light, or a rain shower: it never affected just one person.

They were free, all of them.

But then, why did he still feel trapped? Why could he never catch his breath, or draw someone smiling and laughing anymore?

Why did he secretly wish he were. . . still back there, when only evil ever came from Lionel?

He didn't want this life, now that he had it. Every day, he woke up terrified, afraid to even get out of bed. If it weren't for Lucas needing him, Lin might just stay in that one room all day.

And Daniel told them, during one of those early sessions, that feelings like these would pass. Acclimation, he said. They'd get used to a new life, a new place, soon enough.

But it'd been weeks and weeks, and nothing had changed.

Lin thought he should have expected it. Daniel had lied. But then, how was that different from anyone?

Or maybe. . . maybe the same rules just didn't apply to Lin. Perhaps he was too alien, too different, too 'unfixable.'

Maybe these feelings would never go away.

And maybe they'd only disappear once Lionel was a corpse, rotting in the ground. Or ashes scattered over a waste dump.

Maybe then, he'd have peace.

***

That morning, he got up 15 minutes after Lucas. They'd been sleeping in the same bed since returning, and if Lex knew. . . he never said anything, never even looked twice at the two of them emerging from the room together.

Lin wished he would. Anything, for Lex to just look at him twice. . .

Lucas had decided he liked black best of all apparently, as he'd been consistently picking that color to wear since they'd come here. It made sense, though. All he'd ever seen Lucas wear. . . there. . . had been white, sometimes grey. And black was as far from white as you could get.

Too bad he looked more like his father when he wore black, but that couldn't be helped. Lin was pretty sure no one else had made the same connection, so he kept it to himself.

He asked him if it were all right to keep the bathroom door open. They'd lived in close quarters together for so long that it felt wrong and strange and uncomfortable to be this close. . . and have a shut door between them. And of course, Lucky didn't mind. He'd just shrugged and nodded, and always left it open.

Lin would catch himself thinking about his habits sometimes, about the things he had to do a certain way. Once, he'd been told that he most likely had OCD, and even though he'd dismissed it at the time, he wondered now if there were some truth to it. After all, Daniel had been the one to tell him that, all those years ago, and now Daniel was a professional head-shrinker.

But then, Daniel had also suggested that Lex was bi-polar once upon a time, so one couldn't categorically believe everything the man said. Everyone lied, and, more, everyone thought they were always right. Sure, Daniel had no clue what he was really telling Lin, but it'd still been said.

Lex wasn't manic-depressive. He wasn't a sociopath, and he wasn't psychotic, either. He was Alex, Alexander, who'd laughed and joked and played with him all those years ago. He was Lex, who always got straight A's and made the Dean's list every semester. He was charming and intelligent and handsome and sophisticated. He always tried; he never gave up. Lex always came back. He was a good man.

So he couldn't be psychotic. It wouldn't be possible because, if there were one thing in the whole world Lin was absolutely sure of. . . it was that Lex was nothing like his father.

And Lionel was crazy.

So, Lex couldn't be. As simple as that.

***

"You can come, if you want," he told Lucas quietly. He finished putting on his coat, and turned around to meet his eyes. "I just thought maybe. . . you wouldn't want to go out. So soon, I mean," he said stiltedly.

Lucas, from his position on the bed, shrugged and returned his attention to the book in his lap. "I don't care," he mumbled, and Lin counted to five with a deep breath.

"Well, we're leaving now, so. . . do you want to come with us, Lucas, or not?"

Silence for a moment, then Lucky looked up and said in a clear voice, "No, you go ahead. I'll stay here." He lifted the book a little, most likely reminding Lin that he had something to keep him occupied, then attempted to smile.

 Lin moved closer to the bed and reached out with his hand to touch Lucas' hair. "You know where everyone is?" he asked, and Lucas nodded. His eyes went shallow and vague as he looked across the room and through the floor, but then snapped back to Lin.

"Bruce is. . . 'downstairs,'" Lucky said, and Lin smiled at him, nodding in agreement. They'd decided 'basement' or 'downstairs' was a good term for the cave. Never knew who could be listening, or what might slip in public someday, and it was best to get in the habit of using code words early, in the beginning before things started getting crazier.

"And Lex?"

"On the track again," Lucas answered quickly. He frowned a bit as his eyes went back down to where Lex was, and Lin followed suit, sifting through the various layers of floor and space until he could see the top of Lex's head. "He's tired," Lucky said quietly. "Listen to his heartbeat. It's too fast."

"No, it's not," Colin replied. "Lex's heart is strong." He moved his hand to the side of Lucas' face, dragging his attention back to this room and this moment. . . and away from Lex. "He'll always be okay, physically. Remember?"

Lucas nodded, ducking his head in embarrassment for apparently having forgotten.

"Hey," Lin said, sitting down on the bed next to him. "Don't worry so much. You're doing fine, here. And quit pushing so hard," he told him, smiling to take any sting out of his words.

"You're so far ahead of me," Lucas complained in a low voice. "I just want to do what you can do." He raised his head up and stared right into Lin's eyes. "I want to go with you, Lin. See what you see and-- and-- "

"You will," he said, softly. "In a few weeks, you'll be right there with me, every step of the way. I promise, yeah?"

Lucas just sighed and nodded his head sadly. "Yeah," he replied.

Lin moved his hand down to squeeze Lucas' arm, and then got back to his feet. "So," he said. "You're sure you don't want to come along? Alfred doesn't bite, you know."

Lucas had already gone back to reading, but he lifted a hand and waved it at Lin dismissively.

Colin chuckled as he turned and left the room, closing the door securely behind himself.

***

"Now the trick, Master Colin, is starting out slowly. Take your time pushing down the gas pedal. Don't rush."

He took a deep breath and set his foot down on the right pedal. The car lurched forward alarmingly, and Lin immediately yanked his foot back. He ended up slamming his knee into the steering wheel, while Alfred said loudly, "The other pedal, sir! Put your foot down on the left pedal, Master Colin!"

He did so, and the car jerked to a teeth-rattling stop.

They sat there for a minute in silence, until a strange sound came to Lin's attention. He turned his head in shock, staring at Alfred who had a hand covering his mouth and whose shoulders were shaking.

He was laughing. Hard. Lin frowned.

"Sor-- sorry, Master. . . Colin," the man tried to say in between bouts of hysterical cackling, but his voice just kept dipping into this loud 'Ha-ha-ha-ha' sound. Lin kept frowning, resisting the urge to laugh just because Alfred was.

"What?" he asked. "What'd I do?"

"Nothing!" he gasped out. "Oh, nothing, sir. I just-- " and he paused to wipe at the corners of his eyes, still grinning and shaking his head back and forth. "I remember teaching other young boys and girls how to drive, and. . . " He met Lin's eyes and said with another quick laugh, "It's always the same. Every single time, the foot goes down," and here he mimed the action with his hand, then made a screeching sound. "And the car leaps forward and then-- " A mock look of incredulous surprise and then Alfred gestured at Lin's legs. "Up, goes the foot. . . right into the steering console! Never the brake. Never!" He started chuckling again, and Lin crossed his arms over his chest. And didn't pout. Not even a little bit.

Alfred's laughter slowed and then ceased altogether. Lin was glad Lucky hadn't come along. . . even if he could use a good laugh. And maybe it shouldn't have cheered him up any, but the realization that Lucas would have to learn how to drive someday soothed Lin a little.

At least he hadn't had Lex teach him. If he had, he'd most likely be on the receiving end of a lecture right now on the exact workings of the car, famous accidents and statistics, and perhaps a few of Lex's own. . . 'mishaps.' And being stuck in a small car, with Lex, while being unable to touch him, was not something Lin wanted to experience any time soon.

He'd rather stare at Lex from afar, than have to stand next to him as only a brother.

"Master Colin?" Alfred's voice broke into his woolgathering. "Did you want to try again?"

He turned his head back to the wheel and took a deep breath. This time, he barely laid his foot down on the accelerator, and slowly. . . slowly. . .

"That's it, sir!" Alfred exclaimed in delight. "Exactly so. Now, the turn's coming up soon, so just ease. . . "

***

He drove about halfway into the city, then switched and let Alfred take over. They were heading in to do some shopping. Alfred's weekly trip was today, and Lin had volunteered to help him.

He'd even asked if it'd be okay for him to drive the second leg of the trip back to the manor. Lin didn't think he was ready to get behind the wheel in the city yet. Nor anytime soon, if he had his way.

They stopped at the same store they had a few weeks ago, when it was the two of them, along with Lian and Liza. He helped Alfred pick out some clothes for Lucas, so he wouldn't have to borrow Lin's anymore. He got him a black, wool peacoat and some black slacks and jeans. Alfred insisted on some blue, red and white shirts, and Lin just shrugged, knowing Lucas would wear the black more often anyway.

Finally, they were done picking out clothes and heading to the registers, when, by chance, his eyes fell on a little boy all by himself near the tie display. He looked utterly lost and devastated, and Lin immediately stopped and put a hand on Alfred's arm. When the older man turned to him questioningly, Lin jerked his head towards the kid. Alfred gave him a look, before nodding and continuing up to the counter.

Lin approached the boy slowly, trying to make eye contact and not sneak up on him, but the kid just ducked his head and twisted his hands.

"Hey," Lin said softly, when he'd gotten close enough. "Are you lost?"

The boy -- younger than Lian by a few years, he guessed -- finally looked up and Lin could see his eyes were wet. He wasn't crying yet, but he was close, and Lin stepped closer, dropping to his knees like Lex always did with Lian.

"Hey, it's okay." He cast a quick glance around the immediate area, searching for some frantic man or woman, some older sister or brother looking worriedly for a sibling. No one close, though, and he turned back to the boy with a forced smile. "Who are you here with? Your mom or dad? Sister?"

The kid sniffled -- honest to God, sniffled -- and shook his head. "My mom. . . " he whispered forlornly.

"We'll find her, don't worry. What's she look like?" he asked. "Do you remember the color of the coat she was wearing?"

"Purple," the boy responded immediately. "She's got brown hair. And-- and it's really curly, like yours." He tried to smile, but ended up just sniffling some more.

Lin nodded encouragingly. "My name's Colin," he said. "What's yours?"

"Tim," the little boy responded. He darted a glance over to the other side of the store. "We were over there," he said, pointing. "But I-- it was boring and I-- "

" --and you decided to go exploring, right?" he finished for him. Tim nodded hesitantly and Lin returned it with another smile.

"She wasn't there when I went back," Tim said.

"Well, let's go find her, shall we?" And he stood up and met Alfred's eyes across the floor. He was smiling at Lin fondly, and gestured with his hands that he'd stay there till he got back.

"You're really tall," Tim said beside him as they started walking. Lin smiled and looked down at him.

"Yes, I s'pose I am. But I'm also pretty old, too, so that's why."

"How old?" he asked, and Lin was happy to see the tears had vanished for now. Tim was looking curious and determined, like Lin was some mystery to solve. A little distraction, he thought to himself, and the kid's right as rain.

"Fifteen," Lin told him.

Tim wrinkled his nose and frowned. Lin wondered if he looked like that when he frowned.

After a moment, Tim looked up at him and said, "My mom's older. . . " as if consoling him for being such a lofty age. Lin chuckled and made a sound of agreement, as they walked through the store.

He slipped into his other vision for a second, scanning ahead for a purple coat and brown, curly hair.

On the left, purple coat over her arm as she moved quickly past the racks of clothing, was a woman flushed and breathing heavily. Her eyes darted back and forth quickly in worry or fear. . .

"Tim," Lin said, stopping and lightly setting a hand on the boy's shoulder. "I see your mom up ahead." Tim jerked his head around quickly, straining up on his tiptoes to catch a glimpse of her. "I'll see you later, okay, buddy?"

Tim turned his head back to him, frowning again, as Lin started to move away. "But-- "

"Tim!" came a woman's cry, and Lin took that moment to move back.

"Mommy!" and the boy was off like a shot towards the woman. Lin watched, just to make sure, but startled when the woman's eyes turned to him. His lips twitched in an automatic attempt at smiling, but when she grinned back at him, Lin started backing away.

"No, wait!" she called out, herding Tim close to her side and rushing up to Lin. "Wait! Did you help him?" she asked.

"Uh-- "

"He did, Mom," Tim put in, looking up at Lin like he'd come to his rescue. "His name's Colin!"

She smiled at her son before reaching for Lin's hands, stopping abruptly when he moved back in a flinch. Her smile turned forced, but her eyes were still warm.

"Thank you," she said, emotion making her eyes shine. "I thought I'd lost him."

"He asked me questions!" Tim declared excitedly. "Like a real detective, Mom!"

She chuckled, and said, "He likes detective stories," in a conspiratorial voice. "Can't get enough of them." She ruffled Tim's hair and smiled down fondly at him. Then, with a quick jerk of her head, she met Lin's eyes again. "What's your name? Colin? I'm Janet Drake, and this is Tim."

"He knows, Mom," Tim whined, frowning again. "I told him."

"I know you did, sweetie," she replied. "But it's nice to make introductions."

"I, uh-- I should be going now." Lin hesitated. "It was nice meeting you, Ms. Drake. And you, too, Tim," he said a little more warmly.

"What's your last name?" Tim asked, and Lin cursed his luck for having to get a miniature detective. Of all kids, he had to stumble upon this one. . .

"Luthor," he replied, a little coldly. Realizing how that might come across, he added, "But everyone calls me Lin." He kept his eyes on Tim, afraid of what Janet's reaction might be, whether she might know. . . or read the paper at all.

"Thanks. . . Lin!" Tim said.

"You're welcome. Hey," he said, bending over and meeting Tim's eyes. "Stay close to your mom next time, yeah?" And the boy ducked his head in embarrassment. The move made Lin look twice, trying to figure out how it seemed familiar. Shaking it away, he stood up straight again.

Janet was looking at him sadly, as she clutched Tim tighter to her chest. Lin nodded to her once more, then turned around and. . . walked away. Alfred was waiting right at the counter, chatting with one of the salesgirls, and Lin reached down to pick up the four bags at the man's feet.

"You have yourself a wonderful holiday, Miss," Alfred told her, and the girl smiled prettily at him. Her eyes then flicked over to Lin, and she blushed when he met her eyes. Girls. Strange creatures.

As they stepped outside, Alfred tugging his scarf closer around his neck, Lin looked up at the sky and smiled. It was snowing again, just light, almost translucent flakes, but still. . . snow.

Alfred waited until they were both situated in the car before speaking. He steered carefully down the busy street, and, without looking over, said, "That was a good thing you did back there, Colin."

Lin looked at the side of the man's face, vaguely confused as to why something felt off about the praise. "He was lost," he finally replied. Then he shrugged. "She would have found him eventually."

But Alfred shook his head, glancing quickly at him before going back to the street. "Perhaps, perhaps not. The point is, you helped that boy and I don't think you'll forget that. You did a very good thing today, Master Colin."

He realized then what had been different about Alfred's comment. He hadn't said 'sir' or 'Master Colin.' Alfred had called him just by his name only.

He didn't know if that were important, but it felt significant. Just like that boy. He'd felt compelled to go over there, like he was. . . Destined To Meet Tim Drake at that exact moment in time. The boy reminded him of Lian, in a way that not all children did. It was more than him just being smart and young and open. It, too, felt important.

And he'd helped that boy, Lin thought, as they pulled into a parking garage. He, Colin Luthor, had helped that kid find his mother. It was a good feeling, that. He'd made a difference, rescued someone, however small and minor the incident. Maybe. . . maybe this is why Bruce does it, he thought. . .

And Alfred was right. Maybe that kid wouldn't have found his way back to his mother. Maybe Lin had prevented something truly horrible from happening.

After all, bad things happened to children left alone, left abandoned in big places like stores, or supermarkets, or crowded parks.

Or cornfields.

***

He ran and ran and ran and felt like he never got anywhere, like he never would get anywhere. And when he was done, when he'd stopped, Lex felt just as he had before he'd begun -- shitty. And unsure.

Lin was in love with him, according to Bruce, but he'd seen that kid with his arms wrapped around Lucas the other night. That was no brotherly cuddle, at least Lex didn't think so.

But then, how was he expected to know what something like that looked like?

He didn't hug that often, never had, really. Only. . . his mother and Pamela when he was a kid, sometimes little Colin, when the boy had wanted to, which wasn't all that often. He hugged Julian now, tried to as often as he could, knowing Lian needed that affection.

He and Bruce didn't really. . . hug, per se. They didn't really cuddle, either, or wrap themselves around each other at night. Lex didn't feel the need to constantly tether Bruce to his side, and in fact loved him more for his independence and confidence than anything. He admired Bruce, it was true, but at the same time that didn't exclude him from seeing the man's faults.

So it baffled him, this closeness Lin seemed to have with everyone. Touching and hugging and snuggling with all of them, and it made Lex feel a little guilty that that behavior was exactly the opposite of what he'd been anticipating. Expecting. Preparing himself for. Lin had been. . . abused. Physically and. . . mentally.

Lionel had done quite the number on Colin, and a lot of it had been--

Maybe that was part of it. Because he hadn't gotten any affection when he was so young, maybe now Lin craved it so badly he freely initiated physical contact. Perhaps it was something else, too. Perhaps Lin actually really needed touch in his life.

Maybe that was part of him being. . . alien.

It made Lex feel sick to think about what had gone on all those years. While he'd been at school, while he'd been drinking and clubbing, while he'd been thinking of Lin as a betrayer and Judas. . . the boy was being tortured because he'd had the worst luck possible. He'd landed near a Luthor, set down within Lionel's grasp, and from then on his fate had been sealed.

Lin hugged everyone it seemed, but he never hugged Lex. Only that time in the bathroom after. . . Lex had found him about to do something stupid, and even then it'd been Lex who'd initiated it.

Lin was in love with him, but he hardly ever touched him. . . willingly.

And Lex didn't know what he felt anymore, besides tired and sad and still so very, very guilty.

Listening to Lionel was a mistake. Believing he'd ever tell the truth about anything was begging for pain.

***

"Well, I can't say as I'm that surprised, son," came Lionel's smarmy tone from the receiver. There was a breathy sigh, and then he said, complete with disappointing tone, "I just expected you to be. . . hmmm, more intrepid perhaps. This was very careless, Lex. Very indiscreet."

Lex threw his calc book across the room and resisted the urge to scream right into the phone.

"I have no idea what you're actually talking about, Dad, but I'm pretty sure it has nothing to do with m-- "

"That's nothing new, is it now?" his father interrupted. There was silence, while Lionel apparently waited for him to get his meaning, and Lex struggled to pull his mind out of the ether.

"Excuse me?" was his witty rejoinder, and even Lex winced at how pathetic he sounded.

The bastard chuckled. "Oh, Lex," he said, almost fondly one might think. . . were it not Lionel Luthor saying it. "You just float around in your own little world these days, don't you? Going to dance clubs, and making deals, and you spend a lot of your time in those labs, don't you, son?

"Well, when you're not stealing my money, that is."

He couldn't breathe. It felt like he was suffocating. He couldn't breathe.

He was being followed? Watched? For how long?

"No answer?" his father prompted, and there was no laughter in his voice now. "No smart comeback or lewd deflection?" Lionel made a tsk-ing sound. "This is it, Lex, your warning. Stop this right now, all of it. You hear me? I am not paying for you to learn how to be a drug dealer. And I want that 70,000 back immediately. This is not a game, and you haven't done anything but make a fool out of yourself, and me."

"I earned that money. I don't care what you think of the means, I still made that all myself, and you have no right to-- "

"You sold the car, Lex!" his father shouted back. "You sold the car I bought you for drugs, didn't you? And then you have the gall to tell me you earned it!"

"It was mine, though," Lex insisted. Some part of him recognized the fact that he needed to shut his mouth, and do it right now, but his brain must not have gotten the memo today. He just kept talking and digging himself a deeper and deeper hole. "Like you said, you bought it for me, and after that it became mine to do with as I wished. It was a gift."

Lionel snorted derisively, and Lex looked longingly over at the baggie on his bed.

"You know what?" his father said slowly, clearly, like he was over enunciating for the sake of an idiot. "I don't care what you consider it. I want $70,000, money that you owe me, and I want it yesterday! Lex, you hear me? That brain of yours still working, or should I have Julian come up there and help you tie your shoes?"

"You son-of-a-bitch," Lex whispered angrily. He was so angry, he couldn't even see straight, and all that bastard ever did was make everything worse.

"How'd you even find out anyway, Dad?" he dared to ask. Again, with the uncontrollable mouth. "You having me followed? That's pretty stalker-ish, old man. Getting a little obsessive in your old age?"

Another chuckle, though this one was slightly darker than the first.

"Oh, you'd be surprised who's working for me now, son, you really would. And, to think, the two of you used to be as thick as thieves. Just goes to show, I guess, what years and miles will do to a. . . brotherly bond."

Fuck.

Oh, Jesus.

"Well, as entertaining as this conversation has been," Lionel said briskly. "I must unfortunately attend to other business. You understand, son," he said on another chuckle. "The rigors of running one's own business and all that.

"Oh, and, Lex? You stop using that shit or we'll have a different kind of 'conversation,' you get me?"

Lex nodded, still in shock, and even though there was no way for his father to know, to see, somehow Lionel 'hmmmed' in pleasure.

"Good," he said. "I'll talk to you later, son. Enjoy the rest of the weekend!"

And with that, he hung up, leaving Lex still clutching the phone.

That's how Bruce found him -- standing in the middle of their room with the phone. It was still turned on, and the loud, grating beeping of it made Lex want to hurl it across the room. But he didn't, couldn't make his arms move to his command.

"Lex?" Bruce asked him quietly. He closed his hand over Lex's and tugged the phone free of his grasp. "What's wrong?"

And didn't it make a weird kind of sense that Lionel would use Lin against him? When Lian was old enough, Lex was sure the old bastard wouldn't hesitate to start messing him up, too.

"Lex?"

"I'm going to kill him for this," he finally said, and Bruce just wrinkled his brow at him.

And the most terrifying thing was, he didn't even know whom he meant at that moment.

His father. . . or his brother, who'd betrayed him to the one person they'd promised each other never to turn into.

Sounded like Colin Luthor was well on his way to becoming his father's son.

***

Lex woke up that morning to an empty bed. But, when he raised his head and peered blearily across the room, he could make out light coming from the master bath. It shone in a streak across the floor of the bedroom, almost touching Lex's hand.

He rubbed his eyes and sat up. It was warm even outside the blankets and bedding, so Lex didn't bother with a robe or slippers. He just slid off the bed and slumped his way into the bathroom.

There was steam and the sound of running water, and Lex looked up to see the blurry outline of Bruce in the shower.

"Lex?"

"No," he called back, bracing himself on the sink as he fumbled for his toothbrush. "It's Alfred! What can I do for you, sir?!"

Bruce opened the shower door and stuck his head around. Water dripped off his hair and chin, and his eyes were unclouded.

He looked happy. For Bruce, that was.

"I just got in," he said, and smirked. Lex saw the dimple in Bruce's cheek and turned his head back to look in the mirror, nearly swallowing his mouthful of toothpaste. "Hurry up and join me. . . Alfred." Then, with a wink and leer, he ducked back into the water, the door closing behind him with a soft snick.

Lex scrubbed and brushed as fast as he could, then spit. He didn't bother rinsing, just began pushing off his sweats and shirt. He pulled the door open and stepped inside, Bruce shifting away slightly to give him room.

"Here," Bruce said quietly, and hands came up Lex's back. He began rubbing at Lex's shoulders, and down the backs of his arms. Lex smiled and dropped his head down farther under the stream of water.

"Thanks," he rumbled back, and Bruce chuckled once or twice.

"Never a morning person till after the third cup of coffee," he whispered into Lex's ear. Then he nipped at it, pulling the cartilage with his teeth. Lex bit his lip and breathed out a sigh.

"Says the man who keeps the nocturnal hours of a bat," Lex returned.

Bruce grabbed his hips and spun him around, and Lex met his eyes without hesitation. But nothing was said, and he didn't look angry at Lex's comment. Quite the opposite, in fact. Bruce kept his eyes wide open as he leaned closer and closer, but Lex let his slip shut.

He loved that moment of waiting before a kiss, that anticipation of soft lips just out of reach, but getting nearer and nearer with each thought.

Bruce kissed him close-mouthed for a long time, just a pressing together. He hadn't shaved yet, either, and Lex brought his hands up to the man's rough face. He laid them on Bruce's cheeks, and the thumb of his right hand fit perfectly along that dimple.

Slowly, one of those hands slipped its way down between Lex's legs. He breathed in, and Bruce opened his mouth at the same time as his finger pressed inside. His mouth was on Bruce's, his tongue brushing and rubbing against his, and Bruce's one finger became two.

Lex reached with one hand and gripped the man's hair, tugging at it and twining his fingers through it. Bruce pulled their mouths apart, and made his way leisurely across Lex's face with kisses and licks. He tugged at Lex's ear again, the hot pants of his breath sending chills up and down Lex's spine.

"You're still open from last night," Bruce breathed out, and Lex bit his lip again.

"Yeah," he agreed. Then, turning his head and meeting Bruce's eyes, he asked, "You gonna do something about that?"

Bruce smirked again, and crooked his fingers.

"Shit!" Lex shouted, his whole body arching and reaching for Bruce.

"What was that you were saying?" Bruce asked smugly, and Lex didn't even bother scowling at him. He just pressed the front of himself as close to Bruce as he could get, their cocks sliding and brushing across each other.

"I think I was getting to the 'fuck me again' part," Lex said. "But your wonderful hand distracted me."

"'Wonderful hand,' huh?" he mused. "I like that. I have wonderful hands. My hands," and here he started fondling Lex's cock, "are wonderful."

"Yes!" Lex cried out. "God, yes, they are! Oh, God. . . "

"Not yet," Bruce said, pulling his fingers out of Lex and slapping him on the ass. "What part were you almost to again?"

Lex groaned and sighed. He batted Bruce's other hand away from his dick, in favor of turning around and bracing himself against the tile of the shower stall.

"The 'fuck me again' part," he said deadpan. Lex looked at Bruce over his shoulder and lifted an

eyebrow at him.

And Bruce smiled.

***

Lian was eating some eggs and bacon it looked like, and Lin was spooning up his cereal at a fast pace. Liza had taken a couple days off to see some friends, Lex remembered, so it was a mini vacation for them. Lucas was sitting next to Lin reading the newspaper, and apparently already finished with his breakfast, if the empty bowl were any indication.

Lex wondered what they were going to do with the kid. Should they start taking him to therapy sessions with them? How much of the truth were they going to divulge?

"Morning, guys," Lex said, crossing the kitchen and pouring himself a cup of coffee. He smiled as he recalled Bruce's gibe about not being a morning person.

Lian nodded to him distractedly, but Colin looked up and almost. . . smiled. Lucas was absorbed in some article, and it didn't look like good news from the heavy frown on his face.

"So what's new in the world today, Lucas?" Lex asked. He was leaning against the island counter, but straightened when Lucas looked over and met his eyes. Suddenly, Lex's good mood evaporated like so much ice in a desert, for the look on Lucas' face was. . . worrying.

He looked terrified.

"Lucky?" Lin asked from the kid's left. "What's the matter?"

Lucas kept his eyes on Lex, though, and in response held out the paper. Lex set his coffee down on the counter, closed the distance between them, and gently took the folded newspaper from Lucas' hand.

It was folded to show most prominently the middle of the page, where an article on a grisly murder was featured. Lex glanced down at Lucas again, a questioning look on his face, before skimming through the contents.

He couldn't breathe.

No.

No.

"Lex?"

He looked up from the blurry print, first into Lucas' sad eyes, then over to Lin's.

"What is it?" Lin asked him, such dread and worry in his expression.

He wished he could make it all go away for him -- all the pain and suffering Lin had taken for him, for Julian, for Lucas. He wished he could go back and trade places with him, make Lionel use him instead of that beautiful boy.

Instead of beautiful Lin.

But he couldn't. It wasn't possible to change what had happened. And he couldn't lie to them, to his brothers.

All three of them.

Lex met Lin's eyes head-on and told him the honest to God truth.

"Chance is dead. Murdered."

Why was it the truth always had to hurt more?

Lex turned his head to look out the bank of windows, not able to watch Lin gasp and cry in disbelief. The sound of Lian's fork dropping made Lex flinch, but all his focus remained on the sky outside.

Clouds covered the sun, and it had grown dark.

A storm was coming.

***