Walk Through The Fire

Delicate

A/N: I don't own Smallville or any characters and places in the DC universe. Nor do I own the episodes that these chapters are based on and contained.

I also don't claim to be a writer. My inspiration is simply to get a creative outlet going.

I only own Tyla Nevin and what pertains to her character story.

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"I feel like I shouldn't expect anything less from the great Lex Luthor," Tyla said, partly laughing. "Government files over a plate of spicy tuna rolls." She popped a piece of white tuna sashimi into her mouth and leaned back against the base of the couch. As far as business meetings went, this was a different side to Lex. Upon picking up the government files from the FBI, he flew her across the globe to Japan to pick up authentic sushi. Now before the evening was starting to wrap up, they were both back at the mansion where Lex was feeding more logs into the fireplace in the study.

"Well, I can't have a business meeting at Hidden Kyoto," he explained. "You're not just some deal." He glanced across the coffee table to her as she plucked at a roll. Part of it was true, he had done many a reservation for potential deals over there. He wouldn't bring Tyla there, it lacked luster now.

She shared a smile with him and shook her head. He was charming as always. "And here I thought you were done trying to impress me," she replied. "Ordering the entire meal in fluent Japanese was a little over the top, no?" She added with a teasing tone. She knew he spoke Japanese. 

"Tomaranai*," he merely replied, causing Tyla to smirk. "Oh, admit it, you loved it. You can't fool me." She softened considerably when he showered her like this.

"Maybe," she said, motioning him to come over to her side with her finger. As he crawled over, she gave him a kiss on the lips. As she pulled away from Lex, she turned back to the papers that were scattered to her left. "It beats the overcoming worry that I have with all this." The threat of the world ending was not a pill she wanted to swallow.

Lex followed her gaze and reached over to pick up a folder that was marked classified. "If Milton Fine is right about an extraterrestrial threat, then it's better to work together on this than apart. You're the only one who has these powers. I think I'm safe with my fate in your hands."

Tyla sighed, watching him as he looked through the folder. No pressure, she thought. Fine's face was covering an entire page. It was a discreet picture, like he was being tracked. "Do you think I'm the threat?"

"I think he's the threat if he influenced you after four hours," Lex replied, not looking up. "Or he's linked to it." That's why he was going to interact with the man, instead of her. "I think you're linked to the other side of it."

"So, you trust me? Even if I don't have all the answers?"

He looked up and watched her. She was worried, not because of this impending doom, although it was rested in her mind. She was worried about him, his safety, the fact that she couldn't give the transparency that she had with him before. "100%," he replied. "I wouldn't have married you otherwise." He searched her expression again. "I hope you feel the same way about me."

She nodded, slowly. There was a wave of ease over her, as if she knew that with all the things about Clark, it was fine that Lex wasn't in the know. She had told both him and Clark countless of times that the secrets that they had between each other were the ones that they needed to say on their accord. On the outside, it was a struggle to see that it was fully breaking their friendship apart. "100%," she finally said. "I do."

******

To: Lex Luthor

From: Tyla Luthor

Subject: Re: Fine Investigation

Attachment: hondurasmap.jpg, searchparty1.mov, searchparty2.mov

I found out where Tezcatlipoca would have been discovered. I attached a map on the proposed site. I don't think it's a coincidence that he found it. There are no authorized digs around that area. Look at the videos I sent, he's looking for all the idols that relate to this kind of mythical symbolism.

I'm sure he's behind it.

Love you,

TL.

P.S. He's also in Myanmar and Somalia. How??

Lex smiled at the signature. TL. The glow of their newlywed decision hadn't quite gone away yet. In fact, if it was possible, it would have strengthened his love for her. It was reminiscent to see her working behind the scenes with him again. It had been a long while since she had. She was using the R&D department and the historical department to look through links of the death idol and correlating it with different civilizations all over the world. She had a hunch that if the stones were dispersed like that, then the beliefs of different civilizations would close all the gaps that she needed.

It was a good theory, one that could have been a little far fetched except for the fact that the search parties that she sent out spotted Fine as well. This made him curious. Unless, he too had a jet, how could he be in so many places at once. He clicked on the videos again and looked at the time stamps. They were at the same time?!

He glanced at his brandy and took a quick sip. He was in the comfort of his study, going through his emails until Chloe barged in with a stern look on her face. He looked up and raised an eyebrow. "Tyla isn't here," he said, knowing very well that if Chloe and Clark were concerned, it wasn't for him that they would be here for. "She's picking up her sister from the airport."

"I'm not here for Tyla. I'm here to talk to you," she replied, curtly.

Lex chuckled. This is a first, he thought.

"Why did you rush the wedding?" She continued. "You eloped and kept it an entire secret from all of us. We had to find out through the press?"

"I thought you would have put it together by now," Lex said, getting up and closing his laptop. "You're the one with the reporter's eye." He started to take another sip from his glass. "It was a decision both of us made. The reception is still going to happen, just not...right away."

"I know what you're doing. You're laying a claim. Clark and she are working on something and it's killing you. You whisking her away and keeping her from her friends won't work. That's not love, you know."

He walked over to the billiards table and placed his glass down. "You're seeing things that aren't there," he said, calmly. "It's an interesting perspective you have about people and the affairs of their hearts, considering you've never actually been in a serious relationship."

"Do you think Tyla would stand for it? She's got bigger things to deal with than your jealousy," Chloe jabbed, causing a slight flinch from the billionaire as he grabbed a pool cue. "I've put up with it for this long but if you break her-"

"I appreciate you looking out for your friend," Lex added, as he looked at the balls that scattered on the green. "I'd do the same. But we're both protecting Tyla, so your concern is unwarranted. Everything I've done, I've done with her approval. No whisking or keeping her."

"I'm sure you didn't tell her your motives."

"I don't have to." Although, she would find out if he was doing something so petty. It was coincidental, but the attempt was really to ease Tyla into comfort from her own stress. Not that he needed to announce it. He was starting to realize the advantage of keeping things a secret from the masses.

"Lex, I promise you that if you do anything to jeopardize my friendship with her, or Clark's," the blonde warned. "There will be consequences. And you're looking at her."

Lex looked over as she started to turn around and walk away. "Chloe," he called. "I think I'm getting an inkling why you've never had a boyfriend." He fought back a laugh at the growing anger on her face. All she could do was turn around and slam the door, leaving Lex to chuckle as he hit the black ball with his cue to sink a solid red ball.

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A/N:

* I'll never stop.

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