To Catch a Thief

Chapter 5 - Strange Bedfellows

Top of the Market is a five star restaurant in downtown San Diego that sits just off the pier with breathtaking views of the bay. The fish could only be fresher if you caught it yourself, and the dining experience is unrivaled. They have several smaller, glass enclosed rooms made for private dining. They're usually for small groups bigger than two, but on a slow Wednesday night, armed with the power of the Luthor name, Jess has no issue reserving one.

She's only just been seated and served her glass of wine when the other member of her party arrives. Lena Luthor is many things: brilliant, creative, charming, clever, industrious, but timely does not make that list.

"It's seven o'clock," Jess says, the words coming out a bit sharp, like an accusation.

It makes Lena falter on her way up to the table. It's just a little hiccup in her step, but it's not the kind of weakness she'd allow most people to see. Her mother, Lillian, would roll over in her grave if a Luthor did that... not that Lillian is dead. Lena is just fairly certain her adoptive mother is some form of undead that sleeps in a grave. Still, Jess isn't most people. They've been together since grad school, through thick and thin. Jess has seen Lena at her worst, at her weakest, and instead of using it as an opportunity to strike has only shown support. Jessica Chang is everything the Luthor family told Lena didn't exist in this world, and through her, Lena has learned how to be a person her family doesn't know, but that she likes better.

"Yes?" Lena slides into the chair across from Jess, smoothing down the skirt of her red dress. "We agreed on seven, didn't we?"

"We did, which is why I expected you to be later if you showed up at all. What are you up to?"

"Nothing." The Luthor facade slides back into place far too easily. It's all slick smiles and batting eyelashes, the camouflage over the trap into which many a man or woman has fallen. "I just hate to keep a beautiful woman waiting."

"Nuh-uh." Jess raises a finger, shaking it in admonishment. The Luthors are the kind of people that if you give them an inch, they'll sell you a mile of ocean front property in the desert. Jess has survived this long among them by being stingy with every millimeter. "Don't you try flirting with me, you charlatan. I've seen you blubbering into a Haagen Daz container over a girl, so drop the act."

"Not my finest hour." And Lena does. The smile that's a little too bright, the eyes that sparkle but don't reflect the soul, and the lashes that bat away serious subjects are gone. Oh, she's still beautiful, stunning really, but it's softer now. The heat is gone to be replaced by a comforting warmth that is differently but equally as attractive. "So, how's Gus?"

"You stroll into town unannounced, pop into the gallery on the heels of the Danvers, and you want to ask me about my cat? I don't think so. Tell me what's up."

Lena waves a hand, summoning over a waiter. "Not without a drink."

They do manage a little small talk. Gus, Jess' chocolate point Siamese, is doing well, as are her parents and siblings. Jess has seen Lena's mother more recently than Lena has, and Lex is on the east coast running Luthor Corp. He and his wife Lana have three kids now, two boys and a girl. By the time they've ordered their main course and are on their second glass of wine, Lena can see that Jess's patience is coming to an end.

"Okay, enough chit-chat. Tell me you had nothing to do with the theft today."

"Jessica, you wound me."

"That's not an answer."

"Am I stealing priceless artifacts and selling them on the black market?" Lena's eyes reflect her glee as she watches Jess over the rim of her wine glass and takes a sip. "No, but it does sound exciting, doesn't it? Can you picture me as an international art thief?"