Title: The Mistake

Rating: M
Category: Drama
Pairings Chlex

Summary: Lex finds himself in the middle of mistake he didn't know he had made and the repercussions that follow. Will he take on the ultimate responsibility of his life and find his true self or follow his father's demons.

Spoilers: Beginning of Season 5 except no aliens or black ship; no Lexana story

Disclaimer: Smallville and all its characters are owned by people who are not me. No profit is made and no infringement is intended.

Burial – Chapter 1

She watched from a distance as he stood stoically reading the already well formed eulogy. There were no emotions, not even an outward sigh of sadness, relief. She listened as Kings, CEO's, politicians were all thanked for their attendance and caring in the matter of his death. She couldn't help but wonder what exactly went through his mind as he laid the flowers on the casket and waited for the preacher to finish the prayer. She waited and admired as the young man shook everyone's hand and attempted to look saddened by the passing. She wondered how it would really affect him – would he become a shell of the elder man or branch out and finally become his own being. Regardless, she knew what she had to do. She looked down over her shoulder, pulled her coat closed, and continued past the Luthorcorp building.

He walked into the office and glanced around. Picking up letter and folders, he slid the large manilla folder under his arm and walked out the door. He returned home several hours later to a silent, brooding mansion poured himself a drink. He looked at the large folder that he had brought from the office in Metropolis. He sighed as he sat down at his desk. He read, 'All holdings, accounts, businesses are to be left to my son, Alexander Luthor.' He quickly flipped through the rest of the papers and noticed that everything that his father had even touched was now his. He threw the folder down and took another drink, hoping to ease the pain that he couldn't believe he actually felt. He always had wondered about the day that came – would he be upset or just have to act it.

He toured the mansion with his drink in his hand. He breathed as he passed by each room, looking at the different antiques on the wall. He remembered when his father had first started decorating the mansion. He paced wondering what his father's last thoughts were. His father had died a painful death in prison after being a useless victim in a prison riot. He remembered the moment he got the call – he sat at his desk and rubbed his temples waiting for the moment to sink in. He had gone to the morgue to actually see the body, to make sure his father was truly dead. He knew it was morbid, but he had to see the proof. He walked back into his office and looked around the room, contemplating the next move he would make now that his father had parted the earth.

"Mr. Luthor?"

"I said no visitors," he announced without turning to face his help.

"Sir, I don't think this one is going to wait." Lex turned around and faced the butler and followed him toward the door.

Discovery – Chapter 2

Lex put his glass down on the bar and followed the help back out the library. He watched as the butler opened the door and headed down the driveway. The butler opened the driveway gate to reveal a box and handed him a card. Lex looked at the box and then took the typed card and read it.

Dear Lex,

I wish I could say I'm sorry to hear about your father, but I'm not. I have waited for so long to see this day come and now that's it here, I've made the hardest decision of my life. I am hoping that you will not fall into his footsteps. Now, I'm hoping the people of this nice town will get you through this. I am so sorry – I can't tell you who I am and I will be long gone before you can find me. Please don't look for me. I just can't do what you can do.

Thank you

Lex examined the card and looked up and down the street that the mansion faced. There were no tire tracks because of the torrential rains during the day. There were not footprints, not even a smudge on the ground where someone's hands might have rubbed the pavement on settling the box down. He looked at the box and opened the lid slightly. Taking a deep breath, he let the lid drop back into place and looked at his butler.

"Sir?"

"Make some arrangements." Lex waited as the butler picked up the package and headed back up to the mansion. He stood there and looked around again. Perfect end to a perfect day, he thought. He glanced back at the card and then opened the folder that was lying on top if the box. Reading the copy, he sighed and looked at the address in Metropolis. He would visit there first thing in the morning.

Any ideas what's going on? R/R please