Cassandra's house was in shambles when Lex pulled up, tornado damage everywhere, everything was completely dark, a result of the downed power lines.

"Cassie?!!"

Silence mocked him and fear rose. Cassandra had no family left in Smallville, no one but him or the Kents to miss her...

He called her name repeatedly, receiving no response as he stumbled through debris littering the yard. If anything had...

Barking led him to a small storm cellar behind the house. When he opened the door, total darkness greeted him. "Cassie? Cassandra?"

Nemo whined and Lex, for a moment, feared the worst.

Then...

"Lex?"

Relief washed over him and he briefly closed his eyes. "Are you all right?"

In the darkness, Cassandra coughed. "Fine." A quiet word from his mistress had Nemo guiding her to the cellar steps where she sent him up first before waiting patiently for Lex to take her hand and help her the rest of the way.

Getting the best look at her he could in the faint light, Lex frowned critically. "How long were you down there?"

Disheveled and wan, Cassandra pushed her hair away from her face and trusted Lex to lead her safely away from the storm cellar. "Umm..I'm not sure. Nemo and I went down just after I heard the report on the radio. I didn't want to take any chances."

Helping her to his car, Lex did the math and his frown deepened. "When was the last time you had anything to eat?"

"I took a bottle of water and some muffins. I'm okay...oooh..." Cassandra swayed and Lex wrapped an arm around her waist to keep her upright.

"You are *not* okay." He pointed out sternly. "I'm taking you to the hospital."

"No." She protested as Lex opened the car door. "I'm just tired and a little hungry. Nothing a hot bath, nap, and a meal won't cure."

With Cassandra leaning against him, her head resting on his shoulder, Lex held the front seat back and looked at the waiting seeing eye dog.

The billionaire surveyed the German shepherd's mud-covered paws and the pristine interior of his car.

Damn.

Apparently understanding his feelings, Nemo stared at him expectantly as if daring the human to try and take his mistress anywhere he, himself, did not go.

Sighing, Lex inclined his head and gave in. "Ok. In."

With a bark of thanks, Nemo scrambled into the back seat and seated himself on the floor. Though he tried for professional, like most dogs, he couldn't help but be excited at the idea of a car ride.

"He's excited." Cassandra pointed out unnecessarily, laughing as Lex helped her into the passenger's seat and buckled her in.

"He should." Her friend grumbled, closing her door and leaning in the open window. "He's ruining my upholstery."

She laughed softly before her features clouded and she turned her head in the direction of her home. "Lex...how bad is it?"

He looked over his shoulder at the severely damaged house. "It'll be fine, Cassie."

Sensing the truth in his voice, she frowned. "Lex...I know they passed close. How bad?" Her voice was as grave as his as she spoke. "Please...just tell me."

Taking her hand, he held it gently and repeated, in a firm voice, "It will be *fine*. I will make it fine."

She smiled, her smile shaky. "I know."

------

"So...what is it?"

"I thought you were asleep." Lex glanced at the brunette in the passenger's seat. "Your eyes were closed." He chuckled. "That's a dirty trick, Cassie."

"Well, it's not like it matters if they're open or not." She responded with a pert grin. "Not exactly relevant you know. So...what's wrong?"

"Nothing." He lied smoothly, taking the turn which led to the manor.

Cassandra waved a dismissive hand. "I don't need to be psychic to know that was a bold-faced lie. So..come on, out with it. What's wrong? I know something's bothering you, I can tell."

Lex exhaled heavily. "My father...the tornados passed close to the manor. He and I were in the library..." His voice distant, lost in his memories, he drove up the manor's drive, his movements long-formed habit. "There was a lot of damage."

"How much?"

"A lot." Stopping the car, he made no move to get out. "My father...he was nearly killed. Correction," he smiled bitterly, an edge on his voice. "I nearly let him die."

"But you didn't." Cassandra pointed out softly. "You didn't."

"I wanted to. God, Cassie, you have no idea how badly I wanted to. Things would have been so much easier if I had just..."

"Murdered him." His friend finished bluntly.

"Murdered him." Lex affirmed. "It would have been perfect. No one would have known it wasn't an accident caused by the storm."

"You would." Cassandra reached out to lay a hand on his. "And you would have never been the same for it."

Looking into her unseeing eyes, his voice was heavy as he responded. "I would have been the man you saw in your vision."

She lowered her head, tousled curls hiding her face. "Perhaps..." She was quiet for a long time then said, "Perhaps to kill your father...is to become him."

Lex considered that for a moment.

"Perhaps."

Finis

 

Daredevil Not Mine! Neither is Smallville

 

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