Chapter Five

'thoughts'

Sam’s eyes felt dry from staring at the screen in front of him for so long as he searched the city files about the meteor infected. He had to give Lex credit: there was hardly anything to be found outside of police reports or death records. He did find a couple of mentions of various transferred 'patients' to Belle Reve, which was a psychiatric hospital just outside of Metropolis, but the patients that had been released from there or put in there had not been heard from since. He was almost tempted to call Dean and find out what his brother had discovered from Clark, but he wanted to have something more to offer to the table to avoid the brotherly mocking that would surely come.

Sighing, he leaned back in his chair and rubbed the heels of his hands into his eyes as if to scrub away the burned in afterimages of the victims. His tired mind suggested that maybe he should ask Lex, but that thought was almost immediately chased by his immense guilt from having ditched Lex. He liked Lex. He could freely admit that. And if circumstances had been different, he would have tried to see how far their relationship could have gone. He missed having close friends and had hoped that maybe he could have even opened up about his life as a hunter. Something about Lex spoke of confidentiality. Maybe it had been the honest earnestness that had been in the intuitive blue eyes that made him feel he could confide in the older man.

Closing down the windows that held the files he'd been searching through, Sam stood up and stretched before cracking his spine. He’d probably been there for at least six hours researching and had come up with nothing really to show for it outside of what he’d already known and eye strain. ‘Well...might as well try for the source. Guess I’ll have to hit Luthorcorp again,’ he thought before grimacing. He really hoped that he wouldn’t run into Lex again. Explaining things would be just a bit hard if he was caught hacking into the main database of one of the biggest corporations of the US.

“If you keep frowning like that, you might end up looking like that for the rest of your life.” Lex’s voice floated out from behind him and Sam stiffened before turning slowly to be faced with the somewhat smiling Lex Luthor. Lex shrugged awkwardly as he stepped closer towards Sam. “Or at least, that’s what my mom used to say. I don’t think you’d have a problem pulling a smile out of that frown,” he commented lightly and Sam couldn’t help the grin that answered the joke.

“Hey...um, what are you doing here?” Sam asked warily as he started to subtly slide his papers and books into his knapsack without looking like he was packing up to bolt at the first sign of trouble, which he was. Not that he didn’t trust Lex...he just didn’t trust the security guards that he had glimpsed skulking around the book shelves nearby.

“It’s a funny thing, you know? I went to the hospital hoping to visit with the man who had saved my life only to find out that he’d been discharged just half an hour after I’d left. Not only that, but his name was Barry Gordoni and not Sam Winchester,” Lex replied nonchalantly as he leaned against the table across from Sam. Sam swallowed hard as he saw the suspicion in Lex’s eyes, but he didn’t say anything. “So, I did a bit of investigating. Much to my surprise, I found out that there never was a Sam Winchester or even a Barry Gordoni at the Daily Planet nor was there ever a Sam Winchester or Barry Gordoni there. There was no mention of a Sam Winchester or Barry Gordoni at Metropolis U and there were also no signs of a Sam Winchester or Barry Gordoni in the city census. But I did find something interesting,” he continued before shifting a bit and crossing his arms over his chest.

“Oh? What’s that?” Sam questioned in rising alarm as he watched the other man’s eyes narrow at him, making him feel like a bug pierced to a board under an examination scope. ‘Shit, shit, shit! Why did I have to cross someone with as many information moles as him!?’ he wondered in mounting panic, but he managed to keep his breathing even as he thought quickly on ways to escape.

“Sam Winchester and his dear older brother Dean are wanted by the Feds and have several police warrants in various states for such things as grave desecration, murder, and even breaking and entering. Barry Gordoni has no such record, but then again...he doesn’t exist, does he, *Sam*?” Lex inquired lightly and Sam’s internal cursing turned from ‘shit’ to ‘FUCK!’ “So you mind telling me what you were *really* doing on my property in the middle of the night? And please try to avoid things like 'projects' and 'reports'. It just isn't working,” he added in a stage whisper and a small nod.

Licking his lips before biting his bottom one, Sam thought fast. Should he just go for the truth? It’d be useful to have Lex on his side with his resources, but he didn’t want to get into trouble. Then again, Lex owed him one, so if things happened, Lex could overlook it that once. Plus, it’d make him feel better to tell the truth. That is...if Lex believed him before tossing him into Belle Reve for psychiatric evaluation. ‘Not that I don’t think I need it with all we’ve done...’ he thought wryly before sighing and shaking his head. He ran a hand through his hair and smiled sheepishly at Lex. “So, you want the truth?” he asked calmly before taking a deep breath.

“Please. I’m *all* ears,” Lex retorted dryly and Sam couldn’t help the chuckle that escaped him.

“Well...you asked for it,” Sam muttered before leaning back against his bag and squaring off with Lex. “My brother and I hunt paranormal creatures. Demons, spirits, poltergeists...you name it, we’ve probably hunted it. We used to hunt with our dad, but he died almost two years ago, so we’ve been carrying on as best we can ever since, saving people and taking out the things that go bump in the night,” he explained and shrugged as Lex’s eyebrow shot up in disbelief. “Yea, kinda hard to believe, I s’pose, but hey, it’s out there. Last week, we caught wind of the accidents going on here in Metropolis and in Smallville, so we decided to investigate. We think that it might be either the spiritual residual or the spirits themselves of the various meteor infected that have been killed around this area. I’m starting to think that they’ve got a beef with you for something you did and that’s what I was investigating the other night.”

“So, you’re saying that you think ghosts are going after me and my people?” Lex asked evenly and Sam was relieved that he didn’t hear too much skepticism in the older man’s voice.

“Yea, you and that Clark Kent in Smallville. My brother is investigating him while I figure out what’s going on here. We need to find out the source of the energy and then get rid of it,” Sam elucidated with a wave of his hand.

“Get rid of it how?” Lex questioned him guardedly. It was obvious that he doubted Sam’s credibility at the moment...not that that was news.

Grinning, Sam waggled an eyebrow. “You remember that you said you found out we had grave desecrations on our records? Well, we salt and burn the bones of vengeful spirits so that they can pass on,” he clarified and bit his lip on a chuckle as Lex’s eyebrows arched up at that. “So, I’m trying to find out where the bones might be buried so we can salt and burn them and hopefully that’ll put the spirits to rest.”

“Well that might be a bit difficult since we burned any and all remains of those that were experimented on and didn’t make it,” Lex remarked with a sigh before shrugging as Sam groaned. “Policy,” he added shortly.

“More like covering your asses...damnit,” Sam murmured in annoyance as he glanced over at what little of his notes were still out. He was trying to think of how he could get rid of the energy, but he was so tired. He needed Dean’s help. “I need my brother.”

“Where is he?” Lex asked as he watched Sam in curiosity. The whole story that Sam had just told him made too much sense. He and Clark as well as Chloe and Lana had way too much connection to the meteor infected, so if the spirits of those who’d been infected were indeed riled up, then they were the targets of their rage. It was starting to make his head hurt with all of the implications of what his past was bringing up. Because of his experimenting on the meteor infected, the spirits of those people were now gunning for him and everyone close to him or who he had cared about. They also had a vendetta against Clark, which wasn’t surprising in the least. In almost all of the cases, Clark was involved in one way or another. He wouldn’t be shocked at all if Clark was the cause for those people being infected in the first place since he’d suspected it for a long time.

“In Smallville, like I said. He’s made a connection with Clark and is trying to find out Clark’s involvement with the whole thing since two of the attacks have taken place with him involved,” Sam answered as he picked at his lip. He’d have to either get on a bus or steal a car...he really wasn’t in the mood to steal a car...

“Fine...let’s grab your stuff and go to him. The sooner we get this taken care of, the less people will get hurt,” Lex decided and smirked as Sam looked at him in astonishment. “What? Did you really think I was just going to let you go about this alone when I’m at least one of the causes? We’re in this together, whether you like it or not,” he stated firmly before turning to go.

“Lex...” Sam trailed off as Lex looked at him from over his shoulder. He smiled then and stuffed his hands into his pockets. “Thanks. Ya know...for believing me and not turning me in,” he said as he ducked his head.

“Thanks for trusting me this time and for letting me help,” Lex returned and smiled when Sam grinned at him. “I’ll be waiting outside. Hurry it up,” he ordered before heading out of the building.

With a quiet chuckle, Sam quickly gathered up the rest of his stuff, checked to make sure his gun was in its spot his pants then went outside. He stopped and stared as he found Lex leaning against a silver Porsche. “Oh *wow*,” he whispered in awe and felt just that much poorer as he looked it over. “Oh Dean’s gonna be so jealous!” he declared and laughed as he came back to facing Lex, his eyes sparkling with delight.

“Dean a car man?” Lex asked in amusement as he watched the younger man and felt the knot that had been in his chest since finding out about Sam loosen in the face of Sam’s almost childlike glee. He wasn’t sure what it was exactly about Sam that made him want to see that smile so much, but being around Sam was both enjoyable and freeing. He felt like he could really be himself around Sam and not worry about recriminations.

“Yea. His baby’s a ’67 Impala and I swear he like worships it. He threatens me every time I might have gotten a scratch on it,” Sam replied with a laugh and was joined by Lex. He smiled sadly as he thought about his brother while caressing the hood reverently, but then shook himself out of his thoughts. “Come on...we don’t have much time,” he stated brusquely as he hefted his bag up higher onto his shoulder.

“Right. Where are you staying?” Lex asked as he went around to the other side while clicking the doors unlocked with a beep. He got in at the same time as Sam and grinned when Sam had to push the seat back to accommodate his extremely long legs. He let his eyes linger on those long legs for a minute as he waited for Sam to get situated then looked up into the curious hazel eyes with a smirk.

“Um, the Harlem Street Hotel,” Sam responded and flushed a bit, which got Lex’s attention quickly. He was even more amused as Sam ducked his head in embarrassment and he chuckled before starting up the car and putting it into drive. But just before he got going, Sam’s large hand was on his own, stopping him. He looked over in confusion into Sam’s wide eyes. “Buckle up...please Lex,” Sam whispered with frightening intensity.

Normally, Lex would have scoffed. But, he took it to heart this time and did so before he slammed on the gas and squealed out into traffic. He headed for the hotel in silence as he contemplated Sam’s request and the intense feelings that had been behind it. He wasn’t sure what about Sam’s request had him taking such care, but he wanted to think that it was perhaps the feelings of friendship and trust that were developing between them. They both had secrets, that much was certain, but he was starting to realize that he *wanted* to trust Sam with everything. He hadn’t done that with anyone. Not his dad...not Lana...and definitely not Clark. Maybe Sam was that one person that could understand the real Lex Luthor and not be disgusted or distrustful of him. In a way, that both frightened and exhilarated him.

They arrived at the hotel and Lex followed Sam’s directions to his room, then parked and followed the taller man inside. He cocked an eyebrow as he looked around and bit his lip when he noticed the flush of shame on Sam’s face. He began to understand just why Sam might have pulled what he had at the hospital and it made him feel ashamed himself. Here he was, a rich spoiled brat used to having everything handed to him on a silver platter, and he had thought to judge a man who was helping people daily for having to resort to credit card fraud to pay for a hospital bill. ‘Maybe you should start reconsidering your priorities, old boy,’ he thought to himself as he watched Sam pack up his clothes and laptop before grabbing another duffel bag. “Here, let me help,” he offered and grabbed the second bag before Sam could protest. He grunted when he had to put more muscle into lifting it. “Jesus, what the hell’s in here?” he asked in shock as he shook it a bit and heard some clangs and thunks as the items inside collided randomly.

“Um...for now, let’s put it down to cooking supplies. I’ll explain later,” Sam responded sheepishly and Lex burst out laughing.

“Cooking supplies!? Oh I’m going to *love* this, aren’t I?” Lex shot back as he snickered and Sam relaxed as he smiled back. They went to the car and loaded Sam’s stuff into the small compartment in the back before Sam went to check out. Lex met him at the front and smiled as Sam slid in next to him. "So, cooking supplies?" he asked with a wide grin while pulling out of the parking lot and heading for the interstate that would take them to Smallville in about six hours. Sam laughed softly as he rubbed at the back of his neck.

"Well, in our line of work, we need various weapons and items. I've got guns, knives, some holy water, a couple of rosaries...you get the idea," Sam explained with a grin at Lex as he shifted and got comfortable in his seat.

"Yea...so you have an arsenal of relics to go with your artillery," Lex remarked and glanced sidelong at Sam with a smirk. "Do you know spells?"

"Well, kinda. We know incantations and exorcisms and such not to deal with things," Sam answered and found himself enjoying their talk. It wasn't often that someone was actually *interested* in what they did for a living.

"So do you like research places or...what were you looking for at the city records?" Lex questioned him and Sam sighed as he rubbed his eyes.

"I was trying to find burial records or even causes of death so I could have a pinpoint for where we could exorcise these spirits. Normally, it's not hard to find out. We can usually trace patterns of deaths and figure out if it's a creature or spirit. Or we can call one of our friends who have more experience, especially if we're dealing with a creature. But sometimes we just go with our gut instincts and figure it out on our own," Sam replied as he let his head rest against the seat. He felt his eyes slipping closed and tried to stay awake, but he was so *tired* from everything and Lex...made him feel safe.

Lex noticed his fight for consciousness and reached over to touch one of Sam's large hands. "Hey...go to sleep. I'll tell you when we get there," he ordered gently and felt warm as Sam smiled sleepily at him before falling asleep. Watching Sam sleep, Lex found himself wondering just what it was about the other man that made him *want* to make up for the past so much. Perhaps it was just the world weariness he saw in the young face that made Sam look older than he was.

Swallowing hard as he looked forward again, Lex remembered what he'd read of Sam's case file. Mother killed in a house fire when he was only six months old, girlfriend killed in an apartment fire almost four years ago, and father dead or missing for inexplicable reasons...Sam had been through more than any man could handle. He had a feeling that the Winchesters were a lot stronger than anyone could ever give them credit for...and that might have made them so weary of life that they weren't able to find a reason to live.

That's what he'd seen in Sam's eyes: resignation and a sorrow that was soul deep. Something had happened or was happening that was making Sam not want to continue. And it was that secret that made Lex understand just what it was he wanted from Sam.

He wanted to make it right.

With a grim smile, Lex shifted gears and sped up. The sooner they found Sam's brother and took care of this problem, the sooner Lex could find out more about the man named Sam Winchester.

TBC

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