Ask Lex What He Wants

"All right Lex," Lois said, putting her hands on her hips and staring at the bald billionaire through the bars of the cage. "You've got me. What do you want?"

Luthor turned to consider her. He liked to smile for press photos, she knew, and for interviews. Somewhere he had read—or more likely, calculated—that smiling put people at ease, gave a good impression. He didn't grin like an idiot, but always gave the appearance of genuine human warmth. It was one of his better acts, and Lois never failed to be impressed at how often it worked, even on people who should have known better. Sometimes Luthor could get mayors and captains of injury to eat out of his hands, with just a smile.

He wasn't smiling now. The look he gave her—one eyebrow raised, cold and calculating—was one she had only seen rarely. When he dropped all guard and pretense, and took matters seriously, with no need to put on a show for anyone.

"It's not what I want, Miss Lane." He said, tone carefully neutral. "It is what you want."

Lois hesitated, unsure of what to say.

"I have already told you, the women in the adjoining rooms are all volunteers of a legitimate medical experiment. What does that tell you? Think, Lane."

"That whatever it is, has progressed to the point of human testing." She said. "That you need volunteers." She paused, to think that through. "That you need volunteers. So this is something where the subject has to be...willing."

"Good," he said, still not smiling. "And?"

"And...if it's an ongoing experiment...then you still need more." Lois hesitated. "You want me to volunteer?"

"Exactly." Lois looked carefully, and part of him seemed to relax—not that he would ever admit it—but she was too good of an interviewer not to see the signs. To him, this was a negotiation, he wanted something from her. But whatever it was, he couldn't just say it.

"Time is of the essence." He said. "But so is intent. If I had just told you these things, you would not believe me. That's why I needed you to work it out on your own. And...what does that tell you?"

"Either you arranged for me to get here, or you're willing to take advantage of an opportunity when it shows up on your doorstep. But you're not forcing me, so...you need me. Me, specifically." She took a deep breath. "But you know that if I'm going to help you, it's not until you answer my questions."

He nodded, the great bald head reflecting the lights in the lab...and for the first time, she noticed the erection ruined the wear of his trousers. That caused Lois more consternation than anything else. Luthor was the epitome of self control. He had never shown any such hint of physical attraction during their previous encounters. What had gotten him so turned on?

"Ask away," Luthor said, tone still carefully controlled.