Title: Charmed I’m Sure

Author: Margeaux Van Gogh kinin_ai@yahoo.com

Pairings: Clark/Lex

Rating: PG

Warning: Cross-dressing and some spoilers for Heat and Vortex.

Disclaimer: None of the characters of Smallville belong to me and no money is being made,
etc. etc.

Summary:  After some time apart two friends meet again under different circumstances.

Challenge responded to: Lex hides from his father. He makes ends meet by performing 
at a drag club. Clark is dragged to the bar by friends and recognizes Lex. (Boji)

Part of the ClexFest Challenge at:

http://www.kardasi.com/Lexclusive/ClexFest

CHARMED, I'M SURE

"Come on Kent. It'll be a riot."

He'd heard that one before. "I'm not so sure about this Brian, I've got a Chem. test coming up and I have to study."

"It'll be a group of us, besides you've been studying for that test for weeks. I don't know why you worry you always pull it off. Take a break for once man. Live a little."

Clark sighed then nodded his head, giving in to another of Brian's spur of the moment ideas. Brian was a good friend and as roommates they spent a lot of time together, but this latest craze of his seemed a bit unexpected. But then didn't they all? He was all for having fun, but Brain had the strangest notions of what made a good time. So that one conversation is what led to this situation shouldn't be a surprise. Brian had been going out a lot to the various clubs around campus, he'd tried more than once to get Clark to go to most of them. During the semester Clark had gone out with various friends to different places, but in the end it was all basically the same. He figured it would be like any other bar he’d had the opportunity to go to since he turned twenty-one, like the first time when Chloe and Pete made sure that each of them would go out to a bar and have a few drinks as soon as they reached legal age. He didn't accept as many invites to go out much anymore, so he caved in when Brian begged him to go. He just wasn't expecting this place.

Mad Maggie's was known about campus, even he had heard of it. It was clean, a great clientele and they didn't water down your drinks. It was also a drag bar. He must admit he had no idea what to expect, so he was surprised to see the different types of people. There were all kinds of couples some same-sex, others mixed and some tables, like theirs were just groups of people out to have a good time. He and the guys had combined their money for a few pitchers of beer and it was easy to keep the amount of alcohol he actually consumed to himself, not that it had much of an effect, but it was more about fitting in with the group than liking the taste of beer. The wait staff was varied as well, there were guys just wearing shirts and pants but with a tight fit and then there were the 'waitresses' completely made up and elaborately dressed. Some were classy and elegantly fashioned while others adorned multi-colored wigs and platform heels, everyone seemed to have their own style and they were very friendly to the tables they waited on.  

Music played in the background from different speakers spaced out around the room, loud enough to be heard and not to take away from the many conversations floating around them. It was still a bit early in the evening and the club promised live performances later that night. That was the purpose of this little outing he found out as the night went on, they were here to see this night's show. The background music faded away and the stage set in the middle of the floor of tables was hit with a spot light. The MC came out on stage to the applause of the audience.

"Welcome everyone to Mad Maggie's. Tonight's show will contain three talented artists for your enjoyment this evening. First up to sing an old favorite of this crowd Ms. Savanah Douche." The voice of the MC emphasizing the pronunciation of the name with a French tilt causing it to sound like ‘sa va na doo shay’.

The crowd broke out in loud applause for an obviously well know singer. The raven-haired beauty was slender and tall with a prominent nose that surprisingly enhanced rather than detracted from her features. When the clapping died down the first strands of music could be heard as the singer began her song, 'You Make Me Feel Like a Natural Woman'. This seemed to be a regular occurrence as several members of the audience sang along with happy smiles on their faces. The singer was really good and came down from the stage to stop among the tables playing to the crowd, but every so often she would return to one table in particular where a man sat alone, he out of everyone here seemed a bit out of place. He was especially noticeable because he had only one arm, but he was apparently friendly with the singer because whenever she passed his table he smiled.

As the evening wore on some of the songs were humor filled and some torchy ballads about lovers lost. The second singer was a Madonna look alike that sang pop songs and more current tunes. When at last the MC came back on stage it was to announce the last singer of the night.

"We have a talent new to the weekend stage tonight ladies and gents, so I want you all to give a warm welcome to Lillian Walsh."

The overhead lights dimmed and the spotlight pooled over a stool in the center of the stage, in the chair sat a flame haired vision. Clark eyes were immediately captured, looking from the pale skin to the way the lights reflected against the singer’s long tresses. But what captivated him was the voice of the performer, deep and sultry, yet filled with sadness as she sung about an unrequited love. His friends’ forgotten Clark felt the pain filled words flow over him as he watched the singer express what were obviously heartfelt emotions through her music. He became lost in her performance and enraptured by her looks. When he left with his friends that evening the sound of her voice still filled his head. Clark burned with desire for one Ms. Lillian Walsh and knew he had to return to see her again.

 When Clark again graced the doors of Mad Maggie's he was sans friends, as a matter of fact he had been coming to the club for several weeks now. He hadn't told his friends but the next night he'd come to the club only to find that Ms. Walsh wasn't performing that evening. Her regular times were during the week as the peek hours of the weekends were given to the more experienced singers. She had only been given the slot to fill in for the regular girl who asked for the night off. So for two nights a week in the past month Clark returned to watch Lillian sing.

 For the longest time he puzzled over what called him to her, he wasn't naive he knew the singer was a very attractive man, but he felt something for her. There was a familiarity about her that he hadn't noticed the first night, but once he had, the need to figure out why became a part of the evening. He had never felt an attraction for a man before. That wasn't exactly true, he’d once felt something for his best friend but it never came to anything and then he left home for college. He missed his friend still, they had tried to keep in touch but time away and life slowly ate away at their friendship and they hardly spoke anymore.

 Now he was again faced with feelings of attraction for a man, one he had not yet had the courage to introduce himself to or speak with. After the first few times at the club the waitresses started to notice him and soon one of them dragged it out of him that he was there to see Lillian, so it became know that he was Lillian's admirer. Many of the ladies were very encouraging of his suit and tried to help where they could, but he always managed to talk himself out of meeting her. 

One of the ladies that seemed to attach herself to him was Evie. Most nights he stayed until the club closed and she had taken to talking with him as she helped close down the bar. Evie was the one who pried it out of him about his attraction to Lillian.

"Clark. What's the purpose of coming here all the time if you won't do anything about it? I've told you as far as I can tell the lady's unattached."

"I don't know. I can't seem to bring myself to talk to her."

"Clark you won't know until you try."

Evie was a font of information and he found he could talk to her easily. Most of what they talked about where his recent and past feelings about his attraction to men and what that meant for him. He found he felt better after talking about it. Before he'd had no one else to tell and the person he normally would have, was the one that he wanted.

Tonight Evie had asked him to stay, as she wanted to ask a favor of him. So after the performance he went immediately to Evie and just as before they talked for a bit and he even helped out by wiping down a few tables for her. He'd almost forgotten why she had asked for him to stay when she spoke.

"Clark, normally I won't ask this of a customer, but seeing as you are a regular here at the club and hopefully now a friend," she smiled at that," I was wanting to ask a favor."

"Sure Evie. What can I do to help?"

"One of the girls had car trouble this afternoon and needs a ride home. I would have done it myself, but I already have plans. Do you think you could give her a ride? Sometimes the taxi drivers aren’t very nice if they pick you up here."

"Yeah. It shouldn't be a problem, I'm in no hurry."

"Good. Thank you Clark. You're real sweet for doing this." Evie came close and gave him a short peck on the cheek. Clark's face reddens a bit and Evie smiled at him fondly.

"It's good to know I've still got what it takes."

 With a laugh at her own words, she left Clark to go to the back of the club where the changing rooms were for the performers.

Clark finished off the tables and put away the wet towels in their proper places when he heard Evie calling out to him.

"Clark. Thanks so much again for doing this." Evie began walking forward followed by someone. She looked back to speak to her friend.

"This is the man I was telling you about. Clark this is Lillian. Lillian this is Clark the man driving you home tonight."

Evie stopped before the table Clark was standing at, her wide smile showing how happy she was that her little help at match making was finally paying off. She saw Clark's eyes widen and he seemed unable to speak just yet, but she had great hopes of the two hitting it off.

When Clark heard Evie's voice behind him and had turned to face her, he hadn’t noticed her companion at first, too busy paying close attention to what his friend was saying. When she turned to introduce the woman, Lillian, Clark's sudden shock of fear caused his heart to speed up a beat. Evie wanted him to drive Lillian home. What would he do? What would he say to her? Not wanting to appear like a complete idiot Clark turned to look at the other woman standing before him. That was when he got the second shock to his chest. He had always seen her on stage, and being shy about her noticing him, he always sat a distance away. So between the bright spotlight and his shyness, he had never really gotten a very close look at the beautiful man turned women. If he had he would have recognized her face a whole lot sooner and known that Lillian Walsh was the stage name of his former best friend Lex Luthor.

Lillian Walsh was the name on the sandwich board sign when you walked into the club. The picture of the brazen-haired beauty was mixed into a collage with the other performers at Mad Maggie's.

'One things for sure, I doubt he'd look for me here. If he care to look at all.'

Lillian Walsh was the stage name of one Michael Rose artist, singer and drag queen. It was the name that was on the paycheck, but to her friends at the club she was Lily, a girlfriend of Evie's who’s new in town and needed a job in a hurry. They had met in a boarding school in England. Evie was one of the few close friends Michael had and the only one at the club that knew that Lily or Michael was actually Alexander J. Luthor.

A few months before Lex was still running the fertilizer plant number three in Smallville as well as a few other businesses he had acquired under the LexCorp company. His father was still waiting to call him back to Metropolis wanting Lex to return to running small parts of LuthorCorp, to move on to the bigger and more exciting avenues available in the large conglomerate. It was true there were more than enough qualified employees on hand at the plant to run things and besides his social life here in Farmtown USA was at a halt since his best friend has moved on to a college out of state.

 Lex told himself that he longed for the thrill of big business but in truth he needed a distraction to keep himself busy. In the beginning they both were determined to stay in touch and they had, phone calls and emails on a somewhat daily basis. Clark had been feeling a bit homesick living amongst the strangers in his dorm. Clark was now in his third year of college and they barely spoke anymore. It had been a gradual progression, a few meetings here and there on his part, extra studies, a new job and school events on Clark's and slowly their friendship had taken a back sit to life, with Lex one day realizing that he hadn't heard from Clark in quite a while. He was surprised to note that he'd missed the young man a lot more than he'd expected, particularly after a phone call from his father regarding LuthorCorp and his expectations of Lex. Lately his father had been hinting at Lex’s responsibilities for the next generation of Luthors.

"You're twenty-eight years old now Lex you should be thinking of the future. How am I expected to leave my company in your hands if you don't show the initiative to secure it, by making sure there is always a Luthor at the reins."

Lex knew this was just the latest ploy his father was trying to use to control his life. He knew it was more than time to relive himself of his father's influence. Now that Lionel was pushing to gain even more control over his son, it was time for Lex to break away. He planned to leave that day with no explanation and no warning other than his resignation. He already had provisions in place for handling LexCorp in his absence. He drained as many of his personal accounts as he could and took only the few items in his possession that held fond memories, like photographs he had of his mother and a few of him and that were Clark taken at the castle during his ill fated wedding to Desiree.

He knew people in several places and a few countries that would let him hide out with them, but there was no loyalty and eventually word would get back to his father. The only close friend that his father didn't know and had no ties to was Nigel Edwards. Their friendship had developed during school, living alone without direct parental supervision, growing up and discovering new desires leading to adulthood. His friend would let him stay and not tell his father where he was. In truth any of the other of his casual acquaintances would do the same and being Lex he would have a way to close their mouths, but in the end he couldn't deny to himself that the need to see Clark influenced his decision of where to go, and since Nigel and Clark, both lived in the same state his choice was made for him. Sure enough when he arrived he looked up Nigel and met for the first time his new best friend Evie.

"Lex. It's been a long time dear, too long and I have a feeling this little reunion isn't a need reminisce about old times. So, what can I do for you old friend?"

That was all it took for Lex to find a new start where no one knew him or cared about the Luthor name. Lex could say that drag wasn't new for him, the English found men in frocks a comfortable humor so many of the school plays or talent shows would have someone donning dress and sheers in seriousness or in jest. Lex himself had donned the dress on more than one of these occasions and was quite familiar with the feel of wearing ladies clothing, but never had he contemplated doing it on a permanent basis. When Evie suggested he work at the club, Lex had scoffed, but she was determined.

"You need to keep out of sight don't you? This is perfect like hiding in plain sight as it were. People meeting you would already know you're a man wearing a dress and performing at the club gives you a job and the excuse for wearing a wig to cover your pate, including not being a dressed as a man most of the time. I think it’s the perfect solution. So Victoria what do you say?"

"Well Toddy, just call me Julie Andrews."

Lillian Walsh was born and introduced to the club owner Tom, who named the place after the stage persona of his partner who passed away, had been thinking of adding to his nightly performers and immediately requested her to audition. Her throaty but sultry sound appealed to the man who offered her two shows a week and the chance to cover other slots left over from performers needing vacations, sudden illness or last minute substitutions. Singers were paid for the nights they performed as well as the daily practices needed to put on a good show for the customers. It allowed Lex who had been staying with Nigel to eventually afford his own place and not tap into most of his funds in case he needed a quick escape.

Although it had been months now and he was doing well in his newfound career and had 'girlfriends' that made him feel like a needed part of a group, Lex still missed his former friend. His decision to not tell Clark his new whereabouts was hard for Lex to make. Clark had been part of the reason he chose to be here more than anything, but in the end it was easier and better yet safer. Easier for Clark who might not understand this new side to Lex, because Lex had kept it hidden along with the need that Clark had filled him with whenever they were together. The young man only knew of the friendship Lex had been willing to share with him and not the desires that haunted Lex's dreams or how a small touch or quick hug between them lit a fire in his body, only held back by a strong will and fear of the loss of whatever small moments that could be found with each other. It was safer for Clark because without knowledge of where Lex could be, if questioned by Lionel he could plead ignorance convincingly. In his determination to stand by his decision and live with the pain of not being close to his heart's desire, this serendipitous meeting was definitely unexpected. To say Lex was shocked to see Clark at Maggie's was an understatement, but this feeling was soon followed by a joyful hope that fate was not yet ready to give up on them just yet.

After weeks of practice Lily was started out during weeknight shows to gauge the audiences response to her act. She received much applause and a lot of new attention. Lily became the new belle at Maggie's and fit right in with the other 'girls' but unlike most of her friends she was not on the make. There were offers from different men and even a few ladies who seen her performances, but all invitations were politely declined by the singer. Eventually her friends began to respect her need not to be fixed up, well all except one.

"Lily, you need to live a little. All work and no play makes for a very dull lady. You should start having fun."

"Evie, I'm not interested, you know that."

"Unfortunately I do, night after night I have to watch you turn down completely gorgeous men to spend the night alone. Really, there's no need to punish yourself."

"I'm not punishing myself, Evie, I'm just not ready to meet anyone now."

"Not ready? Surely there's a story behind that, care to share?"

Lily shook her head no.

"You know the best cure to a lost romance is to find a new one and I have just the fellow for you."

Lily glared at Evie with the aide of the mirror on the dressing table.

"He's been in the club the past couple of weeks to see your show. He's definitely interested, just a little shy and devastatingly handsome."

"For weeks? Probably a stalker. I should start carrying a pistol when I leave at night."

"That's not funny you know."

"Who said I was joking."

Every week Evie had something new to say about the shy admirer, his was funny, sweet and caring. Not only was he good-looking, but also he was also polite and intelligent. He was new apparently to being attracted to a man but that only endeared him further to Evie who told Lily, "Just think of all the lovely things you could teach him.” Wink, wink.

Then this afternoon after rehearsal, she and Evie decided to try a new place for lunch but when they went to her car it wouldn't start.

"Damn. What could be wrong with it?"

"Why don't you look under the hood?”

"Evie, I buy the damn things, I don't work under them."

"Look, don't worry I have a friend that can work on it for you. We'll take my car for now."

"What about tonight?"

"Like I said, don't worry I'll think of something."

Now it seemed he was face to face with Evie's something. Unfortunately it was something he definitely wanted, but couldn't have.

Evie said goodnight to Tom as she led the two shocked but somewhat mobile adults 
to the parking lot behind the club.

"This is me saying goodbye. Have a nice night."  She called out as she walked away.

Evie waved her hand at Clark, and then as she passed behind him her hand signal changed. 
Thumb and pinkie extended as the other fingers curved into her palm, she placed her hand 
to her ear and mouthed the words 'call me' to Lily then quickly she got in her car, started it 
up and pulled away into the street.

'Dammit. I can't believe she set me up!' Lily thought as she watched Evie pull away.

She stood staring at the lights of Evie's car as they disappeared in the distance, when a small 
voice asked, "Lex. Is that you?"

Clark looked again at the woman who was now revealed to be the man who had been his best friend for years. How had this come to be? Why was Lex even here? Why did he leave Smallville? Why didn't he go to Metropolis? These questions Clark knew where really diverting his mind from what he really wanted to think about. He had always felt something for this man and now that he knows about Lily, did he even stand a chance to win his friend's affections? Could Lex even like him at all?

"Yes Clark it's me. It's been a long time."

"Yeah, it has. I'm sorry about that Lex or should I call you...Lily."

"Lily is best... no one here knows Lex, except for Evie." The name was emphasized with a slight growl.

"Don't be mad at her Le....Lily, she was only trying to help me. I've been coming here for a while now, trying to get up the nerve to talk to you. I don't know why I didn't recognize you before." He looked down at his feet for a moment. "You're very beautiful Lily."

Clark could feel the nerve endings in his body tremble, he was so afraid of how Lex would take his words. He may be Lily now, but Clark knew Lex and he was quite sure that his friend had never thought about him in this way.

"Such kind words. Have you really been coming to see me all those times?"

"Some friends brought me here about a month ago and I heard you sing that night. Why didn't you ever before?"

"I think we need to talk. Why don't you give me that ride home."

"Sure." He reached out to take her arm, then halting the action not sure how it would be received. Lily solved the problem by taking Clark's elbow and giving him a small smile, which he returned gratefully and walked them both to his car.

Clark looked at his friend he had not seen in the last two years. After he had brought Lily home she invited him inside. He was led to the living room and offered a drink. They were now sitting on the large sofa, neither speaking not sure of what to say. He and Lex had been at cross purposes for quite some time, he still acknowledged the man as his friend, but neither of them had really tried to reconcile the gap that had developed in the relationship. This new acknowledgement of feelings added a snag in an already precarious situation. In his mind he had trouble reconciling his friend with the beautiful woman standing before him. If he thought about it, although he knew in theory that Lily had truly been a man, he had assumed that man would be a stranger. With someone who did not know him he thought it would be easier to try to be with that person. That maybe if he seemed foolish when it didn't work out he wouldn't be so hurt in the end. Now that there was even a modicum of hope that what he once thought was impossible could be, just not for him, he would be devastated.

After sitting in silence for a while Lily spoke.

"I left because I wanted something different. My father had just started pushing for me to marry. I was still in the same position I always am with him and I didn’t see that the situation would change. I guess I just realized that it was all about control...his. I needed to make my life my own."

"Did you plan..." He waved his hand up and down to indicate how he was dressed.

"No. I have done this before, but it was all in fun, school stuff really. This is the first time I've lived this way. I've been happy." She said this last part as if realizing for the first time that it was true. "I've been really happy."

Clark smiled at the content expression on his friends face glad that things now seemed to be working out for him...her.

"Do you think you'll continue this way for a while?"

"You mean living as a woman?"

"Do you...all the time?"

"Mostly. I haven't had the need to be a 'man' for a while now. I don't go out much, except for the club or to the store. It's very different compared to all I had before, but it's also so much more. Besides I'm noticeable as a man."

"You said you didn't plan it, so how?"

"Evie."

"Evie?" Clark look puzzled.

"We went to school together. She's lived here for years and working at the club, she suggested it. Everyone knows I'm really a man, but I live as a woman and for when I need to be 'me', the man I mean, I use the alias I have set up, Michael Rose. This way no one is really looking to see him or Lex."

"Makes an odd kind of sense. You know I'm glad I saw you that night. I'd missed you, a lot. I wasn't a very good friend the last couple of years."

"Not just you. I guess we're both guilty. It doesn't mean we can't pick up where we left off. I still want to be friends Clark."

Lily looked at the man sitting beside her, noting the changes the last few years have made in him. He was still open and friendly, just more mature and certain of himself, and she found that she liked it very much.

"Well, maybe not exactly where we left off." Clark said as he laid his hand on Lily's fabric covered knee.

She looked at his hand then up into his eyes, they seemed hesitate and she knew he was nervous as to how she would respond to his overture. She could understand his misgivings because they were her own. Could she except what she’d always wanted being given to her so freely? Could she take that chance? She looked at him again and he smiled at her. The same smile she remembered many times when he'd visit at the castle or trying to persuade him to come to a football game or when they were just together talking about whatever happened at school that day. This was her friend; it would be all right after all. And placing her hand on his said, “I’d like it very much."

Friday night at Maggie's came around again, the club was packed with people, lively music and mumbled conversations filled the air. Clark walked through the room stopping to talk to some of the people he had gotten to know over the last few months. He decided to get a drink at the bar when someone called out.

"Clark. How have you been sweetie?" He turned to see Evie walking towards him all bright smiles. He met her part way to receive the hug he knew was coming.

"Evie. It's good to see you."

"Coming to see our new weekend talent." Evie said with a gleam in her eye and a wicked grin.

Even now Clark could still manage to blush at the hint of naughty behavior but he remained in control.

"Evie. I wouldn't miss this for the world."

It seemed that Lillian's popularity at the club had grown. She still sang during the week but she was also now about to become a regular addition to the weekend stage. Tonight was her first official performance and Clark came to see his girl shine, Lily had a new lineup of songs for her part of the show.

"Of course you wouldn't. You're a guy a girl can always depend on Clark."

The houselights went dim and the spotlight shown on the stage. Tom came out to introduce the evening’s performers.

"You better get to your table Clark."

Evie watched as the young man sat a table close to the front of the stage. The wait staff usually left it free for him, so he could watch Lily whenever he came to the club. Tonight Lily would be first to perform. Each time she saw them together Evie was filled with joy. Watching as Lily came out on stage, seeing the looks each gave the other. The besotted smile Clark wore as he listened to his lover's sultry voice drift through the air. Evie heaved a sigh, once again pleased with herself. It had been completely worth ruining her favorite peach blouse that day to remove the distributor cap from Lily's car. Goodness knows how long it would have taken them to get together on their own; they were just lucky to have a friend like her. Turning back to the room Evie walked about assuring that everything was running smoothly, while behind her Lily sang of love, life and the future.

The End