Title: The Fifth Race

Author: Jezebel

Rating: NC-17

Feedback: eh_oh_po@yahoo.com

Disclaimers: They belong to DC Comics and related partners/companies. 

Summary: Written for the Sixth Wave at CLFF.  We all make sacrifices for love.

Warnings: Futurefic. AU.

Beta: Strawberry Shortcake

Note: Some points of fact are ignored by this story – which makes it an alternative universe (Caveat at the end of the story explains this, but contains some spoilers).

Challenge Answered: Title Challenge.  The Title I was given was "The Fifth Race" - from Stargate SG-1.

THE FIFTH RACE

Lex looked at the reflection of Clark over his shoulder and raised an eyebrow.  His lover was watching him with obvious apprehension and Lex wondered if there was something he should know.

"So, do I look okay?" Lex asked, showing an uncharacteristic need for reassurance.  Lex, who was usually so poised, felt a little uneasy about what he was about to do.

"You look good enough to eat." Clark responded, stepping up behind his lover and wrapping his arms around him trying not to wrinkle Lex's charcoal grey suit.

"But do I look good enough to face the American People?" Lex asked.

"They love you." Clark responded.  "You could go out there naked and they would still love you."

Lex grinned.

"You're not going out to address the people naked, Lex.  That's a view just for me." Clark chastised.  He turned Lex to him, catching a glimpse of Lex's delectable ass in the mirror before leaning down to capture Lex's mouth.  He had to remind his lover just who Lex belonged to.  He knew that Lex got off on the power he wielded, but they were past the time when Clark got jealous. As long as Lex came back to him afterwards Clark would share him.

The pair shared a brief kiss before a cough interrupted them.  Lex pulled away from the embrace slowly, not wanting anyone to think that he was embarrassed about being caught with his lover.  Clark blushed slightly and Lex wondered if his lover would ever lose that innocence.  He was sure that if facing down some of the worst criminals the world had to offer didn't take it away then nothing would.

"Mr. President?" His aide asked.  "They're ready for you outside, sir."

"Is security in place?" Clark asked.

The aide nodded briefly. 

Lex smiled. 

Apparently, it hadn’t occurred to Clark that the Secret Service were there to watch their every move.  He still felt the need to check on everything to make sure that Lex was safe.  Lex would never complain because it was a reminder that Clark loved him and he would never complain about that.  Without Clark's love, he could easily have turned into the man his father had wanted him to be, far surpassing the petty criminality of Lionel Luthor and most likely ending the world.  Instead, with the help of his lover, he had been the one to save it.

"I guess I should get out there then." Lex said.  He took a deep breath, wishing that he had something else to say to mark this momentous occasion.  He turned to his lover, wanting one more time to gain the reassurance that this was what he should do.  "Tell me that I'm doing the right thing."

"You'll do great." Clark replied with a small smile.  He had never seen his lover so disconcerted about anything.  It was amusing to see the unflappable Lex Luthor worried about something.

Lex let out the breath that he had been holding and nodded, sliding behind the mask that he had perfected from years of living with Lionel, and then headed out to face his future.  Clark had to give him credit, if he hadn't known Lex for over twenty years, he would have thought that he man was calm and collected.  It was only to someone who knew Lex that could see he was shaking on the inside.

***

As the members of the world's press waited with baited breath for what they had been beckoned to hear, Lex Luthor made his way to the podium, followed closely by his life partner and the gathering of people that he called a family.

There was no sound as they watched the ageing President take the stand that, long ago, he had made his own.  Lex was a more than just a good president, he was one of the best that their country had ever known.  Everyone knew that whatever he said while he was up there would make this would be a momentous day with a speech that would be played again and again over the coming months and years.

As Lex stepped forward, all eyes in the crowd were on him and through the wonders of television the press cameras, that meant that so to were the eyes of the world.

"Ladies and Gentlemen..." Lex began.  "I realise that there has been a lot of discussion in the media recently about my position as your leader, and I am here to dispel some of the rumours and clarify those that are true."

Lex took a moment to compose himself before starting on the revelations that he was there to disclose.

"Firstly, I would like to take this chance to thank you all for your continued support through my time as president, in times of both prosperity and paucity.  However,  I stand before you today not only as your president but as a family man."

Lex turned to see Clark and smiled at him and sharing a look that a dozen photographers captured for the next day's front page.  The look of love he had shared with Clark bolstered Lex's conviction and he turned back towards the gathered crowd to finish his speech.

"I feel that as I get older, it is time for me to settle down and spend more time with my family.  It is for this reason that I have decided not to pursue a fifth term in office."

Gasps of shock and disbelief echoed through the crowds as they wondered if they had heard him correctly.

"After twenty one years of service to this country, as both a senator and President,  I think now is the time to step aside and let some fresh blood into the White House." Lex said finally.  "I step down knowing that I leave you in the capable hands of whoever will take my place."

The gathered journalists realised that the speech was drawing to a close and anticipated a session of questions.

"I would like to thank you all for your time." Lex said as he took a step back.

Questions were shouted at his retreating figure, wanting to know when he would step down, what he would do in retirement and what this would mean for the cease fire that he had brokered in the Middle East.  Lex ignored them all.  His press secretary announced that there would be further statements when the information was available but Lez was already moving back to Clark's side.

"You did the right thing, Mr. President." Clark said as he pulled his lover to his side and headed into the building that had been their home for four successive terms in office.

"I know." Lex answered and he did.  After so many years answering to the American people, Lex knew that he owed it to his lover to be with him and that right now Clark was the only one that mattered.

***

End

Caveat:  I am aware that under norman circumstances a president can serve for a maximum of eight years, however I learned this only when Strawberry Shortcake came to do the beta.  We both think that if Lex was president he’d be so good they might change the law for him, especially if he had Clark at his side.  So, I’ve marked this as AU, and posted it anyway.