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bradygirl_12Title: Rainbow’s Freedom (The Dark Knight Of The Soul Arc) (17/38)
Author: BradyGirl_12
Pairings/Characters: (this chapter): Lex/Jamie, Clark/Bruce (Clark does not appear in this chapter), Lionel Luthor, Melody, Evangeline, Ollie/Dinah (Ollie does not appear in this chapter)
Series Notes: In the 23rd century, Earth is a technologically-advanced society that practices the ancient institution of slavery. A Great Trial crashes down upon the House Of Wayne. Can Bruce and Clark’s relationship survive? Will the Family’s strength be enough to see them through this Time of Fear and Darkness? The entire series can be found here.
Genres: AU, Drama, Slavefic
Rating: (this chapter): G
Warnings: None
Spoilers: None
Summary: Does the Family have a solid lead to follow?
Date Of Completion (First Draft): October 29, 2008
Date Of Posting: October 13, 2009
Disclaimer: I don’t own ‘em, DC does, more’s the pity.
Word Count: 808
Feedback welcome and appreciated.
The Gods flicked their fingers
And all was revealed.
XVII
HOPE
Lex frowned as he looked over Lexcorp’s quarterly reports. Ordinarily he was very interested in the reports, because he liked to know exactly what his company was doing and what kind of profit had been made.
He didn’t really care today.
He was too worried about Clark, and by extension, Bruce.
The lack of clues was frustrating but not surprising. Professional slave-stealers rarely left any behind, and the rate of recovery was fairly low.
He didn’t want to think what would happen if Clark was lost forever.
He wanted to see Bruce healthy and happy. For far too many years he hadn’t really enjoyed life. Clark and later, Dick, had given him that: the chance to enjoy life again.
He sighed.
“Master?” He looked up to see Jamie regarding him with concern. “Is all well?”
Lex felt warmth spread through him. “I’m fine. I just wish Bruce was.”
Jamie’s emerald eyes were sad. “I am asking the Gods for his safe return.”
Lex cocked his head. “I didn’t know you were religious.”
“Not in the usual sense. I mean most churches don’t allow slaves to attend services. The Pagan religions will, or at least some of them.”
“Do you pray?”
“Sometimes.” Jamie happily accepted Lex’s unspoken invitation and curled up on his lap. “The Gods and Goddesses don’t promise salvation or that if you have faith, all will be rewarded. They promise the turn of the seasons, maybe love or caring if you’re lucky, but don’t make you feel guilty for having normal human urges.”
“Aren’t you a smart one?” Lex kissed Jamie’s temple. “Pray for Clark and Bruce, my katare.”
Jamie nodded with a small smile.
The phone rang and Lex answered it. “Bruce! Any word?” Disappointment flitted across his face. “I’m sorry.” Jamie watched his Master’s face. “I’ve had people on it, but nothing…” Lex listened, frowning. Interruption, he mouthed. Lex amused himself by rubbing Jamie’s back, the blond smiling. “Bruce, what…?” Lionel entered the room, raising his head at the mention of Bruce’s name. “Edmund Caldwell?”
& & & & & &
Melody held the cellphone tightly to her ear. “Thank you, Evangeline. Don’t worry, I won’t mention your name.” She snapped the phone off and hurried down to the hall to Dinah and Ollie’s room, knocking on the door. “Mistress!”
The door opened. “Goodness! What is it, dear?” Dinah asked.
“I think I may know who has Clark!”
Dinah’s eyes widened and she grabbed Melody’s shoulders. “Who?” she demanded.
“Evangeline, my old friend on the Caldwell staff, says Master Edmund left the house the day of Clark’s disappearance, not a few weeks before like people said.” Her eyes were solemn and a little afraid. “He really hates Lord Bruce.”
Dinah’s eyes grew just as solemn. “We must tell Bruce.”
She and Melody hurried to the library.
Melody was frightened by how tired Bruce looked. The young Master was not doing well.
“So nothing?” Bruce frowned as he held the phone. “Damn, Lex…”
“Bruce!” Dinah said urgently.
He saw her intensity and asked, “What?”
“Melody says that one of her contacts at the Caldwell estate says Edmund left the day of Clark’s disappearance when he was supposed to be off-world.”
“Edmund?” Bruce’s eyes widened, then narrowed. “Where did he go?” he asked Melody.
“My…my contact didn’t know, but his sons Harrison and Halliburton plan to leave for the weekend.”
Melody shivered. Those three monsters together were up to something; she knew it. She tried to shut out the memory of Danny's screams from the basement of the Caldwell mansion.
Bruce fingers gripped the phone hard. “Yes, Lex, Melody says that the sons are planning to take off for the weekend. Damn, why didn’t I check Edmund out more closely? Just because he was said to be off-world didn’t mean…” Bruce rubbed between his eyes.
& & & & &
Lex frowned. “But even if Edmund is the kidnapper, he must have at least a dozen places around the world. At which one would we find him?”
Lionel was standing at the bookcase. He snapped his fingers. “The cabin!”
“What?”
Lionel hurried to the desk. “The Caldwells have an old-fashioned cabin up in the Adirondacks. It’s early in the season and unlikely that anyone else would be up there.”
Lex heard the unspoken unlikely anyone would hear Clark’s screams.
“Bruce…”
He relayed the information and heard voices on the other end of the line again.
“Thanks, Lex. Melody can give us directions. I’ll let you know what happens. Oh, and tell Lionel he may have saved the day.”
“Good luck, Bruce.”
Lex sighed as he hung up.
“Let’s hope the cabin is the right place.”
Lionel nodded as Jamie hugged Lex, worry in his green eyes.
Author: BradyGirl_12
Pairings/Characters: (this chapter): Lex/Jamie, Clark/Bruce (Clark does not appear in this chapter), Lionel Luthor, Melody, Evangeline, Ollie/Dinah (Ollie does not appear in this chapter)
Series Notes: In the 23rd century, Earth is a technologically-advanced society that practices the ancient institution of slavery. A Great Trial crashes down upon the House Of Wayne. Can Bruce and Clark’s relationship survive? Will the Family’s strength be enough to see them through this Time of Fear and Darkness? The entire series can be found here.
Genres: AU, Drama, Slavefic
Rating: (this chapter): G
Warnings: None
Spoilers: None
Summary: Does the Family have a solid lead to follow?
Date Of Completion (First Draft): October 29, 2008
Date Of Posting: October 13, 2009
Disclaimer: I don’t own ‘em, DC does, more’s the pity.
Word Count: 808
Feedback welcome and appreciated.
And all was revealed.
Elysia
"Laurel Leaves
And Other
Amazonian Poems"
326 B.C.E.
HOPE
Lex frowned as he looked over Lexcorp’s quarterly reports. Ordinarily he was very interested in the reports, because he liked to know exactly what his company was doing and what kind of profit had been made.
He didn’t really care today.
He was too worried about Clark, and by extension, Bruce.
The lack of clues was frustrating but not surprising. Professional slave-stealers rarely left any behind, and the rate of recovery was fairly low.
He didn’t want to think what would happen if Clark was lost forever.
He wanted to see Bruce healthy and happy. For far too many years he hadn’t really enjoyed life. Clark and later, Dick, had given him that: the chance to enjoy life again.
He sighed.
“Master?” He looked up to see Jamie regarding him with concern. “Is all well?”
Lex felt warmth spread through him. “I’m fine. I just wish Bruce was.”
Jamie’s emerald eyes were sad. “I am asking the Gods for his safe return.”
Lex cocked his head. “I didn’t know you were religious.”
“Not in the usual sense. I mean most churches don’t allow slaves to attend services. The Pagan religions will, or at least some of them.”
“Do you pray?”
“Sometimes.” Jamie happily accepted Lex’s unspoken invitation and curled up on his lap. “The Gods and Goddesses don’t promise salvation or that if you have faith, all will be rewarded. They promise the turn of the seasons, maybe love or caring if you’re lucky, but don’t make you feel guilty for having normal human urges.”
“Aren’t you a smart one?” Lex kissed Jamie’s temple. “Pray for Clark and Bruce, my katare.”
Jamie nodded with a small smile.
The phone rang and Lex answered it. “Bruce! Any word?” Disappointment flitted across his face. “I’m sorry.” Jamie watched his Master’s face. “I’ve had people on it, but nothing…” Lex listened, frowning. Interruption, he mouthed. Lex amused himself by rubbing Jamie’s back, the blond smiling. “Bruce, what…?” Lionel entered the room, raising his head at the mention of Bruce’s name. “Edmund Caldwell?”
Melody held the cellphone tightly to her ear. “Thank you, Evangeline. Don’t worry, I won’t mention your name.” She snapped the phone off and hurried down to the hall to Dinah and Ollie’s room, knocking on the door. “Mistress!”
The door opened. “Goodness! What is it, dear?” Dinah asked.
“I think I may know who has Clark!”
Dinah’s eyes widened and she grabbed Melody’s shoulders. “Who?” she demanded.
“Evangeline, my old friend on the Caldwell staff, says Master Edmund left the house the day of Clark’s disappearance, not a few weeks before like people said.” Her eyes were solemn and a little afraid. “He really hates Lord Bruce.”
Dinah’s eyes grew just as solemn. “We must tell Bruce.”
She and Melody hurried to the library.
Melody was frightened by how tired Bruce looked. The young Master was not doing well.
“So nothing?” Bruce frowned as he held the phone. “Damn, Lex…”
“Bruce!” Dinah said urgently.
He saw her intensity and asked, “What?”
“Melody says that one of her contacts at the Caldwell estate says Edmund left the day of Clark’s disappearance when he was supposed to be off-world.”
“Edmund?” Bruce’s eyes widened, then narrowed. “Where did he go?” he asked Melody.
“My…my contact didn’t know, but his sons Harrison and Halliburton plan to leave for the weekend.”
Melody shivered. Those three monsters together were up to something; she knew it. She tried to shut out the memory of Danny's screams from the basement of the Caldwell mansion.
Bruce fingers gripped the phone hard. “Yes, Lex, Melody says that the sons are planning to take off for the weekend. Damn, why didn’t I check Edmund out more closely? Just because he was said to be off-world didn’t mean…” Bruce rubbed between his eyes.
Lex frowned. “But even if Edmund is the kidnapper, he must have at least a dozen places around the world. At which one would we find him?”
Lionel was standing at the bookcase. He snapped his fingers. “The cabin!”
“What?”
Lionel hurried to the desk. “The Caldwells have an old-fashioned cabin up in the Adirondacks. It’s early in the season and unlikely that anyone else would be up there.”
Lex heard the unspoken unlikely anyone would hear Clark’s screams.
“Bruce…”
He relayed the information and heard voices on the other end of the line again.
“Thanks, Lex. Melody can give us directions. I’ll let you know what happens. Oh, and tell Lionel he may have saved the day.”
“Good luck, Bruce.”
Lex sighed as he hung up.
“Let’s hope the cabin is the right place.”
Lionel nodded as Jamie hugged Lex, worry in his green eyes.
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
no subject
Date: 2009-10-14 02:15 am (UTC)Run Bruce! Fast!!
Can you post the next chapter in about 5 minutes or so? I don't think I can wait.
no subject
Date: 2009-10-14 02:34 am (UTC)Sometimes the simple solutions are the best. :)
Run Bruce! Fast!!
Yes, very fast!
Can you post the next chapter in about 5 minutes or so? I don't think I can wait.
*grins*
Not in five minutes, but I'll do my best! ;)
no subject
Date: 2009-10-14 02:57 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-10-14 03:41 am (UTC)LOL! Okay! :)
On track
Date: 2009-10-14 02:59 am (UTC)Re: On track
Date: 2009-10-14 03:42 am (UTC)They are all going off to look at the right place!. Between Lionel, Ollie, and Bruce there is enough power and enough anger to make Edmund and his disgusting sons disappear completely. Bruce can kill them and Lionel can take the bodies off world and dump them into the sun, and Ollie can destroy the cabin.
The Justice League of Revenge! :)
no subject
Date: 2009-10-14 03:34 am (UTC)I am so happy... ^______^
Poor Bruce seems exhausted. I like how Luthor is affectionate with Jaime.
I was having a real crap night before I decided to check this fanfic. I just realized I have 100 pages to read about Shakespeare's life by tomorrow morning, on top of other work that I had planned on doing. So...thank you for the study break. :)
I'm not sure I can wait even 5 minutes for the next installment. But... I guess ol' Shakespeare will keep me company... *sad puppy face*
trick_trumpet
no subject
Date: 2009-10-14 03:46 am (UTC)I am so happy... ^______^
Glad to cheer you up! :)
Poor Bruce seems exhausted. I like how Luthor is affectionate with Jaime.
You know that Bruce would run himself ragged, and Lex loves Jamie like crazy even if he hasn't quite admitted it to himself yet. :)
I was having a real crap night before I decided to check this fanfic. I just realized I have 100 pages to read about Shakespeare's life by tomorrow morning, on top of other work that I had planned on doing. So...thank you for the study break. :)
You're very welcome! :)
I'm not sure I can wait even 5 minutes for the next installment. But... I guess ol' Shakespeare will keep me company... *sad puppy face*
trick_trumpet
Shakespeare's life is pretty interesting! Though admittedly Clark and Bruce are more fun. ;)
no subject
Date: 2009-10-14 04:24 am (UTC)Write faster dangnabit! ::wibbles more!::
no subject
Date: 2009-10-14 04:42 am (UTC)On to the rescue! :)
Write faster dangnabit! ::wibbles more!::
*grins*
Glad you're enjoying this, m'dear! :)
A true and gentle heart receives back love it has given
Date: 2009-10-14 04:32 am (UTC)Boy, you sure know how to write so that we get a rush of adrenaline. The tips and conversations were going back and forth so fast that my heart started pounding. And yet, it only takes one hint to trip someone in the group to remember something important. I'm glad it was Lionel. He could stand to redeem himself. Or perhaps he was also a bit disgusted with Edmund.
And what did everything hinge on...? The tip from a slave in Edmund Caldwells household probably remembering how Clark took a beating for stopping a slave from being hurt and humiliated. Clark took the risk out of respect for another slave and paid dearly for it. While the slave that called it in wasn't the one rescued, she did call Melody to pass on the observation. So, Clark's selfless deed may be the reason he'll be saved.
I wonder, though, if Lionel hadn't thought of the cabin, they could have tracked the "sons" to their weekend retreat, no? The sons would have thought to be careful but they are arrogant and would have been easy to follow, I believe.
Thanks for the post, Bradygirl, there is hope indeed.
Eva
Re: A true and gentle heart receives back love it has given
Date: 2009-10-14 04:51 am (UTC)Fanfare!!! Brass band playing!!!!
*laughs happily*
Boy, you sure know how to write so that we get a rush of adrenaline. The tips and conversations were going back and forth so fast that my heart started pounding. And yet, it only takes one hint to trip someone in the group to remember something important. I'm glad it was Lionel. He could stand to redeem himself. Or perhaps he was also a bit disgusted with Edmund.
Lionel isn't pure evil in this universe. He's got his good points. ;)
And what did everything hinge on...? The tip from a slave in Edmund Caldwells household probably remembering how Clark took a beating for stopping a slave from being hurt and humiliated. Clark took the risk out of respect for another slave and paid dearly for it. While the slave that called it in wasn't the one rescued, she did call Melody to pass on the observation. So, Clark's selfless deed may be the reason he'll be saved.
Hmm, that's a good motivation indeed for a Caldwell slave to risk her life and limbs.
Clark always gets to 'em, doesn't he? ;)
I wonder, though, if Lionel hadn't thought of the cabin, they could have tracked the "sons" to their weekend retreat, no? The sons would have thought to be careful but they are arrogant and would have been easy to follow, I believe.
Yes, they definitely would have come up with such a plan. Luckily they've got the right place right away! :)
Thanks for the post, Bradygirl, there is hope indeed.
Eva
You're welcome, Eva! :)
no subject
Date: 2009-10-14 06:12 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-10-14 05:19 pm (UTC)I wanted to give Lionel different shades of nuance in this 'verse, and he's coming through nicely. :)
no subject
Date: 2009-10-14 08:23 am (UTC)Looking forward to the next part! I hope it doesn't take too long!
no subject
Date: 2009-10-14 10:12 am (UTC)BTW I like your icon (Clark on the ground due to kryptonite) if that's the right sentiment.
Angeloz
no subject
Date: 2009-10-14 05:26 pm (UTC)All coming soon! :)
no subject
Date: 2009-10-14 05:22 pm (UTC)There's definitely going to be some comfort to go along with the hurt. :)
Looking forward to the next part! I hope it doesn't take too long!
Thanks for commenting and reading, CAT! :)
no subject
Date: 2009-10-14 10:24 am (UTC)He was too worried about Clark, and by extension, Bruce.
Lex is a good friend of Bruce in this series. I really like him especially in these last a few chapters.
“Aren’t you a smart one?” Lex kissed Jamie’s temple.
Jamie was amazing. :)
“I think I may know who has Clark!”
Dinah’s eyes widened and she grabbed Melody’s shoulders. “Who?” she demanded.
YES! I was hoping Melody could help.
Melody shivered. Those three monsters together were up to something; she knew it.
Poor Melody. *Hugs her*
Lionel hurried to the desk. “The Caldwells have an old-fashioned cabin up in the Adirondacks. It’s early in the season and unlikely that anyone else would be up there.”
YAY for Lionel! He is not quite positive character – he has flaws. But I like the way he's been thinking about some things. And in this case with Bruce and Clark – he was great! And helping! Thanks for Lionel here.
“Let’s hope the cabin is the right place.”
It sure is. Hurry up to save Clark, please!
I was so glad to see in this chapter they finally figured out it could be Edmund who kidnapped Clark! I hope everything is going well and Caldwells get what they deserve!
I liked the way you wrote all characters in this chapter BradyGirl! I love the great relationship of Lex and Jamie and I could see again in this update how much they understand to each other and how important is Jamie in Lex's life. Lionel acted really great there and Melody and Diana were very helpful as well. I'm glad, Bruce and Clark have such people in their life!
Thanks for this chapter! :)
Can't wait for more!
LS.
no subject
Date: 2009-10-14 05:33 pm (UTC)I've enjoyed writing him in this series. :)
Jamie was amazing. :)
He's fun to write, too, and totally devoted to Lex! :)
YES! I was hoping Melody could help.
She was the designated helper since I got this idea of kidnapping Clark. :)
Melody shivered. Those three monsters together were up to something; she knew it.
Poor Melody. *Hugs her*
She knows from experience! :(
YAY for Lionel! He is not quite positive character – he has flaws. But I like the way he's been thinking about some things. And in this case with Bruce and Clark – he was great! And helping! Thanks for Lionel here.
Even in Smallville, Lionel isn't all bad. It's just that the good is deeply buried. ;)
"Let’s hope the cabin is the right place."
It sure is. Hurry up to save Clark, please!
Time's running out for our boy!
I was so glad to see in this chapter they finally figured out it could be Edmund who kidnapped Clark! I hope everything is going well and Caldwells get what they deserve!
Edmund will regret this little 'adventure', for certain.
I liked the way you wrote all characters in this chapter BradyGirl! I love the great relationship of Lex and Jamie and I could see again in this update how much they understand to each other and how important is Jamie in Lex's life. Lionel acted really great there and Melody and Diana were very helpful as well. I'm glad, Bruce and Clark have such people in their life!
Thanks for this chapter! :)
Can't wait for more!
LS.
Thanks, Lis!
Lex and Jamie are a secondary pairing but there will be chapters and scenes focused on them in the future. Lex plays a minor but important part in the next arc, and a very important role in Arc 7. Jamie, too! :)
no subject
Date: 2009-10-14 01:44 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-10-14 05:36 pm (UTC)Yes, yes, yes! :)
no subject
Date: 2009-10-14 02:36 pm (UTC)Go Melody!! *bounce* It's nice to see that the slaves would step up for clark because of what he did for Melody. It's almost justice that she had a hand in finding him.
Now Bruce get there fast!
Lionel actually is the one who knew where to look. AND he helped! I actually like your Lionel I forgive him for being a bad man...lol
no subject
Date: 2009-10-14 06:11 pm (UTC)Go Melody!! *bounce* It's nice to see that the slaves would step up for clark because of what he did for Melody. It's almost justice that she had a hand in finding him.
A nice twist! :)
Now Bruce get there fast!
Yes, hurry!
Lionel actually is the one who knew where to look. AND he helped! I actually like your Lionel I forgive him for being a bad man...lol
*grins*
He's not all bad. :)
no subject
Date: 2009-10-14 02:56 pm (UTC)*sits at the edge of her seat*
no subject
Date: 2009-10-14 06:29 pm (UTC)*sits at the edge of her seat*
Let's hope so!
no subject
Date: 2009-10-14 10:18 pm (UTC)thank god!
no subject
Date: 2009-10-15 12:45 am (UTC)thank god!
*grins*
no subject
Date: 2009-10-18 07:57 am (UTC)A solid lead, a solid lead!!! Finally. Thank the Gods.
I love how you make Melody the helper in rescuing Clark.
And yeah for Lionel! Where I was worried he might have designs on Clark, he actually turned out to be a helper too.
Nice how masterfully you play the characters against their usually "behavior" and yet they are still recognizable.
And I couldn't help to grin a bit about that:
Jamie’s emerald eyes were sad. “I am asking the Gods for his safe return.”
Lex cocked his head. “I didn’t know you were religious.”
“Not in the usual sense. I mean most churches don’t allow slaves to attend services. The Pagan religions will, or at least some of them.”
“Do you pray?”
“Sometimes.” Jamie happily accepted Lex’s unspoken invitation and curled up on his lap. “The Gods and Goddesses don’t promise salvation or that if you have faith, all will be rewarded. They promise the turn of the seasons, maybe love or caring if you’re lucky, but don’t make you feel guilty for having normal human urges.”
No suprise that most churches in this universe won't have the manacled join the services. That would just point out societies hypocrisy, and they can't have this. *snorts*
Of course our fellow "pagan" religions don't have such restrictions.
Very well done.
Clark and Diana and the abolitionists might free the salves and abolish slavery in the end, but I wonder how long it will take until freed slaves and their families are seen as normal citizens in this universe?
Thanks for a great chapter, now I hope Bats and Arrows are in time to free Clark before even more bad things happen to him, what Edmund already did invokes enough trauma. Poor Clark.
*hugs all*
no subject
Date: 2009-10-19 03:18 am (UTC)A solid lead, a solid lead!!! Finally. Thank the Gods.
I love how you make Melody the helper in rescuing Clark.
And yeah for Lionel! Where I was worried he might have designs on Clark, he actually turned out to be a helper too.
Nice how masterfully you play the characters against their usually "behavior" and yet they are still recognizable.
Thank you! I'm glad the nuances are coming through but the characters are still recognizable. And I wanted Melody to be an important part of the rescue. I'm sure she's always wanted to pay Clark back for his rescue of her. :)
And I couldn't help to grin a bit about that:
No suprise that most churches in this universe won't have the manacled join the services. That would just point out societies hypocrisy, and they can't have this. *snorts*
Very true!
Of course our fellow "pagan" religions don't have such restrictions.
Very well done.
*takes a bow* :)
Clark and Diana and the abolitionists might free the salves and abolish slavery in the end, but I wonder how long it will take until freed slaves and their families are seen as normal citizens in this universe?
Very good point! Probably a very long time, if ever.
Thanks for a great chapter, now I hope Bats and Arrows are in time to free Clark before even more bad things happen to him, what Edmund already did invokes enough trauma. Poor Clark.
*hugs all*
Glad you enjoyed this, Bat-Angel! :)
no subject
Date: 2009-11-04 09:00 pm (UTC)*breathes slight sigh of relief*
Now for them to get there and get to Clark!
no subject
Date: 2009-11-04 10:02 pm (UTC)LOL about Lionel! :)
*breathes slight sigh of relief*
Now for them to get there and get to Clark!
Absolutely! :)
no subject
Date: 2009-11-12 12:17 am (UTC)Whoa... I can't belive I said that.
no subject
Date: 2009-11-12 01:40 am (UTC)Whoa... I can't belive I said that.
Strange bedfellows... ;)