xparrot: Chopper reading (lex's evil switch)
X-parrot ([personal profile] xparrot) wrote2007-04-09 03:25 pm

fic: Contingencies 1/7

I need to start posting this now, before the final eps of the season blow it completely out of the water. Hopefully I'll finish it before they start airing...hope no one minds a bit of fic spamming in the next couple weeks.

This is about my favorite non-futurefic SV scenario, which I've been wanting to try my hand at, though this...got a bit out of hand. It's the classic 'Lex turns up at the Kent farmhouse in dire straits', given a 6th season twist. This is not quite the story I was intending to write. I have a feeling it needs a warning, but I'm not exactly sure for what. Let's see: it's dark, it's angsty, it's sappy, and it may go shamelessly over the top in any of these directions. I can promise a light at the end of the tunnel, but it's going to be a long tunnel.

Major spoilers for the entire series, especially "Solitude" and "Vessel"/"Zod," and all of 6th season aired thus far.

Smallville: Contingencies, 1/7 {5,957 words}
PG-13; Clark/Lex; 6th season; angst, drama, h/c
Lex, forced to his last resort, comes to the Kent home. And Clark must rise to the occasion, as he finds himself questioning his assumptions about his dying enemy.

Read it on AO3
danceswithgary: (Default)

[personal profile] danceswithgary 2007-04-09 07:14 am (UTC)(link)
Wow! This is great so far. The Lex / Clark relationship is so painful, yet Lex still comes to Clark and Clark takes the chance for Lex. Incredible. Can't wait for more!

(Anonymous) 2007-04-09 07:48 am (UTC)(link)
I'm incoherent. That's...more? Soon? Please?
ext_9839: Yuko (woo)

[identity profile] lukita.livejournal.com 2007-04-09 07:49 am (UTC)(link)
This needs a not fluffy warning. eeee~ Six hours left, Lex is really cutting this kinda close, but is six hours going to be enough for Clark to figure some things out about Lex?

[identity profile] bagheera-san.livejournal.com 2007-04-09 10:48 am (UTC)(link)
Oh man. So, so good. I need more now.

This:
and whatever you are, whatever your reasons, you've saved our planet enough times before that you're the best bet we have now
is absolutely fascinating, even better than Lex seeing Clark as an evil invader.
And the exchange with Chloe on the phone, her suggesting to let Lex die and Clark being... hero enough not to do it. And Clark Kent with a shotgun... for some reason that's almost wronger and creepier than Bruce Wayne with a shotgun. I love how much time Clark and Martha take before Clark runs to get the not-cure. This isn't fluffy at all and that's great. The rift is awesome when it's done right.

I need to start posting this now, before the final eps of the season blow it completely out of the water.
Do you dread those eps as well? I do.
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[identity profile] hils.livejournal.com 2007-04-09 04:10 pm (UTC)(link)
Wow! This is an amazing start. I'm on the edge of my seat waiting for more

[identity profile] attaccabottoni.livejournal.com 2007-04-09 04:31 pm (UTC)(link)
Maybe it's an effect of having just watched a sci-fi thriller movie before I read this, but I had to stop myself from clutching my laptop monitor and shaking it like I want to clutch Clark (and Chloe) and scream at them in blind panic and anger. And I haven't taken any coffee for the past 72 hours, so that's a feat.

The suspense, coupled with Lex in pain, and then the countdown to him dying, was making me want to do something crazy. This is why I can't say I like stories like this or watch fast-paced high tension scenes without something comforting to cling on to. In this one, I take comfort in your good writing and your promise of light at the end of the tunnel.

Eeep, I think I was more upset about that movie that it carried over to my reading of this fic more than I realize. I can't help but stand to see this one through the end though, because of Lex, and you of course. :D
bradygirl_12: (tom brady hand)

[personal profile] bradygirl_12 2007-04-09 06:38 pm (UTC)(link)
Ooh, this is *so* good! I love the pace you've set, the questions, the tension, and the fact that Lex came to the Kent farm when he was on his last legs. Yes, I agree that the Chloe/Clark exchange about letting Lex die and the shotgun were extraordinary scenes. Can't wait for more!

[identity profile] jakrar.livejournal.com 2007-04-09 07:30 pm (UTC)(link)
This HURTS! And, yes, you've done a fantastic job of capturing 6th-season Clark and Lex and their deep suspicions of each other and their drive (each in his own way) to do the right thing, regardless of that. Can't wait to see more! What, exactly, is the monster, and why did it pick Luthorcorp -- and Lex -- to attack first? Where is it now, and how does Lex know just when it will be back? Is the stuff Lex had Clark pick up intended to destroy it before it can infect the whole human race, and did Lex develop the stuff just in case Fine or someone like him turned up again? Is Lex really, truly going to die? *wails with fear and frustration* Write quickly!

[identity profile] norwich36.livejournal.com 2007-04-09 07:52 pm (UTC)(link)
Excellent beginning! You definitely have me on the edge of my seat with anticipation.

[identity profile] blue-gold.livejournal.com 2007-04-09 07:56 pm (UTC)(link)
This is just great. I was reading and wondering what the hell why is Clark such a bitch! Stupid Clark and froze. Those are my thought processes while watching the show. You nailed season 6 Clark for better or worse. And I really gotta wonder what will happen n the next secen hours.

Love the story so far....

[identity profile] greenlady2.livejournal.com 2007-04-09 10:07 pm (UTC)(link)
... and just a few comments that might be germane to the whole Lex/Clark situation.

I haven't been able to really watch SV since the second season, but I've kept up with the plot advancements to a certain extent. The other day, I caught the last 15 minutes of a episode from last season. Don't know what it was called, but Martha had contracted a virus and Clark tried to save her. Lex has been possessed by General Zod, at this point, but I don't think the viewing audience yet knew it. Anyway, as I watched, I had the following thoughts:

When Clark joins forces with the wrong people (e.g. Fine), his father and mother are understanding, and comfort him. When Lex joins forces with the wrong people, he's evil.

When Chloe investigates Lex by breaking into his warehouses, she's being a good citizen and a good reporter, and everyone supports her. When Lex investigates Clark, he's evil.

When Clark does bad things because of Red K, he's forgiven. When Lex does bad things because of being possessed by General Zod, he's evil.

I'm trying to figure out the ethical basis of this show, and I can't. I mean, I wonder if the writers/producers believe in the judgements of the characters, or not. If they believe that Lex is culpable, and Clark and his friends aren't, what is their reasoning? If they don't believe in it, why do they go on pretending that Clark is the hero?

I'm not asking for the producers of SV to give us simplistic answers. I'd just like some sort of explanation of what their reasoning is. That's all. But I suppose it's too much to ask. Maybe there is no reasoning, and they're just winging it. But that's scary. A lot of young people watch this show. What are they learning from it? See above.

[identity profile] ficchica.livejournal.com 2007-04-09 10:24 pm (UTC)(link)
Ooh I can't wait to see what happens next. Six hours? Cutting it a bit fine isn't he?

I hate you ...

[identity profile] bonnysprite.livejournal.com 2007-04-10 04:40 am (UTC)(link)
... no really, I do. You've dragged me into another WIP, when I've managed to swear off WIPs through out my SV addiction!! Why do you have to be so darn addictive! :P

You suck.

Okay, now that my rant is over with ...

My heart aches. The ashes line ... god, Clark. I just wanted to hug him and Lex.

Please, please, assure me that the end will bring us Clex, otherwise I need to stop reading now. I'm a complete wimp, I can't see our Clex falling apart on screen and read it in fic too.

I read your analysis on Lex being the reluctant villain. I've not watched nearly enough SV to comment fairly but if this fic is inspired by that ... I very much hope both our reluctant parties do what they have to do then move on together.
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[identity profile] withafireinside.livejournal.com 2007-04-10 07:22 am (UTC)(link)
You've made me very afraid. Can't wait to see what happens next. :)

[identity profile] tasabian.livejournal.com 2007-04-10 05:47 pm (UTC)(link)
Oh, no! *cuddles poor sick Lex*

What an exciting story; I'm on the edge of my chair! And hard as it is to salvage interesting Clex out of the morass of S6, once again you've managed it!
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ext_14768: (you have no idea lex by suzvoy)

[identity profile] itsaslashything.livejournal.com 2007-04-10 09:55 pm (UTC)(link)
This is amazing...easily one of the best new fics around! I can't wait for more!!

[identity profile] aerynvala.livejournal.com 2007-04-11 03:52 pm (UTC)(link)
oh...wow! I'm so freaking excited by this!

seriously. I love the characterization here. Has all the outer trappings of Season 6, but with a deeper thread running underneath that you're hinting at ever so well. *bounces*
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ender24: (Default)

[personal profile] ender24 2007-04-13 08:31 pm (UTC)(link)
dear hell, you brought me to hell!!!!!!!
I read this a couple of days ago at work, but didn't dare to comment *g*

god , how I wish, I mean, I am just on the trip of liking the idea of chloe/clark, and then you made me wish, I would hit chloe!!!!!!

I don't have a clue how you manage, but your dark fics don't make me go all desperate but rather so excited how it will play out, that I could even imagine to accept lex death!... theoretically *g*