Title: “All creatures great and small”

Author: Bev *too*

Beta: Larissa, you did a wonderful job, dear *hugs*

Prompt: #4 “Vet”

Rating: R (nothing happens, really, just the mentioning of a little guy romp but nothing to jusitify more than R)

Warning: AU

Spoilers: none

Summary: Lex discovers things that go bump in the night, and Clark discovers that a small cat can be your fate.

A/N: The title ist from the book/TV series “All creatures great and small” from James Herriot. I loved that series when I was a kid.

The cat came seemingly out of nowhere.

One heartbeat, the road in front of Lex Luthor's sports car was clear, the next moment Lex stared into the wide eyes of a frightened cat. With a loud curse, he slammed on the breaks, pulling the steering wheel to the right. The car slowed and turned and yet he could feel the bump when the small body hit the fender of his car.

He managed to stop the car after some seconds. His hands were shaking, his knees trembling, and he felt slightly nauseous. That sound … that awful sound of his car hitting the small furry body. Still shaking, Lex got out, determined to find the cat. And help it. If possible.

He found it. About sixty feet away from his car. It lay on its side, panting, clearly in pain. But alive. Thank God it was alive. Carefully, Lex reached out a hand, prepared for a hiss or a growl. Prepared for sharp claws trying to rip his flesh from his bones. Not in the least prepared for the soft purring that greeted him. His fingertips touched the fur, and he was shocked when they came back bloody.

„Damn,“ he swore. He had to do something. Had to bring it to a vet. Had to save it.

Lex ran back to his car, and opened the trunk. He usually kept a basket for his groceries in the trunk... was it still there? Yes, there it was. He grabbed it, and returned to the kitten, in running he pulled off his thick scarf – a gift from his last boyfriend – and put it in the basket.

With infinite care, Lex put his hands under the small body, and winced when the cat howled in obvious pain. He prayed that he hadn't just made it worse. He ran back to his car, put the basket with the purring cat on the passenger's seat, and scrolled through his iPhone to find the nearest vet.

After a few seconds search, he found the address of a Dr. C.J. Kent who had his – or her – medical office just about two minutes from where Lex was now. He put the car into gear, and – with one hand steadily on the basket next to him – drove off to the vet.

~*~

The ringing woke him up. With one eye, Clark glanced at the clock. 2.18am in the morning. He had been sleeping for just under 30 minutes. Mrs. Frasier's Rottweiler, Delovely, had somehow gotten hold of a poisoned rat-trap, and was now down in his living room, recuperating from heavy vomiting and loss of bodily fluids. Clark had checked the IV a little before two and had then fallen into bed; asleep before his head had hit the pillow properly.

And now someone was ringing his door bell. Or was leaning on it if the sound was anything to go by. Clark blindly stumbled down his stairs, cast a quick gaze at Delovely who seemed to sleep peacefully, and finally opened the door with a half growled, half yawned, „What?“

„I … I … it came so suddenly … and …“

Before the man with the woolen hat and the obviously expensive coat could finish his sentence, Clark's gaze fell on the basket in his hands, and he took it without listening any more.

The cat was small. A cute little tabby with big green eyes. He guessed its age at about 5 or 6 months. Maybe younger. So fragile. Clark took it out of the basket, and asked, „What happened?“

The man had taken off his hat, and was kneading it nervously in his hands. „It came out of nowhere. I was driving along the street on my way home, and suddenly it was there. It … God, the sound, when it hit my fender. I thought I'd killed it. But then I got out, and it was still breathing, and it … it .. it purred. Can you imagine that? I almost killed it and it purred when it saw me … it ...“

Clark could tell that the man was close to hyperventilating. And if there was something he really really didn't need in the middle of the night while he was treating a feline hit-and-run was a nearly-but-not-quite murderer freaking out.

„First of all … it is a she,“ he said, his voice quiet and soothing.

„A she?“

Clark's fingers moved over the small body, and once more he was glad about his ability to see through things. And animals. Within seconds he could see that the kitten had only some broken bones but no internal bleeding.

Thank god for little things, he thought, as he mentally prepared himself for the operation on the small cat.

„Yes, a she,“ he answered the question, and continued, „Why don't you sit down while I examine her?“

„Will she be alright?“

The voice sounded nearer now. Clark raised his head, and looked directly into two stunning blue eyes. Why hadn't he noticed how close the man had come? Clark smiled, reassuring the man.

„Yes. I think she'll be as good as new. Listen, why don't you go back in the waiting room, hm? There's not much you can do right here, so you'd only be under my feet. Or you can go home. She seems to be a stray so there is no need for you to stay.“

The man looked at him with something close to horror. „Go home? Do you really think I could go home now? Not knowing how she is?“

Clark smiled involuntarily, appreciating the sentiment. „You can wait in my living room. It's through this door, down the hall, the last door on the right. And don't mind Delovely. She likes to growl but she's a doll. Just scratch her behind her ears, and she'll love you forever.“

„Delovely?“ Finely shaped, red eyebrows rose up to a non-existent hair-line, and for a moment Clark wondered how he could have missed that the guy in front of him had no hair.

„One of my patients. She's staying overnight to treat a poisoning.“

„Oh. Okay.“ The man turned on his heels and left, while Clark was already on the phone to call his colleague, Chloe. She loved animals as much as he did, and lived only a few blocks away. She promised to be there in five minutes, and Clark used this time to prepare everything for the operation.

Only as an afterthought it occurred to Clark that maybe he should have told the bald guy that Delovely was a Rottweiler. And not a small one.

~*~

For a moment Lex was paralyzed. This Kent had GOT to be kidding him. A doll? This … beast? In front of him stood a big, growling Rottweiler. Lex would do just about anything, but he sure as hell would NOT scratch this thing behind its ears.

Very slowly, and carefully, Lex made one little step. Then another. And one more. The Rottweiler stopped growling.

„Hey, there,“ Lex tried it, and the dog cocked its – no, her head slightly.

One more step.

„Yes, you're a good girl, aren't you?“

A low whine escaped the dog's throat, and with a heavy 'thud' she laid down again, sighing. When she was lying still, Lex saw the wrapping on her paw, and the small tube running from there to a bottle with clear liquid that was hung up near her.

„You got poisoned, huh, girl?“ Lex asked, not caring that it might look weird that he was talking to a dog. Carefully, he knelt down, reached out his hand, and let the dog take a sniff. She gave his hand a short lick, and then she laid her head on her front paws again. It was obvious to Lex that she was still tired. Now Lex even dared to scratch behind her ear. She grumbled slightly but pushed her head into his hand, enjoying the gentle ministrations.

„Good girl,“ Lex murmured, sitting down next to her on the floor, continuing to pet her softly.

„You think your doctor can save the little kitten?“ he suddenly asked the dog. „I really hope he can. I never meant for her to get hurt. I never wanted to hit her.“

The dog's soft whine and heavy breathing was the only answer Lex got. He moved a little so he could rest with his back on the couch, unwilling to lose contact with the warm, breathing dog.

Somewhere between one sigh of the dog and another, Lex fell asleep, the hectic pace and stress of the day and the accident catching up with him.

~*~

„How's Delovley doing?“

Clark couldn't see Chloe clearly behind her mask and her voice sounded a bit muffled but he smiled nonetheless.

„Better. I kept her one more night, though Mrs. Frasier was anything *but* happy. But I think the girl needs one more night of peace and quiet before going back to her Mistress.“

Chloe laughed gently. „I'm sure she'll enjoy it. Where is she?“

„In the living room. Together with the guy who brought this little one in.“

Chloe cocked her head slightly. „In your living room? Did you warn him? Delovely can be mean.“

Clark laughed. „That little girl? Aaww, Chloe, come on.“

Chloe pouted though she knew that it was pretty much useless. Not only because he couldn't see her but also because he seemed to be immune to it. „You only say that because she can't hurt you.“

Clark grinned broadly. „Yup.“

They both laughed at that, and then finished fixing the small bones in the kitten's leg.

A few minutes later, while Clark was bandaging the cat up, Chloe said quietly, „There's a sports car outside that looks really, really expensive. The car I mean, not the door. And it has a slight bump in the fender. Think it's his?“

Clark looked up, surprise evident on his face. „A sports car? I don't think so. A driver of a sports car wouldn't have risked getting his upholstery dirty with a cat.“

Chloe simply shrugged, before she took a chart to write down everything they knew about the little one. „Name?“

Clark looked at the little tabby face, saw her tiny mouth moving in a soundless meow as she slowly came to.

„Minoush,“ he said. „She looks like a Minoush.“

Clark didn't have to look, he could hear the smile in her voice when she said, „She does, doesn't she?“

He gazed at the clock on the wall. It was almost five in the morning. He yawned, and turned around. „Go home, Chlo,“ he said softly. „It's been a long night. You can take off all morning.“

„You sure?“ she asked back, also yawning widely. He nodded.

„I think I can handle things this morning. Go and sleep.“ He bowed down a bit, giving her a peck on the cheek. „Thanks for coming.“

Chloe put on her coat and punched him playfully. „Oh please, as if you ever have to thank me.“

She yawned again. „But you're right … I'm going home and there I'll sleep until noon.“

Clark put Minoush into a box with a litter box and a bowl of water, and adjusted the heat lamp so she wouldn't get cold. Once she was really awake, he would see how she'd be able to move with the plaster cast.

„Okay,“ he stretched, „I'll go and tell the guy that she'll be alright.“

„Can I come with you?“ Chloe's eyes were sparkling, and Clark laughed. He knew that she just wanted to see how that guy had come to terms with Delovely.

„Sure thing. Jeez, you're as curious as a cat.“

„I know,“ Chloe simply replied, and shrugged with a grin, „I can live with that.“

Clark shook his head with a fond smile, and opened the door to his living room carefully. He was prepared to be called all kinds of names for leaving the guy alone with the bloodthirsty creature, but what he saw surprised him. He stopped, feeling Chloe bump softly into him.

„What ...“ she whispered, and then she managed to look around his side, and went quiet.

„I told you she's a doll,“ Clark whispered.

The man was sitting on the floor, with his back against the couch, sound asleep. Cuddled up next to him with her head on his lap was Delovely, also sleeping. The man's hand rested on her head.

Quietly, Clark shoved Chloe out of his living room again, and closed the door behind them.

„Let them sleep. I'll take a look at them later.“

Chloe nodded, and then she couldn't suppress another big yawn. „And with that said … I'm out of here,“ she mumbled. Clark gave her a quick peck on her cheek, and let her out, locking the door behind her.

~*~

Lex awoke with a heavy weight on his stomach, and the smell of coffee in his nostrils. Taking a deep breath, he stretched. A stretch that was accompanied by a deep growling. Without opening his eyes, he patted the dog whose head was undoubtedly the weight on his stomach, and murmured, „Good girl, Dee. Just waking up here.“

„Need some caffeine to help with that?“

The voice sounded amused but tired. A little irritated by the amusement, Lex opened his eyes.

Dr. Kent sat in the chair opposite him, a mug of coffee in his hand, and a purring ginger cat on his lap. It had to be the biggest cat Lex had ever seen.

„Good morning,“ the vet said, stroking the cat's back with long sweeps of his hand.

„Mornin',“ Lex answered. „I'm sorry I fell asleep. How's the kitten doing?“

„Minoush is fine.“

Lex cocked his head slightly. „Minoush?“

The vet smiled. „I couldn't call her 'the kitten' all the time, so I had to give her a name.“

Lex thought for a moment. This was not what he had expected. Weren't doctors not normally anxious about NOT getting too attached to their patients? Giving names was getting attached in Lex's book.

But then he looked at the vet in front of him once more. Saw him stroking the big cat lovingly, and was reminded by Dee's weight on his belly that this man had kept a big Rottweiler not only in his practice but in his living room. So why not give a little stray a name?

„You're right,“ he said, and smiled. „Minoush, huh? It's a sweet name. So … she's gonna make it?“

The vet leaned back and got comfortable. „She'll be fine. As soon as the cast comes off, she'll be as good as new. It'll just be difficult to find a good home for her as long as she's not able to move without problems.“

Lex didn't even have to think about it. „I can take her.“

„You don't have to.“

Lex blinked once … twice. This wasn't the answer he had expected. „What?“

Now the vet put the big cat down, and got up. It – he? She? - stretched languidly before shooting the human a dirty look across her shoulder. It was obvious to Lex that the animal was pissed for having lost her comfortable place on her human's lap.

„I mean,“ the doctor started, „you don't have to feel obligated to take her. Just because she happened to jump in front of your car doesn't mean you're responsible for her, okay?“

Lex thought for a moment. He was alone. Single. Not unhappily so but still. And there had been more than one evening when he'd come home to an empty apartment, and had wished for some kind of company. A dog was out of question. He was a writer, and whenever inspiration hit him, he worked insane hours, sometimes days without even taking care of himself properly. So no, a dog would only suffer with him.

But a cat … well, Lex had thought about it before. A cat would be fairly independent. If Lex went on tour with his new book, his neighbor, a nice, elderly lady, could look after her. And when he worked, she would keep him company. In his mind's eye he already saw himself sitting on his desk in front of his computer, with a small, furry body rolled up on his lap.

Fingers snapping before his eyes startled him. He focused again, looking directly into two stunning blue-green eyes. „Hey … you still here?“ The eyes laughed, and Lex smiled involuntarily.

„Yeah. Yeah, still here.“

„Wow. Those must have been deep, serious thoughts,“ the vet said with a smile.

„No, not really. I just thought that – even if I'm not obligated as you said – I really would love to take her. I'm alone, and work mostly from home. So she would have company.“

The vet cocked his head slightly. Then he reached out his hand.

„Why don't you get up, and we'll go over to have a look at her.“

Lex took the offered hand, after pushing Dee's head away gently, and let himself get dragged to his feet. His muscles protested, and he groaned, rubbing one hand over his stiff neck, while his other tried to massage a cramp out of his back. Jesus, he was getting too old to spend a night on the floor.

A big, warm hand descended on his neck, and clever fingers massaged away most of the pain. The groan turned into a moan, and Lex closed his eyes, and dropped his chin onto his chest. „Wow, that's good,“ he mumbled. Then the hand slid lower, a second one joined and with the same efficiency those hands found all his hurting spots, kneading and stroking until Lex was tempted to purr like the ginger cat only moments earlier.

Lex could feel parts of him relax. But to his horror he also felt parts of him getting up, standing at attention, demanding the same loving care his back was currently getting, and with a sound almost like a gasp he moved away from those talented hands before he would embarrass himself. „Thanks,“ he muttered without turning around. „That was very good. I'm Lex, by the way,“ Lex said, realizing belatedly that he had just spent the night at another man's house without the other guy even knowing his name.

For a long moment none of them said anything, then Lex heard a soft, „I'm Clark. And you're welcome, Lex.“

He could hear the vet taking a deep breath, and then he continued, „So … Minoush.“

„Right,“ Lex lifted his head, finally daring to turn around after adjusting himself quickly so his erection wouldn't be too noticeable. „Minoush. You lead the way, I'll be following you close behind.“

The vet nodded, and walked over to the door, Lex on his heels.

Admiring the sight.

~*~

Minoush was awake and jumping through her cage. As much as she could jump and play with a tiny cast on her leg, anyway. Clark watched as Lex reached into the box with incredible tenderness, and stroked the soft fur.

„Hey there, Minoush,“ he said softly, „I'm the idiot who nearly killed you.“

Minoush answered with a loud meow, and Lex grinned.

Clark was for a moment stunned. The smile changed the whole face of the man in front of him, and he could feel his heart beat faster. He swallowed, and bowed his head to look at Minoush. This was really neither the place nor the time to get sexually attracted to a guy who he most likely would never ever see again.

„When can I take her home?“

The question, asked in a very soft voice, threw Clark momentarily, then he smiled. „You really mean it?“

Very, very blue eyes locked with his, and Clark noticed a little scar on Lex's upper lip. A scar he wanted to trace with his tongue. He wanted to know what noises the other man would make when Clark would gently bite and lick this scar.

„Yes, I do,“ Lex said just as quiet, turning to look back at Minoush. Then he raised his head again and looked Clark directly in the eyes. „I'll also pay for her bills. It's the least I can do after getting you out of bed at ass o'clock in the morning. Away from your wife. Or girlfriend.“

Clark hid the smile that threatened to come out. Very subtle, Lex, he thought, and answered, „Partner or boyfriend would be more likely but no … I'm single, alas. I was sleeping alone.“

Clark could see Lex bowing his head quickly, maybe to hide the joyful smile he could briefly see at the mentioning of a boyfriend.

„You don't have to pay for her bills,“ Clark said now. Stroking softly over Minoush's head. And if his fingers touched very briefly Lex's … well, it was a small head.

„Then … at least let me take you out to dinner,“ Lex insisted, raising his head, smiling almost shyly.

„Well … considering we already had some kind of breakfast together,“ Clark joked gently, pointing to Lex's coffee mug, „I think dinner would be nice. Tonight?“

„Tonight sounds great,“ Lex murmured, huskily.

Minoush chose this moment to claw at Clark's finger, and try to bite him. Clark grinned, lifting her up, and nuzzling her gently. Maybe he should have named her Fate.

~*~

Epilogue:

Minoush watched her masters. They were making those funny noises again, and they were moving the bed, making it shake so much that she couldn't sleep peacefully. But she knew the noises now. Knew that they wouldn't last all night, so she usually strolled over to the living room, and curled up on the couch until it was quiet again in the room with the big catbed. Their masters called it the bedroom but for Minoush it was just another place to sleep comfortable.

A yell, a shout, some weird smell, and everything was quiet again.

Minoush waited a few more moments before she hopped quietly down from the couch, stretching and yawning. Then she licked her fur back into place before she padded back to the bedroom. The smell was more intense in here, and she sneezed.

A rumbling laughter from the bed greeted her. „Hey Minou,“ her bald master said gently, lifting her up as soon as she was close enough to the bed. She purred loudly, and licked his nose. He laughed, and set her down between himself and his companion, her other master. Her master with the thick dark hair and the gentle voice who had helped her walk again, who had put the stiff thing on her leg so it could heal again. She licked his nose, too, and he laughed though he was still panting a little. „Hey Minou,“ he whispered, „I hope we didn't disturb you too much.“

Minoush meowed quietly, and then she curled herself up between her masters, who linked her fingers above her back, protecting her.

She purred until she fell asleep.

The end