katspell
13th April 2004, 07:47
Top three
Rating PG-13
Disclaimers: I don't own Smallville or anything that belongs to anyone else. I promise to put away my toys when I'm done playing with them.
AN: Just a funny fluff piece cuz most of the time in fics Chloe can't cook.. That and I'm a feedback addict.
Description: The gang teaches Lex to play one of their games, hilarity ensues.
Lex walks into the Talon, the place is doing rapid business, something he always likes to see. Walking to the counter he orders himself a late “where's Lana?” he asks Becka as she hands him his change.
The girl points towards a corner where the brunette can be seen sitting on one of the couches with the usual crowd. He arches an eyebrow “Working hard, I see.” He says to no one in particular.
“Its her day off.” Becka defends the other girl. When Lex turns the full weight of his regard on her she blushes and suddenly finds the counter top to be most fascinating.
'Score one for the big bad wolf' he thinks to himself. He walks toward where Lana is sitting scanning the crowd as he goes. As Clark leans forward to say something to Lana's who is sitting next to Pete he catches a flash of blond hair packed all the way back into the corner. His evening is looking up. As he nears the table the entire group bursts into laughter. Planting his usual smirk on his face he says “Can a person inquire?”
“Hey Lex.” Clark gives him an easy smile and scootches to make room between him and Chloe “have a seat.”
“Unless of course,” the green eyed blond snarks up “you are just here to collect the books and have no time to mingle with us commoners.”
Lex looks smug as he slides into the spot between the two. “Not at all, Miss Sullivan, I've just closed a deal and I think a bit of relaxation is in order.” He waits to see if she'll rise to the bait noticing Clark's frantic 'don't' gestures at Chloe from the corner of his eye.
Chloe sticks her tongue out at Clark then smiles at Lex. “Oh, so you succeeded in your bid for Fergus Co. Good for you, with their plants added to the ones Luthor Corp already controls you're finally in a position to give Wayne Industries a run for their money in the consumer electronics business.” She looks justifiably smug as Lex's jaw drops.
'Score one for the intrepid girl reporter. I'm going to have to find the leak.' He gathers his wit “Miss Sullivan, I am once again suitably impressed. But I doubt that is what you were laughing about.”
“No, we were just playing a game.” Clark says. “I don't know that you'd be interested.”
Before Lex can even begin to respond Chloe jumps in “Not so fast, Clark, it would be good to have some new blood. Its been a year since we taught Lana the game and frankly we need something to make it more interesting.”
Lana catches Chloe's look and nods “Oh yeah, I bet Lex would be good at this game.”
Lex suspects a conspiracy afoot. “Just what are you attempting to get me into, Miss Sullivan?”
“Its easy, Luthor. We call it 'Top Three' the rules are simple.”
Pete speaks for the first time since Lex sat down “If he's going to play,” Lex sets himself for some sort of raze “are we going to start the round over?” Everyone looks at Pete in surprise. “What?” he asks suddenly defensive.
“You're just saying that because you've used your passes already.” Chloe says with a laugh. “You want us to start over even if it means you have to play a game with a Luthor.”
Pete gives a snort “Not at all. I just happen to think you're right, we need new blood. Plus think about all the disses I'm going to get to hand out when he” there is a contemptuous gesture made in Lex's direction “starts to play.”
Chloe holds her hands up in defeat “Excuse me for assuming.” she turns to Lex “We've been playing this game in one form or another for years, its what happens when you spend all your time with the same people. The rules are easy. Each person takes turns giving out a topic and everyone has to give their top 3 picks. Anyone can ask for a clarification of the topic and each person gets 3 passes a game. You can also challenge someone to prove something they said. The game goes on until there isn't anyone left to play, get it?”
“I think so.” Lex is trying to squash any suspicious thoughts about a certain ruthless reporter using this as a substitute for an interview. Well, he had made a big point about spending time with the 'commoners' so he has two choices play, or back out and look like an idiot.
“Don't worry Lex. One of the rules is that no one can use anything said in the game against anyone later. Chloe won't follow up on anything you say or use it in an article some time.”
“Clark” Chloe sputters “I'm sure Lex wouldn't think so poorly of me.” She glares first at the farm boy then at the billionaire.
Instinctively knowing where safety lays Lex speaks in his own defense “Of course not. It is just a game right?”
Pete gives a snort “you'll see.” he claps his hands together “so we're starting over, who's going first?”
“Me” Clark says “I'll give you all an easy one just to get Lex warmed up.” He stares off into space for a moment “Top 3 favorite pass times?”
Lex blinks but Lana asks “Pass times how?”
“Three favorite things to do.”
“Ok.” Lana gets her answers ready “Watching chick flicks,” that got her groans from the two boys “running the coffee shop and um” she presses her lips together deep in thought “shopping.”
Pete grins “No surprises there. My three, chick watching,” Chloe rolls her eyes and growls at him “football, and coming up with new Luthor disses.”
Lana smacks him playfully “Play nice.”
Chloe doesn't have to stop to think “Snooping, writing, and shopping.” She looks over at Lex, “your turn.”
Looking straight a Pete “Reading, taking over poorly ran companies, and hmmm fencing I guess.”
The shot goes straight to Pete's ego “Luthor,” he starts to stand up but Clark breaks in.
“Fair hit, Pete, besides you started it. Sit down boy and take your medicine like a man.”
Lex looks at Clark surprised at the turn of phrase. Chloe beans the farm boy with a pillow. “You can't quote me unless you give proper credit, ditz. Now give me back my pillow.”
Clark obediently passes the pillow back then smiles at Lana “Your turn. Pick a topic.”
“Not so fast, Kent, what are your favorite pass times?” Chloe pounces as Clark tries to get away with not answering his own topic.
“Oh, um questioning life, hanging out with friends, and uh people watching.”
“I'm not going to challenge because we all know that by people you mean Lana.” Clark stutters something unintelligible but Chloe ignores him. “Go Lana, your topic?”
“OK three songs you would be most likely to preform a lap dance too.” Everyone but Chloe comes to a complete stop. Chloe is laughing so hard she is sliding down the couch towards the floor.
Clark nudges Lex “You need to help her up before she makes it all the way down otherwise she'll never stop laughing.”
Lex leans over and takes Chloe by the elbow “Come on, Miss Sullivan, it wasn't that funny.”
The slight shock that travels up her arm from the point of contact sobers Chloe almost instantly “Oh, yes it is, just give it a minute. Since you're playing games with us you should call me Chloe.” She plants herself back on the couch and some how ends up closer to Lex then she was before.
“Excuse me? Lana, boys don't give lap dances.” Pete busts in “I don't think that is a fair topic.”
Chloe scrunches up her face in a good imitation of Lex at his most smug “Of course not, Pete, you boys just don't have any rhythm.”
“That is an unfair stereotype, Chloe.” Clark puts his two cents in “Lots of guys have rhythm.”
“Men, maybe” Lana points out thoughtfully “But not boys.” She and Chloe share a high five across the table. Lana asks Lex “Care to chime in?”
Lex makes a show of considering his answer “I think that if *I*, as a man, were to be motivated to do a lap dance I would be good at it. I, however, would prefer to do a strip tease.”
Chloe easily pictures Lex doing either. In order to cover her blushes as her imagination runs away with it she presses her face into a pillow.
“Ewe, Luthor, way to go to the bad place.” Pete grouses but he won't be out done “I guess if I really worked at it I could do it.”
Chloe looks up, her face still pinkish “You would definitely be working it, Pete.” she does a little shake it dance in her seat as she sings “Shake it like a polaroid picture.” both girls dissolve into laughter again at the looks on Clark's and Pete's faces.
Lex pulls them back to the matter at hand. “So, Lana, your topic, what songs would you pick if you were to give a lap dance?”
The brunette looks at Clark from under her eyelashes “Genie In A Bottle, My Immortal, and You Drive Me Crazy.” Lex watches in fascination as Clark slowly turns an interesting shade of red. Lana slowly licks her lips, never taking her eyes off Clark, the boy gets even redder.
“God, you two, get a room.” Chloe growls breaking the moment.
Lana gives a guilty snap “Sorry Chloe.” Only now does she blush “Ok, Pete, your turn. What would be your picks?”
“Total Pass. I'm not even going there.” He sits back in his seat crossing his arms over his chest. “Chloe?”
“You are such a boy.” Chloe teases “My song choices, well *I* could lap dance to almost any music you picked.”
“And she's proved it.” Clark says in an aside to Lex who has to duck as the pillow goes over his head again.
“Pay no attention to the moron on your right, Lex.” Lex gives her a speculative look. “You don't know me well enough to give me that look, Luthor, keep your dirty thoughts to yourself.”
He holds a hand up to fend her off “I'm intrigued, Chloe, but mostly by the fact that Clark knows you can lap dance.”
She gives him a completely magical smile as Clark once again turns red “I knew you would be good at this game, Luthor.”
“Believe me, Chloe, I'm good at lots of games.”
'Did he just wiggle his eyebrows at me? Naw couldn't be.' She rolls her eyes at him “My music: Bowling for Soup's cover of Baby Hit Me One More Time, I Like the Way You Move, and as trite as it sounds Milk Shake. I just love to move to that beat.”
Lex has to forcibly uncross his eyes as his mind runs away with the picture of Chloe moving to the distinctive beat. “Excuse me?” he realizes that Chloe had said something “I was distracted.”
“I'll bet.” Chloe looks smug “What about you, are you going to pass.”
“I think I could do it to any music you picked.”
“No one doubts that, Luthor, but could you dance to it?”
Lana looks worried and interrupts Lex's attempt at an answer “Chloe you didn't explain the challenges very well.”
Chloe mock glares at the other girl “Way to rain on my parade, Lang. Lex, if someone doesn't believe you they can challenge and you have to prove it. If you manage it they owe you a forfeit otherwise you owe them one. So, according to the rules, if you say you could lap dance to any song one of us could challenge you to prove it.”
“Not that any of us would.” Pete mutters deliberately loud enough to be heard.
Chloe makes a show of looking Lex up and down “Oh, I don't know Pete.”
“I get it. In that case I'm going to pass.” its Lex's turn to interrupt before the two get into some sort of perverse pissing contest. “what about you, Clark?”
“Oh, I'm passing. The last time I even tried to answer something like this those two ganged up on me.” he glares back and forth between the two girls.
Chloe and Lana exchange a high five. “Great topic Lana, one set of passes down and two to go.”
“Is there a battle of the sexes rule I should know about?” Lex questions, only half kidding.
“No,” Pete glares at the girls “but ever since we let Lana start playing they've turned it into one. I was hoping you would help even the odds a bit.” Lex smirks at the boy “After all, you, like Chloe, have no shame.” the last bit comes out in a huff.
“Do I have any shame, Pete?” Lana is egging him on.
“No, you're just incorrigible.”
“And think, Lex, he didn't know that word before yesterday and he's already using it in sentences. Its your turn, Pete.” Chloe prods the boy.
“Three things you think will never happen.” Pete looks smug.
“I know how Pete would have answered this yesterday, Lex. But he can't use it today because you're sitting at the table.”
“Chloe” Clark says in a warning tone of voice “Don't do that.”
“God he sounds more like his dad every day.” Chloe grumbles under her breath causing Lex to snort in the middle of a sip of his coffee.
Clark glares at Chloe “Go ahead Pete, name your picks.”
Pete smirks “I will *never* see Lex do a striptease. I will *never* eat an edible meal cooked by Chloe and I will *never* do a lap dance.” He sits smugly back.
“Oh no.” Clark whispers, “this isn't going to be good.”
“Why is it that no one believes I can cook?” Chloe grouses at no one in particular.
“Maybe the repeated trips of Smallville's finest has something to do with it.” Pete shoots back.
“I was twelve. Its not fair to keep bringing that up.”
“Chloe can cook. She cooks for me and her dad all the time.” Lana jumps to her friend's defense.
“Sure, TV dinners and potpies. I don't count that as edible.”
“That isn't all the time. She can cook just as good as” Lana fumbles for a second seeking a name “Martha Kent.”
All three boys look at Lana in surprise. “I don't think so.” Clark is the first to speak.
“Why don't you put your money where your mouth is, Farm Boy?” Chloe sounds genuinely cranky now.
“Oh come on, Chloe, you can't really expect us to believe that you can cook as good as Mrs. Kent, do you? IF you can why haven't we ever seen it?” Pete is incredulous.
“Maybe because I don't feel like feeding your bottomless gullets. And maybe because neither of you will drop the one time I almost set the house on fire.”
“Three times, Chloe.” Clark points out.
“See, that is exactly why *I* don't cook for you two.”
“Face it, Chloe, you are never going to live that down.”
“Fine, I'll prove it, but you guys are going to have to make it worth my time. I suggest a wager.”
For the first time Pete looks uncomfortable. Chloe never makes a bet she isn't sure she can win.
“You are on.” Clark enunciates each word, drawing it out.
“I don't know, Clark.” Pete is trying to backtrack, these things never go well. “You haven't even heard the terms yet.”
Chloe smirks “I will cook dinner for you guys” She includes Lex “if it is as good as something Clark's mom can cook up you never bring up the fire incident again.”
Pete starts thinking that maybe this isn't to bad.
“And you guys owe Lana and I a lap dance each.” Lana crows with laughter.
“No way, I'm out.” from Pete.
“Fine, run girlie man.” Chloe makes shoeing motions at him. “How about you two?”
Clark starts to speak but Lex beats him to the punch “What do we get when you loose?”
Lana and Chloe share a long look 'Proof of psychic communication' Lex thinks to himself and Lana nods.
“If we loose, Chloe and I will give you two a lap dance to any music you pick out.” she smiles at Clark who is starting to turn red again “But because I'm involving myself I'm going to help Chloe cook.”
Pete snorts “You can't cook either.”
“Hey, you bowed out, little man, keep your comments to yourself.” Chloe shoots at the boy. “Who is paying for the shopping?”
“Excuse me?” Clark finally drags himself back to the conversation.
“If we're feeding you two you should pay for the shopping trip.” Chloe feels she is being completely reasonable.
“I haven't agreed to this yet.” Clark stutters.
“Yeah you did” Lana jumps in making air quotes “ your words were 'you are so on' I believe.”
“Go Lana!” Chloe gives a little chant. “How about you, Lex, you going to chicken out like the little girlie man?” Pete huffs.
Lex has been sitting quietly through this exchange apparently lost in thought. “Yeah, I'm in. And to make Clark feel better I'll take you two shopping.” Both girls eyes light up “For the groceries you need to cook with.” He hastens to clarify. The eyes dim a bit. “When are we going to do this?” He pulls out his PDA to check his schedule.
“I need a couple of days to get the menu's together.” Chloe looks thoughtful, she is already planning what she wants to cook.
“How will we know they aren't just going to order take out from somewhere and pass it off as their own?” Pete asks.
“There is no 'we' involving you, Pete, you. Bowed. Out.” Chloe levels full scorn at the boy.
“He has a point, though, Lex.” Clark says.
“Yes, yes he does. We all know how Chloe likes to win.”
Chloe's indignant “Excuse me” is overrode by Lex.
“We'll watch them cook.” Lex looks smug.
“There isn't enough room in our kitchen for Lana and I to cook in and have you two hanging out too.”
“Then cook at my house. That will give us some privacy for when you two have to pay your” he pauses as if looking for the best word “forfeit.”
'Again with the telepathy' Lex thinks as the two girls share a long look. “deal.” Lana holds out her hand. Everyone shakes hands as Pete continues to mutter to himself. “ I'm off on Saturday.” Lana says, “Is that good for everyone?”
“Sounds good to me. Clark?”
“Is good. Lex?”
Lex sends an email to his assistant telling her to clear his schedule for Saturday. “It is now. I'll pick you two up at say one? We'll do shopping and go back to my place.” He gives Chloe a sly look, egging her on just so he can see her reaction “I'll keep my chef around to make sure you guys aren't trying to poison us and so he can make us something edible after your attempt.”
She doesn't disappoint. Her eyes flash green, then narrow, her cheeks pick up a rose tint. “You are so going down, Luthor.”
“Either way, Chloe, I'm looking forward to it.” He stands up “if you'll excuse me.” He walks away. At the counter he looks back to see that Lana has taken his seat and both girls are looking in his direction. He arches an eyebrow and gives them a slight nod as Chloe whispers something in Lana's ear and both girls collapse against the couch, laughing. Clark looks very uncomfortable.
************************************************** ********************
tbc if I get lots and lots of feedback only because I wants it and needs it....
Rating PG-13
Disclaimers: I don't own Smallville or anything that belongs to anyone else. I promise to put away my toys when I'm done playing with them.
AN: Just a funny fluff piece cuz most of the time in fics Chloe can't cook.. That and I'm a feedback addict.
Description: The gang teaches Lex to play one of their games, hilarity ensues.
Lex walks into the Talon, the place is doing rapid business, something he always likes to see. Walking to the counter he orders himself a late “where's Lana?” he asks Becka as she hands him his change.
The girl points towards a corner where the brunette can be seen sitting on one of the couches with the usual crowd. He arches an eyebrow “Working hard, I see.” He says to no one in particular.
“Its her day off.” Becka defends the other girl. When Lex turns the full weight of his regard on her she blushes and suddenly finds the counter top to be most fascinating.
'Score one for the big bad wolf' he thinks to himself. He walks toward where Lana is sitting scanning the crowd as he goes. As Clark leans forward to say something to Lana's who is sitting next to Pete he catches a flash of blond hair packed all the way back into the corner. His evening is looking up. As he nears the table the entire group bursts into laughter. Planting his usual smirk on his face he says “Can a person inquire?”
“Hey Lex.” Clark gives him an easy smile and scootches to make room between him and Chloe “have a seat.”
“Unless of course,” the green eyed blond snarks up “you are just here to collect the books and have no time to mingle with us commoners.”
Lex looks smug as he slides into the spot between the two. “Not at all, Miss Sullivan, I've just closed a deal and I think a bit of relaxation is in order.” He waits to see if she'll rise to the bait noticing Clark's frantic 'don't' gestures at Chloe from the corner of his eye.
Chloe sticks her tongue out at Clark then smiles at Lex. “Oh, so you succeeded in your bid for Fergus Co. Good for you, with their plants added to the ones Luthor Corp already controls you're finally in a position to give Wayne Industries a run for their money in the consumer electronics business.” She looks justifiably smug as Lex's jaw drops.
'Score one for the intrepid girl reporter. I'm going to have to find the leak.' He gathers his wit “Miss Sullivan, I am once again suitably impressed. But I doubt that is what you were laughing about.”
“No, we were just playing a game.” Clark says. “I don't know that you'd be interested.”
Before Lex can even begin to respond Chloe jumps in “Not so fast, Clark, it would be good to have some new blood. Its been a year since we taught Lana the game and frankly we need something to make it more interesting.”
Lana catches Chloe's look and nods “Oh yeah, I bet Lex would be good at this game.”
Lex suspects a conspiracy afoot. “Just what are you attempting to get me into, Miss Sullivan?”
“Its easy, Luthor. We call it 'Top Three' the rules are simple.”
Pete speaks for the first time since Lex sat down “If he's going to play,” Lex sets himself for some sort of raze “are we going to start the round over?” Everyone looks at Pete in surprise. “What?” he asks suddenly defensive.
“You're just saying that because you've used your passes already.” Chloe says with a laugh. “You want us to start over even if it means you have to play a game with a Luthor.”
Pete gives a snort “Not at all. I just happen to think you're right, we need new blood. Plus think about all the disses I'm going to get to hand out when he” there is a contemptuous gesture made in Lex's direction “starts to play.”
Chloe holds her hands up in defeat “Excuse me for assuming.” she turns to Lex “We've been playing this game in one form or another for years, its what happens when you spend all your time with the same people. The rules are easy. Each person takes turns giving out a topic and everyone has to give their top 3 picks. Anyone can ask for a clarification of the topic and each person gets 3 passes a game. You can also challenge someone to prove something they said. The game goes on until there isn't anyone left to play, get it?”
“I think so.” Lex is trying to squash any suspicious thoughts about a certain ruthless reporter using this as a substitute for an interview. Well, he had made a big point about spending time with the 'commoners' so he has two choices play, or back out and look like an idiot.
“Don't worry Lex. One of the rules is that no one can use anything said in the game against anyone later. Chloe won't follow up on anything you say or use it in an article some time.”
“Clark” Chloe sputters “I'm sure Lex wouldn't think so poorly of me.” She glares first at the farm boy then at the billionaire.
Instinctively knowing where safety lays Lex speaks in his own defense “Of course not. It is just a game right?”
Pete gives a snort “you'll see.” he claps his hands together “so we're starting over, who's going first?”
“Me” Clark says “I'll give you all an easy one just to get Lex warmed up.” He stares off into space for a moment “Top 3 favorite pass times?”
Lex blinks but Lana asks “Pass times how?”
“Three favorite things to do.”
“Ok.” Lana gets her answers ready “Watching chick flicks,” that got her groans from the two boys “running the coffee shop and um” she presses her lips together deep in thought “shopping.”
Pete grins “No surprises there. My three, chick watching,” Chloe rolls her eyes and growls at him “football, and coming up with new Luthor disses.”
Lana smacks him playfully “Play nice.”
Chloe doesn't have to stop to think “Snooping, writing, and shopping.” She looks over at Lex, “your turn.”
Looking straight a Pete “Reading, taking over poorly ran companies, and hmmm fencing I guess.”
The shot goes straight to Pete's ego “Luthor,” he starts to stand up but Clark breaks in.
“Fair hit, Pete, besides you started it. Sit down boy and take your medicine like a man.”
Lex looks at Clark surprised at the turn of phrase. Chloe beans the farm boy with a pillow. “You can't quote me unless you give proper credit, ditz. Now give me back my pillow.”
Clark obediently passes the pillow back then smiles at Lana “Your turn. Pick a topic.”
“Not so fast, Kent, what are your favorite pass times?” Chloe pounces as Clark tries to get away with not answering his own topic.
“Oh, um questioning life, hanging out with friends, and uh people watching.”
“I'm not going to challenge because we all know that by people you mean Lana.” Clark stutters something unintelligible but Chloe ignores him. “Go Lana, your topic?”
“OK three songs you would be most likely to preform a lap dance too.” Everyone but Chloe comes to a complete stop. Chloe is laughing so hard she is sliding down the couch towards the floor.
Clark nudges Lex “You need to help her up before she makes it all the way down otherwise she'll never stop laughing.”
Lex leans over and takes Chloe by the elbow “Come on, Miss Sullivan, it wasn't that funny.”
The slight shock that travels up her arm from the point of contact sobers Chloe almost instantly “Oh, yes it is, just give it a minute. Since you're playing games with us you should call me Chloe.” She plants herself back on the couch and some how ends up closer to Lex then she was before.
“Excuse me? Lana, boys don't give lap dances.” Pete busts in “I don't think that is a fair topic.”
Chloe scrunches up her face in a good imitation of Lex at his most smug “Of course not, Pete, you boys just don't have any rhythm.”
“That is an unfair stereotype, Chloe.” Clark puts his two cents in “Lots of guys have rhythm.”
“Men, maybe” Lana points out thoughtfully “But not boys.” She and Chloe share a high five across the table. Lana asks Lex “Care to chime in?”
Lex makes a show of considering his answer “I think that if *I*, as a man, were to be motivated to do a lap dance I would be good at it. I, however, would prefer to do a strip tease.”
Chloe easily pictures Lex doing either. In order to cover her blushes as her imagination runs away with it she presses her face into a pillow.
“Ewe, Luthor, way to go to the bad place.” Pete grouses but he won't be out done “I guess if I really worked at it I could do it.”
Chloe looks up, her face still pinkish “You would definitely be working it, Pete.” she does a little shake it dance in her seat as she sings “Shake it like a polaroid picture.” both girls dissolve into laughter again at the looks on Clark's and Pete's faces.
Lex pulls them back to the matter at hand. “So, Lana, your topic, what songs would you pick if you were to give a lap dance?”
The brunette looks at Clark from under her eyelashes “Genie In A Bottle, My Immortal, and You Drive Me Crazy.” Lex watches in fascination as Clark slowly turns an interesting shade of red. Lana slowly licks her lips, never taking her eyes off Clark, the boy gets even redder.
“God, you two, get a room.” Chloe growls breaking the moment.
Lana gives a guilty snap “Sorry Chloe.” Only now does she blush “Ok, Pete, your turn. What would be your picks?”
“Total Pass. I'm not even going there.” He sits back in his seat crossing his arms over his chest. “Chloe?”
“You are such a boy.” Chloe teases “My song choices, well *I* could lap dance to almost any music you picked.”
“And she's proved it.” Clark says in an aside to Lex who has to duck as the pillow goes over his head again.
“Pay no attention to the moron on your right, Lex.” Lex gives her a speculative look. “You don't know me well enough to give me that look, Luthor, keep your dirty thoughts to yourself.”
He holds a hand up to fend her off “I'm intrigued, Chloe, but mostly by the fact that Clark knows you can lap dance.”
She gives him a completely magical smile as Clark once again turns red “I knew you would be good at this game, Luthor.”
“Believe me, Chloe, I'm good at lots of games.”
'Did he just wiggle his eyebrows at me? Naw couldn't be.' She rolls her eyes at him “My music: Bowling for Soup's cover of Baby Hit Me One More Time, I Like the Way You Move, and as trite as it sounds Milk Shake. I just love to move to that beat.”
Lex has to forcibly uncross his eyes as his mind runs away with the picture of Chloe moving to the distinctive beat. “Excuse me?” he realizes that Chloe had said something “I was distracted.”
“I'll bet.” Chloe looks smug “What about you, are you going to pass.”
“I think I could do it to any music you picked.”
“No one doubts that, Luthor, but could you dance to it?”
Lana looks worried and interrupts Lex's attempt at an answer “Chloe you didn't explain the challenges very well.”
Chloe mock glares at the other girl “Way to rain on my parade, Lang. Lex, if someone doesn't believe you they can challenge and you have to prove it. If you manage it they owe you a forfeit otherwise you owe them one. So, according to the rules, if you say you could lap dance to any song one of us could challenge you to prove it.”
“Not that any of us would.” Pete mutters deliberately loud enough to be heard.
Chloe makes a show of looking Lex up and down “Oh, I don't know Pete.”
“I get it. In that case I'm going to pass.” its Lex's turn to interrupt before the two get into some sort of perverse pissing contest. “what about you, Clark?”
“Oh, I'm passing. The last time I even tried to answer something like this those two ganged up on me.” he glares back and forth between the two girls.
Chloe and Lana exchange a high five. “Great topic Lana, one set of passes down and two to go.”
“Is there a battle of the sexes rule I should know about?” Lex questions, only half kidding.
“No,” Pete glares at the girls “but ever since we let Lana start playing they've turned it into one. I was hoping you would help even the odds a bit.” Lex smirks at the boy “After all, you, like Chloe, have no shame.” the last bit comes out in a huff.
“Do I have any shame, Pete?” Lana is egging him on.
“No, you're just incorrigible.”
“And think, Lex, he didn't know that word before yesterday and he's already using it in sentences. Its your turn, Pete.” Chloe prods the boy.
“Three things you think will never happen.” Pete looks smug.
“I know how Pete would have answered this yesterday, Lex. But he can't use it today because you're sitting at the table.”
“Chloe” Clark says in a warning tone of voice “Don't do that.”
“God he sounds more like his dad every day.” Chloe grumbles under her breath causing Lex to snort in the middle of a sip of his coffee.
Clark glares at Chloe “Go ahead Pete, name your picks.”
Pete smirks “I will *never* see Lex do a striptease. I will *never* eat an edible meal cooked by Chloe and I will *never* do a lap dance.” He sits smugly back.
“Oh no.” Clark whispers, “this isn't going to be good.”
“Why is it that no one believes I can cook?” Chloe grouses at no one in particular.
“Maybe the repeated trips of Smallville's finest has something to do with it.” Pete shoots back.
“I was twelve. Its not fair to keep bringing that up.”
“Chloe can cook. She cooks for me and her dad all the time.” Lana jumps to her friend's defense.
“Sure, TV dinners and potpies. I don't count that as edible.”
“That isn't all the time. She can cook just as good as” Lana fumbles for a second seeking a name “Martha Kent.”
All three boys look at Lana in surprise. “I don't think so.” Clark is the first to speak.
“Why don't you put your money where your mouth is, Farm Boy?” Chloe sounds genuinely cranky now.
“Oh come on, Chloe, you can't really expect us to believe that you can cook as good as Mrs. Kent, do you? IF you can why haven't we ever seen it?” Pete is incredulous.
“Maybe because I don't feel like feeding your bottomless gullets. And maybe because neither of you will drop the one time I almost set the house on fire.”
“Three times, Chloe.” Clark points out.
“See, that is exactly why *I* don't cook for you two.”
“Face it, Chloe, you are never going to live that down.”
“Fine, I'll prove it, but you guys are going to have to make it worth my time. I suggest a wager.”
For the first time Pete looks uncomfortable. Chloe never makes a bet she isn't sure she can win.
“You are on.” Clark enunciates each word, drawing it out.
“I don't know, Clark.” Pete is trying to backtrack, these things never go well. “You haven't even heard the terms yet.”
Chloe smirks “I will cook dinner for you guys” She includes Lex “if it is as good as something Clark's mom can cook up you never bring up the fire incident again.”
Pete starts thinking that maybe this isn't to bad.
“And you guys owe Lana and I a lap dance each.” Lana crows with laughter.
“No way, I'm out.” from Pete.
“Fine, run girlie man.” Chloe makes shoeing motions at him. “How about you two?”
Clark starts to speak but Lex beats him to the punch “What do we get when you loose?”
Lana and Chloe share a long look 'Proof of psychic communication' Lex thinks to himself and Lana nods.
“If we loose, Chloe and I will give you two a lap dance to any music you pick out.” she smiles at Clark who is starting to turn red again “But because I'm involving myself I'm going to help Chloe cook.”
Pete snorts “You can't cook either.”
“Hey, you bowed out, little man, keep your comments to yourself.” Chloe shoots at the boy. “Who is paying for the shopping?”
“Excuse me?” Clark finally drags himself back to the conversation.
“If we're feeding you two you should pay for the shopping trip.” Chloe feels she is being completely reasonable.
“I haven't agreed to this yet.” Clark stutters.
“Yeah you did” Lana jumps in making air quotes “ your words were 'you are so on' I believe.”
“Go Lana!” Chloe gives a little chant. “How about you, Lex, you going to chicken out like the little girlie man?” Pete huffs.
Lex has been sitting quietly through this exchange apparently lost in thought. “Yeah, I'm in. And to make Clark feel better I'll take you two shopping.” Both girls eyes light up “For the groceries you need to cook with.” He hastens to clarify. The eyes dim a bit. “When are we going to do this?” He pulls out his PDA to check his schedule.
“I need a couple of days to get the menu's together.” Chloe looks thoughtful, she is already planning what she wants to cook.
“How will we know they aren't just going to order take out from somewhere and pass it off as their own?” Pete asks.
“There is no 'we' involving you, Pete, you. Bowed. Out.” Chloe levels full scorn at the boy.
“He has a point, though, Lex.” Clark says.
“Yes, yes he does. We all know how Chloe likes to win.”
Chloe's indignant “Excuse me” is overrode by Lex.
“We'll watch them cook.” Lex looks smug.
“There isn't enough room in our kitchen for Lana and I to cook in and have you two hanging out too.”
“Then cook at my house. That will give us some privacy for when you two have to pay your” he pauses as if looking for the best word “forfeit.”
'Again with the telepathy' Lex thinks as the two girls share a long look. “deal.” Lana holds out her hand. Everyone shakes hands as Pete continues to mutter to himself. “ I'm off on Saturday.” Lana says, “Is that good for everyone?”
“Sounds good to me. Clark?”
“Is good. Lex?”
Lex sends an email to his assistant telling her to clear his schedule for Saturday. “It is now. I'll pick you two up at say one? We'll do shopping and go back to my place.” He gives Chloe a sly look, egging her on just so he can see her reaction “I'll keep my chef around to make sure you guys aren't trying to poison us and so he can make us something edible after your attempt.”
She doesn't disappoint. Her eyes flash green, then narrow, her cheeks pick up a rose tint. “You are so going down, Luthor.”
“Either way, Chloe, I'm looking forward to it.” He stands up “if you'll excuse me.” He walks away. At the counter he looks back to see that Lana has taken his seat and both girls are looking in his direction. He arches an eyebrow and gives them a slight nod as Chloe whispers something in Lana's ear and both girls collapse against the couch, laughing. Clark looks very uncomfortable.
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tbc if I get lots and lots of feedback only because I wants it and needs it....