[Completed] Tango in New York City NC-17 (Completed ) [Archive] - NS Forums - Your number one site for Chloe and Lex (Chlex)

crankychick

27th November 2004, 09:46

zabu

27th November 2004, 13:18

Great beginning, can't wait to know what you plan next!!!!!!!!!
Keep going it's great.
:chlexsign2:

chril1

27th November 2004, 14:14

oooo interesting

more soon

love lea
xxx

Rae

27th November 2004, 14:23

Ooooh! I like, I like, I like! I like it so much, I've lost all my verbal skills.

Love the banter. Love your writing style. Just plain love the entire fic so far.

Skip the HBO, Chloe. Go for the Cinemax. :devil:

Julie

27th November 2004, 15:04

Please add in a rating in the topic title or topic description. I suggest you go take a look at the forum rules (http://forums.naughty-seduction.net/index.php?showtopic=1481) to make sure you don't break any other rules in the future.

sydsvaughn

27th November 2004, 18:05

I want a Complete Lex Luthor guide ... and the next part of this story, please?

Very fun and intriguing and I can't wait to see where this goes!

SaraC

autumngold

27th November 2004, 20:03

Thanks for the wonderful start to your story!! I can't wait to read more!! :yay: :chlexsign3: :yay:

Impress

27th November 2004, 20:06

Originally posted by sydsvaughn@Nov 27 2004, 11:05 AM
I want a Complete Lex Luthor guide ... and the next part of this story, please?

SaraC
can I get one of those too? The guide I mean. And I'll take the next part as well. What can I say, I'm greedy.

Good start.

hfce

27th November 2004, 20:08

I love it please more . Make sure you add in the rating in your title. ;)

Hope :chlexsign2:

asharnanae

27th November 2004, 22:11

:biggrin: MORE PLEASE!!!!! I really liiked the start to your piece. And that Chloes maine friends are pete and lex. now I just need an update! :blinkkiss:

lexchloe

27th November 2004, 22:19

Ooooh, very good start. Can't wait to see what happens when Lex gets into town. More soon please.

crankychick

27th November 2004, 22:55

Title: Tango in New York City
Disclaimer: I own none of the characters and none of the storylines, but I especially do not want to be blamed for Blanda.
Rating: NC-17. It's going to get steamy

Spoilers: None
Setting: As soon as she graduated from Smallville High, Chloe got out of Kansas and moved out to New York. She got a partial scholarship to New York University and makes up for her other expenses by freelancing. She and Pete share an apartment in Upper Manhattan...for the moment.

(Thanks for all the great feedback and especially for letting me know that I forgot to add the rating onto the title. I sent in my first post at about 3:00am yesterday and forgot to look it over once I had submitted it. That won’t happen again)

Chapter 2:

Getting to Lex’s place from NYU took only a few minutes since both were located downtown, but Chloe didn’t want to appear overly eager. Instead of going straight there after her lecture (which ended at 6:00), she went to the Barnes & Noble on Astor Place to kill some time. Since she’d promised Pete to think about writing the damn article for that damn women’s fiction magazine, Chloe decided she’d better do some research.

Every book she picked up was one disappointment after another. Was this bodice ripping, man-to-the-rescue stuff really what she was expected to be writing about? As she strolled over to the magazine section, she picked up the magazine in question. If she was going to write for them, she should at least check out what the other contributor’s stories were like. She didn’t want to discount an entire writing genre simply because she was unfamiliar with it.

Skimming over the pages, she found a story by an author named Emma Hallie. The story was funny. It was about a couple who spent most of their time fighting and flirting and who everyone in their immediate circle thought should get together. Naturally, the couple in question fought that bit of advice, giving logical explanations as to why it was a bad idea, would never work, etc. etc. Then, on one rather sexually flirtatious night, they decided to play a round of 20 questions and that drop made the proverbial cup overflow.

“Jesus!” she whimpered aloud as she read about the couple frantically ripping each other’s clothing off in a contest of domination. She felt flushed as the image of Lex in that same situation came to mind. Just the imagined picture of his hands ripping the clothes off her body and kissing her-

Sexual frustration and fantasy. It was the makings of an interesting evening - to head off and meet its’ target.

~~~~~~~

“Hey, it’s me”, she announced into the intercom.

Lex laughed as he buzzed her in. Walking through the enormous living room, he opened the main door to meet her at the elevator. As he watched the old fashioned elevator slither up, she waved frantically at him. She lay some packages on the elevator floor as she lifted the old-fashioned door.

He could smell the dim sum before the door even opened. “Not that. Please say it’s not that.”

“Think of it as a question of balance,” Chloe countered. Lex was leaning against the door dressed casually in a dark blue shirt and pants. The top buttons of his shirt were undone. She wished the rest were as well, she thought to herself, and smiled mischievously.

“Something I should know?” he questioned.

“Yes,” she replied, handing him a plastic bag with the present she’d bought for him. “The new Beaujolais Nouveau came in. I got it for you.”

“So this is balance,” he laughed.

“That it is,” she replied with a raise of an eyebrow. Their eyes locked. Stepping aside, he let Chloe walk past him as they both made their way through the living room to the kitchen on the other side of the floor.

“I’ll never get used to how enormous this place is,” she said. “In my place, you could throw a Frisbee with a limp wrist and still hit every room in the place.”

“I’ll have to try that,” he replied, thinking to himself if I’m ever invited there.

“Maybe you could, you know, after-“

She meant when Pete left. They didn’t need to say the words.

“I’d like that,” he said softly. “Go on into the living room. I’ll bring the food and wine out. Hopefully, I can remember where the glasses are.”

“I’ll take the food,” she said, brushing shoulder to shoulder past him and picking up the bag with the dim sum. Her heart leaped slightly as they touched which she quickly covered up with a smile.

Lex smiled in response. That choice he’d been pondering was all but made. “I’ll be out in a minute.”

“Cool. I’ll hit the tube and find something good.”

Lex located the wine glasses after a few minutes of opening and closing several cabinets. He walked into the living room and placed the glasses and bottle on the coffee table, sitting next to Chloe on the floor. She enjoyed sitting on the carpet, stating plainly that his couch wasn’t meant for couch potatoes, only for show. He picked up the bottle of wine and opened it, letting it breathe for a few minutes before he served it.

“So what’s on the tv menu?” he asked.

“That Henry and June movie,” she answered. “I’ve never seen it and it looks pretty interesting. Do you mind if we watch it?”

He had seen it, but was extremely curious to see what Chloe’s reaction to it would be.

“That works for me.”

She shot him a look. His voice had dropped an octave when he replied.

“I know it a bit, eh, racy,” she replied, “but I don’t mind if you don’t.”

“It doesn’t bother me,” Lex insisted, “in the very least.”

The way he replied to her comment, feather light and husky, sent her pulse racing. She couldn’t even blame the wine since she had yet to take a drink. He seemed to hear her inner thoughts because in that instant, Lex picked up the bottle, poured wine into the two glasses and handed one to her. Their fingers touched lightly as they turned to watch the movie in progress.

In silence, they watched the movie until mid film. Half the wine had been consumed. Behind a stage, Henry Miller had confronted Anais Nin. He’d just told her that he’d seen her true nature as she’d been dancing.

“I thought she was after his wife,” Chloe whispered.

“There was an attraction,” Lex answered, “but Henry was who she wanted all the while.”

“How do you know that?”

“It was set up in the scene with her cousin. She said she wanted a stronger man, an older man…someone who could dominate her.”

Chloe watched Lex as he finished the contents of his glass in one practiced gulp. On screen, the characters were embracing frantically. She felt incredibly hot all of a sudden and took her sweater, tossing it casually onto the couch.

Out of the corner of his eye, he watched her. Her eyes were glued to the scene unfolding and even with the sound of the film, he could hear her quiet sigh.

“Shit! I wonder…”

“What?”

God, had she said that aloud! “I was just wondering, um, what that must feel like.”

He was enjoying prolonging the questioning. ”To what exactly are you referring?”

She thanked her lucky stars they were sitting in the dark. Her face was a thousand different shades of red as she answered.

“To being wanted that intensely. I’ve never been….no one’s ever wanted me like that.”

Don’t be so sure, he thought to himself. “Then you’ve been surrounded by blind fools,” was his spoken reply.

“Have I?” she inquired, turning her gaze towards him. They were sitting inches from each other.

The temptation to kiss her was so great, but he didn’t make a move. Lex watched her and smiled. In the small shadow of light generated by the television screen, he could see the blush on her face. Strangely, it made him territorially proud to know he was responsible for it.

“Perhaps one of them finally has clear vision.”

“And sees what?” she demanded.

“What’s in front of him,” Lex replied, placing a hand on her cheek. He felt the heat of her face and in an instant was drawn to her lips. They kissed very gently.

This however, was not enough for Chloe. Wrapping her hands around the back of his neck, she drew him in closer and intensified the kiss. Opening her mouth wider, she touched his tongue with hers, inhaling his breath with her own as her hands traveled down his back.

“Lex”, she breathed.

“What?” he asked, kissing her neck.

“You know I want this….you, I mean. Just…”

“Just what?” He continued kissing her neck as his hand caressed her lower back.

“Could we just take it….slow? For now, at least?”

Lex stopped kissing her to look into her eyes. They were filled with a mix of desire and utter confusion, as if she were afraid that with one misstep or ill-spoken word he’d break the connection they had. He had no intention of letting either her fear or his own ruin what had just begun.

“We’ll take it however you want,” he replied. “All I want is you and to be with you.”

“Then why didn't we-“

“Blind fool, remember. Also I thought you still loved-“

“Clark?” she shot out. “God, no. That’s over and done with. You’re the one that-”

“That?”

“If you’ll let me finish,” she replied with an embarrassed laugh, “You’re the one that I want to be with.”

“Chloe, saying things like that to me makes it damn hard to be patient.” Lex couldn’t help but reply to her laughter with some of his own.

“I know, I know. It sounds so corny, and maybe I am just a little. But that’s just me, Lex. It’s the way I am. I want to take my time with you and it’s a very girly thing to think, but when you and I – no if, just when – sleep together, I want it to be.”

“A perfect moment?” he answered for her.

“Does that sound stupid?” she said fearfully.

“Not really,” he answered, cradling her against his shoulder, “It sounds like a challenge, actually.”

“Up for it?”

He grimaced. “Chloe, please choose your words more carefully.”

She buried her head into his shoulder and muttered, “I am so bad at this. I should get relationship insurance. You could file a huge claim, I swear.”

Lex shook his head and took her chin into his hand. “Chloe?”

“I should shut up now, right?”

“Let me take care of that for you.” Lex brought her face to his and kissed her again. His hand lay on her shoulder as they turned to each other again. Chloe grasped his shoulders as they embraced, the movie playing on forgotten…….

(I know I’m a huge tease, but there won’t be a long wait!)

asharnanae

27th November 2004, 23:17

:biggrin: YAY!!!!! bring it on!!! loved the chappy! :blinkkiss:

newbatgirl

27th November 2004, 23:26

Wonderful fic. As a former NYer I have to say that you are setting the scenes so well you are making me homesick!!!

Please post more soon.

kirt30

28th November 2004, 00:08

loved it great fic can't wait to read more

buddyfozzy

28th November 2004, 01:31

I love this fic! :wub: :wub: :wub:

Post again soon, it was just evil to leave it there.

:biggrin: :yay: :worship2: :yay: :biggrin:

Rae

28th November 2004, 01:50

<Gasps> You ARE a tease.

But that's okay, I'll forgive you if you update... :biggrin:

kitten

28th November 2004, 02:48

Very nice, except for the horrible cliffhanger. I've seen worse, but not by much. Where is my smut? Hm?

I'll try to enjoy to delicious Chlex without smut, because it was really well written.

hfce

28th November 2004, 03:29

Aww that was a sweet begining. More please..

Hope :)

autumngold

28th November 2004, 03:39

I'm proud of Chloe!! If I was all alone with delicious Lex I don't think I could wait!! :love: Thanks for the wonderful update!! I can't wait to read more!! :yay: :chlexsign3: :yay:

crankychick

28th November 2004, 04:23

Title: Tango in New York City NC-17
Disclaimer: I own none of the characters and none of the storylines, but I especially do not want to be blamed for Blanda.
Rating: NC-17. It's going to get steamy

Spoilers: None
Setting: As soon as she graduated from Smallville High, Chloe got out of Kansas and moved out to New York. She got a partial scholarship to New York University and makes up for her other expenses by freelancing. She and Pete share an apartment in Upper Manhattan...for the moment.

(Thank you so much to everyone who has read my story and posted feedback. Here's a little fun with Wet Naked Lex. Serious smut coming up next chapter)

~~~~~~~~~~~~
Chapter 3

Lex awoke with a shudder. Ever since he’d been a child, it was impossible for him to sleep straight through the night. Peering over at the clock on the wall, he saw that it was three in the morning. Chloe was fast asleep on his shoulder, her hand on his leg. She was vulnerable and utterly adorable and there was no way in hell he was going to let her home at this hour. He slipped his arm under her knees and bent her head towards his shoulder.

Walking as slowly as possibly, he walked up the small balustrade of stairs that led to the second floor, where his two bedrooms were located. The layout of the loft was simple as was the design. Chloe shuddered lightly as he placed her on his bed.

“Lex”, she muttered, still fast asleep.

“Shh, Chloe. You need your rest.”

“Stay with me. Don’t go.”

Who was he to argue?

~~~~~

The first thing Chloe became aware of as she awoke was the enveloping scent of Lex. At some point during the night, he must have brought her up to his bedroom. There she was, lying next to one of the richest men in the world and she felt so incredibly at ease. She moved to look up at his face and noticed that he was awake.

“Hi.”

“Hi, yourself”, he replied with a laugh.

“So, do you often invite intoxicated women into your bed and not have sex with them?”

“Not to this bed.”

She felt slightly jealous. “Well, if beds could talk-“

“-then this one would have very little to say,” he assured her. “The only woman who has ever been in it is the one that’s in it now.”

She was speechless and incredibly satisfied. Chloe sat up and stretched her arms up over her head. Lex stood up as well.

“I imagine you’ll want your privacy,” he began, “to freshen up or whatever it is women do in the mornings.”

“Don’t go,” Chloe said quietly.

“What?” Lex replied.

“I said don’t go. Don’t get me wrong – this isn’t an invitation to christen the bed or anything – but I-“

Great verbal acumen, Sullivan. Spending the night with a man does wonder for your speaking skills.

He sat by her side on the edge of the bed. “Chloe, what are you trying to ask me?”

“Have you ever had a fantasy?” she asked him.

He was completely taken by surprise. “Like most people, I suppose I have.”

“God, I shouldn’t be saying this. You are going to think I’m a complete mental case. I’m shutting up now.” Chloe looked down at the ground waiting for it to open up and swallow her up whole. That occurring would be very welcome right about then.

Lex calmly took hold of her hand. “Tell me what it is.”

“What?”

“Your fantasy, of course.”

“I’ve always thought that shower of yours was sexy.”

“Is that what you want?”

“Yes, but I’m scared as much as I’m-“

“Excited?” he replied for her. She looked up at him in a flash and said, “Yes.”

“Chloe, if what you want is for you and I to shower together without having sex-“

“It’s too much to ask,” she interjected, “believe me, I know it is and I don’t know why the hell I brought it up-“

“I want to.”

The hell? She was sure her hair was blushing by now. “Are you…sure?”

“Truth be told, I’m not sure. But I want to make you happy and if this is one of your fantasies and it’s one I can bring to life for you, then I’m willing to try. On one condition.”

Terms? Oh, this wouldn’t be good.

“What?” she asked meekly.

Unsmiling now, he looked straight at her and said, “I get to undress you. And bathe you.”

Chloe thought she’d faint dead right then and there. With her free hand, she gripped the side of the bed so tightly that her hand turned red.

“Okay.”

“The challenge is on.” Lex stood up, “but first let me go downstairs for a moment?”

“What for.”

“To put the coffee on. I think we’ll both need it.”

~~~~~~~~

While he was downstairs, she quickly used the bathroom and washed her face. As she looked into the vanity mirror she shook her head at herself. The situation she’d just gotten herself into was unbelievable. “You are certifiably fucking insane, Sullivan.”

Maybe, but this is the most damn excitement you’ve had in months.

She dried her face off and came out of the bathroom. Lex was already there, sitting on the plush armchair opposite his enormous walk in closet. His shirt was completely unbuttoned.

“Come here,” he beckoned.

“I think you like this,” she said as she walked toward him. He stood up directly in front of her.

“I think you’re right,” he said, kissing the side of her face. “Mmm. Someone’s been using my soap.”

His hands were on her shoulders, slowly descending to the bottom of her shirt. Button by button, he began to undo it never once taking his eyes off her face. When it was finally undone, he brushed her shoulders and then the top of her breasts before sliding it off her arms. When his hands were on her breasts about to take off her front clasping bra, Chloe gasped for air.

“Are you Ok?” he teased.

“What do you think?” she replied, her voice shaky.

“I think the more I see, the more I like.”

Her bra was unclasped and he slid it off and to the ground. Lex took her hands and put them on his shoulders. She needed no instruction as to what she was to do. Relishing the feel of his smooth, muscled chest and arms, she took her time as she slid his own shirt off his body.

Lex brushed his hands on her breasts, circling her nipples with his fingers. At his touch, they pebbled to his fingers' delight. He pinched them teasingly as Chloe brought her own hands to his chest.

“You like to tease a girl?” she breathed.

“Look who’s talking”, Lex countered. Chloe deftly slid her hands down to the waistband of his pants. His eyes were dark as he grasped her breasts.

“My fantasy,” she said, “my turn.”

Chloe undid his pants which he kicked away and to the left. Through his navy underpants she could see the outline of his erection and slid her thumb down and then up. Lex shut his eyes and crushed her mouth with his. As they kissed, she slid her hands underneath his underpants, clutching his buttocks. Lex helped her along, kicking them to the side as well. He was now completely nude before her as they kissed. Her hands clutched his shoulders as her breasts were caressed by the hard muscles of his chest.

“Chloe,” Lex managed to say, “if you don't stop that, we won’t make it to the shower.”

“Too much for you, Luthor?”

“I’ll make you pay for that, Sullivan.”

Sliding his own hands down to her waistband, he undid her low-rise jeans held together only by a zipper. Chloe gasped and kicked her way out of them. Her small panties came off next as Lex slid his hands down her legs and removed them completely. He kissed her body as he stood to meet her, softly caressing her thigh, her lower waist finally culminating in the tops of her breasts.

“Shower time?” she said.

“Shower time it is.”

Lex had a special hydrotherapy shower installed, with jets located at various spots on the sides. She’d been dreaming about using it for months.

~~~~~~~

Hand in hand, they walked over to his bathroom. Lex turned the jets on. Immediately after doing that, though, he imprisoned her with his arms to the bathroom wall. Bringing his face down to her breast, he took her right nipple in his mouth and suckled it. She turned her face to the side as the sensation of being completely under his sexual dominance rushed over her.

“Lex, I think the shower is over there,” Chloe said, panting.

Lex’s mouth worked its’ way over to her left nipple, which he teased with his teeth. “Are you sure you wouldn’t rather do something else instead.”

“No,” she insisted, “And you promised, remember?”

Smiling, he took her hand and let her enter the shower first. The front and back were clear glass, but the left and right where the jets were located were smoked class - a tawny brown to match the rest of the decor. The water that emanated from the jets was warm and should have been relaxing. It was impossible to be relaxed just then. Not when a feral and sexually appetizing man was coming towards her with a washcloth and bar of soap.

He waved it under her nose and said, “It’s my favorite. Sandalwood. I want to bathe you and have you smell as I do. I want this to be the first intimacy we share.”

“Lex, are you sure we aren’t fulfilling your fantasy.”

“When we do that,” he said sternly, “there won’t be a question about it.” Lathering her arms first, Lex washed her delicately. Every stroke on her body was as if he were touching something precious, something previously forbidden that was now made welcome to him. As he brought the washcloth down to her pubis, she stiffened instinctively.

“Chloe, nothing will happen that you don’t want to happen.” Lex insisted. “You don’t have to worry.”

“I’m not, Lex. It’s just that this is all so new to me. I’ve never even seen a man…….naked until now.”

He couldn’t help but feel touched at that honest admission. “Then look, “ he invited, placing the cloth in her hands, “and please touch.”

Her curiosity and lust got the better of her and she looked appraisingly over his body. He was marble perfection, she thought to herself as she touched his chest with her naked hand shyly daring herself to go further down.

“I love your body,” she uttered lustily, “and you’ve got a lot to be proud of.”

Chloe looked further down, running her hand very gently on his penis. “Quite a lot, I’d say.”

Lex moved her hand and Chloe was instantly alarmed, “What? Did I do something wrong?”

“Not a thing wrong. It’s just that having you touch me like that is very stimulating.”

“I turn you on that much?”

“Touch me again if you need further proof.”

“Lex, I don’t know what to say.”

He smiled as he brought his face down to kiss her. She was so unaware of her sensuality and the power she had over him. That was an obstacle they’d overcome together, he was sure of it.

Chloe took the washcloth and lathered it up, washing Lex’s chest and arms before demanding that he turn around. He raised his eyebrow in response.

“Well, the truth is revealed at last. Chloe Sullivan not only has a bathing fetish, but she’s also a butt fan. Sue me.”

They both laughed as she finished washing him and stepped out of the shower. Using two enormous Egyptian cotton towels, they bundled up and walked back into the bedroom to dry off and dress. As they did so, Chloe found herself looking at him as he dressed. He’d brought to life for her a dream and made her feel beautiful, precious and very sensual.

“What it is? You’ve been staring at me for five minutes straight, “ he asked.

“Oh, nothing. Something extremely dirty just came to mind is all.”

“And that would be?”

“The next time I think of you naked, I’ll have an actual picture in mind.”

“Likewise.” Lex countered.

~~~~~

They went downstairs and had their coffee. Before Chloe’s arrival that evening, Lex had been able to get fresh almond croissants from Bouley’s. It was the makings of a perfect breakfast.

“What classes do you have today?”

“None. Today’s Thursday. I have a half day’s shift at the paper and the other half for freelancing.”

“Anything in particular?”

“You wouldn’t believe it. I’ve got an assignment……if I choose to do it.”

“What’s the topic?”

“It’s for a women’s romance magazine.”

Lex nearly choked on his coffee.

asharnanae

28th November 2004, 04:46

:drool: Lex.... Chloe..... shower...... Droolllllll.........

gah.. now can I have some more please! :yay:

hfce

28th November 2004, 04:57

That was so damn hot that fantasy. :drool: God why couldnt that be on smallville. More please.... ;)

Hope :chlexsign3:

sylvia

28th November 2004, 06:30

Nice chapter. I liked that Lex wanted her to smell like him. It was full of :wub: moments and :drool: moments. Update soon!

Impress

28th November 2004, 06:43

you know, I like that they didn't go for it right away. good update. more soon.

sydsvaughn

28th November 2004, 07:52

shower.

lex.

chloe.

shower.

lex.

I can't quite get past the drool I'm having now.

Please, please, please update soon!

SaraC

hickchick

28th November 2004, 08:33

that was soooo hot! :drool: :drool:

please update soon so i can read more of this awesome fic!

Zannie

28th November 2004, 20:39

Very nice. Loved the dialogue--both the light-hearted banter and the more intense interaction.

Waiting for the next chapter now.

autumngold

29th November 2004, 00:20

I'm so glad that Lex kept his word!! :yay: But, I can't wait for their first time!! Please post more soon!! :wub: :chlexsign4: :wub:

crankychick

29th November 2004, 06:32

Title: Tango in New York City
Disclaimer: I own none of the characters and none of the storylines, but I especially do not want to be blamed for Blanda.
Rating: NC-17. It's going to get steamy

Spoilers: None
Setting: As soon as she graduated from Smallville High, Chloe got out of Kansas and moved out to New York. She got a partial scholarship to New York University and makes up for her other expenses by freelancing. She and Pete share an apartment in Upper Manhattan...for the moment.

(Thanks for all the great feedback! To everyone who has been reading my story, I hope you continue to enjoy it and don’t mind the teasing. I think Chloe and Lex deserve a nice buildup. Also, I watched both “Before Sunrise” and “Before Sunset” this weekend which in part inspired this fanfic. As of the next chapter, the smutfest begins)

She could still see the shocked look on Lex’s face when she’d told him the origin of her next assignment. It really was something out of the ordinary for her, but after what had happened between them, it was a genre she was curious to explore. Even if she decided only to write one story and nothing more, it was something she was going to do.

Lex, though initially shocked had grown amused over the whole notion. Teasing her before she’d left his apartment, he’d offered to pay for her undergraduate, graduate and doctorate studies so long as she promised to keep their particular adventures out of print. She’d promised to alter some details and keep their sex life private.

Sex life? She had a sex life now – and if this morning was any indication it was going to be a very interesting one.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“Hey, gorgeous. You missing me yet?”

Lex laughed as he got out of his car. “More every minute.”

“What have you been up to?”

“Touring possible manufacturing plants in DUMBO all morning. I’m just getting downtown now.”

“Bored much?”

“You have no idea. How’s your work been going?”

“Oh, I finished up the story for the paper early. I’m at home, working on my other assignment just now.”

“I’m afraid to ask.”

She laughed as she finished shutting down her laptop. “Then don’t! Do you want to get together?”

“Delicious. What did you have in mind?”

He had the wonderful ability to make a simple, unobtrusive word exceptionally dirty.

“Dinner, perhaps?”

“Mind if I pick this time?”

“Ok, but nothing too fancy. All of my ball gowns are at the cleaners this week.”

“Good one. I’ll swing by and pick you up.”

“Swing by for you could mean swooping down on my roof in a helicopter.”

“I promise cars only,” he said through laughter, “I should be there in about forty-five minutes.”

She was silent for a minute, but he could guess her thoughts. “Chloe, the last thing I want to do is cause friction between you and Pete. I’ll call you when I’m downstairs.”

“Thank you, Lex. It means a lot to me.”

“I know. I’ll see you in a bit.”

“Bye.”

In a flash, she jumped from her desk and started an attack on her small closet. As she was about to decide between a simple black top and a backless violet one, she heard Pete knocking on her door.

“Hey, you decent in there?”

“As decent as I’ll ever be. Come in.”

He stuck his head through the door and made a face at the mess she was surrounded by. “It’s either a closet shelf incident or a date.”

“The latter.”

“I’m guessing today’s date is the reason you were out all night?”

Yep, definitely the black top. “It could be.”

“Do I know him?”

“Pete, I could go on and on, but in the end you are not going to like the answer,” she replied in all honesty.

“That means I know him and don’t like- Oh no! Hell no, it is not who I think it is, is it?”

“Probably, yeah.” She wasn’t about to hide her relationship with Lex from Pete. He might not approve of it, but she owed him her honesty. She knew too well the pain of finding out about a clandestine affair because the parties involved thought she ‘couldn’t handle it.’ It was utter bullshit and dishonest.

“Chloe-“

“Pete, I know what you’re going to say. Not now, OK. I know what I’m doing and nothing you could say could change my mind.”

“Can I at least say I think he’s trouble and bad for you?”

“Okay, you said it.”

Pete shook his head, ducked out of her bedroom and closed the door behind him.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
If Lex Luthor was one thing, he was punctual. After finally making up her mind on the evening’s wardrobe with the backless violet top winning the battle, Chloe grabbed her jacket, keys and phone and walked out of the door. Unfortunately in her great haste, she’d forgotten that feet required shoe coverage and she was forced to go back in. Pete, sitting in the living room didn’t say a word. She knew that he was angry, but it wasn’t an argument she was willing to initiate right at that moment. As she orchestrated her comedic shoe hijinks, her cell phone vibrated in the front pocket of her slacks. Grabbing her mid heel pumps, Chloe made her way to the elevator as fast as possible. Thankfully, she didn’t have a long wait since her apartment was on the fifth floor of a small building.

His car was stopped directly in front of her building and Lex had stepped out of it. She walked right up to him, but hesitated for a moment. How exactly was she supposed to greet him now – casual kiss on the cheek or full on swoon kiss? Chloe swore then and there that if she ever got the chance, she was going to publish some sort of novel for late bloomers in the dating arena.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

She looked beautiful, flushed and nervous. Not exactly the Chloe who was ordinarily hard to rattle, but it didn’t matter. They were both adjusting to the change in their relationship. It wasn’t anything couples throughout the ages had undergone.

Taking her by the hand, Lex led her into the town car he’d gotten to pick her up uptown. Had he shown up with his regular limousine, Chloe would have been mortified. To make her happy, he’d gladly downplay the glamour to a level that made her comfortable. She was worth the effort.

As soon as they were seated in the back, he leaned in and gave her a gentle kiss on the lips. He watched her close her eyes, return his kiss and then she smiled. He could not put into words the joy watching her smile gave. It was a smile given to him privately. He put his hand on her cheek and smiled back.

“You look beautiful.”

She was about to tell him all about the war of the shirts, the forgotten shoes and the dozens of lipsticks she’d tested before running into the elevator, but at the moment none of it seemed important. Sincerity in a compliment fashioned solely for her was not an element she was used to. Chloe found herself liking it.

“Thanks, Lex,” she replied shyly.

“Is something wrong?” he wondered.

“No, nothing wrong. Nothing like that. It’s just that – just then when you looked at me. You’ve never really looked at me like that before.”

“And how exactly did I look at you?” he questioned, moving his hand from her cheek to hold her hand.

“This is going to sound corny, but it was like you were seeing me in a new light. Does that make sense?”

“It does and I was. Things have changed.”

Damn, she knew she was about to start blushing away. Turning slightly to sit back in her seat she watched him. “It’s never going to be the same between us, is it?”

Lex sighed and thought for a moment before replying. “If you want the truth, Chloe, no. Things change between any couple when an element of sexual intimacy is introduced.”

“I can’t help but think that’s unfair somehow. What I mean to say is that, I’m not disappointed by the fact you and I are – well, now that we’re – Lex, what the hell are we anyway?”

“Dating?” he offered.

“Dating,” she repeated, “Dating. Alright, dating it is. Where are we going, anyway?”

“Provence. A bistro on MacDougal.”

“Okay, so we’ve got about an hour’s commute, right? Maybe the helicopter wouldn’t have been a bad idea after all.”

“I’ll keep that in mind for next time,” Lex joked. She was ravishing when she was flustered.

“Can I say some really stupid things and get them out of the way?”

“Absolutely.”

“First of all, I don’t want to marry you.”

“I wasn’t aware I’d asked.”

“Yes, I know that,” she replied, taking a gulp of air for the speech she was about to give next. “I just don’t want you to think that I’m after you in that way. Marriage isn’t an idea you’ll ever have to worry about when it comes to me.”

Lex was intrigued by this diatribe. “And why exactly is that?”

“Because it’s not for me, period. Not now, not in a year and most likely, not ever. I like journalism and love writing. That’s what I am.”

“A husband would get in the way of your career?”

“You can’t serve two masters. Not fully and full-heartedly. Also, the idea of marriage…..of weddings….terrify me. You’ve had women after you in past who wanted nothing more than to marry you. I just wanted you know that I’m not that kind of woman.”

“Point taken,” he answered, “and I would never have assumed your interest went as far as to consider our not-marriage status.”

“Hey, I said I was going to say stupid things. Don’t say you weren’t warned.”

Lex kissed her hand and nodded his understanding. She was obviously saying things she needed to tell him to assuage her fears before anything else happened between the two of them.

“Lex, I care about you. I don’t have a mental calendar in my head of how and when my feelings for you turned romantic and don’t think in the end that manners anyway. I just do. You mean a lot to me and I want there to be honesty between the two of us.”

“As do I.” he agreed.

“Good,” she breathed, “and for the record I do want to sleep with you.”

“The chauffeur might be put off.”

Chloe laughed and faux punched him in the shoulder. He put his arm around her shoulder as she laced her fingers into his own.

“Look, I’m not saying right this minute or even tonight. I’m just clarifying that I am not a tease. It is going to happen.”

The direct aggressiveness of that simple comment was surprising. It was also very arousing.

“Does it frighten you?”

“Not really,” Chloe replied, “but it did. This morning helped me get over a bit of it.”

“What else scares you about it?”

“Not it. You.”

“Me?”

“I’m afraid I won’t measure up, or that I’ll say or do something stupid-“

“Stop right there,” Lex insisted. “Get that idea out of your head because it’s not a possibility. When and where we do sleep together-“

“No exotic locations, ok?”

“Can I just say this please?”

She looked chagrined. Lex kissed her forehead and hugged her to him. “When it happens, it’s just going to be you and me in the moment. I don’t want any past relationship ghosts inferring.”

“God, I’m such a coward.”

“No, you’re not.”

“Lex, can you please shut me up before I keep rambling?”

He lowered his head to hers and followed her command. They kissed softly at first, but slowly her arms reached under his shoulders. As their tongues met, Lex’s hands caressed her lower back, inching up to feel her naked back.

“Backless shirt?” he asked, not breaking their kiss.

“Yes,” she answered cupping his face with her hands. “And no bra.”

“Jesus, you’re killing me.”

“Next time, bring the limo, “she laughed, nibbling his lower ear delicately with her teeth. “I’ve got this thing about moving vehicules-“

Before they gave the chauffeur more of an eyeful than he already had, Lex kissed her again. When they finally broke apart, their foreheads met, their gazes locked and they laughed.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Dinner was excellent, once they finally made it through the early evening traffic and the constant jams on Prince Street. They made their way to the restaurant and were seated within a few minutes. They were halfway through the main course when they caught the flash coming from outside.

“They couldn’t wait,” Chloe said, picking up a pomme frite with her fork.

“Paparazzi rarely have patience. I knew it wouldn’t take long.”

She looked up at Lex. He was taking a sip of wine and making a sincere effort not to glare in the direction of the clicks coming from the sidewalk.

“Chloe, I hope this doesn’t bother you.”

“Fuck 'em. I’ve got nothing to hide.”

Once again, his gaze met hers. “Neither do I,” he replied, as they smiled at each other, “but I’m sure that picture will be the center feature of Page Six tomorrow morning.”

Chloe shrugged her shoulders and sighed, ”Definitely one way to announce a relationship to the world."

campbti

29th November 2004, 06:53

I really like this story. I like her wanting to ease into things. Just because you get older doesn't mean you just want to jump right to the sex part. I really like the buildup. And the shower thing, awesome. I'm thinking that loft (and that shower) looks like a good rental option. :blinkkiss:

More updates soon please.....

:chlexsign2:

sydsvaughn

29th November 2004, 07:22

I like this easing into things too .. it sets up the relationship realistically and builds tension ... but that said, I can't wait for the tension resolving!

More soon, please?

SaraC

S.Ann Smith

29th November 2004, 19:30

:wub:

Awesome story.... more soon please :biggrin:

sameda

29th November 2004, 20:09

they are so cute together, I really like it, how Chloe is making him wait!

Blaire023

29th November 2004, 20:36

i love the build up, and the writing's superb

randa

29th November 2004, 20:50

this is great! i love the build up
more soon!!

randa

autumngold

29th November 2004, 21:39

Awesome new update!! :yay: I'm so glad that Chloe wasn't turned off by the press since they're a constant in Lex's life!! Please post more soon!! :worship2: :chlexsign4: :worship2:

asharnanae

29th November 2004, 23:23

:biggrin: love the atatude!! and the convo's, great chappy! :chlexsign1:

Ami Rose

29th November 2004, 23:27

Love it! Please continue! :devil:

Impress

30th November 2004, 03:31

Originally posted by campbti@Nov 28 2004, 11:53 PM
I really like this story. I like her wanting to ease into things. Just because you get older doesn't mean you just want to jump right to the sex part. I really like the buildup. And the shower thing, awesome. I'm thinking that loft (and that shower) looks like a good rental option. :blinkkiss:

More updates soon please.....

:chlexsign2:
Yeah that. :biggrin:

crankychick

30th November 2004, 03:50

sydsvaughn

30th November 2004, 04:45

Gah.

No words yet.

HOT!

Need more, NOW!!

Please?

SaraC

hfce

30th November 2004, 06:24

WOW :huh: that is all can say wow :drool: :drool:

Hope :drool:

Béatrice

30th November 2004, 08:41

WOW I had some premonitions about the shower scene and the elevator one. :drool: :biggrin: Maybe I have a talent. :lol:

zabu

30th November 2004, 14:05

I haven't fed till now but it's so good I can't pass this one. SO where I begin, this story is both sweet and arousing (like I like it). It seems so simple between them and it's a new and great way to describe this couple we love so much.
To finish keep going it's great. :chlexsign2:

Kit Merlot

30th November 2004, 14:52

This is a wonderful story!

Excellent--but I need MORE :biggrin:

S.Ann Smith

30th November 2004, 20:43

GAH!

wonderful!

update soon

Blaire023

30th November 2004, 21:08

*looks down at the floor then back up at the computer* something fell out of my mouth. it looks a lot like drool.

crankychick

30th November 2004, 21:42

I am so glad that so many of you are enjoying the story. The next chapter is about halfway done and will be posted tonight. Fasten your seatbelts, the sexy ride is about to get a twist.

eta - Glad to keep you all reading. Prepare for the verbal and physical smackdown of a Smallville resident.

buddyfozzy

30th November 2004, 21:47

Damn.

I have no words.

:smoker: :smoker: :smoker:

Can't wait for the next chapter! :yay: :yay: :yay: :yay:

asharnanae

30th November 2004, 22:16

:biggrin: You angel!!! :drool:

hickchick

30th November 2004, 22:54

Thankyou for writing this wonderful fic. I love it so far! And i also love how you update so quickly, thanks for that too.

I can't wait until tonight to read some more of this awesome fic!

autumngold

30th November 2004, 23:37

This was excellent, excellent, excellent!!!! :yay: I can't wait for more!! Lucky Chloe; Lex and an elevator!! :biggrin: What more could she ask for? :worship2: :chlexsign1: :worship2:

AlabamaWorley

1st December 2004, 00:30

Elevator kinks, fun!

Impress

1st December 2004, 02:34

:drool: yeah that was..good. more soon.

crankychick

1st December 2004, 03:50

Title: Tango in New York City
Disclaimer: I own none of the characters and none of the storylines, but I especially do not want to be blamed for Blanda.
Rating: NC-17. It's going to get steamy

Spoilers: None
Setting: As soon as she graduated from Smallville High, Chloe got out of Kansas and moved out to New York. She got a partial scholarship to New York University and makes up for her other expenses by freelancing. She and Pete share an apartment in Upper Manhattan...for the moment.

(A huge thanks to everyone for reading my story and the great feedback they’ve left. I hope you continue to enjoy it. The happy couple gets it on!)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

He could barely summon the energy to blink. Decisively, she perked up her chin and took the keys from the elevator switchboard. As the doors opened, she stepped out first and walked over to the door. Lex grabbed the bag from the floor where he’d dropped it and rushed to her side.

“Chloe, we don’t need to do anything tonight. I didn’t mean to force you into anything.”

“And you’re not,” she said with a raise of her eyebrow,” I want to make love with you. I have wanted to for such a long time, but I was always so damn scared.”

He opened the door and made his way across the living area to the kitchen, followed by Chloe. Taking out the gelato that was inside, Lex placed it in the freezer, tossed the bag to the side and turned to face her.

“I’m not going to pretend that the thought of complete intimacy with you doesn’t thrill me Chloe,” he confessed,” in fact, I yearn for it. All I can think of some nights is your face, the most innocuous of times we’ve spent together and every possible future moment I might have with you.”

You have no idea how much it means to have you say that, Chloe thought to herself, saying nothing and allowing him to express his thought.

“But that’s not the issue here,” he continued, “because I am convinced that you feel the exact same way about me.”

“I do.”

“Then why do I get the feeling that your fear is due to more than being afraid of physical love?” Lex questioned. Taking a few steps towards her to face her, he touched her chin with his finger and asked the question that had been tormenting him for months.

“Tell me where this fear came from? Does it have anything to do with your decision to leave Smallville and come all the way east?”

She flinched slightly and turned her gaze away from his, “ Lex, that decision has more to do than-.”

“Clark,” he stated flatly, “Does it have more to do than Clark?”

Something in her broke when he spoke aloud intuitively guessing part of what had motivated her to make such a drastic break with her old life. There were tears in her eyes as she shook her head and said, “No, you couldn’t possibly know. I can’t tell-“

Lex put his arm around her shoulder and walked her past the breakfast in the kitchen to the glass enclosed extended bay window by the dining area, to a small built in sitting couch. They sat down and he hugged her.

“I shouldn’t have confronted you with what I’d suspected, “he confessed as Chloe leaned on his lay on her back, her head on his lap, “but I was jealous.”

“Of Clark?”

“Incredibly.”

“But why, Lex?”

“I’m a jealous man, Chloe,” Lex grudgingly admitted, “ even though I try to fight it. He doesn’t deserve your love. And the thought of his possessing any part of you makes me want to – well, let’s just say it takes me to a very dark place.”

“Lex,” she sighed, ” he doesn’t. I realized how futile it was to even contemplate when I made my last attempt to forge a relationship with him.”

“What happened?”

“He rejected me,” she said, her voice barely a whisper,” calling out someone else’s name. Someone I had thought was a friend to me. For months I had suspected there was something going on between him and Lois-“

“Your cousin the reporter?”

“The very one. I made him confess everything. He was in love and once again, it wasn’t with me. Yet again, I was about to become a surrogate for his inability to take a chance on the person he really loved. At the time, it was crushing. I told him I never wanted to see or hear from him again.”

He ran his fingers through her hair and looked down at her, smiling sadly. “I hate that you had to go through that.”

“I’m not,” she said, hugging his arm, “because that mistake brought me to you.”

“Chloe, you frighten me.”

“How so.”

“Because I’m finding it very hard to be without you.”

She sat up and kissed him. They kissed furtively and passionately, hands touching faces. Lex picked her up and Chloe lay seated on his lap.

“You amaze me sometimes, Lex. One minute you’re bringing me to the heights of orgasm and the next you’re deciphering the inner working of my soul.”

“I want the whole package. Chloe Sullivan, heart, body and soul.”

She rested her head against his forehead. “And you have it. God, do you have it.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~

The remainder of the evening passed quietly. Chloe felt exhausted and they decided to call it an early night. He took the left balustrade as she took the right. They met at the top, took each other’s hand and went into the bedroom.

Peacefully they slept through the night, laying side by side but facing each other. Lex’s hand lay close to his face when she arose and opened her eyes. She’d never seen him asleep and so calm before and could not resist the temptation to touch him. Chloe moved her hand quietly, until it was directly underneath his own. She inched her body closer to his until she could practically feel the beating of his heart against her own.

He brought out so many emotions in her. Everything that she’d thought would never be shared, she wanted to give to him. As much as he decried his jealous nature, she felt the same way about him and this burgeoning relationship. She wanted to protect it against anything that could be an obstacle, even against their own aggressive natures if that was the case.

It was time to move forward. There were no more ghosts to face and no more secrets to confess. She began to slide her hands down his body, rubbing his shaft underneath the blanket that covered his nudity. Chloe loved that he slept in the nude. Now, it was time to take advantage of it.

Lex awoke suddenly. Chloe kissed him and lay a hand across his chest.

“Chloe-“

Her finger on his mouth silenced him, “Shh,” she murmured, “No words, no more waiting.”

Lex kissed her deeply, their tongues touching and teasing, as his hands grabbed her waist. Chloe sat up in a flash and began to unbutton the pajama top he’d lent her. Removing it, she was clad only in a small pair of panties and to Lex, she was the most beautiful thing he’d ever seen.

Chloe took the sheet he was partially covered it and threw it to the ground. She reached for his dick and held it in her hand, bending her head to tease the tip of it with her tongue. Chloe took him in her mouth, rolling her tongue in a circular motion as she took him deeper inside her mouth.

“Chloe-“ Lex started to talk, but was silenced when she began to bob her head up and down slowly. She stopped and teased him by licking him from top of shaft to bottom, molding and squeezing his balls with her right hand. Once again, he felt the warm wetness of her mouth as she took him in her mouth again, this time going faster and faster.

Unable to contain himself, Lex sat up and hugged her to him, bringing her down to the bed until he was on top of her. Suckling her left nipple, he removed her panties with one quick grab and tossed them to the side. He teased her nipple with his teeth, gently biting as he began to put his index finger inside her. She was wet, but he wanted her more aroused when he finally entered her. Placing another finger inside her and thrusting very slowly, he began to kiss his way down her body.

Chloe thought she would die. The sensations he created in her body were driving her mad. She arched her back when he began to calmly lick her clitoris. His fingers still inside her, Lex penetrated her moist, pink walls deftly with his tongue, until she was panting beneath him.

“The shirt,” she whimpered,” …pocket”

Lex grabbed the shirt, tossed aside and hanging from the edge of the headboard. In the pocket was a small gold-foil wrapped condom that she’d obviously found in his closet.

Always thinking ahead, he thought to himself as he broke it open and put it on.

He lay on top of her once again, placing himself at the opening of her womb. Lex took her in his arms once again and kissed her. Grabbing his buttocks and urging him on with her hips, Lex broke through. Chloe felt a sharp stab of pain as her body adjusted to his penetration.

“Are you alright?” he asked.

“I’m –fine,” she said,” really.”

The pain subsided quickly and she raised her hips once again. Lex felt her movement under him and began to thrust inside her, starting off gently and accelerating quickly. Lex grabbed her by the waist as he heard her whimper in pleasure. Placing his hand at the union of their bodies, he rubbed her clit with his finger as he thrust faster inside of her.

Chloe’s head moved from side to side. She was out of control and under his complete domination. He possessed every fiber of her; that was the price for the pleasure he gave her body. She gladly submitted. Her heart was racing. It was too much. Her pulse couldn’t go any fast-

“Lex!” she screamed, clutching his shoulders and rising off the bed as she climaxed. Continuing to thrust into her, riding the wave of her enjoyment, Lex felt his own release and he sank into her, collapsing as he came. He lay his head on her shoulder and kissed the side of her neck, rolling to the side and pressing her to his side.

“Lex, that was-“

“Incredible.”

“Amazing.”

“Spectacular.”

Chloe hugged him. As she looked down, she saw flecks of blood on her inner thigh. It was a small price to pay.

I’m going to fall in love with him, she thought to herself. How I can I not?

“You’re quiet,” he said, kissing the top of her head.

“I don’t know what to say,” Chloe admitted, feeling herself blush, “I guess than means it takes great sex to shut my mouth.” She turned to lay on her back.

Lex removed the condom, tossed it to the floor and lay on his back. His head rested on her breast.

“You realize that you just ravished me,” he said smiling at her.

“And you enjoyed every minute of it.”

“More than you can imagine.”

“Has it been that way for you before – with other women.”

“That damn curiosity of yours-“

“Well, has it?”

“No,” he said, shyly.

“No?” Chloe questioned.

“It’s never been this way for me, Chloe,” Lex said truthfully,”I haven’t……made love that often.”

“I’ll take it that ordinary sex is different from what we shared?”

“I can’t believe you want to talk about this now-“

“Lex, please.”

“Ordinary sex is just that…ordinary. It’s a moment of pleasure followed up by empty, wasted, contemplative hours. I don’t ever want to have that with you.”

“Then we won’t,” she said, hugging him to her and pecking him on the head. “Did I mention I love your head?”

Lex shook his head and laughed.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

hfce

1st December 2004, 05:18

Please someone hand me a cigarette please :smoker: oh thank you. That was :drool: wow I loved how they were went from soothing Chloes fears to having first time sex and then soothing again. :D

Hope :wub:

sydsvaughn

1st December 2004, 06:40

Gah ... that was sweet and sexy ... and I WANNA Lex like that.

Lovely chapter!

SaraC

Impress

1st December 2004, 06:46

:drool: and ummm :drool:

I think that covers it.

Charlie

1st December 2004, 13:46

:eyebrows: Which head is it she loves???? :eyebrows:
Seriously, great story. But you know what, I think we need another update. I mean it's only been a few hours since the last one. Way too long.

buddyfozzy

1st December 2004, 19:19

Wow, that was so perfect. :smoker: :smoker: :smoker:

And I loved the conversation at the end, so sweet. :wub: :wub: :wub:

S.Ann Smith

1st December 2004, 19:52

:wub:

lovely smut babe

:smoker:

Ami Rose

1st December 2004, 20:16

Originally posted by Charlie@Dec 1 2004, 04:46 AM
:eyebrows: Which head is it she loves???? :eyebrows:
Yah, defintly would like to know that! ;) Love it! Please please please continue! :devil:

crankychick

1st December 2004, 21:16

:eyebrows: Which head is it she loves???? :eyebrows:
Seriously, great story. But you know what, I think we need another update. I mean it's only been a few hours since the last one. Way too long

I love that you guys got that. As I was writing it, I decided to put that in there and see how it was taken.

randa

1st December 2004, 21:52

i loved all of it.
they are so.....*im trying to find a word*.....magnetic together.

the head line was kinda evil :devil: but it was still hilarious

randa

crankychick

2nd December 2004, 03:02

Title: Tango in New York City
Disclaimer: I own none of the characters and none of the storylines, but I especially do not want to be blamed for Blanda.
Rating: NC-17. It's going to get steamy

Spoilers: None
Setting: As soon as she graduated from Smallville High, Chloe got out of Kansas and moved out to New York. She got a partial scholarship to New York University and makes up for her other expenses by freelancing. She and Pete share an apartment in Upper Manhattan...for the moment.

(The story keeps progressing. Now comes the a bit of the twist. Please don’t get too pissed off!)

Memories could be so tender, yet so passionate. Chloe sat through her class, pretending to take notes, with a never ending smile on her face. There was a glow on her face and a skip to her step. Her body was different. The change that now defined her was more than the loss of her virginity. Lex wanted her, but he wanted more than a body at his side. He touched her loneliness, a side she hated showing anyone but that he saw clearly. The burden of solitude was a weight they’d both had to withstand for the longest time. It dissipated when they were together.

Class came to an end and Chloe shut off her computer and scratched the back of her neck. She could feel the last time Lex had touched her there. His hands were always so warm and patient. Hours could pass in his company and she would be none the wiser. Warmth and sexual closeness were only two of the benefits. She’d also discovered Lex whipped up a mean café crème. But that was ….after.

Friday had come at last and though she wasn’t to see Lex until tomorrow, she would be talking to him that night. They had the best conversations at night. Putting her things away in her backpack, her phone began to vibrate. Thinking it to be Lex, she picked it up without looking at the ID.

“Chloe?”

Her jaw dropped. “Clark?”

Damn, I just can’t get a break, can’t I?

She was struck dumb with shock. “How the hell did you get this number?”

“From Gabe. He’s worried about you and so am I?”

“And what is the origin of this concern?”

“There are pictures of you and Lex all over the internet. He had his hands all over you.”

“Not that this is any of your business……no, wait, how the hell is this your concern? Bad angle? Looking for an exclusive?”

“Chloe, you have no idea. Lex has changed. He’s not the same guy he used to be.”

“Spare me, Clark. The last person I need to take love advice from is you.”

“I know that the last time we saw each other-“

“Ah! A happy memory. Let’s flash back, shall we. The day after our graduation…the barn….you and me about to have sex…….and you call out for Lois.”

“I swore to you, nothing’s going on-“

She laughed and shook her head, picking up her backup to head out of the room. “I’ll tell you now as I told you then. Stay the hell out of my life. My relationship with Lex is none of your business.”

“So there is something going on!”

“I’m not going to dignify that with a response. I’m happy, Clark. I….am …happy. Perhaps you don’t recognize happiness in others since you are so hell bent to not have any yourself, but I have it now. And you are not going to interfere.”

“Chloe, I have to see you-“

“Stay away from me,” she warned, “and don’t call me again.”

“Ask him about the Accintare Venture. Then see what you have to say.”

“No. This ends right now. I will not subject myself once again to become your investigating butt-monkey.”

Chloe angrily pressed the END button and rapidly walked down the hall towards the elevator. Anger pulsated through her and if she had Clark Kent in front of her…..she didn’t want to explore the many acts of violence she’d perpetuate on him.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Pete was sealing up the last of his boxes, placing it on the living room floor. A group of boxes littered the small room, along with his throwaway rug, suitcase, odds and ends. Even though he was glad that the day finally arrived to move in with Alissa, he was worried as hell about the timing of his departure.

Scattered on the wooden dining room table, was a copy of that day’s NY Post, turned to the infamous gossip page. Half way down the page, was a black and white image of a smiling Chloe arm-in-arm with one the richest men in the world. Lex Luthor was once again mixed up in the life of one of his best friends and he was afraid that she’d be seriously hurt by him.

Something had happened in Smallville between Lex and Clark that Clark refused to talk about on the few occasions Pete was able to get him on the phone. Everyday Clark Kent became more isolated, distant and impossible to decipher. Pete had tried a neutral tack, letting Clark contact him whenever he wanted to talk and not pressuring him into admitting or saying more than he was comfortable with. It was sad that their friendship had deteriorated to such a fashion, but he had made the best effort he could.

Now that he thought about it, Chloe and Clark also had some fight he had no details on that either. How he’d gotten a circle of friends more twisted than an average soap opera, he’d never understand.

He heard the front door slam and picked up the tape gun, pretending to seal the already sealed box.

“Hey,” she greeted, walking over the dining area and dropping her backpack on the table,” Wow, you’re almost packed up.”

Chloe took off her jacket and was about to toss it over one of the dining chairs, when she looked down to the newspaper cringing at the caption underneath the picture of her and Lex.

Has America’s Devilish Prince finally found his Princess?

“Sons of bitches,” she exclaimed, grabbing the paper angrily to better inspect the picture, “That’s the best they could come up with? Well, at least they didn’t say my ass was big, but that’s probably next week….”

“I can’t believe you’re not flipping out over this shit.”

“Pete, this stuff is unimportant. It’s fluff and I’m not letting it get in the way of-“

“Of what, Chloe?” he asked, trying to keep the anger out of his voice,” You’ve avoided talking to me about this for days, but I want to know right now. What’s the story with you and Lex?”

“Pete, what does it look like? We’re together.”

“As in together-together?”

“As close as it gets,” she confessed, locking her eyes with his so that he got the message.

“Damn. One more question before you kill me.”

“Shoot.”

“Does Clark know?”

Chloe flinched. “Yeah, he knows. He called today to start Phase 3000 of his passive aggressive Control Chloe mission. I’ll be damned if I let the Unjolly Flannel Giant dictate who I can and cannot date simply because he’s latently territorial.”

“I don’t even want to know what half of that meant.”

“Trust me you don’t” she answered, sighing and tossing the paper back on the table. Chloe turned her gaze to the ground and started rolling a string that was on the ground with her foot.

“So tomorrow’s the day. You’re really leaving.”

“Yep. Now you’ve got more room to throw things around and make a mess in.”

She could feel the tears welling in her eyes and kept staring down at the ground. Chloe knew if she looked at Pete right then, she’d become a crying wreck of a woman.

“I’m going to miss you, Pete, but I’m happy for you. Alissa’s a wonderful girl and she loves you.”

“She’s the best thing that’s happened to me. I’m crazy about her, what can I say?”

“I know, Pete,” she said, finally looking at him as she gave him a quick hug. He cradled her on his shoulder and let her get her cry in.

Pete hugged her back. “Chloe, I’m worried about you.”

“I’m going to be fine, Pete. This is different. He’s different with me.”

“Do you love him?”

“I think I do,” she said, breaking their hug. “And I think he does too.”

“Then that’s two ambivalent answers to a simple question.”

Chloe shrugged her head and smiled. “That’s the kind of people we are. Pete, we come from Smallville. We are the masters of ambivalence, mixed messages and cows.”

“Hey, I liked the cows!” he laughed as she ran into her bedroom.

“I’m telling Alissa you have a bovine fetish, I swear!”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Clark, meanwhile, in Metropolis downed his coffee in two gulps. He was livid and confused. Chloe could not be with Lex. His mind could not process that as a given. Late the party as usual, he realized what his feelings were. After his disastrous romance with Lana and his flirtation with Lois, he assumed he and Chloe would have another chance. When he saw the pictures on a New York City blog, however, he was confronted with the reality that the one that got away had gotten away with his former best friend.

Bastard.

He had to find a way of seeing face to face. Right then, he couldn’t –she was too angry-but he’d bide his time. Given Lex’s history with women-

Chloe would get her heart broken and once again it would be his fault. No, that was not going to happen.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

On me dit que nos vies ne valent pas grand chose,
Elles passent en un instant comme fânent les roses.
On me dit que le temps qui glisse est un salaud que de nos chagrins
Il s'en fait des manteaux pourtant quelqu'un m'a dit...

Que tu m'aimais encore,
C'est quelqu'un qui m'a dit que tu m'aimais encore.
Serais ce possible alors ?

Carla Bruni sang in the background as Chloe typed away at her assignment, trying to get as much possible that night. She and Lex had planned to spend the weekend together after she finished helping Pete move in the morning. Even though this particular assignment – rhythm and timbre in selected Dickinson poems – was a simple one, the issue she was mentally debating was not so easily broken down. Should she tell Lex about the conversation she’d had with Clark?

Why? Why does it matter that he doesn’t approve? Why the hell should he care anyway? And what the hell is Accintare?”

Punching away at the keys as she looked over at her handwritten notes, she tried to convince herself of what was the right choice to make. She knew she had to tell him. Their relationship wasn’t going to last if they couldn’t be honest about the simple confession of a spiteful ex-

Clark was never an ex. He was a possibility, wasted not by me, but burned up by his own self-involvement and endless false idealization.

Eleven o’clock and her cell phone was buzzing. Looking at the ID to make sure it wasn’t yet another unexpected blast from the past, she saw Lex’s number and smiled. Chloe breathed a sigh of relief and picked it up.

“Working hard?” he slurred teasingly.

“You know it,” she laughed,” How was your day?”

“I didn’t see you, so it was far from ideal.”

“Poor, poor Lex. I’ll have to make it up to you this weekend.”

“You won’t need to be reminded.”

His voice was sublime. The expectation of seeing him while hearing him talk make her shudder with excitement.

On me dit que le destin se moque bien de nous
Qu'il ne nous donne rien et qu'il nous promet tout
Paraît qu'le bonheur est à portée de main,
Alors on tend la main et on se retrouve fou
Pourtant quelqu'un m'a dit ...

“Carla Bruni?” he questioned, “good choice.”

“Well, I’m feeling awfully romantic lately,” Chloe uttered sarcastically,” I simply must do away with that.”

“Well, ma cherie. Tu me manques beaucoup. Tu me manques tous les jours, tous les après-midi et specifiquement tous les nuits.”

“Thank God you don’t charge by the hour. I could sit and listen to you talk all night.”

“Does it turn you on?”

“You know it does.”

“Then touch yourself.”

“Lex, are you kidding.”

“Just do it. Put your hand on your breast and close your eyes.

This man really is the devil.

She did as he requested and placed her hand on her left breast.

“Imagine that it’s my hand…..my touch……the way you like it……the way it makes your skin flushed and warm. You love the way I caress your breasts…..I memorized your sigh the first time I pinched your nipple with my fingers.”

Chloe followed the images he described. She suddenly felt unbearably hot and twitched in her seat.

“You love the warmth of my tongue on your nipple……you love it when I bite you and sooth the impact with my suckling……you adore to be under my touch, supple, luxuriously bound by my hands.”

Her heart was racing. “Lex, I am so wet for you now.”

“I know,” he whispered, “Put your hand between your legs.”

She was completely under his control and did as he indicated.

“I want your finger rubbing up and down your clit. Very slowly…….now place a finger inside and pump it………imagine my tongue licking your juices clean as I finger fuck you until you scream.”

And she did. Chloe felt the throb of her orgasm as she moved her hands back to her breasts. Her nipples were rock hard and even though she felt some release, she felt teased, hungry, rapturous for more.

Lex listened carefully on the line. “Now, aren’t you glad we’ll be together tomorrow.”

She panted. “”You…have no…idea. I think I need to go take a long, cold shower.”

“Goodnight, Chloe.” I need for you love me.
“Goodnight, Lex.” You are going to love me.

She hung up the phone, ran into the bathroom and laughed as she turned on the water. Being with Lex…..even when he wasn’t physically with her……was going to be exhausting.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

hfce

2nd December 2004, 03:50

Clark needs to :die: and stay out of Chloe and Lex's lives. :mad: The phone sex was :drool: :smoker: More please...

Hope :D

autumngold

2nd December 2004, 04:22

:heart: I love your last two updates!! :heart: But Chloe needs to tell Lex about Clark's call!! Then hopefully Lex can seal Clark up in a green kryptonite cage!! :flash: Please post more soon!! :yay: :chlexsign3: :yay:

sydsvaughn

2nd December 2004, 05:02

Gah ... I've always had a love of phone sex .. this so completely delivered!!

Now, just don't make Clark too much of an obstacle, or at least, have Chloe tell Lex and then together they can defeat Clark at his game.

Oh, and lots more smutty sex scenes would be welcomed gratuitously as well! ;)

SaraC

Impress

2nd December 2004, 05:55

Originally posted by autumngold@Dec 1 2004, 09:22 PM
:heart: I love your last two updates!! :heart: But Chloe needs to tell Lex about Clark's call!! Then hopefully Lex can seal Clark up in a green kryptonite cage!! :flash: Please post more soon!! :yay: :chlexsign3: :yay:
Hey I like that idea.

great update. more soon.

estrellalily

2nd December 2004, 11:21

DIE CLARK DIE!!!

i sewar to god, that boy ruens everything. what is his fucking problem? please dont let him mess up all the chlexy goodness. and please update again soon.
:blinkkiss:
~estrellalily

Béatrice

2nd December 2004, 12:17

Clark, you'd better stay out of Chloe and Lex's lives. :hammer:

Please come back. :biggrin:

Kit Merlot

2nd December 2004, 19:25

This story continues to rock :biggrin:

But, man, why does the mention of the BDA ruin everything?!

More soon :biggrin:

buddyfozzy

2nd December 2004, 21:12

Clark's such an ass, he better not make trouble. :devil:

Wonderful chapter! :wub: :wub: :wub:

S.Ann Smith

3rd December 2004, 00:25

Firstly. Clark's an idiot.

Seccondly I love this:

“Goodnight, Chloe.” I need for you love me.
“Goodnight, Lex.” You are going to love me.

excellent update, more soon please

crankychick

3rd December 2004, 03:13

Title: Tango in New York City
Disclaimer: I own none of the characters and none of the storylines, but I especially do not want to be blamed for Blanda.
Rating: NC-17. It's going to get steamy

Spoilers: None
Setting: As soon as she graduated from Smallville High, Chloe got out of Kansas and moved out to New York. She got a partial scholarship to New York University and makes up for her other expenses by freelancing. She and Pete are close friends, having briefly shared an apartment in Upper Manhattan before he left to move in with his new girlfriend.

(Thanks once again to everyone for reading, leaving feedback and enjoying this story. Things are going to get a bit rocky at this point for the happy couple. Clark seems a bit….stalkerish? I’ve also lain an element of subplot)

~~~~~~

The moment he opened the door for her, Chloe jumped into Lex’s arms and covered him with kisses. He twirled her around, she floated lightly in his arms until he put her down by the foyer.

“I’ll take it you missed me,” he inquired.

“Madly, m’dear,” she teased, “and admit it. You love having me around.”

Lex kissed her lips and pinched her butt. “More than you’ll know. Come on in. Coffee’s on.”

“What were you up to?”

“Continuing to decipher the webs of Lionel Luthor,” he said grudgingly. “I just uncovered another of his underground ventures, this one much more of a tangled mess than his usual ones.”

“Sounds complicated. What’s the venture?”

“I can’t talk about it, Chloe. Honestly, I haven’t been able to make heads or tails of this. All I know was that it involved some sort of genetic splicing.”

“How so?”

“Combining DNAs. Reading through the materials is going to take my scientists at least a year. We still haven’t been able to figure out if any of the tests were fruitful.”

“Lex, are you telling me Lionel Luthor might be responsible for human experiments ….and genetic engineering.”

“That’s what I’m afraid of, “ Lex replied. “Ever since his…..disappearance, all I seem to do is clean up his messes and repair the damage he’s done. It’s no wonder the press can’t distinguish the clean up from the mess up.”

She took his hand and held it tightly, “Well, I believe in you. I could never believe you capable of doing such a thing.”

He was quiet for a moment, contemplating God knows what. “You really trust me, don’t you?”

“Yes,” she replied, taken slightly aback. He said nothing but the silence raised her suspicions. “Lex, what is it?”

“That man,” he whispered through clenched teeth. “I could kill him. I could physically crush him. If you knew – no, no. You cannot know half the things he’s done…….the things he planned to do. I can’t believe most of them myself and I’ve seen the proof.”

“I wish I could help you.”

“It’s nothing,” he said abruptly, “Let’s not think about it now. The investigations will continue and until they are completed, my hands are tied.

As they reached the breakfast bar in his kitchen, Lex suddenly pressed her tightly against him and passionately took her breath away with a kiss. Trailing his hands from her shoulders to her lower back, Chloe raised her arms to the back of his neck and matched his possession. She could taste his wine scented breath. As their kiss broke, he smiled. It was a heartbreaking smile, as if she was the only person in the world he had to hold onto.

“I’m so afraid sometimes, Chloe. Afraid I hate it all…….all of the world outside of you and me….I keep trying to break free from the shadow of my father, but everytime I think it’s past me it creeps up in front of me again.”

“It’s going to be alright, Lex. You’ll see.”

“Do you think I have the strength to fight what must be my inner nature? I can’t imagine living a life where nothing else mattered….nothing except fulfilling my every whim. To live as Lionel did would kill anything good in me.”

“Lex, darling,” she whispered, rubbing his forehead with her hand,” you sound so exhausted. How long have you been up?”

“All night. I’ve been going over the schedules, the diagnostics, the budgets-“

“So, you didn’t sleep at all?”

“I couldn’t.”

“You have to rest. Come on.”

They walked upstairs and Chloe lay atop his bed, motioning for him to join her. He did and they lay on the bed, side by side, his head on her breast.

“I don’t deserve you, Chloe,” he murmured, eyes closed as he listened to her heart. “You bring me peace.”

“Shhh, Lex,” she said calmly, kissing his head tenderly. “Rest. Don’t let this eat away at you. I’m here. I’ll protect you.

And she would. She’d give her last breath to make sure he didn’t live his idea of a living hell. He would not become a second Lionel Luthor.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
At the designated time and in the designated spot, the contact attended the rendezvous. Picking up the cell phone that had been taped to the beneath the park bench, the contact waited for the moment. The time was exactly 6:01am.

“Have you taken the necessary measures?” the voice at the other end inquired.

“Yes,” replied the contact, “the piggyback has been arranged. It is unbreakable and untraceable.”

“How much more has he uncovered?”

The contact smiled. “Only what we purposely allowed to be found. Paperwork, documents of little value. Sifting through the various corporations and chapters will take years.”

“But the funds? Have they been traced?”

“Not yet, but they’re close. The transactions are almost complete, but the leavings will suffice for an indictment.

“Excellent. And the piggyback will give them their false accusee.”

“That’s been the plan all along, has it not?”

“And, heaven being rolled between us at the end.”

“We should but vow the faster for the stars.”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“Pete, I love you but I am not cleaning up anymore. I look like ass.”

He laughed as she tossed the last of the rags into the make-shift trash box. His new apartment was beautiful, but the main feature that had convinced Alissa to take it were the huge, built-in wooden bookshelves. Covering the atrium and dining area, it took the three of them hours to pat away the dust, filling bag upon bag of trash until it lay in a heap in the middle of the dining area like a collection of ashes.

Chloe stepped down from the ladder and headed towards the small bathroom, turning on the water and trying to wash some of the dust residue from her upper arms. She took off her gloves and threw them to the side.

“Hey, we have trash bags for that,” Pete out to her.

“The free help is rebelling,” Chloe yelled back,” after all, I just helped you move your stuff, clean your new place and find a great take out Thai place. What’s a pair of tossed gloves between friends.”

From the kitchen, Alissa laughed and chastised them. “Don’t make me come out there, kids.”

Chloe walked into the kitchen and grabbed her backpack from the small table, resting unsettledly against the back wall. Turning to give Alissa a quick hug, she whispered, “Take care of him. Rumor is that he’s crazy about you.”

“I’ll do my best, but you know he’s a handful.”

Walking out to join Pete in the dining area, she grabbed her jacket from a hook on the wall and waved goodbye. Waving back in turn, they shared a look. It was going to be strange to wake up in her apartment and be alone. Truly and physically alone, as she had not been for months. The realization finally sank in – Pete was gone.

“Bye, you,” she said sadly, her hand on the doorknob.

“Bye,” Pete replied,” I’ll be seeing you real soon.”

“You better. You still owe me for lunch.”

They smiled at each other as Alissa walked into the room. Pete put his arm around her and the last thing Chloe saw in their home was his head bending to meet Alissa’s

Good going, Pete. You’re going to be just fine without me.

She sighed as she walked down the steps and towards the sidewalk. Pete was damn lucky to find a great walk-up townhouse only steps away from Grand Street in Williamsburg. Chloe looked down at her watch to see what time it was. It was 6:15. She was due to meet Lex at 6:30 at Larry Lawrence for drinks before heading back to the city.

“Hello, Chloe.”

You have got to be fucking kidding me!

“Clark,” she managed to say,”wh-wh-. What the hell are you doing here?”

“I told Pete I was going to stop by and I asked him not to tell you. I thought you’d be mad-“

“That mother-“

“Chloe.”

“Don’t correct me, Clark,” she bit back. “Stopping by? That’s one hell a commute you’re going to have, but it’s your life. Well? Go up if you’re going”. She pointed towards Pete’s apartment. “Me, I’m going the other way.”

“Chloe, wait-“

“Done doing that. I have moved on. That’s what’s so good about letting go of false ideals in time, Clark. It gives you time to find the things – the real things – that take the place of illusions.”

“Lex,” he breathed regretfully,” You’re going to see Lex.”

“Give the man a prize, why don’t we? Buh-bye.”

“Chloe, please don’t go.”

Turning around to face him, Chloe shook her head sadly as she looked at him. He was still so very handsome, but there was nothing left in her of the feeling she once had for him. It had gone and she was free, thankfully.

“Clark,” she called out, “it’s done. Chloe’s already gone. You just didn’t wait around to watch her leave.”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

It was starting to get darker earlier every day, Lex noticed, sifting his brandy as he looked out the second story bar. Larry Lawrence had a spacious glass-enclosed bar, with the perfect view of the ever-darkening sky. A Cole Porter tune was playing in the background as he watched Chloe walking towards him.

In the still of the night
As I gaze out of my window
At the moon in its flight
My thoughts all stray, stray to you,

She watched him smile as he looked up at her. Dust was all over her and she probably looked her best towards the darker half of the room, but he saw her as if she were coifed perfection personified.

“Hey, handsome,” she said, bending down for a kiss before she sat down. “I hope you haven’t been waiting long.”

“Only a short while,” he replied, “This place is great, by the way. Far better than some of the places in TriBeca I’ve tried out.”

In the still of the night
While the world lies in slumber
Oh the times without number
When I say to you,

“I’m glad you approve, “she teased, “but I’m starving. They’ve supposedly got great appetizers here and I need to eat. How’s the service?”

“Top notch.”

“Ah. A bonus.”

Do you love me
Just like I love you

Their eyes locked. “Nice song,” Chloe said awkwardly.

“Yes,” he replied, “Simple, yet very provocative lyrics.”

Are you my life to be
That dream come true
Or will this dream of mine
Will it fade way out of sight

Lex took her hand and kissed it.

“I’ve been working all day,” she warned, “my hands are probably a bit rough.”

“It doesn’t matter,” Lex purred, “your hand would always be perfect to me.”

Just like that moon growing dim
Way out on the rim of the hill
In the still of the night
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

(Poetry used by the contact - Sonnet No. 1, Sonnets from the Portuguese, E. Barret Browning)
(Song, "In the Still of the Night" Music & Lyrics, Cole Porter)

kitten

3rd December 2004, 03:25

Clark is almost always unfair to Chloe. I hope Lex runs him out of town quickly. Great chapter!

Impress

3rd December 2004, 04:04

interesting update. more soon.

sydsvaughn

3rd December 2004, 05:06

I'm in ... an update would be intriguing and very much welcome!

SaraC

autumngold

3rd December 2004, 06:14

:tease: Clark needs to fly away!! Now!! :tease: Chloe and Lex will get along just fine without him!! :chlexsign2: Please don't let Chloe lose faith in Lex!! :yay: Post more soon please!! :yay2: :chlexsign4: :yay2:

hfce

3rd December 2004, 07:35

Clark needs to die :tease: great update by the way.

Hope ;)

crankychick

4th December 2004, 05:43

Title: Tango in New York City
Disclaimer: I own none of the characters and none of the storylines, but I especially do not want to be blamed for Blanda.
Rating: NC-17. It's steamy

Spoilers: None in this chapter
Setting: As soon as she graduated from Smallville High, Chloe got out of Kansas and moved out to New York. She got a partial scholarship to New York University and makes up for her other expenses by freelancing. She and Pete are close friends, having briefly shared an apartment in Upper Manhattan before he left to move in with his new girlfriend.

(Thanks once again to everyone for reading, leaving feedback and enjoying this story. A bit more of the mystery unwinds. Clark has ‘it’s a little too late’ syndrome and Lex freaks out)

Chapter 9
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Who can know
The thoughts of Mary jane
Why she flies
Or goes out in the rain
Where she's been
And who she's seen
In her journey to the stars.

“I don’t think I could walk if I wanted to,” Chloe purred, stretching out to reach for Lex underneath the warm, silken bedspread. “The world outside of this room has suddenly lost all importance for me.”

Cradling her to his chest, Lex smiled as he traced the contours of her face. It was a picture he’d painted so many times in his mind’s eye. Though she’d hate being told repeatedly, she had a very lovely face. As the thought entered his mind, she turned a pair of inquisitive eyes in his direction.

Who can know
The reasons for her smile
What are her dreams
When they've journeyed for a mile
The way she sings
And her brightly coloured rings
Make her the princess of the sky.

“You’re awfully quiet this morning,” she admonished,” did excessive lovemaking cause you to lose your voice?”

“No, it hasn’t,” he replied. “Not in the slightest. It’s a strange feeling, to be totally at peace. I feel that way right now.”

She felt touched. Kissing him on the cheek, he took hold of her face and pulled her into his embrace. He pulled her atop his body, joined at the mouth, as their bedsheet-tousled embrace became frantic. Lex cupped her buttocks with his hands, touching, caressing, molding her into him. Slipping his hand between her legs, he felt her wetness.

“So at peace,” he muttered,” yet so aroused,”

Chloe took him in her hand and smiled impishly. “Likewise, I may say.” Teasingly, she cupped his scrotum, rolling him with her thumb and forefinger until he groaned underneath her. Desperately reaching, he was able to tuck his hand into the bedside table where they kept the condoms.

“I swear, I’m going on the pill this week,” she laughed, taking it from him. Lex sat up and embraced her roughly. Grabbing her by the hair as she unrolled the condom, she sat astride him, placing him inside of her. The sensation of being joined made her arch her back. Lex began to grab her breasts, urging her to go faster. She did so, pushing him back and grabbing hold of his hands until he was completely underneath her and under her control. The rhythm was all hers.

Faster she rode him, her breath ragged as her heart began to pound inside her chest. Lex tried to free his hands, but she would not let go. Having dominion over him – giving him pleasure while allowing him to be only a spectactor – was a sensation she relished. Chloe let go of his hands, running her own down his muscled chest.

“You like to be in control,” he said through labored breath.

“Of you, yes,” she was able to say.

Suddenly she could feel the now familiar waves beginning. A small ring of pleasure that traveled from where their bodies in motion met to the very pores of her face, pulsated through her body in small, measured parts. Arching her back as the feeling overtook her, Lex grabbed her and flipped her around.

Now on top of her, he pumped rapidly. He rode her as she came, enhancing the depth of her enjoyment by his pulsations. Clenching him as he grabbed hold of her hips, she urged him to continue. Chloe grabbed his face.

“I want to see,” she said, “I want to see your face when you come.”

Bringing her hand to where they were joined, she ringed her hand around his penis, tightening the sensation. Lex’s movements grew crazed. The bed rocked from their shared exertions. Grabbing his buttocks and grazing her nails on his flesh, she felt his orgasm beginning. She brazenly looked into his eyes as spilled himself and collapsed on her.

Shifting to the side, he dragged her up towards the middle of the bed and ran his hand down the side of her body, from shoulder to thigh. His eyes followed the journey of his hand.

Out of breath, she lay and watched. The adoration of his gaze made her feel more beautiful than she ever had before. In his eyes, she could be the bedroom vixen she’d wanted to be for so long. The empowering aspect of this desire was that it didn’t have to do entirely with him. No. She wanted to remain wanton to please herself. She wanted him to want her madly.

“Your skin is so very lovely,” she managed to say.

“Not as nice as yours.”

“Well, we can’t have everything, can we,” she laughed. He reached to kiss her.

“I still find it impossible to believe that you’re here with me,” Lex admitted.

“Me, too.” She traced his face with his finger as her eyes looked him up and down. “How did I get here? How did I get to be with you?”

“What strange questions,” Lex teased, “you got here because it’s where you were meant to be. You got here because you wanted to get here.”

“Simple logic, then.”

“It’s often the soundest.”

She sighed as she turned away from him and onto her back. “So, what happens now?”

“I was hoping for food-“

Chloe slapped his shoulder, “No, I’m serious. I hate to pull a girl move on you after amazing sex, but-“

“But, what?”

Taking a quick breath, she admitted her fear, “Lex, I need to be clear with you on something. I want to be here with you. There’s no one else I want and nowhere else I’d rather be. But in order for me to stay, I need to know something.”

“And that would be?” Lex inquired, leaning on his shoulder with his hand on his head.

“I need to be the only one.”

He was silent as he thought this over. Turning over onto his back, he stared up at the ceiling as he considered his response. “Is fidelity that important to you?”

“Loyalty, is,” she countered,” because what I’m talking about here is a relationship…..an honest, balanced exchange. Not marriage, not moving in together. I need you to promise me that while you are with me, there will be no one else.

Because it would kill me. Feeling the way I do about you, and having you break my heart would destroy everything that I am.

Lex was silent once again. Chloe waited for a few moments. She didn’t expect a rapid answer, but neither did she anticipate this hesitation on his part. Rising to her feet, she ran into the bathroom and locked the door behind her. She didn’t even have the strength to cry.

He couldn’t explain why he hesitated. Lex knew that he had powerful feelings for Chloe, but understood only too well his own shortcomings. What if he faltered as he had in the past? Would she ever be able to forgive him? To trust him? How could he preserve Chloe in his life when he still was unable to shake the phantams of Lionel Luthor and his false expectations to deal with? Lex ran to the door and realized it was locked.

“Chloe, let me in.” he insisted.

“No,” she answered steadily,” I need to be alone right now.”

Please don’t let me unravel like a child.

“Go away, please,” she said, feeling the tears start to well in her eyes, “I’ll be fine. Don’t say anything.”

I don’t want to know that you love me. I don’t want to know that you don’t.

Knocking at the door once more, he realized she was not going to let him in. Frustrated and angry at his stupid gesture, he left in anger. Walking over to his closet, he grabbed the first robe he could find and quickly threw it on. Lex went down the stairs into the study, hoping that she’d be down to talk shortly so they could work this out.

What are you so afraid of?

That I will ultimately disappoint her much as Clark-

Furious at the very mention of the man that was Chloe’s first love, he reached for the Accintare files. The federal government notified him that the part of the funds deposited in the Caymans for this venture had been located, but as of yet no one had been interrogated. It was strange. Usually the money was the last thing that was found.

As Chloe walked down the stairs fully dressed, she saw him deeply concentrating on the files he’d been going over for weeks. It was his way of creating distance, by retreating back into the labyrinths of deceit constructed by Lionel Luthor. He was happiest when everything was done in accordance with his plans for himself. Human feelings, though, were anything but regimented.

“I need to go,” she said quietly, picking up her backpack. “This is the last week before the Thanksgiving break and I have a lot of work to turn in-“

“Chloe, please don’t leave like this.”

“I’m fine,” she insisted, “Really, I am. I just really need to go home.”

“Then take the car, please.”

“I don’t want to,” she replied, placidly but firmly,” and the air will do me some good.”

“Maybe, I could stop by later. We could have dinner or-“

“No,” Chloe replied, shaking her head. “No, Lex.

Astonished, he watched her turn and walk away. Never had he seen her so hurt. It took only a few moments of silence to defeat her optimism and joy. Lex realized he those ill-begotten moments had brought back her former fears. She had asked for something simple – his loyalty – and he’d been unable to give it.

What a miserable bastard you are. You’re becoming more your father’s son every day.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

It had taken her only an hour to get home, but the time felt never ending as the train raced through its’ dark tunnel. He had turned into silence. It was a nightmare – an inescapable situation. Here was yet another man who couldn’t promise to be loyal.

The moment she got home, she checked her answering machine. Pete had left one of his usual messages, to make sure she remembered to call him and pay the light bill on time. The other was from Clark.

“Chloe…..it’s me…..I know you asked me to stay away, but I don’t intend do….I’ve wasted too much time as it is……Lex may care for you, but he will never love you……He’s not capable of loving anybody except himself…..God, I know that sounds spiteful, but I don’t know how else to put it……I’m not giving up….”

She heard the beep and shook her head as she walked over to her bedroom, threw her bag on the floor, herself on the bed and began to cry in earnest.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Furiously gripping the steering wheel of his car, Lex watched Clark Kent walk towards Chloe’s apartment building, briefly stop and turn away. What the hell what he doing in New York of all places?

This is the risk you take, Luthor. You risk losing Chloe with your silence.

It wasn’t a price he was willing to pay.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

She heard the banging on her door and finally came out to do something about it. If it was Clark, she was afraid that she might not have the strength to yell at him as she would like to. If it was Lex, she didn’t know what she’d do.

“Who is it?” Chloe called out.

“Chloe, it’s me.”

It was Lex. Weakly, she undid the locks, hesitating to open the door. Through the widening portal, she watched him enter.

“You didn’t have to-“

“Yes, I did,” he insisted,” I’m sorry about before. I don’t know what the hell was wrong with me?”

“Was?” she questioned,” No forget it. Don’t answer that.”

“Clark’s here, isn’t he?”

Chloe turned to look at him, surprised. “Yes,” she answered with no hesitation, “he came up to see Pete-“

“No, he did not,” Lex said through clenched teeth,” he came to see you.”

“Whatever he’s here for or whoever he’s here to see, doesn’t matter.”

“Yes, it does. You see, you’re not the only one who needs loyalty.”

“Lex, that’s over with. I told you that.”

“Then why is he here?” he yelled angrily, “why does he schedule this visit in the precise moment that you and I are known publicly to be together?”

“I had no idea he was coming out here, Lex. When the hell have I been able to control the comings and goings of Clark Kent?”

Lex paced the room uncontrollably,” I need to know, Chloe. Do you love him?”

“No!” she yelled back, “Do you think I would have slept with you if I still had feelings for him?”

“God, I’m such an idiot!”

“Lex, please. There’s nothing going on between Clark Kent and me.”

“That’s not what I meant, Chloe. I came here to apologize to you not start a fight about Clark Kent of all people. It’s just that-“

“What? What, Lex?”

“I saw him outside before I came up.”

“No, Lex he wasn’t up here-“

“I know he wasn’t,” Lex said, his voice calming down. “But seeing him reminded me of how much I fear losing you.”

Chloe turned away from him. She was going to cry and could feel the tears in her eyes again. Stupid tears. She needed to be strong and assertive right now.

Lex hugged her from behind, caressing her head with his jaw. “I can’t lose you, Chloe. Not you. I’ve lost so many people in my life. Everyone I’ve ever cared about.”

“Oh, Lex,” she said as she cried.

“Don’t cry. I’ll be whatever you want be to be….loyal, faithful, monogamous. Whatever you want, I’ll be.”

“I don’t love him,” Chloe repeated, “I don’t, I swear I don’t.”

“I know. I believe you.” Lex pulled her into a kiss. He could taste a salty tear on her upper cheek and licked it with his tongue. They kissed tenderly, her hands caressing his face as he hugged her tightly.

When their kiss broke, they remained in a shared embrace.

“So this is your place?” he joked.

“Yes, it is,” she said proudly,” small but mine.”

“Well, seeing as I’m your boyfriend, I was long overdue for a visit.”

“Boyfriend?”

“Isn’t that the correct word?”

She nodded and smiled, “Yes, it is. It’s the right word. It’s a great, fantastic, enormous word.”

They hugged for a moment, then walked arm in arm for a tour of her apartment.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

On the street, Clark Kent watched. Lex and Chloe were undeniably a couple. She had said she didn’t love Clark – but she hadn’t admitted she loved Lex. So long as that ambigious aspect of their relationship remained, he still had a chance.

He had to get her away from Lex before it was too late.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The tap was in effect. At precisely 6:01, the contact reported:

“A situation has arisen. Kent has unexpectedly arrived and is close to the target. Plans must be accelerated and his arrival might prove a secondary diversion. Coordinates have been piggy backed. Estimated time – 72 hours.

“The chrism is on thine head, on mine, the dew-/And Death must dig the level where these agree”
___________________________________

Song – Thoughts of Mary Jane – Nick Drake, Bryter Layter
Poem – Sonnet III, E. Barrett Browning, Sonnets from the Portuguese

hfce

4th December 2004, 07:39

Oh wow that was amazing. I am so glad they worked things out. Clark still needs to die.

Hope ;)

autumngold

4th December 2004, 12:59

Thank you for having Lex realize that Chloe is the one he wants!! Excellent update!! Post again soon please!! :yay2: :chlexsign4: :yay2:

sameda

4th December 2004, 17:24

Why should Lex even think about other women, when he has :blinkkiss: Chloe!?!

Béatrice

4th December 2004, 20:29

I still can't uderstand why he didn't give tit for tat but it's fine that he realised that Chloe is the only one for him. :chlexsign2: Please someone kill Clark. She doesn't want you - it's not worth perseverting. :hammer:

Impress

5th December 2004, 02:18

SO much animosity towards Clunk. Not that I don't agree. I just felt the need to point it out.\

Great update. Need another soon.

sydsvaughn

5th December 2004, 07:57

Sigh ... as long as Chlex comes through this, I'll be okay. But I swear, if Clark messes things up ... ggggrrrrr

SaraC

buddyfozzy

5th December 2004, 15:58

Lovely chappie :wub: :wub: I'm so happy that they worked things out. :yay: :yay: Now, can we kill Clark? He's going to mess things up for them. :devil: :devil: But at least Lex knows about him now.

:chlexsign4: :worship2: :worship2: :worship2:

becky

5th December 2004, 20:21

crikey, i'm just reading this story and it's totally fantastic! I love your writing style... your dialogue is just on fire... the quick exchanges between the characters, and so funny.... your characterisation is spot on.

I love the storyline and emotion that you have going on... i love that it's set at a time when clark and lex are enemies, so we know from mythology that lex is becoming darker and darker... seeing his contrasting behaviour with chloe is so fantastic, as it either means it's going to be a tragic tale when she finds out who he is, or it's painting him as one of the most misunderstood characters in superman history :huh: either way it's intense!!

I can't wait to read more of this,

~Becky~
:chlexsign3:

newbatgirl

5th December 2004, 21:53

Amazing...every single word. I thought Lex's hesitation was very IC. Please post more.

crankychick

6th December 2004, 00:32

Title: Tango in New York City
Disclaimer: I own none of the characters and none of the storylines, but I especially do not want to be blamed for Blanda.
Rating: NC-17. It's steamy

Spoilers: A bit of the plot intricacies of season 4 are discussed

Setting: As soon as she graduated from Smallville High, Chloe got out of Kansas and moved out to New York. She got a partial scholarship to New York University and makes up for her other expenses by freelancing. She and Pete are close friends, having briefly shared an apartment in Upper Manhattan before he left to move in with his new girlfriend.

(Thanks once again to everyone for reading, leaving feedback and enjoying this story. Someone close to Chloe is plotting to set up her as a traitor to Lex…but who? Lex tries to conquer his relationship phobia. Pete gives Clark hell)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

He awoke in the morning to find Chloe had risen already. This struck Lex as odd, since he had always considered himself the earliest of the early risers. Rising from the bed, he washed up in the small bathroom before. As soon as he walked into her small kitchen, he could hear the drumming sounds of her incessant typing, all to the sounds of Nick Drake.

When I was younger, younger than before
I never saw the truth hanging from the door
And now I'm older see it face to face
And now I'm older gotta get up clean the place.

Dressed only in a white towel that hung on his hip, Lex leaned towards the side of the small doorless kitchen archway, watching her. Chloe had incredible concentration when she worked on something that impassioned her.

And I was green, greener than the hill
Where the flowers grew and the sun shone still
Now I'm darker than the deepest sea
Just hand me down, give me a place to be.

Dressed in a simple yellow robe with her hair in an unkempt knot at her nape and not a stitch of makeup, she looked simple and beautiful.

“I’m starting to feel ignored,” Lex said.

“God, you scared me!” she said, jumping slightly in her chair. “Did I wake you?”

“Not at all,” he replied,” But I did wake up feeling slightly lonely.”

Chloe smiled as she saved her work and put her laptop to the side. “Sorry, but I was trying to get this damn Dickinson assignment done so we could spend the rest of the day together without interruption.”

Looking him up and down, she made a whistling sound of pure appraisal,” Now that I see how great you look in a towel, I may never let you get dressed again.”

“I might just hold you that,” he teased.

“And I hope you will,” Chloe answered, with a wink.

And I was strong, strong in the sun
I thought I'd see when day is done
Now I'm weaker than the palest blue
Oh, so weak in this need for you.

“I see I’m not the only one partial to Nick Drake.”

“Yes, his work is really beautiful. Haunting, yet you can’t help but listening. ‘Black Eyed Dog’ almost makes me cry when I concentrate on the words and think about the hell he was living through at the time.”

“Have I touched upon your sentimental side?”

“Perhaps,” she said, rising to hug and kiss him good morning. “Though I think it’s more likely to do with you. Somehow you have the ability to make me confess things that I tell no one.”

Lex kissed her cheek as he walked over to get a cup of coffee, narrowly deflecting her efforts to remove his towel.

“Oh, such a tease,” she pouted.

Chloe had left a cup for him into which he quickly poured a cup of coffee. The morning light flowed into the small window. He took a look outside at the view of Fort Tryon Park that was now visible.

“I think I see why you love this place,” Lex said, sipping his coffee, “It’s hidden away. Close enough to the city for comfort, yet far enough to escape.”

“Exactly,” she said, “Most of my friends at NYU would rather starve and live in the Village, or downtown but I really love it here. It’s home.

She hugged him from behind, leaning her head against his back. “It’s so good to have you here.”

“I think so,” he laughed.

“No, I don’t think you see. This is my home. All of the other times we’ve….well, we’ve been together have been at your place. Now that you’re here, I can always keep a picture of you when…”

“When?”

“When you’re not here?” she added sadly, “It’s realistic to assume you won’t always be here.”

He turned his face to look at her, cupping her face in his hand. “Let’s not think about that now.”

“But you’re going away in less than two weeks…”

“I know, “ he added,” but I’ll be coming back. It won’t be a long departure, just long enough for me to get some things settled at Luthor Corp.”

“What about that venture you’ve just uncovered?”

“Allegedly, something new should be disclosed this week, but it’s out of my hands. I gave the government all the information at my disposal. There are things, as you know, Lionel Luthor never trusted to anyone.”

“Is it unlikely that he’s…”

“Alive,” Lex added,” No one’s quite sure.”

“I’m sorry,” she whispered sincerely.

“I know,” Lex replied, kissing her forehead. “But let’s not talk about sad things today. Let’s make today a good day. We’ve got some planning to do.”

“Planning?”

“Someone’s got a birthday coming up and I’m planning a surprise.”

“Not a huge celebration, I hope. I was planning on being presented to the Queen next year.”

“No, nothing extravagant, I promise. Just a little romantic indulgence.”

“How so?”

“Well, have you ever heard of the Rainbow Room?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“Clark, I love having you around. You’ve got to know that, but what’s the deal?”

Pete served up the pancakes. Alissa had gone off to work that morning, leaving the two friends to catch up over breakfast.

“How do you mean, Pete?”

“You just show up here right after Chloe and Lex hook up? Why now? She’s been here for three years and you just decide out of the blue to fight for her?”

“I know it’s strange, Pete, but it just happened.”

“Feelings don’t just happen, Clark,” Pete insisted, reaching for the syrup. “They build and they grow. I thought you and Lana were going to try again.”

“It didn’t work. We care for each other, but we realized that we’ve become different people. After college is over, I’m planning to go out into the world…go to Metropolis and try to be a reporter. Lana doesn’t want that. She wants a life and family…a uncomplicated life. That’s not something I’ll ever be capable of giving to her.”

“And Chloe? When did you wake up and realize you were dying of love for her.”

“You’re not going to make this easy on me, are you?”

“Hell, no,” he said truthfully,” To tell you the truth, Clark, I’m planning on making this as hard as possible. The last thing I want is to see Chloe get hurt again. You know how I feel about Lex, but he’s played her straight. That’s not something you can claim to have done.”

“Man, that was rough.”

“Chloe’s become my family,” Pete continued. “We look out for each other. Now pass the butter. All this love talk is making me lose my appetite.”

“Do you love her?”

“Yes.”

“Then my friend, you are well and truly fucked.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“Fuck me” Chloe panted, as Lex pumped away atop her on the kitchen table. “Hard.”

Ripping away at her rope, he grabbed her buttocks and squeezed as he made his way inside her. Chloe had made an innocent comment about becoming his breakfast and he had decided to satisfy an entirely different hunger.

Pumping away, as the table rocked against the wall, Chloe reached for his dick, placing additional pressure on him as he entered her. Lex groaned and kissed her roughly in response, grabbing her breast and tweaking her nipple. Arching her hips and her back, she trembled as the strength of her orgasm rippled through her body. Weakened, but determined, she bent down and took him in her mouth.

“Chloe, what are you-“

Bobbing her head ferociously, she took him in her mouth and cupped his balls, rolling them gently in her hand. Caressing them while she squeezed, she began to go deeper. She teased his prostate and he felt his release. Gripping his hips, she swallowed deeply.

Leaning against her in partial shock, Lex hugged her to him and whispered, “You’re becoming insatiable, you know that?”

“I wanted the taste of you in my mouth,” she confessed. “and I got it. Did you like it?”

“Ask me again when I’ve regained the use of my legs,” he panted.

She laughed, rubbed his head and moved off the table, reaching down for her laptop. Barely able to get it off the table, it was lucky to have survived their sexual feeding. As she looked toward the bottom corner, she noticed an unfamiliar icon.

“Strange.” She commented.

“What?”

“There’s something odd on my computer. I don’t think I’ve ever seen it before.”

“Pack it up and bring it along. I’ll take a look at it at the loft. And bring a change of clothes. I want you to spend the night.”

“Aw, you hate my place?”

“No, it’s not that. I just think I’d like to christen the rooftop terrace with something better than a party.”

“It’ll be freezing.”

“Oh, I’ll find a way to keep you warm, baby.”

He called me baby. I’m seventeen and about to swoon.~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“I can’t make heads or tails of this thing.” Lex confessed.

Taking a drink before looking down at the screen, Chloe looked at the diagnostics. She couldn’t decipher what exactly the program was.

“Is it a virus?”

“Not that I’ve found, no. It seems to be acting as some sort of-“

“Sort of, what?”

“I’ve heard about them, but haven’t really dealt with them. They’re called piggybacks.”

“And what are they used for?”

“Mostly to plant evidence.”

“I don’t even want to know how you know that.”

“Business has a place for the upright and the wicked,” he admitted. “But why a piggyback on your computer? It makes no sense unless-“

Accintare. Instead of coming after him directly, it would be a harder strike to come after someone close to him. A perfect move.

“Chloe,” he asked, “who has access to your computer?”

“No one,” she answered quickly. “I’m the only user. The only people who could have used it would be anyone at home…..Pete…….maybe Nick at the paper…..why?”

“Call it a hunch, but I don’t think this program running on your computer is a coincidence. Someone is either setting you or me up.”

“Are you serious?”

“Extremely. I’ve got to get this thing looked at by Cardwell. Mainly, I’ve got to get it out of your hands. I've got to get it examined note by note.”

“Who's Cardwell and why do you have to get it out of my hands? Lex, what’s going-“

“Cardwell’s head of IT for LexCorp. He knows this stuff backwards and forwards. I was tipped off a week ago that a U.S. based shoulder of the Accintare venture had been traced to New York.”

“So that was why you came here?”

“Partially, yes.”

“Lex, is someone trying to implicate me-“

“I can’t say definitely, but I highly suspect it, “he replied. “But it’s more than that. I found certain passages……possible message fragments…..that are coded to appear as if they came from you.”

“What made them suspicious.”

“They looked innocuous. Almost like assignments of a sort, until I remembered something that made what I'd found completely out of place.”

“And what was that?”

“I’ll tell you when we meet up with Cardwell. Go to the roof. I’m calling the chopper. We have to get to LexCorp stat.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
6:01

Message interruption. Locator is out of range. Believe it may have detected. No orders to abort. “God only, who made us rich, can make us poor.”

Song – “Place to Be”, Music & Lyrics, Nick Drake
Poem – “XXIV” E. Barrett Browning, “Sonnets from the Portuguese”

kitten

6th December 2004, 01:00

:worship2:

Kitchen smut, plot thickening and Pete and Clark!

Wonderful chapter!

Impress

6th December 2004, 04:51

so enjoyed the update. more soon.

hfce

6th December 2004, 05:54

The smut was :drool: and the other parts were :clap: but the last part eek. More please..

Hope :)

sydsvaughn

6th December 2004, 05:59

that was fun and intriguing and I so want more!

SaraC

autumngold

6th December 2004, 06:02

I'm so glad that Lex is going to protect Chloe!! They had better not blame her for the Accintare mess!! Great chapter!! Thank you for this incredible story!! :worship2: :chlexsign4: :worship2:

estrellalily

6th December 2004, 06:55

clark needs to get his abnormally large head out of other people's business, but yay for lex figuring out the problem and helping chloe!!!!
another update soon please :blinkkiss:
~estrellalily

Kit Merlot

6th December 2004, 16:10

I do adore a good mystery story, and this one is wonderful.

And I love how their romance is weaved aroud the unfolding mystery.

I just don't want Lex and Chloe hurt because of it.

More please :biggrin:

becky

7th December 2004, 01:22

ooh! great chapter!! Can't wait to find out what those cryptic little messages are!

more soon,

~Becky~
:chlexsign3:

S.Ann Smith

7th December 2004, 01:55

:heart: the smut :drool:

:heart: the Pete and Clark talk

:heart: this story

buddyfozzy

7th December 2004, 05:08

Great smut :smoker:

I'm glad Lex knows about the piggyback thing now, and hopefully can get it fixed without anything bad happening. :ohmy: :ohmy:

crankychick

12th December 2004, 04:34

Title: Tango in New York City
Disclaimer: I own none of the characters and none of the storylines, but I especially do not want to be blamed for Blanda.
Rating: NC-17. It's steamy

Spoilers: A bit of the plot intricacies of season 4 are discussed, with some creative license taken.

Setting: As soon as she graduated from Smallville High, Chloe got out of Kansas and moved out to New York. She got a partial scholarship to New York University and makes up for her other expenses by freelancing. She and Pete are close friends, having briefly shared an apartment in Upper Manhattan before he left to move in with his new girlfriend.

(Lex fights the Feds to keep them from confiscating Chloe’s laptop. Gabe and Chloe fight over Lex on the phone. Oh, and some smut)

Chapter 11
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

LexCorp’s Northeast Division office was located in Boston and they had barely boarded the helicopter when Lex’ cell phone began to go off. Chloe grew more and more frightened as the tone of the conversation grew darker. All hell was about to break loose.

“Lex, what the fuck is going on?” she asked when he’d finally hung up the phone.

“I’m not exactly sure, but we need to get the laptop checked immediately. Someone’s hacked onto your computer and has been using it as a conduit of sorts.”

“Conduit?”

“One person was transmitting coded messages to a third party, using your computer as a storage device. It makes absolutely no sense. The messages were cryptic references to bank accounts and office locations, but I just don’t get it. Why were they so desperate to leave a record when it would have been much simpler to not leave any at all?”

“Lex, I’m scared. What could I be accused of?”

“According to my sources at the CIA-“

He stopped immediately when he saw the look of utter terror on her face. “Don’t worry about a thing, Chloe……I’m going to take care of this………..nothing is going to happen to you, I swear.

Cradling her to his side as she trembled, he swore that whoever was responsible for attempting to frame Chloe would face him much sooner than any government agency.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Cardwell immediately took possession of the computer and secluded half the top floor of LexCorp as the investigation began. They had less than 72 hours before a subpoena was allegedly to be issued for the submission of the laptop. Lex closed off his executive floor and advised his PR department that no statement of any kind was to be released until he authorized it.

On the mahogany leather coach, a terrified Chloe tried to listen to Lex’s reasoning that the situation would be taken care and that she would not be held accountable for any malfeasance. She was not so sure that keeping data away from the government would help them prove innocence.

“Why don’t we just turn in the materials now?” she argued. “Won’t it look highly suspicious if we conduct a top level investigation before any paperwork is filed?”

“Ordinarily, I might agree with that, but the information that Cardwell’s gotten as of now negates that logic,” he said, sitting next to her. “Chloe, it’s my father.”

“Lionel? But he’s missing? How the hell could he be involved in framing me unless-“

He sighed as he buried his head in his hands. “I’ve been tracking him ever since his disappearance 3 years ago, but nothing’s turned up except for the money trail. He had subsidiary corporations set up in the Cayman Islands and in Panama that we couldn’t find any activity for. Then, a little over a year ago, transactions started taking place. The government stepped in and tagged the accounts. Whoever hacked onto your computer conducted major activity and liquidated the accounts.”

“How much money are we talking about?”

“Close to a quarter of a billion dollars. And that’s just an estimate at this point?”

“Fucking hell,” she muttered, eyes growing wide. “So, they made me the perfect sucker, linking all the activity to my internet activity.”

“That sounds about right.”

“How did you guess what was going on?”

He looked over at her and smiled as he took hold of her hand. “That clue came from you, as a matter of fact.”

“How so?”

“Whoever was planting the evidence encrypted the data in a series of emails that were only partially traceable. They looked like simple homework assignments without the undecipherable parts, but they made one crucial mistake. One that immediately made me suspect Lionel or someone close to him was responsible for this.”

“What tipped you off?” she wondered.

“The assignments looked like they were written by you. Whoever’s responsible knew you were taking Romantic Poetry this semester, but they screwed up.”

“Lex, I’m dying over here. How did they screw up?”

“You’ve been studying Emily Dickinson; the two references I found were by Elizabeth Barrett Browning.”

“How did you link that to Lionel?”

Sadness entered his expression, she noticed, as he answered her. “Her sonnets were some of my mother’s most precious books. He hated them, disdaining the Romantic period itself.”

“I don’t know what to say,” she uttered, impressed by his deductive reasoning.

“It was a tactic that I could see him using. He’s capable of equating the poetry of a woman he hated, once owned by a woman he loved to a woman he now wants to destroy…..in no small party, to destroy me as well.”

Chloe began to cry softly. Placing a hand on his shoulder, she weakly managed to say,” I’m sorry, Lex.”

“You have nothing to apologize for,” he said, embracing her softly. “None of this is your doing. I swear, Chloe, I’ll fix this.”

She cupped his face in her hands and kissed him gently. “I believe you,” she uttered softly, “and I trust you.”

And I swear, Lionel Luthor, that I will find you and make you pay for this.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Gabe had been trying to reach Chloe desperately for hours, ever since the news about the latest investigation into another of Lionel Luthor’s ventures was announced on the national news. So far, all he knew was that she was with Lex and he was helping her somehow. It didn’t set his mind at ease.

Of all the men his daughter could have picked to become involved with, Lex Luthor was the last one he would have chosen. The last time he’d spoken with Chloe, he’d done his best to respect her choice and thought he’d gotten away with convincing himself that she was going to be fine. He’d forgotten that when it came to being involved with a Luthor, there was no such thing as being ‘fine.’

And so, he tried calling her up again at midnight. An obviously half asleep Chloe picked up her cell phone.

“Chloe?”

“Dad?”

“I’ve been trying to reach you for hours. Where the hell are you?”

“It’s a long story, dad, trust me,” she said, “but what’s the matter?”

“What’s the matter…..what’s the matter she asks me! It’s all over the news, Chloe. Another one of Lionel’s ventures is being investigated only this time my daughter’s name comes up…….on the national news!”

“Dad, please. Yelling at full volume in the middle of the night isn’t helping anyone. There’s a lot going on, but the short version is that someone was trying to implicate me in a venture of Lionel’s that was tagged for investigation by the government. Lex caught it in time and his team’s checking all files-“

“Have you even considered going to the police at this point?”

“Not yet, Dad, but we will. Lex is investigating the possible hacking-“

“Chloe, for God’s sake! Your life and your freedom are at stake here! This is your choice to make, not Lex Luthor’s!”

Resolute, but calm Chloe replied, “Yes, I realize that. I trust Lex, Dad. I believe that we will find whoever instigated this frame-up and I’m not going to go against him.”

“You cannot be serious. Chloe, I’m begging you to reconsider.”

“I’m begging you to understand, Dad. I won’t just walk away and give myself in blindly.”

“And you won’t leave Lex?”

“No. I won’t. I love him, Dad.”

“I don’t want to hear this, Chloe. You know how I feel about your relationship to that man.”

“Yes, I do,” she replied sadly, “but that won’t change the fact it exists. It won’t change the fact that I will not simply walk away. It’s something you don’t want to talk about, but ignoring us won’t make us disappear because you will it to disappear. I hope you can respect that.”

“No, I can’t,” he replied firmly, “I just can’t, Chloe.”

“Goodbye, Dad,” she said in closing, hanging up the phone. Without realizing it, she’d begun to cry. Ever since the public disclosure of her relationship with Lex, she and Gabe had been conducting a war of silence and this possible indictment only added flame to that quiet fire. Wiping her face with her shaking hand, she wondered if her father would ever accept Lex as a part of her life.

In his study, Lex had inadvertently heard most of the conversation Chloe conducted with Gabe in the bedroom next door. Guilt washed over him as he realized the situation between Chloe and her father would only get worse as this investigation continued. He was at a loss as to how to advise Chloe, and he could not help but feel the increasing fear that he would lose her.

What have I done to her? How can we ever have a life together when Lionel will stop at nothing to ruin us both?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“You can come in now, “ the man commanded, sitting calmly on an Aeron chair, sifter of brandly held firmly in his left hand.

The woman entered the bedroom, dressed as per his instruction, in a black plunge demi bra, matching snap panties, black garters, stockings and very high heels. She was the type he preferred – blond, curvaceous with blue eyes – and partial to his own bedroom aerobics. True to his preference, she arrived whip in hand.

“Put in on the corner of the bed,” he instructed,” for later.”

Smiling, she did as she was told. The man insisted on having the call girls who performed for him specifically taught to talk only when he authorized. They were also never to question his instructions.

“Strip”, he commanded, as the woman rhythmically began to remove her bra slowly.

“Leave the garters on,” he said. She obeyed and stood before him, snapping the sides of her satin underwear until she stood before, hand over hip, clad only in her lacy garter. Lecherously amused, he touched her thigh approvingly.

“Very nice,” he whispered, “now pleasure me.”

Getting down on her knees, she spread the man’s legs forcefully, unzipping his pants with a practiced right hand. Removing his belt, she tossed it to the side and took him in her hand. He groaned as his arousal grew.

She took him in her mouth, teasing the base of his shaft with the very tip of her tongue. Tasting him with her lips, she gently scratched his testes with her nails, as the man’s head bent backwards. He put his hand on her head and urged her to go faster.

With an experienced mouth, she accelerated her sucking motion, taking him entirely in her mouth. Guiding her movements, he applied a small amount of pressure to her head. The woman went faster, took him in deeper, felt the length of him in her mouth…..on her throat. Bobbing her head, she gripped the sides of his buttocks as he released her head.

“I want you on the floor……on your back,” he said, panting. Now atop her body, he released himself over her breasts, the white semen seemingly the brand of a hunter marking his prey.

He picked her up off the floor and lay her roughly on bad, grasping the whip as he moved. Putting the whip in her hand, he said, “I want you to straddle me, whipping me as you do so. Do not stop hitting me and do not stop fucking.”

She slid over his body, feeling once again for the smooth, large organ. The whip had excited him into arousal quicker than she could have imagined. Smiling maliciously, she mounted him and began whipping his thighs as her movement grew deeper.

“Harder,” he said, grasping her breasts with both hands. She obeyed, striking him with all her strength as she felt his hardness grow inside her. He suddenly grabbed the whip out of her hand, flipped her over and began to thrust inside her vigorously.”

“I will have you, Chloe Sullivan,” he vowed, pumping away furiously,” it’s only a matter of time, I swear.”

Lionel Luthor never went back on his word.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

becky

12th December 2004, 04:59

:huh:

eww, scratch my eyes out! lionel ickiness!! :puke:

the promise of smut had me all :drool: hehe....

intense chapter, i love where you're going with this. Please update again soon!!

~Becky~
:chlexsign3:

kitten

12th December 2004, 05:51

There's no smiley for that kind of chapter.

First of all, the Chlex interaction was great, as usual. Gabe is a reasonable voice in the chaos but I would have been very disappointed and surprised if Chloe had listened to him.

Secondly, the Lionel smut was vivid and disturbing, but there's definitely a basis for a sexual attraction (one-sided) to Chloe. She betrayed him and did so with his son. Even the every-so-dainty edits of Smallville showed at least a few instances where she was the subject of a lusty look.

Finally, I was sold on this story just with the great Chlex relationship. Now I'm fascinated by it. :worship2:

hfce

12th December 2004, 06:24

EWWWWWWWWWWWW!! Please God I dont want Lionel to even breath on Chloe let alone have sex. :puke: Please Please let Lex save her before that happens.

Hope :chlexsign4:

sexi_angel_babee

12th December 2004, 07:12

LIONEL?!?!?!? oh my gosh... get that nasty mental image outta my head... ew ew e ew e ewew ew ew ew ew ew ew ew ew ew ew ew ew ew ew ew ew ew ew ... where's more chlex? :chlexsign1:

autumngold

12th December 2004, 10:24

I hope that Lionel realizes that if Chloe gets her hands on a whip she would only use it to strangle him!! I hope that Lex will be able to keep her safe!! Thanks for the update!! :chlexsign4:

Thessaly

12th December 2004, 13:35

I was enjoying that chapter and now I have to go and bleach my brain...

Gah! That was just wrong. Hooker Chloe and S & M Lionel. I say again, gah!

Thessaly

chril1

12th December 2004, 15:22

LIONEL?!?!?!? oh my gosh... get that nasty mental image outta my head... ew ew e ew e ewew ew ew ew ew ew ew ew ew ew ew ew ew ew ew ew ew ew ew ... where's more chlex?

were ever truer words spoken?

love lea
xxx

Béatrice

12th December 2004, 16:00

EWWW. LIONEL!!! Please bring the Chlex Smut!!! :biggrin:

buddyfozzy

12th December 2004, 18:31

EWWWWWWWWWWWWW! GROSS!!! Sickening.

:puke: :puke: :puke: :puke:

crankychick

12th December 2004, 18:43

Believe me, everyone, writing that was damn painful, but it's necessary for the plot. Next chappy will be easier to take, I promise.

sydsvaughn

12th December 2004, 19:05

Well, I'm all for the "Chloe killing Lionel" when she finds out about his sicko fantasies. Either that or Lex maiming and killing his father (and hey, I LIKE Lionel for the most part, MB that he is)

Still, looking forward to more Chlex next time ... and to see how they get out of this one!

SaraC

campbti

12th December 2004, 19:15

Loved the Chloe interaction and the Gabe squabble. The Lionel was icky, but you did it beautifully. :blinkkiss: Can't wait for more.

:chlexsign2:

crankychick

12th December 2004, 20:09

Title: Tango in New York City
Disclaimer: I own none of the characters and none of the storylines, but I especially do not want to be blamed for Blanda.
Rating: NC-17. It's steamy

Spoilers: A bit of the plot intricacies of season 4 are discussed, with some creative license taken.

Setting: As soon as she graduated from Smallville High, Chloe got out of Kansas and moved out to New York. She got a partial scholarship to New York University and makes up for her other expenses by freelancing. She and Pete are close friends, having briefly shared an apartment in Upper Manhattan before he left to move in with his new girlfriend.

(Lex and Chloe finally use the L word. Accintare makes contact.)

Chapter 12
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

She awoke with a jump and instantly reached out for Lex, realizing that he had not come to bed yet. Peering at the slit of light underneath the door leading to his study, Chloe got out of bed and reached for her robe, putting it on as the room was a bit chilly at 4:00am. Walking unsteadily, she reached for the door and let herself in.

Lex was pouring over report after report, flipping pages and trying to make sense of what made no sense to anyone. He looked exhausted and forlorn. She went up to him and lay her hands on his shoulders.

“Lex, it’s very late,” she said, kissing the top of his head from behind, “come and get some rest.”

“None of this makes any sense,” he repeated mantra-like. “Why is there no trail to the group itself, only to the money? There has to be something else here…..something that’s been missed.”

“And I’m sure you’ll find it,” she assured him, “but not right now. You look as though you’re about to collapse.”

He put his hand on her hand, lowering his head for a moment, “I feel so ashamed.”

“Whatever for?”

“Because the one thing I am sure of is that all of this is a direct result of your being involved with me. Everything I touch becomes tainted. I’ve always known that, but I’ll be damned if I allow the past to repeat itself in you.”

“Oh, Lex,” she whispered, leaning her head down to kiss his cheek, “I know we’ll find a way to get to the bottom of this.”

“I’m so sorry,” he confessed, leaning towards Chloe in utter exhaustion, “you don’t deserve to have any of this happen to you because of Lionel.”

“Don’t apologize,” she said as he rose to his feet, “because you haven’t done anything wrong. Whatever happens…..whatever we have to go through, we’ll go through together….”

But will I lose you in the process?

“And I won’t leave you,” she added, correctly guessing his thoughts.

“Any regrets?” he asked sheepishly.

“Only one,” she said, leaning at his side as they walked towards their bedroom, “that it took me so long to find my way to you.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Side by side, they lay in bed. Neither could sleep. Chloe caressed Lex’s face, moving her hand to his shoulder. He smiled at her in that mysterious way that kept her captivated. For the longest time, they silently touched each other.

“Don’t leave me,” she whispered through half closed eyes as she cuddled closer to him, “I don’t know what I’d do without you.”

“I’ll hold you to that,” he replied, turning on his back and cradling Chloe to his shoulder. “And I’m not planning on going anywhere without you.”

“If I become a jailbird, will you wait for me?” she teased.

“That will never happen, “he swore.

“Good,” she slurred, “so we’ll go on the lam, like Bonnie and Clyde. Only with a better road plan.”

“How can you joke at all of this?”

“Lex,” she purred, “because it’s not what’s important at heart. We have each other, even though we’re going through a shitty, invasive investigation. That makes all the difference in the world.”

“I would have never taken you for an optimist.”

“The company I’m in helps, “she said, smiling as she reached up for his cheek, “as does the love.”

His face instantly turned towards her, eyes fixated on what she’d say next.

“I love you, Lex,” she said, “and I have for the longest time. It’s funny….I was almost afraid to say the words out loud, but that’s disappeared. I’m just not afraid anymore.”

“Chloe, I don’t deserve you,” he said cautiously, “but I’m glad I have you. I could never love anyone the way that I love you.”

She reached for him, bringing him down to her lips as he covered her body with his own. Lex caressed her face with his hands, as he worked his way towards her neck. She sighed with pleasure as he touched the sensitive point, next to her ear.

“Say it again,” he said raggedly, kissing down to her breast.

“I love you, Lex,” she breathed, shivered as he released her right breast and began to suckle her nipple voraciously, teasing the point with slow, circular movements. “I love you.”

Possessively and hungrily, he fastened his lips to her right breast, running his hands along her outer thigh. Slowly, he slithered towards her inner thigh, teasingly running his hand along the lower line of her satin panties.

“Take them off.”

Concerned, she replied, “But Lex, we don’t have anything-“

“There are other ways to give each other pleasure,” he said naughtily. The look on his face made her blush to her toes. Smiling lustily, she took them off. He grabbed them and tossed them to the ground. “You are so very wicked.”

“But you love it,” he said, kissing her waist as he raised her nightgown higher. Chloe took it off and threw it to the ground.

Nipping gently at the flesh of her inner thigh, he felt her inner walls with his finger. She was wet with excitement as he bent to taste her, separating her legs with his arms. Chloe arched instantly as she felt his tongue penetrate her body.

He moved quickly……but then slowed down, prolonging both her pleasure and her anxiety to reach climax. How well he knows my body, she thought to herself. Lex knew to take her almost to the point of coming, but pulled back at the last, possible instant to stretch the moment out.

Chloe’s body spasmed as he grabbed her breasts and began circling her clitoris with his tongue. She felt his fingers inside her and he began to pump her digitally as he licked her whipfast. She felt her body go numb as she moved wildly underneath him, screaming as her orgasm overtook her. Chloe gripped the sides of the bed so desperately that her hands turned red from the stress.

Catlike, he slithered and tongued his way up to her body, gently kissing the bottoms of her breasts, turning onto his side to watch her reaction. Her face was flushed and he was proud of the smile that crossed her face as she turned to look at him.

“Lex, my God,” she panted, ”you have no idea how wild I get when you go down on me.”

“Good,” he replied, “because I like you wild.”

“Do you?” she questioned, “let’s just see about that. It’s a good thing you sleep in the nude.”

“Why is that?” I love playing games with you.

“Easy access.” Now it’s my turn to hear you cry out.

Feeling down his body, she took hold of his penis with her hand. He was rock hard as she pumped him with her hand. Chloe began to kiss his chest, as her hands accelerated their movement. Licking his nipple with the underside of her tongue, she said, “Now say it.”

“I love you, Chloe.”

“Good, “ she uttered, pushing him on his back as she took the head of his shaft into her mouth, circularly moving her tongue about as she continued to pump him slowly with her hand. He was completely under her control.

Bobbing her head as she took him in deeper, Lex moved underneath her, but was stopped when Chloe gripped his hips with her hands and took him in suddenly. He loved her wanton, unabashed aggressiveness in bed. Cupping his balls with her hand, she began to squeeze them gently, as he sighed under his breath.

He placed his hand on her head as Chloe continued to pump him faster. She teased his prostate with her finger and he felt himself quiver as his release crashed. Pumping him furiously with her hand, she kept him in her mouth until she was satisfied. She slid up to lie next to him, and he traced her breast with his finger.

“I think you might have a breast fixation,” she said.

“Only with yours.”

Chloe laughed, “So we’re in love…..two wildly aggressive, sexually energetic beasts.”

“Making everything right in the world,” he agreed, cradling her in the nook of his arm.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Cardwell had Chloe’s monitor monitored round the clock and he was informed the instant the message was received.

I see it didn’t take long for you to find what was so easy to plant……….A meeting should take place, but only Ms. Sullivan and Mr. Luthor should be in attendance…….Should anyone else be present, more information linking Ms. Sullivan to Accintare’s activities will be disclosed to the CIA……You will be notified accordingly.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~

Impress

12th December 2004, 20:38

:drool: and...yeah...

good stuff. glad they finally used the L word.

More soon.

buddyfozzy

12th December 2004, 21:26

They said I love you! YAY!! :yay: :wub: :yay:

I don't have a good feeling about this meeting with only Chloe and Lex though. :ohmy:

hfce

12th December 2004, 22:32

Good smut but they are walking into a trap. :ohmy:

Hope :chlexsign4:

becky

12th December 2004, 23:13

ok, that totally made up for the lionel ickiness!

I love how you're writing chloe and lex... their relationship is just so intense, and of course the smut is always a bonus :drool:

Thanks for the fast update!! More soon!

~Becky~
:chlexsign3:

autumngold

13th December 2004, 00:26

All I can say is WOW!! Excellent new chapter!! But please, please keep Lex and Chloe safe!! :wub: :chlexsign4: :wub:

crankychick

13th December 2004, 01:00

Title: Tango in New York City
Disclaimer: I own none of the characters and none of the storylines, but I especially do not want to be blamed for Blanda.
Rating: NC-17. It's steamy

Spoilers: A bit of the plot intricacies of season 4 are discussed, with some creative license taken.

Setting: As soon as she graduated from Smallville High, Chloe got out of Kansas and moved out to New York. She got a partial scholarship to New York University and makes up for her other expenses by freelancing. She and Pete are close friends, having briefly shared an apartment in Upper Manhattan before he left to move in with his new girlfriend.

(Clark can’t find Chloe and freaks out. Pete tries to convince him to leave. Lex investigates the Accintare mole. Lionel prepares for revenge. The meeting is set.)

Chapter 13
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Clark tried Chloe’s cell phone once again. Her voicemail picked up and he felt like throttling her. For two weeks now, no one had been able to reach her.

“You have to give this up, Clark,” Pete insisted, as the two shared some sandwiches and chips for dinner. Alissa was once again, stuck at the office. “Chloe’s called me every night since this whole thing started to tell me she’s fine.”

“But she won’t talk to me!”

“Last time she tried, you told her she was sleeping with the devil.”

“I can’t stand this, Pete. I can’t stand the fact she won’t talk to me.”

“No, Clark, what you can’t stand is the fact you lost her. You realized how much she meant to you much too late. She loves Lex. That’s not an easy thing for me to say, but it’s the truth. And he’s got to love her too – look at the huge risk he’s taking on. The man’s fighting the government to clear her name.”

“Pete, I’m not letting this go. This is Lex. He goes thorough women the way most people go through tissue.”

“If that were true, they’d be over by now, Clark. Face it, they’re together. You can’t do anything to change that.”

We’ll see about that.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Luthor Complex
Grand Cayman Island

Once the indictments were handed out, Lex got Chloe out of the country until he could verify the source for the series of messages they’d received. So far, he’d received only cryptic messages about a future meeting, but he’d be damned if he’d let Chloe witness whatever sick games they had in mind.

Years ago, he’d bought a private beach resort that he used only sporadically and this had become his new home with Chloe. He didn’t care how long it took – until he found a way of meeting with Accintare and clearing her name, he wasn’t giving the Fed’s a thing.

We will make you the most hated man in the world, Mr. Luthor, unless you comply with our demands.

Cardwell waited for him in his study. Lex joined him at the conference table as the man presented a series of folders to him.

“Are these the background checks?”

“Yes. These are all the people who are on our list of suspects. Only persons having access to Ms. Sullivan’s home, office and classes are being probed at the moment.”

Lex began to review the five folders, until he came to one very interesting fact in one of them. “This one,” he indicated, “pursue this suspect further………phone taps, bank accounts, and video surveillance.”

“Consider it done,” Cardwell replied.

“Also, contact R & D and verify that the prototype has been demoed. I need that thing up and operational before they contact us with the final meeting location.

“It was being tested this morning, but there are still some glitches in the system. They’ll need at least another week.”

“I don’t know if I guarantee them that time,” he replied, “so instruct them that time is of the essence. Aside from the probe into the suspected additional Accintare funds, this is the most critical thing we have to work on.”

It’s the only thing that will guarantee both the meeting and Chloe’s safety. Without it, we’re all screwed.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Lounging on the rooftop pool, Chloe tried to keep her mind off the fact she was now officially a fugitive. Ever since they arrived at the complex, Lex had the place under constant guard, allowing virtually no access to the main house itself. Despite the beauty of the place, she was terrified.

She leaned back onto her lounge chair, put her headphones on and tried her best to relax. The sounds of Cat Stevens lulled her somewhat into a state of calm

But if you wanna leave, take good care
I hope you have a lot of nice things to wear
But then a lot of nice things turn bad out there

What the hell was she going to do if Lex was unable to clear the false accusations against her? Chloe was becoming plagued with doubts.

Oh, baby, baby, it's a wild world
It's hard to get by just upon a smile
Oh, baby, baby, it's a wild world
I'll always remember you like a child, girl

”You look extremely pensive,” Lex said, sitting in the chair next to hers.

“I’m trying my best,” she replied, “but I’m still a wreck.

“And this, I’m sure, isn’t going to help.”

“What?”

“Accintare has made contact. They want to meet only with the two of us.”

“We’ll be dead before that meeting takes place.”

“My thoughts exactly, which is why I’ve devised a plan.”

“Let’s have it, then.”

He told her what he had sketched out and Chloe just shook her head and sighed. “It sounds risky, but do you think it’ll work?”

“We have to try at least.”

“And if it doesn’t work?”

“Then I’m sure Accintare will be in contact again, much more angry than before.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~

The day for the meeting was set. Eight thirty am at the Hotel Mirabeau in Lausanne, Switzerland. Lionel watched as Lex and Chloe anxiously awaited the landing of Lex Corp jet plane. He smiled as he eagerly anticipated seeing them both face to face.

They arrived at five minutes past the hour of eight and were promptly met by Accintare’s four man security team. At fifteen past, no one emerged from the plane. When they boarded to see what the delay was, they were met by Lex’s own security dispatch who took the men into custody.

One man was allowed to return, while the other three were immediately flown to the Caymans. A message was sent to Lionel Luthor via an MP3 player given to the man returned to Accintare.

It’s amazing the progress hologram technology has made at Lex Corp over the past few years. I hope you enjoyed watching Chloe on the monitoring I’m sure you still have in effect, Father, because that’s as close to her as you’ll be getting. The men I’ve taken from you will no doubt cooperate fully once they’re in the hands of the US authorities.

Assume the blame for the accusations now levied at Chloe or the money you so carefully hid away in Paraguay will find its’ way to the authorities as well. I’ll expect contact to be made within fifteen minutes of receiving this alert-activated message, or the 15 billion dollars in Paraguay as well as the additional 20 in Argentina will be gone. The wires have already been instigated.

One more note of caution: I didn’t start this, but I’m up to the task of finishing it. Show yourself to me, but if you come near Chloe the consequences will be dire. I’ve got enough Luthor maliciousness in me to make sure you disappear from the face of this earth and endure unimaginable torture.

This message will self-destruct in ten seconds.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

buddyfozzy

13th December 2004, 01:47

I sure hope everything works out okay :ohmy:

asharnanae

13th December 2004, 02:34

:devil: DAMN!!!! :yay: :worship2:

hfce

13th December 2004, 03:59

EEK!!! Go Chloe and Lex. Please let them kick Lionel in the butt. ;)

Hope :chlexsign3:

Impress

13th December 2004, 04:12

:ohmy: can't wait to see what's next

sydsvaughn

13th December 2004, 05:48

I love seeing Lex and Chloe against the world ... more soon please!

SaraC

tiger04

13th December 2004, 07:39

more please

AT

autumngold

13th December 2004, 08:36

Damn, Lex is one tough cookie!! I hope his plan works!! Thank you for the terrific update!! I can't wait for you to post more!! :yay2: :chlexsign1: :yay2:

becky

13th December 2004, 17:46

:yay: ooh this is fab!!

It's so fab that you update this so fast... each chapter is just so excellent!

Can't wait for more :wub:

~Becky~
:chlexsign3:

Kit Merlot

13th December 2004, 18:47

The suspense in these chapters is excellent!

WELL DONE :biggrin:

I hope everything works out okay for our couple. :chlexsign2:

crankychick

14th December 2004, 03:24

Title: Tango in New York City
Disclaimer: I own none of the characters and none of the storylines, but I especially do not want to be blamed for Blanda.
Rating: NC-17. It's steamy

Spoilers: A bit of the plot intricacies of season 4 are discussed, with some creative license taken.

Setting: As soon as she graduated from Smallville High, Chloe got out of Kansas and moved out to New York. She got a partial scholarship to New York University and makes up for her other expenses by freelancing. She and Pete are close friends, having briefly shared an apartment in Upper Manhattan before he left to move in with his new girlfriend.

(Chloe watches DVDs and gets a plan for revenge. Lionel strikes out against Lex. All hell breaks loose. Don’t mess with Chloe’s man – ever.)

Chapter 14
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Grand Cayman

It took nearly a month for the indictments to be dropped, time that Chloe and Lex spent in the luxury of his Caribbean complex. They decided to wait until mid-month before returning to New York. He was already being hailed by the press for his role in successfully bringing at least twelve members of Accintare to justice thanks to his Switzerland plot.

“I imagine Lionel’s upset about the way things have turned out.”

“And to think I once doubted you,” Chloe said, slipping the DVD into the player.

“Well, we’re not out of the clear yet,” he insisted, “I’m convinced more than ever that he’ll never give up. As long as he’s out there, we’re both going to have to endure security measures.”

“Is Interpol any closer to finding him?”

“Not at all,”

“Then I think you and I are about to become serious couch potatoes. And here we go…..the infamous thirteenth episode.”

She sat next to Lex as the sounds of AC/DC’s “Back in Black started up.

“Damn, that girl is hot,” Chloe said, watching Sydney Bristow sashay her muscular physique wearing a bra and panty set like it was no one’s business. “That outfit would never look as good on me.”

“You have got to be kidding me, Chloe. If I saw you coming towards me in Agent Provocateur gear and a whip, I’d faint on the spot.”

“Seriously?” she questioned.

“I’m a guy, Chloe. Visual provocation will do me in.”

“I’ll have to keep that in mind,” she replied, cuddling next to him.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Some hours later, Chloe made her scheduled phone call to Pete.

“Hey, Pete.”

“Hey, it’s my favorite fugitive.”

“That line’s getting pretty fucking old, my friend.”

“I only have about a week to use, so suck it up, Sullivan.”

She laughed as she put her feet up on her desk, “I’ll be happy to get back, Pete, but I’m going to miss Caribbean life. This place is gorgeous.”

“For a woman who’s been on the run for over a month, you sound pretty damn happy.”

“It’s weird, I know, but I am. I love him, Pete and you should have seen the lengths he went to to make sure everything was straightened out.”

“Considering he was partially to blame for it starting up-“

“Oh for fuck’s sake, Lionel Luthor would have come after me whether or not Lex got involved with me. He’s got a score to settle.”

“Come home soon, Chloe. I’d rather argue with you in person.”

“Arguing in two’s or three’s?”

“Meaning, of course, is Clark still here? The answer is yes. He’s been back every weekend since you’ve been gone.”

“Man, I hope you and Alissa are charging him rent.”

“Don’t even get me started.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Friday came and they decided to head down to the beach. Chloe had spent very little outside since they’d arrived – the closest she’d gotten was the rooftop salt water pool – and it was bon voyage luncheon. The jet plane was being prepared for their return to New York that evening.

Lex brought out some champagne, while Chloe carried a small basket with freshly steamed shrimp and lobster, lovingly prepared by the matronly house cook who’d taken a liking to Chloe . They were both dressed in white as they walked on the sand on an idyllic, sunlit afternoon.

That was, until they were interrupted by the sounds of gunfire. Lex went down, covering Chloe with his body as the security crew descended towards the seaside. One of Lex’ security men went down, but not before taking a crucial spot at the driver in the speedboat that had attacked them.

As Chloe managed to move, she realized Lex had passed out on top of her, and she became aware of a sticky sensation on her back. When she put her hand on Lex’s back to rouse him, it was stained with his blood.

“NO! NO! Lex, sweetheart……..open your eyes…….open your eyes……..Please, SOMEBODY help me! Lex has been SHOT!”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Chloe trembled with anger outside the doors of the small hospital where two bullets had been taken out of Lex’s right hand shoulder. Thankfully, the wounds weren’t deep and had not hit any major arteries or else he would have been instantly killed. The doctors had sedated him, Chloe steadfastly at his side. She’d been with him through the painful extraction.

Now that Lex was resting, her first call had been to Cardwell, requesting copies of the surveillance and activity reports on Lionel Luthor.

I’m going to find you, motherfucker, and make you pay for every moment of pain you’ve ever put Lex through.

Cardwell emailed the reports to the laptop brought to her from the house. Page by page, she surveyed them until she came across a pattern.

He pays for prostitutes………extremely high class prostitutes and all of the same description. His weakness is…….women who look like me.

She felt like throwing up, however beneficial this tidbit would be towards bringing him down. Gesturing towards one of the security guards, she waited until the man was out of the room before speaking. She didn’t want Lex catching wind of what she had planned.

“Get together two members of the team and have them meet me at the house in an hour. Cardwell will be meeting me there. I think I have a plan for bringing down the cocksucker who shot Lex down.”

“He won’t like it if it puts you in the line of fire, Ms. Sullivan.”

“We don’t have a choice in this. He tried to take out Lex and that makes it winner take all. That asshole is going down.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
AZORES ISLANDS

They’d tried to talk her out of this, but Chloe knew what needed to be done. In the bathroom of the posh suite, she mentally reviewed the instructions given to her by the call girl agency she’d been contracted to. She’d dyed her hair a dark blonde, wore hazel-colored contacts and altered her makeup to change her appearance as much as possible.

She looked herself over in the mirror again. Chloe was dressed up in a navy lace plunge bra, matching panties, stockings and thigh high navy boots. She was sex incarnate, complete with whip and fake tattoo. Adjusting her cleavage and adding a touch of blush to her cheeks, she prepared herself for her grand unveiling

I’ll give him the last fantasy he’ll ever want.

The clock chimed eleven – the time this charade was to begin. In her mind, “Back in Black” had started to play.

Are you ready for me, baby?

Chloe grabbed her whip and shimmied out towards the bedroom. The bastard was sitting there in the dark, expecting his usual show.

“Come towards me, “ he commanded, “and put the whip on the bed for later.”

She smiled, did as she was told – except for one minor detail. Pressing down on a small button located at the base of the whip, she watched maliciously as the dart hit the mark. Lionel had been struck midchest.

“I think you’ll find the show will be slightly altered,” she purred, sitting on the corner of the bed as he convulsed. “Don’t worry, Lionel. It won’t kill you. It’s just a very potent, long lasting anesthetic agent, specifically a paralyzer. With the dosage running through your body now, I wouldn’t plan on moving for the next week at least.”

She spread her legs, running the cattail from the tip of her foot to the trim of her underwear. “You’ve been paying whores for this little masquerade. Well, it’s come to life now, Mr. Luthor, but it’s going to become your worst fucking nightmare. And don’t think for a minute that I’m going to kill you. You’ll wish you were dead, but I won’t kill you.”

Chloe took the tap off the heel of her left boot and imbedded it deeply in his left leg. His eyes shot open, but there was no other movement. She unsnapped her bra, letting it fall to the ground

“You’ve fantasized about these,” she said, grabbing her breasts, “but they’ll never be yours. Your son will enjoy them………….as he has countless times since we’ve been together.”

Putting both her hands on her underwear, she removed them in one fell swoop, standing before him in only the stockings and lethal boots. Chloe placed a hand on her pubis, shaking her finger at him with her free hand.

“And here’s something else that you will never have. Not that a pitiful shithead like you could have ever satisfied me in here. Not like Lex. He drives me wild……..makes me come loudly every single, fucking time…………………your son’s quite a man……it’s obvious he didn’t get that from you.”

She lay on the bed, giving him a sideway partial view of her hand sliding up her thighs. “All I have to do is think of Lex and I get wet……..the way he kisses me………..the way he grabs my breasts when he shoves his dick inside me…………the way he can pound away on top of me until he’s satisfied me.”

Chloe began to finger herself. Looking over she saw the paralyzed expression on Lionel’s face and laughed, “Oh, and did I forget to warn you about the danger there is that you might have a heart attack while under the effects of this drug? My bad.”

She continued to finger fuck herself, clutching her breasts as she thought of Lex. “You could never have me. The only way you could even get close to fucking me was to hire women who looked like me. You’re pathetic……you’re lower than a dog.”

Heart racing, she could feel herself about to come and arched her back, cutting the bed with the spike in her boot. She lay on the bed for a moment to get her wits about her. After a minute, she was off instantly. Collecting her things, she redressed and walked up to Lionel. Boot upright, she slashed his right leg, arms and face, ending her assault by embedding him in the side.

“The men guarding you are dead by now, so I’m sure you won’t be seeing the light of day ever again. I want you to remember, bastard, that you lost. That I just made a completely useless puppet out of you and I won’t waste another minute of my time thinking about you.”

Hitting the button located on her watch, Chloe sat on the bed and waited for Lex’s men to come pick up ‘the package’.

“Now, now, “she chastised, “don’t look so put out. We had fun, after all. At least, I know I did. Was it good for you, too?”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

sydsvaughn

14th December 2004, 07:11

Chloe 'Sydney Bristow' Sullivan. How can you NOT love that woman. Although, I can't wait to hear Lex's reaction to this all ... <eg>

SaraC

hfce

14th December 2004, 07:15

Oh my Lord :goof: wow who knew Chloe had such a naughty mouth. :lol: Damn I would never guess that she took Lionel down. She actually killed him. She is a Luthor now. :clap:

Hope :D

becky

14th December 2004, 14:37

at the risk of sounding british...

bloody hell!!!

that was so cool!

~Becky~

crankychick

14th December 2004, 15:27

Chloe 'Sydney Bristow' Sullivan.

SaraC, I'm glad you liked this chapter since it was your screenname that gave me the idea for how Chloe's revenge would play out!

autumngold

14th December 2004, 20:02

Why do I have a feeling that Lex will be mad? I wouldn't like my mother to see my man naked!! But, great chapter!! Maybe Lex won't really have to know the details? More soon please!! :yay: :chlexsign3: :yay:

buddyfozzy

14th December 2004, 20:16

Originally posted by sydsvaughn@Dec 14 2004, 07:11 AM
Chloe 'Sydney Bristow' Sullivan. How can you NOT love that woman. Although, I can't wait to hear Lex's reaction to this all
My thoughts exactly!

Wow, this was an amazing chapter, I can't believe that Chloe actually took him down. I hope Lex recovers quickly and I can't wait until he finds out what happened. :yay: :yay: :worship2: :worship2: :yay: :yay:

Chimera0523

14th December 2004, 20:40

Great story!!! I like this Chloe. She is not just going to sit back and watch the people she loves get hurt. This just made me want to go and watch Alias, good thing my roommate has the DVDs. I can’t wait to find out what Lex thinks of Chole’s actions. Keep up the great work!! :chlexsign1:

~Michelle

Kit Merlot

14th December 2004, 21:17

I adore Chloe, busting Lionel with shades of Sydney Bristow :devil:

AWESOME!

asharnanae

15th December 2004, 00:21

D. A. M. N.!!!!!!!!!! :devil:

S.Ann Smith

15th December 2004, 00:24

more soon please....

awesome revenge btw!

estrellalily

15th December 2004, 08:21

:wub: THAT. WAS. SO. GREAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :wub:
oh my god! go chloe, kick his ass.
please give me more soon :blinkkiss:
~estrellalily

crankychick

17th December 2004, 20:27

Title: Tango in New York City
Disclaimer: I own none of the characters and none of the storylines, but I especially do not want to be blamed for Blanda.
Rating: NC-17. It's steamy

Spoilers: A bit of the plot intricacies of season 4 are discussed, with some creative license taken.

Setting: As soon as she graduated from Smallville High, Chloe got out of Kansas and moved out to New York. She got a partial scholarship to New York University and makes up for her other expenses by freelancing. She and Pete are close friends, having briefly shared an apartment in Upper Manhattan before he left to move in with his new girlfriend.

(Chloe and Lex face the aftermath of Chloe's revenge against Lionel. Lex gives in to his jealousy. Pete is, once again, Chloe's bestest friend. Clark will continue to piss off this fic's readers)

Chapter 14
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Grand Cayman

“How?” he questioned for the millioneth time, “How could you possibly do this, Chloe?”

“Very simply,” she seethed, “he tried to kill you, Lex. He’s tried to kill me before. There was no way in hell I was going to let him get away with destroying either one of us.”

She’d told him some vague details about what exactly she’d put Lionel Luthor through, omitting the most sexual referenced. The reports from the attending physician indicated that not only had she shot him in the chest with a paralyzing agent, but she’d stabbed him in precise locations – not to cause death, but excessive, agonizing pain. It had been a week since she returned and Lionel had barely spoken a word about what had gone on between the two of them.

“She knows and I know,” were all Lex had been able to get out of his father. The vagueness of that reply enraged him.

“And just how far did you take this….torment?”

Her eyes became catlike slits of anger. “What exactly are you insinuating?

“You posed as a prostitute and were seen almost completely undressed on Lionel’s bed! What else am I supposed to fucking think, Chloe, when you won’t speak a word?”

Chloe couldn’t believe what he was asking her. “So this is the extent of your trust? I trap and bring your father to you, but you cannot get past the fact I had to lay a trap to reel him in.”

“Did you fuck him?” he asked bluntly.

She turned her head in disgust, her entire body reeling in pain. “I cannot believe you would even ask me that, Lex.”

“Since, as you’ve just stated, there was no way in hell you were going to let him get away with destroying either one of us, the question is justified,” he insisted, “I merely want to know how much it took for you to bring him down.”

As she turned her face in his direction, Lex came to realization that he’d gone too far with his jealous stance. She looked at him angrily, as if he were a bug about to be squashed.

“Get away from me,” she muttered under her breath, angrily storming out of their bedroom. “That you could even think I’d………no, dammit, no. The very fact you had to question me about fucking your father makes me all the more determined to never answer the question. I did what I had to do to protect us….to protect you. Think on that and get your head out of the gutter.”

“Chloe, I need to know,” Lex insisted, “Did he touch you? Did you touch him?”

“My God, you’re obsessed with this? What’s the matter, Lex – don’t want to touch Daddy’s leavings? How do you know he’s not ‘my’ leavings? Oh, right, you never will because I’ll never confirm or deny a thing. Perhaps Lionel will. He’s known for giving you what you want, isn’t he?”

She was paying him back for his jealousy with a cruelty he’d never thought to have seen in her. Lex was surprised by her venomous stance and by the words that cut him to the heart. As he lay back on his bed, he looked at her and shook his head. “Until I know for certain, I can’t be with you, Chloe. I can’t be around you.”

“And there’s the never ending trust and loyalty you said you had for me,” she bit back, “It didn’t live long, did it? It couldn’t survive your eternal rivalry to better Lionel Luthor. You’re so afraid of losing or conceding anything to that man that you’re willing to twist some evasive facts to further your vendetta. Well, I’ve had enough - enough of that game and enough of your questioning. Believe what you want.”

She stormed out of the bedroom and Lex wished fervently that he could take back the last hour of his life. What had he done? How could he believe she’d be willing to……the very thought of his father even touching her….

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

On the following morning, he arose shortly after dawn, slowly making his way out of bed. His shoulder was still delicate and caused him pain, but he was determined not to become dependent on painkillers to deal with the transition back into health. Doing his best to clean himself up, he dressed simply and went downstairs to face Chloe once again.

Cardwell was waiting for him in his study. “Glad to see you moving about again, Mr. Luthor.”

“It’ll take some time, Cardwell, but I’m getting there. What do you have for me?”

“Nothing, sir. Lionel Luthor refuses to say a word.”

“When are we scheduled to turn him over to the CIA?”

“72 hours. Not even Ms. Sullivan could get a word out of him.”

“Ms. Sullivan.”

“Yes. She asked to see him at around midnight, before she left.”

“Left?”

“I thought you knew. She took the first flight off the island into Miami early this morning.”

“Is she on her way to New York yet?”

“I wouldn’t know sir, “Cardwell responded, “she arranged for her own transportation from Miami onwards.”

“What?”

“She seemed……rather upset.”

“I can imagine,” Lex added, not wishing to comment further.

“If I may add something, Mr. Luthor.”

“Go ahead, Cardwell.”

“The agent that Ms. Sullivan used on your father would have rendered it…….impossible for any sort of ……intimacy. Even a week later, his motor reflexes are still limited.”

The man had correctly surmised the situation Lex was living through. “Thank you, Cardwell. I think that’s all we need say on the matter.”

“Except for this, sir. She took an enormous risk……a risk every member of your security entourage advised her against. But seeing you after you were hit, Mr. Luthor, broke something inside her. Miss Sullivan is one of the bravest women I’ve ever worked with. Experienced mercenaries would shy away from targeting Lionel Luthor.”

Lex nodded his head as he left the room, the full impact of his massive blunder hitting him like a rock. Why the hell hadn’t he considered the effects of the injected agent?

Stopping at the entryway for a moment and without facing Cardwell, Lex instructed, “Find her, Cardwell. I don’t care how long it takes.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

An entire day of traveling and she was finally home. She’d called Pete upon arrival at Newark Liberty and he’d agreed to meet her at the airport. Chloe had taken only a small duffel bag, her purse and some essentials. From Lex, she’d taken only enough money to help get her back to the United States, vowing to herself to pay back every dime when she was able to.

As soon as cleared customs and walked towards the public terminal, she saw Pete waiting for her. He smiled and waved in her direction. Chloe felt immense relief at being home again.

“My fugitive is back,” he joked.

“Keep your voice down,” she advised, “you’ll never know what it’s like to have the Department of Justice stamp your passport once you’ve been labeled a security risk.”

“And I hope I never will.”

She was quiet for a moment, the smile fading from her face. “I’ve left him, Pete.”

Pete looked surprised, but was completely taken aback when she began crying hysterically. Embracing her gently, he patted her on the back as she forlornly wept.

“I know it hurts,” he said, “but you’re home now. Come on, let’s get you home. Take out it is because I think this is going to be one of our long talk nights.”

“What about-“

“I already told Alissa,” he added, “that I don’t think you should be home tonight. She’s alright with it.”

“Thank you, Pete.”

“No sweat. Now come on. Maybe we can beat rush hour traffic if we hustle.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“We’ve confirmed that Miss Sullivan landed this afternoon, Mr. Luthor,” Cardwell said.

“Good. How soon can I fly in?”

“That won’t be easy, sir. Your doctor won’t clear you to fly for at least another week and before flying in to New York, you have to physically present yourself in Washington D.C.”

“There’s no way of getting out of that?”

“No, sir. It was the arrangement you set up to get the charges against yourself and Miss Sullivan dropped.”

“Right – then we’ll have to follow procedure. No escaping it.”

Both men hung up simultaneously, as Lex returned to the hell of his own making. The bedroom had become a fortress of memories, permeating the absence of Chloe all the more. Two days she’d been gone and for two days he’d wandered every room, wondering how the hell he’d been stupid enough to let her go.

It was the thought of her with another man – especially my bastard of my father – that made jump out of my skin and lash out at her. No wonder I lost-

No fucking way in hell was he going to accept losing Chloe. He had to deal with physical distance and red tape, but he was going to get her back and didn’t care what groveling or pleading he had to do to secure her forgiveness. Lex was determined to get her back.

Finding her robe lying across their bedroom chaise, Lex ran his hand down the satiny material, petal soft and infused with Chloe’s scent. He picked it up and inhaled deeply, remembering the night they’d been so anxious to make love, he’d ripped the matching nightgown off her body and she’d left welts on his shoulders with his nails. Chloe matched his passion, step for step, and he missed the feel of her next to him.

But it was more than physicality that inflamed his sense of loss. Chloe was the first woman that he not only desired, but also craved tenderness from. On the nights when he was plagued by his habitual nightmares, she’d cradled him to sleep, often times holding him for hours at a time until the sound of her heart lulled him to passivity. They shared the combined feelings of maternal loss, and their fears for their own future mental capacity.

No, he was not prepared to let her go. He had his answer
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

NYU had allowed her to finish her term’s coursework online, giving her a set amount of time to turn in her assignments. Because she’d done most of her prerequisites via two summer intensive terms, her next and final semester allowed her little actual class time. Chloe looked upon that as a small blessing – she couldn’t bear to think of the gossip that had no doubt been circulated about her.

Pete had stayed with her for three days and was nice enough to stock up her refrigerator and cupboard since she’d be housebound for the next few days, playing catch up. Digging into a Hostess cupcake, she started up her new IMac and began to get to work. She ran her hand on its’ smooth surface, remembering her surprise when Lex had given it to her after they’d arrived in the Cayman’s.

“So you can catch up on your blogs,” he’d said.

A part of me is missing, she thought to herself, now that he’s no longer at my side. Sadness had now become second nature to her mornings and not a sunrise went by that she didn’t remember waking up at his side on those blazingly hot, Caribbean mornings. Vividly, she recalled the feel of his flesh under her hand as she’d awoken on his chest. Chloe relived the heat of his hands, scalding her body, every time they’d made love.

He’s not here in body, but he’s left his mark on me. How will I fill this emptiness?

Putting the pastry to the side, she began logging on and pulling her notebook out of her desk drawer. As she opened the book, she heard a distant knock on her door. Chloe’s heart jumped.

Lex.

Their fight suddenly didn’t matter as much as the desire to see him again. Even if it meant another round of verbal uppercuts and jabs, Chloe needed to see him. She needed to hear him say that no matter what she’d done to bring Lionel Luthor down, that he still trusted her. Chloe needed to hear him affirm the love he claimed to have for her.

Her legs trembled as she strengthened her resolve and went to open the door. Breathing in deeply before turning the lock, Chloe shut her eyes, opening them only upon opening the door.

It wasn’t who she’d thought it would be. “Clark,” she greeted effusively, “what are you doing here?”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

buddyfozzy

17th December 2004, 22:16

NOOO! He has to get her back, he better beg and plead. At lease now Lex realizes what a jerk he was to her. :ohmy: :ohmy: :ohmy:

Clark, that bastard! The nerve of him showing up at her apartment! :devil: :devil:

becky

17th December 2004, 22:25

:worship2:

oh wow!! this story is so fantastic... i don't like it that chlex are on the rocks right now, but i love that it's so realistic.

more soon!

~Becky~
:chlexsign3:

autumngold

17th December 2004, 23:23

I'm glad that Chloe didn't tell Lex about pleasuring herself in front of Lionel!! I know that was her way of telling Lionel that it was never going to happen, but I don't think jealous Lex would like it!! Thanks so much for the update!! Please, please don't let Chloe get together with Clunk!! Please!! :yay2: :chlexsign4: :yay2:

hfce

17th December 2004, 23:38

Lex you idiot!!!! :rage: and why is Clark there. Go away dumb one go away. :rolleyes:

Hope ;)

Impress

18th December 2004, 04:21

ok,

First, I adored that Chloe was the one to bring down Lionel.

Second, Lex is an idiot. But you can almost understand where he is coming from. Now, Lex needs to show up at Chloe's place with a nice green rock, and sweep Chloe off her feet, while at the same time doing away with the Clunk.

Great so far. More soon.

sydsvaughn

18th December 2004, 07:42

I'm with Imp.

Lex, go reclaim and apologize to your woman ... and throw a meteor rock at Clunk.

SaraC

kirt30

18th December 2004, 19:22

more more i want lex

crankychick

19th December 2004, 05:22

Title: Tango in New York City
Disclaimer: I own none of the characters and none of the storylines, but I especially do not want to be blamed for Blanda.
Rating: NC-17. It's steamy

Spoilers: A bit of the plot intricacies of season 4 are discussed, with some creative license taken.

Setting: As soon as she graduated from Smallville High, Chloe got out of Kansas and moved out to New York. She got a partial scholarship to New York University and makes up for her other expenses by freelancing. She and Pete are close friends, having briefly shared an apartment in Upper Manhattan before he left to move in with his new girlfriend.

(Clark continues to play with fire. Lex watches from the street. The unknown Accintare contact continues to follow Chloe and Lex.)

Chapter 16
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“Clark,” Chloe said, leaning on the left side of her doorway, “I don’t think it’s a good idea for you to be here.”

“Chloe, I’m just here as your friend, nothing more, I swear,” he replied.

Reluctantly, she let him in. The place was already a disaster, with crumpled paper strewn on the tables and living room furniture, where Chloe had been attempting to get some work.

“You’ve done a lot with the place.”

“Architectural Digest can’t wait to photograph it,” she deadpanned. “I never said I kept house.”

“I was just kidding.”

“I know,” she sighed, “and I’m sorry. Today’s just not one of my good days.”

“Pete told me about – well-,”

“About my falling out with Lex?” Chloe replied, “well we have to call it something – might as well be a falling out. I’ve always loved that term.”

“Are you alright?” he asked, noting that she’d been drinking. There was a half-empty bottle of wine next to her open laptop.

“I suppose not,” she said, ruffling her hair as she sat down on her couch to shut off her computer, “Some of the stuff I’ve written tonight would make Andrea Dworkin’s writings seem tame.”

“Let me get you some coffee.”

“I don’t want any fucking coffee, Clark, “ she bit back, “I like my half-drunkenness and bitterness. In fact, I want to lie in it…swim in it. If it worked for Dylan Thomas, why not me?”

“Chloe, you just need to relax.”

“Sit down, Clark, and quit the advice. Just be my friend, ok?”

Sitting down next to her, he watched as Chloe finished her glass of wine and turned to offer him some. He shook his head no as she poured herself another glass.

“I just feel like drinking until the drink takes over every emotion I’m feeling,” she declared. Until it fills up the empty void that is me…..and permeates the sensation that I’ve lost the most precious thing I’ve ever had.”

Clark put his hand on her shoulder. She looked over towards him with tears in her eyes.

“I love him,” she said simply, “and now it’s over. The words are simple, aren’t they? Why isn’t the emotion the same?”

Chloe leaned forward as Clark put his hands on her back, gently caressing her shoulders. “Clark, I think you should stop.”

In a flash, he removed his hands and apologetically looked away, stuttering, “I’m-I’m sorry. I didn’t mean anything by it.”

Chloe instantly turned to him and said, “Yes, you did. And the problem isn’t that I disapproved – the problem’s that I’m afraid I’d give in and start up another slew of trouble.”

He began to move towards her, “But why? If you still love him why are you afraid of anything happening between us?”

“Clark, don’t be a child. I love Lex, but I’m still aware enough to know that I’m drunk and in the company of an attractive man who desires me. A person doesn’t have to be completely coherent to be aware of the danger of the situation.”

“You still think I’m attractive?” he repeated.

“Grow up, Clark,” she admonished, “That wasn’t said to sate your ego.”

“Prove it,” he said.

“Prove what?”

“That if we kissed, you’d feel nothing.”

A bit of out sorts, but mad at hell at Clark’s proposal, she took his face in her hands and kissed him deeply, opening his mouth with her tongue. Clark, shocked but responsive, placed his hands on her waist and returned the kiss, their faces moving rapidly. Just as quickly as she’d begun the kiss, she stopped it.

“I can go through the motions,” Chloe stated as Clark attempted to bring her close again,” but there’s nothing there for me. And that would be wrong, Clark.”

“No one need ever know,” he said, beginning to kiss her neck.

“I’d know,” she attested, moving away from him.

She stood and walked to the window, looking at the park path that snaked on the sidewalk below. “You deserve better than to be used by someone….the way that I’d be using you if I allowed anything to happen tonight.”

He stood up and walked towards her until he stood behind her. “It wouldn’t be like that.”

“Yes, it would, for me,” she insisted, “and deep inside, you know I’m right.”

Defeated, he looked down and walked out of the living room towards the front door as Chloe put her face in her hands and cried.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

From the driver’s side of his car, Lex Luthor watched as Clark exited Chloe’s building. His first instinct was to confront the little maggot and give him a pummeling for taking advantage of Chloe during this rough patch in their relationship. What he’d give to have naïve farm boy under his fist.

That would simply continue to prove your lack of trust in Chloe. Just because he’s leaving her apartment, doesn’t mean anything’s happened.

The moment Clark turned the corner and was out of sight, Lex exited his car and made his way up to Chloe.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Once again, the persistent knocking on the door interrupted her attempt to get and loaded. Stomping angrily to the door, she prepared to tell Clark Kent off loudly.

Opening the door, she said, “Clark, just go-“

Looking up, she saw that it was Lex and not Clark and lost her train of thought.

“Hello, Chloe.”

“Uh, hi.”

Awkwardly she stood in the doorway as Lex parallely stood in her corridor. They looked at each other and simultaneously burst out laughing.

“Come in,” she said, when she’d finally been able to stop.

As soon as Chloe had closed the door, Lex picked her up and embraced her tightly.

“I’m sorry,” he said.

“I know.”

“I trust you.”

“Nothing happened tonight-“

“You don’t have to tell me. I trust you.”

“And Lionel?”

“I believe what you said. We don’t ever have to discuss that again.”

Grabbing his face, Chloe attacked him with kisses as she laced her legs around his body. Banging into the wall, he frantically attempted to remove his jacket as Chloe struggled with the buttons of his shirt.

“What are you wearing under that robe?” he panted, kissing the side of her face.

“Practically nothing,” she replied, shivering as he nibbled on her earlobe.

“I’ll have to see for myself.”

“By all means.”

Chloe ripped away the bottom buttons and pulled Lex’s black shirt away from his body. He shimmied his shoulders to remove it, as Chloe ran her hands across his chest. Lex reached down and undid the knot of her robe, exposing the thin camisole and bikini panty set she was wearing. The camisole didn’t take long to join his shirt on the floor.

Lex bent his head to suckle her rosy nipple as Chloe reached for his belt buckle. Bringing his face up to meet hers once again, he reached for his own trousers and pushed them down. His face rained kisses on hers as his hands reached down for her panties. Trembling with need and unable to push them away, Lex ripped them off her body.

Chloe purred in delight as he took her legs and laced them around his body, placing himself at her entry. She panted and pushed his cock inside her as Lex grabbed her under the shoulders to steady his movement against the wall.

“Yes,” she said pleadingly, “Oh God, yes. Don’t stop.”

She heard her small pictures fall and crash in the kitchen next door, but didn’t give a damn. All she knew was the incessant rush to her head as she felt Lex dominate her body. Her back rubbed against the wall as she felt him thrust faster inside her. She ran her hands down his naked back as he crushed her mouth with a savage kiss. Feeling herself about to come, Chloe gripped his shoulders and clung to him, biting his shoulder as the orgasm exploded within her.

He continued to move inside her as her inner walls gripped him tighter with the force of her arousal. Lex pounded her on the wall as he felt his own release. She released her legs from his body as he cupped her face in his hands. Their foreheads met and Chloe rested her hands on his waist.

“I missed you like hell,” he said, “but now I don’t think I’ll be able to move my shoulder for at least a year.”

“Shit!” she yelled, realizing that in her frenzy she’d torn through his dressing. “I’m sorry.”

“Don’t. It was worth it.”

“Well, then strip down,” she said, “the least I can do is clean you up.”

“Are you offering to bathe me?”

“Call it a reciprocal agreement.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

She ran a warm bath for them as they soaked together and relaxed. Lex’s back rested on the back of the tub and Chloe’s back rested on him.

”How’s your shoulder?” she asked.

“It’s better now that you’re near.”

“Aw, did it miss me?”

“More than you know.”

“I hated being without you, Lex.”

“I realized something while you were gone, Chloe,” he replied.

“And what was that?”

“That I don’t want there to come a time when you’re not with me. Maybe that’s jumping the gun or rushing things, but that’s the way I am. I don’t to ever be without you.”

“Lex, what are you saying?”

“I remember what you said when we first got together….about never getting married, and I accept it grudgingly. I do, however, want you in my life. I want you to live with me.”

“Oh God,” she said, leaning on his good shoulder, “Lex, are you sure?”

“As sure as I’ll ever be about anything.”

“Then yes.”

“Yes?”

“Yes!” she said as Chloe turned around to kiss him.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Subjects have returned to the United States.

Camouflage scenario has been detected and reported, as per arrangement.

A new branch is to be established and linked directly to LexCorp.

Orders left by Lionel Luthor to be carried out. The procedures are to be done upon his release.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

buddyfozzy

19th December 2004, 05:58

Aww, I'm so happy they made up! :wub: :wub:

I don't like that there will still be trouble with Accintare though. :ohmy:

Clark is still an idiot. :devil:

Impress

19th December 2004, 07:41

you know...While I'm happy that Chloe and Lex made up, I can't help feeling that the only reason Lex truly believed nothing happened with Lionel was cuz he was told the paralyzer Lionel was shot full of, would have kept him from doing anything. *shrugs*

And how like a Luthor to leave instructions to be carried out even if he was in jail. And why didn't Lex take that into account?

Great update. More soon.

oh and Clunk is still an idiot.

crankychick

19th December 2004, 08:01

Impress, I purposely left that ambigious. I had a longer conversation between the two planned out, but I wanted to leave that very big parenthesis in there. As for Lionel's instructions - it's always easy to get distracted by fancy appetizer when you've got dinner coming up.

asharnanae

19th December 2004, 15:48

:biggrin: GAH...... stellar!!!! oh more please!!

autumngold

19th December 2004, 18:04

I'm so happy that Chloe and Lex are back together again!! :yay: And I'm also happy that Chloe was smart enough to turn down Clark!! Of course I can't see anyone choosing Clark over Lex!! Thanks for the great update!! Can't wait to find out what Lionel has planned!! :yay2: :chlexsign4: :yay2:

hfce

19th December 2004, 19:08

I am glad they are back together and the smut was great. :drool: But I am worried about Lionel. I hope Chlex have a plan to take him down again.

Hope ;)

sydsvaughn

19th December 2004, 19:14

hell, as long as they're together and strong, bring on the trouble!

and let's deal with Clunk soon .. he annoys me. :)

SaraC

Impress

19th December 2004, 19:52

Originally posted by crankychick@Dec 19 2004, 01:01 AM
Impress, I purposely left that ambigious. I had a longer conversation between the two planned out, but I wanted to leave that very big parenthesis in there.
Ah see now I'm looking forward to that blank being filled in. Cuz I know, Chloe is not going to be happy.

As for Lionel's instructions - it's always easy to get distracted by fancy appetizer when you've got dinner coming up.

:biggrin: I adore this analogy. Don't ask me why. Could be cuz I'm hungry.

becky

19th December 2004, 22:48

yey! the chlex is all :wub: and :drool: again!

am really wanting to know more about these cryptic messages!

~Becky~

crankychick

20th December 2004, 00:14

Title: Tango in New York City
Disclaimer: I own none of the characters and none of the storylines, but I especially do not want to be blamed for Blanda.
Rating: NC-17. It's steamy

Spoilers: A bit of the plot intricacies of season 4 are discussed, with some creative license taken.

Setting: As soon as she graduated from Smallville High, Chloe got out of Kansas and moved out to New York. She got a partial scholarship to New York University and makes up for her other expenses by freelancing. She and Pete are close friends, having briefly shared an apartment in Upper Manhattan before he left to move in with his new girlfriend.

(Chloe and Lex enjoy their reconciliation. Lex receives troubling news from LexCorp. The mole continues to make trouble.)

Chapter 17
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Chloe awoke to the soft sensation of Lex’s lips on her forehead. Stretching her hands out above her head, she began to open her eyes slowly as she felt his hands on her waist.

You make me feel like a sticky pistil
Leaning into the stamen.
You make me feel like Mr. Sunshine inside.
You make me feel like splendor in the grass where we're rolling
Damn skippy baby
you make me feel like the Amazon's running between my thighs.

“What a wonderful way to wake up,” she slurred, still half asleep as his lips traveled down to her throat. Trailing her with feather light kisses, he moved down her body, kissing each breast gently as Chloe watched him.

“Good morning,” he said, smiling.

“Have you been up long?” she asked innocently.

“Long enough,” he said teasingly.

“Mmm, Lex,” she purred, surrendering to the sensual waves he was creating over her body, “you were born hard, I’m convinced.”

“Just when I’m around you,” he said, slipping his hand between her legs, feeling the slick wetness, “but it helps to have such an excitable woman.”

“Oh, Lex,” she said softly, “I’m still half-asleep.”

“Shhh,” he said, cradling her underneath the shoulders as he fitted himself between her legs. From Chloe’s throat, he heard a lusty groan as he entered her, slowly pushing himself inside. With his forehead on her shoulder, Lex made love to her as Chloe arched her back in delight.

“You’re insatiable,” she whispered.

“Do you want me to stop?”

“No,” she whined, her hands above the pillow her head rested on. “No, don’t stop Lex….I feel so weak.”

She felt his hands caress her breasts tenderly as she felt him moving inside her. Gently, she felt him slip all the way out and inch himself back within her warmth.

“Such a tease,” she giggled.

“I was just making sure you were still awake.”

Lex moved his hands down to her buttocks, guiding his careful movements by kneading her flesh. Thrusting his hips, he began to move faster as Chloe thrashed underneath him. She grasped his hips as he rode her, thrusting deeply as he heard the throaty gasp of her climax.

“Yes,” she said weekly, “come inside me, Lex. Let yourself go.”

She moved her hand down to their union – a movement that drove him absolutely mad- and placed her fingers around his thrusting cock. Feeling the pressure throughout his entire body, he collapsed on top of her as his seed filled her.

Lex moved slightly to the side, his head resting on her left breast as he heard the sounds of her heart racing. Caressing her other breast with his other hand, he closed his eyes. Chloe ran her hands over his head, enjoying the sumptuous feel of his smooth scalp as she fell back asleep.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

She awoke to find a shirtless Lex, barefoot and adorned in his pants, watching television on her couch.

“In the end, all men become couch potatoes,” she remarked.

“Perhaps, but the lure of Bloomberg is hard to resist.”

“Oh baby,” she deadpanned. “I think I’d rather go for breakfast. Coffee?”

“That would be good,” he replied. As she walked back to the kitchen, Lex’ cell phone began to ring. As she set the coffeemaker, she heard the alarm in his voice as he ran back into the bedroom to get his shirt.

“What’s happening?” she called out, walking towards the bedroom.

“Cardwell couldn’t get into details over the phone, but someone’s instigating a hostile takeover of LexCorp.”

“How? Wouldn’t you have detected this sooner?”

“Ordinarily, yes, but in this case whoever’s responsible for the takeover has been utilized small subchapter S corps to buy small chunks of stock. All that changed this morning when they merged. I’ve got to go.”

“Go then,” she said, as Lex bent to kiss her, “and let me know what’s going on when you can.”

“I will,” he promised, grabbing his jacket from the armchair and unlocking her door. Chloe walked over to lock the door behind him.

“I’m sorry about this,” he said sincerely.

“Lex, it’s Ok. Just take care of business.”

“I love-“

“Me too.”

Pecking her lips quickly before stepping out, Lex took the stairs to reach his car faster as Chloe locked her apartment door.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“Cardwell, what the hell is going on?” Lex screamed, the moment he stepped through the doors of his temporary offices.

“I’m not sure, Mr. Luthor, but some rather odd activity took place in late trading yesterday afternoon. It wasn’t reported with yesterday’s trading. When I contacted the SEC, they said it was due to an anomaly in the system.”

“What’s the extent of the anomaly?”

“41% of LexCorp stock is now owned by…”

“By whom, Cardwell?”

“Accintare,” he painfully admitted.

“For fuck’s sake, what happened to the charges against them? The investigation that cost me several months of goddamn exile – was that all for nothing!”

“Mr. Luthor, that damn company’s like Teflon. All of the charges were applied to a branch chapter, not to the parent corporation. We couldn’t even fully investigate the corporate tree because of the holding company for their charters. It’s impossible to get any information on them without stepping on government land mines.”

“Keep an eye on any other LexCorp stock holders until we can find out what the fuck happened,” Lex replied angrily. “See how much of a freeze we can keep on this.”

“Right on it, sir.”

“Get M & A on the line. No one leaves here tonight until we come up with a defense strategy.”

“Understood.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“Miss Sullivan?”

Chloe’s stomach went into convulsion when she heard the baritone voice of Lionel Luthor on the other end.

“How the hell did you get this number?”

“I’m disappointed,” he remarked, “that you wouldn’t assume it would be second nature for me to always be able to find you with little difficulty.”

“Why are you contacting me? I thought you’d sunk in whatever Federal hellhole prisoners like you get sent to?”

“I made a nice arrangement, Miss Sullivan. It allows me several benefits.”

“Such as?”

“The pleasure of your conversation, for one thing.”

“I wouldn’t count on it for long,” she bit back angrily.

“Don’t be so hasty in hanging up, Miss Sullivan, unless your intention is see your beloved deprived of his little venture.”

“What the hell are you talking about?”

“I’m sure Lex has been informed by now of the power shift in LexCorp. He’s bound to be upset, wouldn’t you say?”

“I repeat, what the hell are you talking about?”

“We’re past games, Miss Sullivan. To be blunt, I’m responsible for it and I’ll see it to fruition unless you comply.”

“Comply with what?”

“Temper, temper. I’ll call you at exactly 5:00pm this evening, but I’ll need both you and Mr. Kent in attendance. Tell Lex nothing of this or I’ll accelerate the actions already in motion.”

“You would do that to your own son?”

“Aren’t we past that question?”

“I suppose we are.”

“And please don’t get any ideas about going to the authorities or any such nonsense. You should know by now that I have you watched very closely.”

Terror gripped her heart as her hand began to tremble. Chloe turned around and tried desperately to maintain her self-control.

“What is it you want, Lionel?”

“Intimacy puts us on first name terms, “he snarled, “I rather like the sound of that.”

“You have no idea how much I despise you.”

“I had a taste of it some weeks ago, if you recall. I relished every moment.”

“You really are a sick bastard.”

“Flattery will get you nowhere…..Chloe. Until 5:00pm then.”

She stood perfectly still as she heard the line grow dead. Panic stricken, she paced her living room floor, hugging her elbows together as she wondered what trap she was heading towards.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Music Credit

"Feeling Love" Music & Lyrics, Paula Cole

becky

20th December 2004, 00:24

:ohmy: oh no!

i wonder what the MB is cooking up now!! fab update, can't wait for more, but that's becoming a theme with me :blinkkiss:

~Becky~
:chlexsign3:

asharnanae

20th December 2004, 01:16

:devil: Damn you lionel!

:ohmy: and what does he want with both clark and chloe?

MORE MORE MORE!!!

:drool: Hot , damn, thats some smut!

hfce

20th December 2004, 02:36

NO!!!! CHLOE!!!! Dont go its a trap.... :huh:

Hope :chlexsign4:

Thessaly

20th December 2004, 02:49

Yeah, 'cause we can't guess what Lionel wants from Chloe...

Bleugh and ickiness. Twin shots of Botox for both his heads, please. And a Kryptonite enema for Clunk who has no subtlety and is a maggot-boy dumbass.

In conclusion, more please. But with extreme violence to those who deserve it.

Thessaly

Impress

20th December 2004, 02:50

you and your cliff hangers. I'm conviced writers are evil. Not that that's a bad thing. LOL. good work.

crankychick

20th December 2004, 03:13

But with extreme violence to those who deserve it.

Take that to the bank - it's as good as a cashier's check.

sydsvaughn

20th December 2004, 03:35

Lord, I so want the MB to die ... at the hands of Chloe and Lex together. Please, don't let this really destroy Chlex too much ... I can't wait to see how this pans out!

SaraC

crankychick

20th December 2004, 04:05

Title: Tango in New York City
Disclaimer: I own none of the characters and none of the storylines, but I especially do not want to be blamed for Blanda.
Rating: NC-17. It's steamy

Spoilers: A bit of the plot intricacies of season 4 are discussed, with some creative license taken.

Setting: As soon as she graduated from Smallville High, Chloe got out of Kansas and moved out to New York. She got a partial scholarship to New York University and makes up for her other expenses by freelancing. She and Pete are close friends, having briefly shared an apartment in Upper Manhattan before he left to move in with his new girlfriend.

(Lex fights the takeover. The mole is revealed. Chloe and Clark face off against Lionel. Clark has a choice to make.)

Chapter 18
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

She had to contact Clark, but had no idea how to do so. Once he left Smallville for Metropolis U, he’d changed his cell phone number and she hadn’t gotten his new one. Calmly herself, she dialed up Pete in the hopes that he might have the number.

“Pete, it’s me.”

“You’re working?”

“I’m trying, but listen, I need to reach Clark. Do you have a number for him?”

“A number? Hold on – the little vagrant’s sitting right here. Clark, Chloe needs you.”

She tapped her foot anxiously as she waited for him to take the line, a sense of foreboding warning her the situation unfolding would be terrible for all involved.

“Hello,” he greeted.

“Clark, something has happened. I can’t go into details right now and I don’t want to alarm Pete.”

“Are you in danger?” he said quietly.

“Possibly, yes. I need to you come to my place at 5:00 today.”

“What’s going on?”

“We’ll talk once you get here, Clark, but it’s imperative that you show up. I need you.”

“I’ll be there.”

“Thank you,” she said, sighing in relief as she hung up the phone.

Why would Lionel need Clark to be in on this conversation? Dear God, what’s he got planned this time?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“We have multinational teams of research analysts, Cardwell. Are you honestly telling me that no one can tell me the origin of this takeover?”

“It all goes to the core of Accintare,” he replied, “a company which seems to have been designed purely to directly compete with your own venture.”

“Then I need to see everything on record about the bloody company causing this trouble. Get me the files, stat,” Lex commanded.

It was nearly three in the afternoon and Lex was still no closer to finding out what the status of LexCorp was. Though he instinctively knew who was moving the pieces, Lex needed to see written evidence of Lionel Luthor’s involvement. As soon as he found the minutest link to his father, he planned a counterstrike.

He picked up his phone and dialed Chloe. She was the only person who could rationalize the murderous impulses swimming in his brain.

“Lex, are you alright?”

“Not particularly, no. I have no idea what’s going on, Chloe, but there’s no question it’s another Lionel scheme. Every action Accintare has ever perpetuated has been directly to strike LexCorp.”

“Is there anything you can do?”

“First I need to find direct evidence of who works for Accintare. The main charter is filed in the Caymans – a country notorious for its business privacy laws – and the branch corporations are based in Paraguay and the Middle East. They are the proverbial needle in the haystack.”

“God, I wish there was something I could do. How does the stock stand now?”

“We hold 55% officially, but trading goes on. There’s no way of knowing what other ghost entities controlled by those fuckers are eating up my company even as we speak.”

“Dammit, there’s got to be something we can do.:

“I can’t lose LexCorp, Chloe,” he said nervously. “I realize that I have control of LuthorCorp, but LexCorp is mine and mine alone. It’s something I started to prove my business mettle and I’ll be damned if Lionel’s shenanigans cost me my primary corporation.”

“What do you have in mind?”

“I’ve already contacted the authorities. I have to see him…..and try to find out what he’s got planned.”

“Lex, seeing your father may not give you the answers you want,” she warned, “and going to see him might be playing into whatever trap he’s setting up.”

“I don’t really have a choice in the matter.”

“No,” she replied sadly, “I suppose none of us do, really.”

“What did you say?”

“Nothing. When are you scheduled to see him?”

“Tomorrow morning. I’m flying out to Dulles this evening.”

“Call me when you can, Lex, and remember that I love you.”

And that I always will.

“It’s the one thing that’s keeping me sane, Chloe. I’ll speak to you soon.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Clark had arrived a half hour early, sat down and listened in disbelief as Chloe lay out most of the story linking Lionel and Accintare.

“Then what could he possibly want with me?” Clark asked, sitting back on the sofa as Chloe nervously downed a sifter of brandy. “I didn’t know you liked that stuff.”

“Usually, I don’t, but I keep it around the place for Lex,” she said.

“He’s here that often?”

“Do you even have to ask?” she replied.

Nervously, she continued to pace across the living room floor. Inch by inch, the brandy disappeared and she walked across the room to refill her glass.

“Chloe, that’s not going to help.”

“Clark, trust me. Nothing will.”

As she poured herself more whiskey, her cell rang. Taking it out of her pocket, she inhaled and picked up the call.

“I trust everything’s in order,” lilted the voice of Lionel Luthor.

“Just get on with it,” she said with venom.

“Instruct Mr. Kent to pick up your house phone. It should be ringing now.”

Immediately, she heard the first ringing of the phone located on the living room floor. Pointing towards it, she instructed Clark to pick it up.

“Are we connected?” he laughed.

“I’m glad to see you’re enjoying yourself,” Chloe said.

“What do you want Mr. Luthor?” Clark snipped.

“Clark, it may not always have been apparent, but I am a man of great beneficence. All I’ve ever desired is to give everyone around me their true heart’s desire.”

“Whatever you’re taking,” Chloe bit angrily, “I hope they increase the dosage.”

“I mean that very sincerely, Chloe,” he purred. “After all, my intentions this evening are to fulfill that very purpose. It’s been brought to my attention, Mr. Kent, that your…..affections towards Chloe have changed in the last few years. I must say the last set of shots I was sent of you gazing adoringly into her window from the street were positively adorable.”

“You fucking cretin!” Clark yelled, “You’ve been having us followed.”

“Mr. Kent, your anger will only ruin the joy of the moment. Please try not to speak until I’m done.”

“What is it exactly you are proposing?” Chloe added, growing exasperated by his pomp.

“Giving you all what you need. Stopping the move to take over LexCorp……ceasing the surveillance that’s been ongoing on both you and Mr. Kent. Well, to be honest, also ceasing the surveillance on the Kents and on Mr. Sullivan in Arizona.”

She felt her blood run cold at the matter of fact way he admitted to having them all watched, as if they were all marionettes at his beck and call.

“Just what would that take?”

“The night you came to me, Chloe,” he purred, causing Clark to stare at Chloe, “I’ll always remember as the most seductive hours I’ve ever spent. My fervent wish would be to relive that night, but of course, with the full use of my facilities. However, my present incarceration prevents that so I propose a substitution……Mr. Kent.”

“You’re not – you’re not suggesting that Clark and I-“

“Your teenage crush will be fulfilled,” he announced proudly, “and Mr. Kent’s desire for you will be as well. Oh, and there’s the small matter of LexCorp, but I’m sure Mr. Kent cares little for that at the moment.”

“Never,” Clark steadfastly insisted, “What you propose is beyond torturous. It would ruin Chloe’s relationship with Lex…….not to mention what….”

“Why so afraid, Mr. Kent? Wouldn’t it be, rather, a true test for all involved? I, personally am most curious about how much my son would be willing to forgive…..and how strong Chloe’s protective instinct for him is.”

“I can’t do that to her,” Clark stated, “and I won’t.”

“Then the love you claim to have for her comes down to superficiality, doesn’t it? No sacrifice....no love.”

“Don’t imagine for a second, that you’ll ever guess the working of my heart,” Clark seethed.

“Then leave your heart out of it,” he laughed, “but bring your body instead.”

“What if we don’t?” Chloe asked.

“I’ll see to it that everyone around you both is ruined,” he said flatly, “Mr. Sullivan’s brilliant future in his new home, and that of the lovely Alice will come to a crashing stop. Mr. and Mrs. Kent brand new Federal concessions for the farm will abruptly cease. And of course, Chloe already knows how close to annihilation she’s been.”

“Don’t do this,” she pleaded, “if only for your own son.”

“Children need to be taught lessons, even after adulthood.”

“You’re bluffing,” she reasoned, “you can’t possibly be prepared to do all of that just to ruin my relationship with Lex.”

“I’ll use every method at my disposal for that,” he said, “and if this doesn’t work, I’ll use something else…anything else… until your little affair rips at the seams.”

Oh my God, he’s jealous of Lex, Clark thought to himself.

“I hate you,” Chloe said angrily.

“That might help you tonight,” he laughed, “Goodness, but you two are prudes. What’s a simple night shared between friends?”

“What do you mean tonight?”

“The master suite at The Pierre has been reserved.”

“And naturally,” she said, her stomach turning at the thought, “equipped with surveillance.”

“Of course. Also, I have a request.”

“What?” she said, close to being completely nauseated.

“Wear what you wore for me.”

She felt the humiliation wash all over her as she dropped the phone and covered her face with her hands. Chloe began to sob as she collapsed to the ground.

“Tell Chloe that 8:00pm at the Pierre is the time for this ….arrangement. An envelope with instructions will be left for you both at the concierge.”

“Why are you doing this, Mr. Luthor?”

“To wound what I can’t kill,” he said, cutting off the connection.

Clark kneeled to the floor and put his hands on Chloe’s back, attempting to console her. Her body convulsed with the impact of her sobs, as she hugged Clark to her.

“He can’t do this……he can’t…….how can I do this……..he’s going to hate me……he’ll never forgive me.”

Clark’s mind raced, trying to think of a possible solution to this unwinable situation.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Setup is confirmed. Surveillance materials are in place.

Confirmation of Lex Luthor’s authorization to visit LL tomorrow morning. Target has been set. Proceed only in case of non compliance.

“I’m home. Is anybody here?”

She shut off her laptop and smiled as she got up from the kitchen table. “I’ll be right there, Pete.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

hateSmallvilleLoveChlex

20th December 2004, 04:37

Chloe needs to find a way to get in contact with the hooker who looks like her and set up the situation with look-a-likes. Or something. Awesome updates!!

asharnanae

20th December 2004, 04:42

:devil: :ohmy: NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO OOOOOOOOO!!!

OMG you just made my worst nightmares true, oh god, please dont make chloe have sex with Clunk, and eww, with lionel watching!!!

Damn damn and double damn, now that chappy was a blinder!

campbti

20th December 2004, 04:47

Please tell me that Chloe is not stupid enough to do this and not know that Lionel will show lex the feed as soon as he can. I really want a Chloe who will be smart enough to outwit Lionel, PLEASE!!!! Can't wait until you can update again.

:chlexsign2:

hfce

20th December 2004, 05:29

Chloe has to hire the look alike hooker. Please she can't go through with this. Lex and her wont survive this. Please........... :crygreen:

Hope :crygreen: :crygreen:

Queen Of Tact

20th December 2004, 05:46

please say ur posting more now, and i mean like now cause i need more now.... and that end part, please tell me that wasn't pete's gf working lionel, cause the only thing i have to say to that is ur going to have to write me into this fic and i'm going to have to kill her....... please please please u can't let chloe sleep with clark, i know it's to save lexcorp and that she would do anything for lex, but that would kill lex more then if he lost lexcorp....

I can't wait for more.... i'm loving this fic...

CC

crankychick

20th December 2004, 05:52

Don't worry - the next chapter is more than halfway done and will be posted in about half an hour. I couldn't go to sleep without putting the matter to bed (snicker).
;)

Gina41283

20th December 2004, 06:03

please please please don't let chloe and clark have sex!!!! lionel needs to lose!!! can't you like... have someone in jail make him their bitch or something??? please!?!?!?!?!?!?!? think of it as a christmas gift for all of us!!!! i want lionel to be somebody's bitch!!!!!!!

Impress

20th December 2004, 06:24

ok I need you to promise four things

1) Chloe will out smart Lionel

2) Pete will bitch slap his girlfriend for hurting Chloe

3) Chloe and Lex will bring down Lionel for good

4) Clark will stop being an idiot and help Chloe and Lex

crankychick

20th December 2004, 06:49

Title: Tango in New York City
Disclaimer: I own none of the characters and none of the storylines, but I especially do not want to be blamed for Blanda.
Rating: NC-17. It's steamy

Spoilers: A bit of the plot intricacies of season 4 are discussed, with some creative license taken.

Setting: As soon as she graduated from Smallville High, Chloe got out of Kansas and moved out to New York. She got a partial scholarship to New York University and makes up for her other expenses by freelancing. She and Pete are close friends, having briefly shared an apartment in Upper Manhattan before he left to move in with his new girlfriend.

(Lionel confronts Lex. Chloe faces her night of shame. Clark struggles with his choice.)

Chapter 19
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Lex tried Chloe’s cell for the fifth time that evening as he drove to the heliport en route to Washington D.C. for his morning rendezvous with Lionel. He was starting to get concerned. It was unlike Chloe to be unavailable evenings, when usually she was just at home working during the week.

All he got was her voice mail. “Chloe, it’s me. I’ve left several messages and you haven’t called me back. I’m on my way to Dulles now, but I’m calling you the minute I get there. Where are you, sweetheart?”

Mentally, he noted to himself that he’d have to consider getting Chloe to live closer to where he lived, for her own safety at least.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

It was nighttime, but she wore her sunglasses as she gave the name at the desk and was presented with the promised manila envelope. She picked it up and read the note located at the top:

In case you were thinking of possible ways to fool me, I’ve enclosed some proof of the allegations I alluded to earlier. I hope this clarifies my resolution in this matter.

L.

“Oh God,” she muttered, showing the pictures to Clark. The first was of Lex and Chloe in the Caymans on the rooftop terrace. Second was one of Clark and Pete in Brooklyn. The last few were of Gabe at his home in Scottsdale and Jonathan and Martha inside their house in Smallville.

“I’m doomed,” she said, her tears falling down her face, “because even if we are able to fool him visually, he can manipulate the video to suit his needs.”

“Chloe, I can’t do this to you.”

“Let’s just go upstairs, Clark. I don’t want to make a mess of myself in public.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

It was the most beautiful penthouse suite Chloe had ever seen, until she remembered the significance of her surroundings.

The cage may be golden, but it still remains a cage.

Walking into the room, she removed her trench coat, underneath which she was wearing her infamous outfit from the night she apprehended Lionel. Clark, who had not seen what she was wearing before they left her apartment, was shocked. He took in the brazen navy outfit as Chloe walked over to the window and without facing him said, “Get undressed and get into bed.”

“Chloe, it’s not too late-“

“Not another word, Clark,” she said emotionless, “please just do as I say.”

She looked down the window with tears running down her eyes as she heard him undress. Clothes dropped to the ground as she felt her knees tremble with shame. It wasn’t her nudity or Clark’s that she minded; it was the fact Lionel would be watching, gloating and aroused by the entire spectacle.

Chloe removed her bra as she walked over the bed and straddled Clark, removing the sheet he’d wrapped around his waist. Taking hold of his hands, she placed them on her waist. With her eyes red, but resolute, she bent down and kissed him….

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The security procedures were time consuming, but Lex appreciated any time he’d get to prepare himself for the spectacle he was about to live through. He’d hoped that once Lionel was incarcerated, that would be the end of the withered father-son relationship he’d wanted to cast off for so many years. The idea of being with Chloe, leaving all of this past behind had been his entire focus as of late. It was a critical mistake, he now realized, which had left him weak to Lionel’s using scheming.

Lex walked into the white room, separated by a glass, where Lionel sat on the other side. He was smiling, exceedingly pleased with himself, which warned Lex that his father had an ace up his sleeve.

“Good morning, son,” he greeted happily.

“Save the pleasantries,” Lex said, “and tell me what it is you plan on doing with Accintare and LexCorp.”

“Not a thing, son. I was convinced that my course of action was….unwise.”

“Convinced? By whom?”

“I suggest you ask Chloe?”

“Chloe? Since when do you address her by her first name?”

“That’s not a matter I need to discuss with you.”

“Well then, how did Chloe convince you to drop the takeover?”

“I made an arrangement with her. A simple matter of giving your former friend the love and tenderness he so desperately wants.”

“What the hell are you talking about?”

“You’ll see soon enough. Last night was a pivotal night in your relationship, but you’re just becoming aware of it now.”

“Could you possibly be more evasive?”

“Check your files when you pick up your Blackberry,” he advised, “and go see Chloe immediately. This is a matter that cannot wait.”

“Father, I demand to know what is going on?”

“You’re not in the position of making demands, son.”

“I can see this visit was absolutely pointless,” Lex said, standing up to walk away.

“Today I finally get to see the resolve and calmness fall away to nothing,” Lionel gloated, “as you find yourself tested. Let’s see how well Chloe comes out of all of this. Well, in any case, I won’t be in here for long. I’ll always have a place for her…..regardless of what she’s done. Or who.”

“Your half words mean nothing to me, Lionel. Rot in here or in hell – it matters little to me – but if I ever find out you’ve caused Chloe a moment’s pain, I’ll make you pay.”

“Strong words, son.”

“Don’t test me,” Lex said, walking out of the room.

When he was finally back in his limousine, Lex inspected his Blackberry for whatever it was Lionel had planted. The first of several images came up of Chloe and Clark in bed as she straddled him in bed….

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

She hadn’t even gone home that night, preferring instead to walk the streets until she felt calm. Chloe shivered in the cold winter night as she walked the final blocks to her apartment. She had no idea what time it was nor did she care.

Reaching in her pocket for her keys, she was surprised by a hand shoving and pushing her to the wall. Facing forward, Chloe saw an angered Lex snarling inches from her face. He’d grabbed her by both shoulders and was shaking her viciously.

“What did you do? What did he make you do? I saw the pictures so do not bother denying a thing, Chloe? How could you lower yourself like that?”

“You saw,” she said wearily, “exactly what he wanted you to see and nothing more. And why? Does it matter? It’s done. It’s over.”

“Get inside now,” he commanded, taking her keys from her hand and opening the door. Impatiently ringing for the elevator, he didn’t have the patience to wait for it to arrive and instead grabbed Chloe by the arm and dragged her up five floors until they were at her apartment door. His hands shook as he opened the door, pushing Chloe in the apartment and pulling the door behind him so hard that it knocked over her small bookcase.

“I want an explanation,” he demanded, “and please don’t say that you did it for me. You know damn well I would have exhausted every legal method at my disposal to fight that son of a bitch. I would never have demanded that you……..whore yourself to solve my problems!”

“So now you hate me?” she said, standing by the wall as she looked away from him. “He got what he wanted, after all.”

“Dammit,” he said, grabbing her once again by the shoulders as he shoved her back against the wall, “don’t talk like him! Tell me why!”

“Because he’s been following me! And you! And Gabe……and the Kents and he would have done more than simply take over your fucking company, Lex! He would hurt them……he would hurt the people I love to get you to toss me to the side. Don’t you understand? The man will stop at nothing to fulfill his sick wishes!”

“But why,” he growled, “did you fall so easily into his arms? It didn’t take much convincing, from what I saw.”

“Is that what you think?”

“No, that’s what I saw.”

“And you believe everything you see?”

“When it comes to pictures of my girlfriend fucking another man, yes, I do believe what I see.”

“Then leave.”

“What?”

“What didn’t you understand about that? Leave! Get the fuck out! I’m sick of this! As long as I’m with you, that man will never stop using everyone and everything around me as a pawn for his fucking games.”

“Chloe, I need to know what happened,” he said, attempting to calm down.

She looked at him, with tears down her eyes. “Nothing.”

“Nothing?”

“Clark and I went through all the motions,” she admitted, “but nothing really happened. We just made it….seem as though it did.”

He felt like complete idiot and contritely, hugged her to him. Chloe broke away and sat down on her couch. “I can’t, Lex. That man is obsessed with me and if you’re around me, he’ll destroy you. I won’t let that happen.”

“Chloe, I won’t lose you over this.”

“Please, Lex,” she begged, “I can’t go through…………..seeing you when you were shot…..”, she broke down as Lex ran to her side and embraced her.

“I’ll make him pay for what he’s done.”

“Lex, I’m so frightened,” she cried, as he stroked her hair.

“I know you are, but I need you, Chloe. You’re stronger than this. You’ve outsmarted that son of a bitch before and so have I. We love each other and I will not let that man destroy us.” Taking her face in his hands, Lex kissed her, licking the tears from her lips as she melted against his body.

“He’ll only use me to cause you harm, Lex,” she said, as he kissed her face. “I don’t care what he does to me, but my dad……and you. I’d just die, Lex.”

“No, you won’t, because he doesn’t get to win. And I cannot lose you, Chloe. You are my life. Everything good that is in you, is a part of me. We belong to each other.”

“Lex, I do love you,” she said, hugged to his body as she grasped his shoulders. “And I hated every minute of that fucking charade.”

“I’m sure Clark doesn’t feel the same way.”

“Yes, he does,” she assured him, “no decent man wants to be with a person he cares about against that person’s will.”

“When I saw those pictures,” he confessed, “I was afraid you’d fallen for him again and that you’d leave-“

“No,” she said, raising her head and cupping his face in her hands. “Never again. I never felt for him what I do for you. Lex, you are everything to me. Look at the lengths to which I’ll go to protect what I love.”

Chloe ran her hands over his face as he kissed her once again. Tugging her mouth towards his, Lex ran his hands through her tangled hair, tasting and exploring the sweetness of her breath. When their kiss finally broke, she clung to him, exhaustedly.

“What the hell are we going to do?”

“Play his game, until we have whoever’s feeding him information,” Lex said, stroking her back.”

“And then?”

“We bring the bastard down.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
“My son once told me not to wound what I couldn’t kill. Well, this is my proof to him that I can indeed wound him.”

Lionel spoke to Alissa to confirm his orders. “Keep a close eye on them now. I want to know my son’s reaction to the little photo display he saw. I want to know the minute he confronts Clark Kent.”

“Consider it done.”

“Good,” he said, his face breaking out into a smile.

campbti

20th December 2004, 07:08

Thank God. So glad that you wrote it that way. I should have gone to bed half and hour ago but I had to wait up for your followup. Thank God you didn't leave it badly I would have been awake all night. *sighes*. Ok, all is well. Bed now.

More tomorrow, please.... :blinkkiss: :blinkkiss:

:chlexsign2:

autumngold

20th December 2004, 07:18

This just has to be the scariest story!! Please, please let Pete realize what a horrible person his girlfriend is!! I really, really wish that Chloe had just killed Lionel!! Thanks for the updates!! Can't wait to read more!! :yay2: :chlexsign4: :yay2:

Gina41283

20th December 2004, 07:20

*whew*... thank god she didn't do anything w/ kent..... but PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!! let them find out about that stupid bitch in the next chapter!!!! i need her to get found out and i need lionel to become someone's bitch!!! that would soo just make my day cause i don't think that's ever been done, at least from what i've read. PLEASE!!!!!!!

crankychick

20th December 2004, 07:27

I should have gone to bed half and hour ago but I had to wait up for your followup.
I think that's one of the nicest compliments I've ever gotten. Thank you! Another update tomorrow night.

kitten

20th December 2004, 07:38

:ohmy:

I have no idea where you're going to go with this story next, but it's incredible. Thank you for the frequent updates.

LaLa

20th December 2004, 12:00

:goof: Oh God! REDRUM! REDRUM! Faster pussycat! Kill kill! Just kill Lionel! He really is the MB in that fic, I never despised him so much in a story! I thought it would be much more horrible than that, with Lex's reaction I mean. :huh:
I'm glad he understood, but now, time for some revenge!
Hide LioLio! U're in deep shit! :devil:
xoxoLaLa -- NEXT PART PLEASE! :yay:

hfce

20th December 2004, 13:47

Oh wow I can breath again. GUH!!! :ohmy: That was amazing and thank God nothing happened. And I want Allisa and Lionel dead. :tease:

Hope :wub:

buddyfozzy

20th December 2004, 17:28

Wow! I check for an update and find so many new chapters! :yay: Lionel is such a bastard, I can't believe that he made Chloe do that. :devil: :devil: I'm glad that that part is resolved though and Lex understands what really happened and is not mad anymore. :wub: And Alissa as the mole! Didn't see that coming! :ohmy: Like someone said, Pete needs to backhand her. :devil: I hope Lex's plan to finally take down Lionel works for good and is quick in happening. :yay2: :yay2:

Wonderful updates! Well done! :worship2: :worship2:

Queen Of Tact

20th December 2004, 18:28

but i can't wait till tonight to get the next update!!! Please please please post more as soon as u can... And i so 2nd it that she and clark really didn't sleep together... Oh and please please please kill that evil bitch, and if u like I'll do it for you....

great update hon...

CC

becky

20th December 2004, 22:55

:huh: woah

^ that's the articulate version

totally excellent! i'm so glad lex isn't being an arse over the chlark thing :blinkkiss:

and lionel dearest.... :hehe: you're so going to get it..

more soon!!

~Becky~
:chlexsign3:

crankychick

21st December 2004, 03:38

Title: Tango in New York City
Disclaimer: I own none of the characters and none of the storylines, but I especially do not want to be blamed for Blanda.
Rating: NC-17. It's steamy

Spoilers: A bit of the plot intricacies of season 4 are discussed, with some creative license taken.

Setting: As soon as she graduated from Smallville High, Chloe got out of Kansas and moved out to New York. She got a partial scholarship to New York University and makes up for her other expenses by freelancing. She and Pete are close friends, having briefly shared an apartment in Upper Manhattan before he left to move in with his new girlfriend.

(Lex and Clark make a reluctant pact. Lex gets murderous. Pete overhears a conversation.

Chapter 20
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

To fight and conquer in all your battles is not supreme excellence; supreme excellence consists in breaking the enemy's resistance without fighting. Sun Tzu, The Art of War

Lex’s head was pounding as he sat on the chair in Chloe’s bedroom. She had finally drifted off to sleep and he wasn’t about to wake her by laying next to her when it had taken her over an hour to rest. He couldn’t bring himself to leave her side and protectively watched over her as she slept, his thoughts racing to the issue at hand.

Lionel. I could kill you with my bare hands for what you put Chloe through.

It seemed cliché to even think such a thing, but he sincerely had never felt the way he felt for this young woman. It went beyond the sex and the verbal acumen they shared frequently. Both of these aspects, in his experience, withered with the passage of years and it what lay behind that Lex always felt was illusion – that elusive person who completed and challenged a life. He didn’t need to be told that he’d found that in Chloe Sullivan…and he’d be goddamned if he allowed Lionel Luthor to interfere.

Chloe stirred in her sleep and called out, “Lex! No, don’t let him-“He was at her side instantly, stroking her hair as she opened her eyes to look at him, quickly closing them again as she calmed down. He knelt by her bed as he caressed her face.

He’ll never get near you again, Chloe. I’ll do whatever it takes to make his life a living hell.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

As he was about to drift off to sleep, he heard Chloe’s doorbell ringing and got up out of the armchair once again, to see who it might be. Walking over past the living room, he looked through the peephole to see who was on the other side. It was Clark.

Just who I needed to see right now.

He opened the door and let him in. Clark walked past him and towards the living room. “I think we need to talk.”

“I think that’s about right, Clark, but I already know what happened last night.”

“Did Chloe explain that it was all a farce?”

“Yes, right after I confronted her with the pictures my bastard of a father was gracious enough to give me this morning.”

“That’s what she was afraid of,” Clark said, “she swore you’d never believe her and that Lionel would make you believe…”

“I’m aware of that, Clark, but that didn’t happen,” Lex said dismissively, “I should have known he’d go directly to Chloe…….I could kill that son a bitch.”

“Lex, you don’t want to do that.”

“Spare me the lectures right now, Clark. I wasn’t talking literally.”

“Are you sure?”

“Your judgmental tendencies are not appreciated at the moment, Clark.”

“I’m sorry, Lex. I didn’t mean anything by it.”

“Yes, you did and you always have. You’ve always stood in judgment of me and of my action, while never having to really explain any of your own. Don’t forget why we ended our friendship.”

“I explained that night-“

“Don’t bother, Clark. It’s a dead issue.”

“What are you planning on doing?”

“Not killing him, but making him wish he were dead.”

“Lex, this isn’t like you.”

“I need to protect Chloe,” he said flatly, “and as long as Lionel Luthor is able to use his nefarious abilities in even a limited capacity, he’s a threat to her. I’m going to make him think this little plot of his worked and you’re going to help.”

“Me?”

“He’s going to think you and Chloe are lovers now,” Lex stated, “and he’ll try to use further threats against me to keep her under his control. I want him to think he’s perfectly in control of the situation, as I prepare to strike.”

“I don’t want to be involved in what you plan on doing to your own father.”

“You fucking owe me, Clark,” Lex said, walking over until he was standing within inches of his former friend, “and you owe her. I’m not asking you to do anything about Lionel – that’s my job. I’m telling you to play along with the farce, if only for Chloe’s sake. He tried to kill me once – what the hell do you think he’ll do to her unless I stop him.”

It was impossible to argue with that logic, so Clark reluctantly nodded his acquiescence.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Pete had gotten out of work early that day, picking up some of Alissa’s favorite pastries along to way. As he was about to head around the corner of the main stairwell, he heard voices coming from his part of the floor.

“The photographs should do the trick,” he heard Alissa tell the other woman.

“But if they don’t?”

“Then we place surveillance inside her apartment and initiate contact. Seeing intimate pictures of herself walking around her apartment should give Chloe Sullivan the resolve to comply with Lionel Luthor’s wishes.”

“We’re not supposed to say his name,” the woman said.

“No one’s here to hear and Pete won’t be home for hours,” Alissa replied coldly.

“Even still, keep to procedure. We need to find a way to plant a new tracking device to her computer equipment.”

“That won’t be hard. I can take care of it this week. I can always pretend to be ‘concerned’ about the little bitch.

Who the hell is the woman I’ve been living with?

Pete slowly walked up the stairwell, to stay out of view, but within listening distance of the conversation. From the third floor stairwell, he listened as best he could.

“Also, we need to set up the bank account and deposit the funds in her name.”

“He must be really have it bad for this bitch.”

“So bad he had her fuck a guy so he could watch. True love, no?”

The two women parted ways as Pete considered random acts of violence. For close to ten minutes, he stood his ground, not wanting to move until he was certain the coast was clear. When he was certain of not being seen, Pete walked down the staircase, dumped the pastries in the first garbage pail he found and made his way over to Chloe’s place.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Despite the fact Chloe let him keep his key, Pete was a respectful guy and he knocked on the door to find Chloe, Lex and Clark huddled together in some sort of meeting.

“Looks like I’ve got great fucking timing,” he said, “What’s the plan? I think you’ll find I’ve got a big ol’ ace up my sleeve.”

“What are you talking about, Pete?” Chloe questioned.

“Your mole.”

“How the hell did you find that?” Clark asked.

“The hypocritical bitch has been living with me,” he said, “is it any wonder she was able to get close to you, Chloe? I overheard a conversation she was having. Luthor’s planning on tightening surveillance on you?”

“How so?” Lex wondered.

“She was planning on putting devices inside the apartment here….not to mention some shit about a bank account.”

“The Accintare funds the government’s been trying to locate,” Lex said. “He’s planning on blaming you for the whole thing.”

“Sounds like him, don’t it?” Pete replied. “So what the fuck’s the plan? Give me something to do before I start beating on somebody.”

“Very simple,” Lex said, “turn the tables. Don’t tell Alissa a thing….let her install the surveillance.”

“You are crazy! That would be giving him exactly what he needs…..sick fuck that he is. No offense, man.”

“None taken, but we need to maintain control here. I can instigate a false feed in whatever surveillance Lionel has installed, but he needs to be made to feel everything’s going according to plan.”

“And what about the money, Lex?” Chloe asked, “what happens with that?”

“That’s the easiest thing to take care of,” he said, smiling malignantly, “thanks to a very cooperative government.”

“So we’ve got a plan?” Pete asserted. From around the room, everyone nodded.

“Game on, motherfucker,” Lex stated, “now, let’s try to get her to come over Saturday afternoon. Clark you……”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

kitten

21st December 2004, 04:07

:biggrin:

I'm glad Pete knows so he can protect himself. No fools here! And I hope whatever you do to Lionel is really, really bad.

buddyfozzy

21st December 2004, 04:12

I'm glad they found out more from that Alissa bitch about what Lionel is planning to do. And they have a new plan. I hope whatever they do to the bastard and the bitch really, really hurts. :devil: :devil: :devil:

:yay: :worship2: :worship2: :chlexsign4: :worship2: :worship2: :yay:

autumngold

21st December 2004, 04:16

I'm so glad that Pete is in on the plan now too!! Poor Chloe, I would hate to have Lionel being able to watch my every move!! Can't wait for Lex to make him pay!! :yay: :chlexsign3: :yay:

Impress

21st December 2004, 04:48

I still want Alissa bitch slapped. I'm glad Pete knows though. More soon.

sydsvaughn

21st December 2004, 04:51

You know, I feel all vindicated that Lex, Chloe, Pete and Clark are working together now. Bring on the MB pain and torture!!

SaraC

becky

22nd December 2004, 01:29

woot! love the teamwork!!

alissa is *so* gonna get it. her and lionel deserve each other.

more soon!

~Becky~
:chlexsign3:

asharnanae

22nd December 2004, 01:47

:biggrin: :devil: Gameon indeed!!!!!!! :yay: :worship2:

Thessaly

22nd December 2004, 02:28

I still want Alissa bitch slapped.

And so say all of us.

Also I think I'd like Lionel to share a cell with a burly, homicidal trucker who wears his dead mother's underwear. If he's painfully affectionate towards the MB (with the emphasis on the painfully) so much the better.

Thessaly

campbti

22nd December 2004, 05:59

Loved Pete finding out and wanting to kick someone's ass. Can't wait to how you resolve this.

:chlexsign2:

Kit Merlot

22nd December 2004, 14:58

For just a second, I thought you were going to have Pete unknowingly helping his girlfriend the mole, but I'm glad you had him discovering her and helping Chloe and Lex stop Lionel--BRILLIANT :biggrin:

ptite_mily

24th December 2004, 14:18

i read it all at once and i really like this fic.
Now i want Chloe to beat the hell out of Alyssa!
And for that we need an update!

crankychick

24th December 2004, 21:59

Very sorry to have missed a few days on this one, but I was plotting on another one. I'll have an update up later today - with some requested butt being kicked :devil:

crankychick

25th December 2004, 07:28

Title: Tango in New York City
Disclaimer: I own none of the characters and none of the storylines, but I especially do not want to be blamed for Blanda.
Rating: NC-17. It's steamy

Spoilers: A bit of the plot intricacies of season 4 are discussed, with some creative license taken.

Setting: As soon as she graduated from Smallville High, Chloe got out of Kansas and moved out to New York. She got a partial scholarship to New York University and makes up for her other expenses by freelancing. She and Pete are close friends, having briefly shared an apartment in Upper Manhattan before he left to move in with his new girlfriend.

(The plan is on. Lionel's about to make a new friend in Federal prison. Alyssa is one step closer to becoming a Prodigy song)

Chapter 21
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“Aw, hell no! You’re out of your fucking mind if you think I’m going back there!”

“Pete, it’s distasteful, I know,” Lex replied, “but if you don’t go back there, it could appear suspicious to Alissa.”

“Jesus, I gotta go back there and be all loving when all I want to do is clobber her.”

“Hey, back off,” Chloe replied, ‘that’s my job. She owes me.”

“I think you’re all jumping the gun,” Clark interjected, “because while I agree Pete should go back to Alissa-“

“Thanks for having my back, Clark!”

“-I think we need to be aware of the safety risk he’s in as well,” Clark finished. “We do have to keep up some sort of front, but we also need to make sure we watch her as much as she’s watching us.”

“Agreed,” Lex said calmly, “and that was my intention all along.”

“How so?” wondered Chloe.

“Let’s just say Cardwell’s the best acquisition I made in many years.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Pete and Clark had left grumbling, but agreeing to keep to the plan that they’d sketched out. Chloe and Lex remained in her apartment, to talk out the aspect of her falsified relationship with Clark.

“I don’t think I can pull it off, Lex,” she said honestly, “the idea of having to-“

“Only when you’re out and about,” he stressed, “nothing – I repeat, nothing – needs to happen….intimately.”

“This is repulsive. That bastard is making us have to play these games-“

“Chloe, you have no idea how nauseating this is to me,” he said, “and not just because that man happens to be my father. I love you….care about you….and I have to fight every protective instinct I have to steal you away from this horrible situation.”

She hugged him as Lex clung to her, breathing in deeply as he stroked her hair. “I hate the thought of any other man touching you, least of all Clark, but what choice do I have? All I can do is make that man pay…without killing him. That I can’t do, no matter what he does. I just can’t bring myself to go that far.”

“Lex,” she said, caressing him as he hugged her tightly, “I know you wouldn’t do that. You’re not capable of that.”

“You’ll never know how much I despise him,” he said, as Chloe kissed his cheek.

“I love you,” she whispered, his face in the palms of her hands, “and that may not be enough to make up for all you’ve lost to a man who never deserved to have you as a son, but it’s all I have. Everything that is in me cries out my faith in you….my belief in you as a person.”

Lex brought her face to his and kissed her tenderly. Chloe wrapped her hands around his neck as they lay back against the couch and his hands traveled the length of her back. Shivering under his touch, Chloe slipped her hand under his shirt and felt the heated skin of his muscled back.

“God, how I’ve missed you,” she exhaled, feeling Lex’s hands sliding up her waist.

“So have I.”

“Do you think we’ll make it to the bedroom?” she managed, just as Lex pulled the shirt over her head.

“Not likely,” he replied, as she matched him by removing his shirt and throwing it to the ground.

“Good,” she laughed, as Lex undid her bra and she reached for his buckle. “I’ve always liked this couch.

He grabbed the band of her pants with both hands and pushed her pants and underwear down in one frenzied motion. Chloe laughed as she straddled him, pushing his clothing out of the way until they were flesh to flesh and she impaled herself on him. Lex slid his hands up and down her back as she bounced on him, her breasts flying with her exertion.

Lex brought himself up to a seated position and roughly kissed her as he thrust up to match her hip gyrations. Chloe held on to his shoulders as she threw her head back in abandonment. Burying his face in her breasts, Lex felt her climax moments before his own. They sat intertwined and kissed, his hand buried in her hair.

Her brow was covered in sweat as she smiled at him. “There’s something instinctually satisfying about knowing I put that smile on your face,” he said as Chloe slid off him and started to redress.

“How manly of you,” she laughed, throwing his shirt in his face.

“Well, all of my better compliments are on hold until after I regain my senses. You completely drain me of all energies.”

She bent down to kiss him and her breasts dangled before his eyes. Lex closed his eyes and chastised her, “Such a tease.”

“Chloe Sullivan – femme fatale.”

“To me, you are.”

“Lex?”

“What is it?”

“Do you think we can pull this off?”

“We don’t really have a choice, do we?”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

You're nobody 'til somebody loves you
You're nobody 'til somebody cares
You may be king, you may possess the world and its gold
But gold won't bring you happiness when you're growin' old

“New arrival’s due in, Mr. Luthor,” Officer Johnson said, as Lionel enjoyed his solitude by listening to music.

“Is it anyone of note?”

“Noted computer terrorist. I think he was responsible for burying some funds for that infamous power company that went down in Texas….if you know what I mean.”

The world still is the same, you'll never change it
As sure as the stars shine above
You're nobody 'til somebody loves you
Find yourself somebody to love

“Innuendo is not your forte, my friend,” Lionel said offhandedly.

“This guy that’s coming in…..will be your hall mate, so I thought you’d be happy to get the head’s up.”

“Very much appreciated, Johnson,” Lionel said dismissively, making a mental note to request a new officer. He liked people on his payroll to keep their distance and this man chattered like a parrot every day.

“What’s the man here for?”

“He’s been convicted of treason. Wouldn’t give up his superiors or the money.”

You're nobody 'til somebody loves you
You're nobody 'til somebody cares
You may be a king, you may possess the whole world and its gold
But gold won't bring you happiness when you're gettin' old

“Faithfulness is an admirable quality, even in the wicked.”

“Well, this guy won’t be faithful for long. He’s being sent to death row.”

“Death row? For money laundering?”

“Apparently, that’s only some of what he’s done. Anyhow, I gotta get going. I’ll let you know more when I know more.”

The world, the whole world's the same, you'll never change it, change it
As sure as the stars shine above
You're a nobody 'til somebody loves you
So find yourself somebody
Get yourself somebody
Find yourself somebody to love

It might be time to make an acquaintance, Lionel thought to himself as the guard walked away.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“Pete,” Alyssa cried out as she heard the door slam, “you’re late. I was getting worried.”

Keep your cool, Ross. Don’t lose it.

“Work was nuts,” he said throwing his jacket off and running into the kitchen to get some water.

“That sounds awful,” she said, infuriating Pete who looked away, “is there anything I can do, baby?”

“Na. It’s just something that I need to get worked out.”

“Is Peter still giving you a hard time? That guy is such a monster.”

At least he’s not a treacherous bitch like you.

“When you’re trying to get a job accomplished,” he said smiling at her, “sometimes you have to work with people you don’t like. So goes the game of life.”

“You’re so brave, baby, “she said, kissing him on the cheek, “I’d be afraid of coming up against someone like you.”

You should.

He did his best bit of acting by smoothing her hair as she leaned on his shoulder. “Now, Al, why would you ever have to come across me? You’re always on my side. That’s one of the things I can always count on – the trust we have going between each other.

Alyssa smiled, thinking of how soon the expiration date for the assignment would arrive.

Pete smiled, thinking of how much he’d enjoy watching Chloe whoop this trifling spy’s ass.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Music Credit:

“You're Nobody 'Til Somebody Loves You”, written by Russ Morgan, Larry Stock, and James Cavanaugh & recorded by Frank Sinatra

autumngold

25th December 2004, 08:11

Thanks for the update!! I hate for what Pete, Chloe and Lex are having to go through!! I can't wait until they make Lionel pay!! Hope your holidays are great!! :yay: :chlexsign3: :yay:

buddyfozzy

25th December 2004, 22:58

I sure hope they all are able to pull this plan off and take Lionel down for good. :yay:

Great update!! :worship2: :chlexsign4: :worship2:

Impress

26th December 2004, 06:44

Pete smiled, thinking of how much he’d enjoy watching Chloe whoop this trifling spy’s ass.

Me too. how soon will that be again?

crankychick

26th December 2004, 20:33

Title: Tango in New York City
Disclaimer: I own none of the characters and none of the storylines, but I especially do not want to be blamed for Blanda.
Rating: NC-17. It's steamy

Spoilers: A bit of the plot intricacies of season 4 are discussed, with some creative license taken.

Setting: As soon as she graduated from Smallville High, Chloe got out of Kansas and moved out to New York. She got a partial scholarship to New York University and makes up for her other expenses by freelancing. She and Pete are close friends, having briefly shared an apartment in Upper Manhattan before he left to move in with his new girlfriend.

(Lex starts plotting. Clark’s a bit too comfortable with his fake relationship with Chloe. The surveillance is set up.)

Chapter 22
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“Alright, Luthor, why if we’re trying to keep everything on the lowdown are you and I meeting in this place?” Pete said the moment they were seated at their table.

“It’s a question of design, Pete,” Lex replied. “Brasserie was designed with diner privacy in mind – no surveillance equipment and no cellular phone capacity in this area. In case Alyssa has planted some sort of roving equipment on you….or a tracker…..it wouldn’t work here.”

“Jesus, you really think she’d do that?”

“If she’s associated with an association like Accintare, we have to go under the premise that anything is possible,” he sighed, “so we cannot take any chances.”

“Speaking of which, how‘s the fake out with Clark and Chloe going.”

Lex visibly stressed when Pete posed his question, tightening his jaw and adjusting his tie. “Convincing,” he answered flatly, taking a long sip of water.

Pete instantly regretted the question and apologized. “I’m sorry, man. I didn’t mean anything by that. I just – I don’t know how the hell we’re going to untangle this mess. Do you have any idea what you’re going to do to implicate this Accintare in – well, in anything?”

“It comes down to two things, “Lex stated, “First, permitting them what they believe will be an informative and intrusive surveillance. The next has to do with preciously tracking the wire of the funds that they will attempt to use to frame Chloe with.”

“So until then we’re sitting ducks?”

“Not necessarily,” he said, “something is in the works right now, involving Lionel. I’m throwing in the bait; I’m sure he’ll bite.”

“Alyssa’s getting on my nerves, Lex,” Pete said angrily,”just seeing her around the house, knowing what I know about her, makes me want to explode.”

“I know it does, Pete, but we’ve got to hang in there until the funds are tracked. Once that’s confirmed, we can move to act.”

“Are you sure about this? There’s nothing we can do right now?”

“Not unless we trap Alyssa, which would leave everyone she’s working with to come after us in full blast.”

“Alright, then. But I’m going to need a strong drink. In fact, make it a lot of strong drinks.”

“Do I have to remind you that I have to watch Clark putting his hands all over Chloe?”

Pete shook his head and sighed, “You get the first round. I’ve got the second.”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
“Clark,” Chloe said uncomfortably as his hand trailed down her back, “I think we’re out of view now.”

They had just stepped out of the street and into her apartment lobby, making sure to appear to any outsider to be the picture of a couple besotted. Chloe was finding this torturous – a long dead dream resurrected to nightmarish proportion – while Clark was having a damn field day. She’d nearly clocked him when he kissed her cheek as they exited the subway.

“You’re enjoying this way too much.”

“I won’t lie,” he laughed, “I am, but I realize the emptiness of it all. This is an act for you.”

“Yes, Clark,” she replied bluntly, “nothing more and nothing less. I love Lex and this hasn’t changed that.”

Silently, they waited for the small elevator and went up to her apartment. Taking off their jackets, Clark walked over to the kitchen with the bag he was carrying while Chloe turned on her CD player and lay her own bag on the dining table.

Springsteen was on rotation. “Still have a thing for the old time rockers, I see?” Clark questioned, laying out the cheese, crackers and vegetables on the counter top.

“What can I say? I fell in love with a boy from Jersey and can’t get his music out of my mind.” Chloe went into the kitchen, a bottle of wine and a bottle of vodka in her hand

Hey little girl is your daddy home
Did he go away and leave you all alone
I got a bad desire
I'm on fire

“I can’t believe that woman’s going to be in my house today,” she said, placing the vodka in her freezer as Clark watched her. Her short t-shirt rose up her body as she put the bottle inside and he was frozen to the spot. She turned her sight to him and noticed the intensity of his stare.

Tell me now baby is he good to you
Can he do to you the things that I do
I can take you higher
I'm on fire

“Clark,” she asked cautiously,” why are you looking at me like that?”

“Sorry,” he said, turning away from her repentantly, “I just couldn’t-“

“Couldn’t what?”

“Stop looking at you,” he confessed.

Sometimes it's like someone took a knife baby
edgy and dull and cut a six-inch valley
through the middle of my soul

“I can’t help thinking about what might have happened,” he went on, “if you and Lex hadn’t met up in New York. If I’d come to you first. That damn thought is constantly on my mind.”

“Just let it be,” she said, “we were obviously never meant to be, what with the bad timing, the geographic distance……you must realize that.”

At night I wake up with the sheets soaking wet
and a freight train running through the
middle of my head
Only you can cool my desire
I'm on fire

“What I’m starting to realize,” he confessed, “is that the things I seem to want the most I can’t seen to get. I wonder if that’s how it’ll always be for me. “

“Clark, you can’t-“

“It’s futile, I know,” he snapped, “and I’m sorry I brought it up. You’ve got enough on your mind with Pete and Alyssa due here any minute. I just had to get that off my chest.”

She placed her hand on his shoulder, his back to her, and he covered it with his own hand for a moment. Burning with the impulse to kiss her, Clark did the honorable thing and removed her hand from his shoulder, turned and smiled at her.

“Lucky bastard,” he said under his breath, concentrating on laying out the food.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Pete and Alyssa arrived promptly at noon to the small dinner party hastily arranged by Chloe to allegedly promote her new ‘relationship’ with Clark. Hors d’oeuvre were served in the small living room as Clark stirred the penne vodka in the kitchen.

“You’ve got a man that cooks,” Alyssa noted wryly, “lucky woman.”

Pete threw Chloe a heated look to which she replied with a smile. “Yes, I’m a very lucky woman. Would either of you care for a drink.”

“Let me,” Pete insisted, “I could use liquid refreshment right about now.”

“Whatever happened to the other guy you were going out with?” Alyssa asked with false modesty, “the one Pete detested.”

“It ended,” Chloe replied, trying to keep the deadly hate from her voice.

“What happened? Pete said you two were really happy and crazy about you.”

“Things end,” Chloe said flatly, ”whether they be friendships or relationships. You start to become aware that the person they represent as being at the start isn’t even a glimmer of who they are in actuality, once you get to know them. Once self-preservation kicks in, it’s surprising how factual a woman’s instincts are.”

Alyssa looked at her suspiciously for a moment, until Clark came into the living room and hugged her from behind. She relaxed once again, none the wiser.

“I think it’s sticking again,” he said, kissing her on the cheek.

“God,” Chloe sighed, “Alyssa, let me see what’s going on. I’ll send Pete out in a second so that you’re not too bored out here. Clark, can you put the puffs in the oven while I-“

The sound of Chloe’s voice lowered as the two walked into the kitchen. Pete was setting up plates and flatware on the dining room table. Sauntering and watching to make sure she wasn’t being observed, she took the miniscule camera devices out of her pocket and placed one on Chloe’s cluttered book shelf.

Pete looked over at her and smiled. She smiled back and pretended to glace at a book table. Placing another on another tier of that shelf, she walked over to the television wall unit and cautiously fingered a small sea shell located on the tier above the television, placing a device there.

“I’ll be right back,” she called out, pretending to go to the bathroom, but sneaking into Chloe’s bedroom instead. Atop a built in shelf opposite the bed, Alyssa placed a device. The other, she quickly deposited on a small, cluttered corner and walked out of the room immediately, slipping into the bathroom.

Clark recorded each of her movements, pinpointing the exact locations of each camera. “Done,” he whispered into Chloe’s ear.

“Are you sure?” she asked. He nodded.

“Jackpot,” she said, stirring the pasta, turning off the flame and setting it aside. “Act two begins now.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Music Credit:

“I’m on Fire” music & lyrics Bruce Springsteen

Queen Of Tact

26th December 2004, 20:45

oh that was good.... Oh I so can't wait for Chloe to kick her ass!!!! And Clark is liking this way to much.... He needs to remember Chloe is really with Lex, so hands off farm boy this is just for play...

CC

kitten

26th December 2004, 20:52

:die: :die: :die:

Dirty rotten Pete's girlfriend! Yuck. He deserves so much better.

I loved Lex and Pete's lunch together. I can just see them mooning over their trouble in a passive aggressive way, trying to pretend they're not friends. :rolleyes:

buddyfozzy

26th December 2004, 22:09

That Alyssa is such an idiot. I can't believe she thought no one knew what she was doing when she hid the cameras. I can't wait for her to get a good ass kckin'. :yay: :yay: :yay:

becky

26th December 2004, 22:33

:clap:

More soon, and merry christmas!!

~Becky~
:chlexsign3:

autumngold

26th December 2004, 22:42

I feel so bad for Pete!! It must be torture for him to have to live with that stupid, awful, hateful, ugly woman!! He deserves so much better!! I hope you find him someone special by the end of this fic!! Thanks for the update!! Post again soon please!! :yay: :chlexsign3: :yay:

Impress

26th December 2004, 23:11

Originally posted by Queen Of Tact@Dec 26 2004, 01:45 PM
oh that was good.... Oh I so can't wait for Chloe to kick her ass!!!!

CC
*checks cabinets to make sure she has snacks handy for watching the main event.*

Uh how much longer is that going to be. *drums fingers and idly wonders if she can sell tickets....*

And Clark is liking this way to much.... He needs to remember Chloe is really with Lex, so hands off farm boy this is just for play...

Clark is an idiot. So the remeberign thing may take a....lifetime.

good update. more soon.

sydsvaughn

27th December 2004, 07:44

bring on act 3 baby! I can't wait!

SaraC

crankychick

27th December 2004, 19:57

Title: Tango in New York City
Disclaimer: I own none of the characters and none of the storylines, but I especially do not want to be blamed for Blanda.
Rating: NC-17. It's steamy

Spoilers: A bit of the plot intricacies of season 4 are discussed, with some creative license taken.

Setting: As soon as she graduated from Smallville High, Chloe got out of Kansas and moved out to New York. She got a partial scholarship to New York University and makes up for her other expenses by freelancing. She and Pete are close friends, having briefly shared an apartment in Upper Manhattan before he left to move in with his new girlfriend.

(The unmasking and shakedown. Lex finally traces the Accintare and plays turnaround. The truth about Alyssa is revealed and Chloe throws some punches.)

Chapter 23
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“Mr. Luthor,” Cardwell announced over the intercom. “It’s the transaction.”

Lex immediately picked up the handset and cleared his office. “Has it been posted?”

“No, not yet, but it is going through. We anticipate it will be going through at any minute.”

“Good,” Lex replied, smiling in relief, “trace it. I want the source and I want it by today. Turnaround starts as of the next business day.”

“What are your instructions?”

“Drain it,” Lex answered, “Every account, every red cent. You know the rest.”

“Right. It will be done.”

Hanging up on Cardwell, Lex’s next phone call was to Chloe to let her know the good news. She wasn’t at home and since they were certain her phone was being tapped, they’d assigned a system. The programming card for her cell phone was changed at certain hours throughout the day. In this way, any possible tracing that might take place would hit a wall. Unless they had the specific number or nearest tower location, these calls could not be traced and it was in this way that Lex and Chloe had communicated privately for the past month.

Lex looked at his watch. Nine o’clock. He’d talk to her at 11:00 to give her the good news.
~~~~~~~~~~~

11:00 am.

Chloe stopped what she was doing and took out her cell phone. The replacement chip was located in her left hand pocket and she quickly replaced the one in the phone with that one in order to make her phone call. Surveillance was ongoing and these precautions had become absolutely necessary. It wasn’t the easiest of situations, but Lex assured her it wouldn’t be for much longer.

Chloe immediately dialed Lex, who picked up on the first ring. “It’s in.”

“Seriously? How soon?”

“Cardwell says by the end of the day today, which means that by tomorrow we’ll have it all.”

“So everything’s in place now?”

“Exactly. The power of placing of wire tap – it makes you vulnerable to having your information become a trap. Accintare won’t have a dime and won’t have any way in hell of finding out where the money’s gone.”

“Constant rotation’s a bitch.”

“Indeed.”

“So what’s next?”

“Haven’t you heard the news? Pete’s gotten a promotion at work. There’s going to be a special dinner at their apartment.”

“To which you’ve been invited.”

“Of course.”

“What does one wear to the demasking of a criminal?” Chloe joked.

“Something that comes off easily,” he said with bated breath, “because I plan on taking you out of there as soon as I can.”

“Has it really been over a month since we-“

“YES!” he said, unable to keep the frustration from his voice.

“Lex, don’t worry. We’ll make up for lost time.” Chloe blushed even as she laughed on the phone.

“I intend to.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
“Guys, come in,” Pete said, ushering Clark and Chloe into his apartment. “You know where everything is. Alyssa’s in the kitchen.”

Clark threw Pete a knowing look as Chloe tried to keep from laughing. It seemed as if Alyssa was already getting in some good practice at being close to the fire. She removed her jacket and placed it on one of the hooks by the front door. Walking over to the living room, she picked up the bottle of Chardonnay and poured herself a full glass.

I’m going to enjoy bringing you down in a little while.

Pete and Clark sat on the couch as Alyssa entered the room to greet them, informing them that dinner was going to be ready in just a few minutes. It was five minutes after six.

The table was set and Chloe and Clark passed the bread to each other as Pete served up the salad. Alyssa brought out the shrimp fritters that she’d made as an appetizer, but no one took a bite until they saw her eat them first. Clark opened a bottle of white wine and served it round the table. All were comfortably eating and drinking when there was a knock on the door.

“Who could that be?” Clark said innocently.

Pete stood up to open the door as Chloe walked over to the kitchen. She needed to keep an eye on the back of the apartment to make sure Alyssa didn’t make a run for it. There was another exit through the kitchen that she could easily use for a getaway, but Chloe wasn’t about to let that happen. Clark also, from where he stood, was keeping an eagle eye on her movements.

Pete opened the door, revealing Lex’s presence. Chloe mentally wished for a camera to capture that perfect ‘oh shit’ expression that washed over Alyssa’s face.

“Pete, so sorry to be late,” he said as the two men shook hands, “traffic was a bitch.”

“Oh, I understand. You know everyone, I’m sure, except for Alyssa.”

“So right, my friend. Alyssa Monroe…..or should I say Alissa Davis?”

Alyssa got to her feet and stumbled a bit as she walked towards where the two men stood. “Pete, what the hell is going on? What is Lex Luthor doing here of all places?”

“He’ll get to that,” Pete assured her, “but let’s all step into the living room, shall we?”

Pete grabbed Alyssa’s arm as she tried to escape his grasp. Instantly, Chloe appeared to grab her other arm and smiled, “Yes, lets.”

It didn’t take a genius to realize the jig was up. Alyssa angrily complied as they all headed towards the living room, where Lex was avidly reviewing her book collection.

“Amazingly slovenly of you, if I must say. In all other respects, your cover was quite perfect.”

“What the hell are you talking about?” Alyssa was fuming.

“Well, for starters this collection you own. A wonderful series of anthologies – all on the romantic poets, may I add – but with nearly – let’s see – two dozen books on Elizabeth Barrett Browning alone.”

“What of it?” she bit back.

“Step by step,” Lex teased, “and we’ll get to the intricacies of the charade you thought was so iron proof. As I was saying, this book collection is a warning flag to anyone aware of the circumstances …..of Chloe’s situation. Right in the open, where any Tom, Dick ….or Lex might be able to call you out on it. Shame.”

“So, it’s a bunch of books? You’ve got nothing.”

“Alissa Davis, holder of a Master’s Degree in Romantic Poetry from Sarah Lawrence with a minor in Speech Pathology. I would say those are interesting statistics, given the fact the implicating evidence against Chloe was poetry used in a particular syntax.”

“You’re got nothing on me.”

“Actually, we’ve got quite a lot, but we’ll get to that in a bit. One thing though; did you actually think your plan was so foolproof that you could afford such careless blunders?”

“I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

“Oh, Alissa,” Lex chastised, “you work for a real estate subsidiary who has, to date, not closed on a single transaction and is owned by a REIT with the acronym ATARE.”

Her face turned chalky white as Lex went on. Pete and Chloe held her arms tightly as she struggled to get loose.

Lex winked as he honed in for the final strike. “I think we can safely say now the game is up.”

“So what?” she laughed, “Turn me in and I’ll make a nice, cushy deal with the authorities who’ll do anything to implicate a Luthor as the mastermind behind the whole Accintare mess.”

“That’s it,” Chloe said, releasing Alyssa’s arm and decking her with a nice upper cut with her right hand. Pete let go as Alyssa fell to the ground, her hand to her face rubbing her chin.

Chloe looked down on her venomously, “Now, shut the hell up before I show up how well I administer body blows.”

“Who said anything about turning you in?” Lex added. All eyes were now focused on him.

Clark interjected, “Lex, we agreed-“

“Clark,” Lex added with a wave of his hand, “let me finish. Turning you into the American authorities would net you that…and more, I’d warrant, but it just wouldn’t pay back the people you’ve double crossed, primarily the original owners of Accintare.”

Alyssa’s eyes grew wide as Lex bent down to watch her reaction, smelling and playing on her fear.

“Yes,” he whispered, “I found them. They deal with traitors very well. You must remember that.”

“No,” she said, shaking her head in fear, “no, you won’t do that. You have no idea what Gregorio would do to me-“

“Actually, I have a very good idea what he’d do. You were a trusted member of his staff, engaged to his godson, beloved until you decided to partner up with Lionel. Sticking the knife in his back is one mistake I’m sure you’ll have time to regret before he’s done with you.”

“I’ll give you anything you need,” she begged. “Anything and anyone….all the information you want.”

“Betraying Gregorio was one thing,” Lex went on,” but the viciousness of how you murdered his godson…….and killing his daughter in the attempt is sure to win you hours of extended torture.” Lex took his cell phone out and dialed a number on his speed dial.

“Wha-what are you doing?” she stuttered.

“Signing your doom,” he smiled. “and by the way, thanks for the nice scar on my shoulder. Whenever I started to regret what I’m now doing to you, I thought back to your attempt to kill Chloe and me. It was a nice reminder that you deserve no mercy. By the way, thanks for the cameras.”

“I don-“

“Don’t bother lying,” he seethed, “you’re not very good at it.”

There was another knock on the door, opened by Pete, which let Cardwell and three unnamed, anonymous men into the apartment. They quickly and wordlessly picked up Alyssa, but not before Chloe got a chance to say her goodbyes.

Hitting the left side of her face hard, Chloe said, “Thanks for trying to ruin my life and kill me, whore. See you ….and wouldn’t want to be you.”

Silently, Alyssa was taken out of the apartment, her lip bleeding. Lex nodded at Cardwell, as he led the men out.

Pete turned in alarm to Lex. “This went too far, Lex. What did you do?”

“Would it make you feel better to know that it was either her or you? She was planning on having you killed tomorrow, once the plant was in effect.”

“What?” Pete yelled out in alarm.

“Cardwell took care of it, notifying Interpol in time. Those men are Italian Secret Service, but I wouldn’t put any money on Alyssa staying in custody long. Gregorio D’Alba, the former head of Accintare, is out for her head and is known for having ties with the government. She killed members of his family, after all.”

“Jesus, Lex,” Clark said, shaking his head, “so that’s it? It ends with turning her in to those monsters.”

“It’s not over yet,” he warned, “there’s still one monster to take care of.” He turned to look at Chloe as she walked over to him.

“Lionel,” she whispered, stroking his face as he nodded.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

kitten

27th December 2004, 20:11

:yay:

The only thing that I'm sorry about is that the beating wasn't longer.

autumngold

27th December 2004, 20:38

Thank God Pete wasn't hurt!! I'm glad that Chloe got in a couple of shots!! Thanks for the update!! I can't wait for Lionel to be taken down!! :yay: :chlexsign3: :yay:

Queen Of Tact

27th December 2004, 21:15

Ok missy get ur cute little butt back her with more!!! I think Chloe needs to kick some more ass...
great update....

CC

buddyfozzy

27th December 2004, 22:03

YAY, she got what she deserved, but I wish Chloe beat her a little more. Now for Lionel...I can't wait! :yay: :yay2: :yay: :yay2: :yay:

hfce

27th December 2004, 22:30

Yes the Scooby gang and Lex do it again. That was great. :clap: I wish Chloe would have maimed that witch. :devil:

Hope :chlexsign3:

Kit Merlot

27th December 2004, 22:35

SUPERB!!

I love an ass-kicking Chloe :biggrin:

Great update!

crankychick

27th December 2004, 22:40

Title: Tango in New York City
Disclaimer: I own none of the characters and none of the storylines, but I especially do not want to be blamed for Blanda.
Rating: NC-17. It's steamy

Spoilers: A bit of the plot intricacies of season 4 are discussed, with some creative license taken.

Setting: As soon as she graduated from Smallville High, Chloe got out of Kansas and moved out to New York. She got a partial scholarship to New York University and makes up for her other expenses by freelancing. She and Pete are close friends, having briefly shared an apartment in Upper Manhattan before he left to move in with his new girlfriend.

(Lex needs to face off to Lionel once again. Pete gets a present from Lex. Clark decides to stay in New York. Chloe and Lex share couple time.)

Chapter 24
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“I can’t wait to be alone with you,” Lex whispered into her ear as Pete and Clark were out of earshot.

“Me too,” she admitted as they sat on the couch, laying side by side as Chloe leaned against his shoulder. It felt like an age had passed since it had been safe enough to touch…to be physically within proximity and she wanted desperately to be reacquainted, skin on skin, with her lover.

”So what’s next, Lex?” Pete questioned.

“Within three days or so, Lionel will be notified of some rather distressing news,” he said, “having to do with any funds he might have under Accintare, it’s subsidiaries or his own name. It’s all going to be gone.”

“I’m assuming you’re referring to a great deal of money,” Clark interjected.

“My preliminary estimates tally it as anywhere between 20 and 50 billion dollars.”

“And you’re getting rid of that money how?” Pete wondered.

“Let’s just say it’s being put in to play,” Lex replied evasively, “but it will be completely out of his hands and into more incriminating efforts. Suffice to say, it will be a death blow.”

“Can I ask you something – you don’t feel a thing about doing this to your own father? Maybe that question’s none of my business, but I can’t get the notion out of my head. Don’t you feel anything for that man at all?”

Lex went cold as Pete spoke. “Pete, this isn’t a subject I’m willing to broach, but I’ll indulge you – this one and only time. Lionel Luthor’s tried to control me, kill me and destroy me. Capra-esque feelings about father and son were never part of our familial makeup. I’ll never make a move to kill him, but I will see him weakened. I’ll see him buried in a cave so deep he’ll never be able to dig his way out. That’s the death Lionel will and should receive – death by oblivion.”

“I didn’t mean – Lex, I wouldn’t have assumed you-“

“Don’t, Pete,” he said, standing up with Chloe in hand, “because you shouldn’t understand the years of hatred, self-loathing, and wanting endured under a man with whom I share a blood bond, but with whom I want absolutely nothing to do with. No one should have to understand or empathize with this situation. I just want it gone.”

The two men nodded at each other in understanding. “Chloe, if it’s OK, I think I’d rather just stay at our old place tonight.”

“Go ahead,” she said, going over to her friend and hugging him lightly. “That will always be your home. You know that.”

“Mind if I crash as well?” Clark asked.

“No, I don’t mind,” she laughed, “just don’t mess up the bathroom. You two are slobs.”

Chloe went over to Lex once again. Taking his hand she smiled at her friends as they walked out of the apartment.

“You know, I hate to say this,” Pete admitted, “but he’s not half bad. He’s fucked-up, but who isn’t?”

“Are you saying you approve of this?” Clark wondered.

“Honestly, I’m not sure,” he replied, “but they’re crazy about each other, Clark. I may have gotten my heart handed to me on a platter, but I recognize that look. Lex loves Chloe and we need to accept that.”

“It’s not so easy for me,” Clark admitted, “because she’s not just a friend to me.”

Pete patted Clark on the shoulder as he grabbed his keys. “Clark, listen to me. You need to let it go. If you want to keep Chloe as a friend, you have to let go of the idea that there will be something more between the two of you.”

“I can’t,” Clark said, walking out of the apartment with Pete.

“Then you’ll lose her friendship. Think about how much that will hurt, my friend.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Barely a step into the elevator at his building, Lex pinned Chloe up against the steel door and was frantically running his hands up her body and under her shirt. Melting under his much missed touch, Chloe’s hands trembled as she clutched his shoulders. His hands traced patterns on her breast as he lowered his head to nuzzle her neck.

“I’ve missed you,” he groaned animalistically, his hands moving down to her buttocks.

“So I feel,” she laughed, feeling his hardness against her hip. She placed her hand on him, feeling the throb through the fabric of his trousers. Lex flinched in response, his hands on her waist as he brought his lips down to hers in furious possession. Their tongues reunited, dancing and drinking in the remembered flavor of one another. Chloe’s hands reached under his shirt and touched the muscles of his lower back.

“Will we make it to the bed?” she managed, as Lex lifted her body and took one engorged nipple into his mouth as she curled her leg around his body.

“Yes,” he moaned. “need you in my bed…….to ravage you…..your body in our sheets.”

“Shut up and get me naked,” she pleaded. The elevator stopped just as he ripped the shirt from her body. Clad in her bra, moistened by his kisses through the flimsy satin, Lex fumbled with his door lock as she tantalizingly traced the outline of her breasts under his observant eye.

“You’ll pay for that,” he warned.

“Make me,” she dared.

As soon as the door was open, he threw her over his shoulder and slammed the door shut with his free hand. Haphazardly, he entered his security code and immediately headed towards the stairwell leading towards the bedroom.

Lex threw her on bed where Chloe assumed her best vamp’s pose. As he undid his shirt, she unzipped her pants and motioned to him with her finger.

“Come and get it,” she said, adding a wink for good measure. Nude before her, Lex grabbed her by the shoulders and slid her body up his bed, his head bending towards her breasts. Ripping off her bra with brute strength, he suckled on her nipple hungrily.

Chloe’s heart was racing as her skin goosebumped in utter delight. To feel her neglected body come to life once again after weeks of being deprived made her mouth run dry with glee. She closed her eyes as she felt him remove her pants and underwear, the wet sensation of his lips trailing kissed just above her small blond patch of pubic hair, a tendril of which he curled with his fingers.

“Lex,” she breathed, violently jumping out of her reverie when she felt his tongue on her wet arousal. With his hands, he spread her legs open, tongue licking up and down as she writhed uncontrollably. Cupping her buttocks, he felt her arousal, absorbing it in his mouth as she clutched him with her knees. Rapturously enraged under his ministrations, Chloe screamed obscenities as he continued to taste her exquisiteness.

“Lex, get inside me,” she pleaded. He was in no position to disagree as he moved up her body and pinned himself atop her body, snaking her legs around his hips. As she felt him entering her body, she clutched his buttocks, guiding his movements into her body with her rhythm. Watching for her reaction, Lex began to thrust faster as she clutched his shoulders with rushed breath.

“Yes,” she panted, “don’t stop…..don’t….stop.”

Holding onto her waist, he pounded himself into her, absorbing her lust and infusing her with his own mad frenzy. Lex began to feel her reaching her peak and starting to slow down. Underneath his throbbing chest, her breasts flattened as he glided slowly through her slick walls, teasing and prolonging her release.

“Faster,” she pleaded.

“Tell me you love me,” he panted.

“I love you,” she acquiesced.

“Only me?”

“Only you…..always you.”

He began to go faster, until he saw her back arch in mad ecstacy. Feeling her climax all about his body, Lex didn’t stop. Faster and faster he thrust himself into her until Chloe felt she would expire of pure carnal pleasure. Clutching him underneath his shoulders, she felt him spill inside her as he collapsed atop her body, laying his head on her shoulder as she curled her leg around his.

“I hate this bed without you,” he managed to say, kissing the side of her neck.

Chloe kissed the top of his head, sending a shiver through his body. “Missed you so much,” he managed to say, “so damn much.”

“Me, too,” she replied, as he hugged her body

Half asleep, she heard him mutter. “Don’t ever leave me.”

“I won’t,” she replied, cradling against him as she felt him drift to sleep.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

In the morning they awoke still intertwined. Chloe watched as Lex slept by her side and kissed his forehead as his hand moved across her breast. Opening his eyes, he smiled as he saw her watching him.

“Good morning,” she whispered.

“It is now,” he said, “that you’re here.”

“Lex, are you turning into a romantic?”

“Keep my secret and I’ll reward you with mind-blowing sex,” he teased, as she kissed his cheek.

“I could eat you up,” she teased, moving to her side as she began to kiss his chest.

“Good,” he replied, pulling her towards him,” because I don’t plan on letting you out of this bed for several days.”

“Days?”

“At the very least,” he finished, “I’ve got to expire my pent up lust.”

“Oh, baby,” she slurred, “I’m sure we’ll take care of that.”

“I don’t doubt it,” he said, running his fingers through her hair. She grew silent as he twirled her hair in his fingers. “But something’s wrong, isn’t it? What’s on your mind?”

“You’ll need to see…him again soon, won’t you?”

“Yes,” he admitted, “but not right away.”

“I don’t want him to hurt you,” she said, admitting her fear, “and I don’t care if I sound corny or girly, but Lex….I don’t know what I’d do if he-“

“It won’t happen,” he assured her, caressing her breast with his hand.

“He’ll stop at nothing to sep-“

Lex silenced her with his lips as he brushed her breasts with his hands, fingers grazing on her erect nipples.

“Let’s keep that man out of our bedroom,” he pleaded, as she arched her back under his touch.

“Mmmm, your wish is my command.”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The following morning, Pete woke up before Clark and found a small envelope tossed underneath the main door. Opening it up, he found a small set of keys together with a note:

Pete,

I’m sure you won’t want to return to your old place, so I’m hoping this place will be to your liking. It’s yours for as long as you want it – no strings attached.

Chloe and I will be – indisposed, for a few days, but we’ll talk soon. You can yell at me then.

Lex

“Goddamn,” Pete said out loud, “but I’m starting to like the son of a bitch.”

He and Clark had been up for hours last night, during which Clark had confessed that he was planning to remain in New York. Pete had offered him a room, whenever he got a place that didn’t have Alyssa-tainted memories attached to it.

“Kent!” he yelled, “haul ass, boy! We’ve got some moving to do!”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

asharnanae

27th December 2004, 23:15

:devil: this fic has really suited my mood at the moment.

great writeing!!! :blinkkiss: :chlexsign2:

hfce

27th December 2004, 23:19

Nice.... :cool: I can't wait to see the Luthor show down.

Hope :)

buddyfozzy

27th December 2004, 23:29

I'm so happy Lex and Chloe got their quality time together :drool: :drool: :drool: And I loved the present Lex gave to Pete. :biggrin: :biggrin:

ptite_mily

28th December 2004, 00:31

Great updates! Thank you! :biggrin:

kitten

28th December 2004, 05:28

:biggrin:

Now thats a reunion . . . yummy Chlex.

And I'm glad Pete's getting a new place to start over with Alyssa tinted memories.

autumngold

28th December 2004, 08:08

Does this mean Chloe is moving in with Lex? I hope she won't have to live alone again!! Excellent update!! Thank you for making Lex and Chloe happy again!! Will it last? :yay: :chlexsign3: :yay:

becky

28th December 2004, 20:03

ooh, smut and an overdue come-uppance!!

fab stuff, more soon!!!

~Becky~
:chlexsign3:

sydsvaughn

29th December 2004, 06:43

Reunions ... good.

Chlex lovin' ... better.

More Chlex lovin' in the next update ... priceless!

SaraC

Kit Merlot

29th December 2004, 14:50

How cool is it that Pete is starting to like Lex?

The Chlex smut was fantastic :biggrin:

Excellent!

Kit Merlot

12th January 2005, 18:53

You know in all the excitement, I almost forgot this ass-kickingly superb fic :biggrin:

Please update this puppy--it needs it!

ptite_mily

14th January 2005, 02:15

Hey! I want an update!
I really enjoyed this fic: action,smut, angst, smut... :biggrin:
Please give us more :worship2:

crankychick

26th January 2005, 20:32

Title: Tango in New York City
Disclaimer: I own none of the characters and none of the storylines, but I especially do not want to be blamed for Blanda.
Rating: NC-17. Its steamy

Spoilers: A bit of the plot intricacies of season 4 are discussed, with some creative license taken.

Setting: As soon as she graduated from Smallville High, Chloe got out of Kansas and moved out to New York. She got a partial scholarship to New York University and makes up for her other expenses by freelancing. She and Pete are close friends, having briefly shared an apartment in Upper Manhattan before he left to move in with his new girlfriend.

(Lionel makes a new friend and gets a special visitor. Pete and Clark move into their new apartment. Lex cuts a deal with the Justice Department.)

{special note - thanks to everyone's who has been reading and enjoying this story. I'm sorry it took me so long to update, but the climax is upon us now. Special thanks to nonky - I could not have scratched out Lionel's doom without your help}
Chapter 25
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Every time you pass me by, I heave a sigh of pain...

“I believe the proverbial ‘knock me over with a feather would apply to this scenario, wouldn’t you Miss Sullivan?”

Stoically, she watched him as he sat down, “Don’t get too warm and fuzzy, Lionel. This is far from a social visit.”

“Are you serving as my son’s emissary? I would not have expected him to put you so freely in harm’s way.”

“He didn’t,” she replied calmly, “I wanted to come. I needed to see you here in this place. How’s the turndown service?”

“Petty quips won’t ruin the joy your presence fills me with.”

“You may not think that way for long, Lionel. I’m happy to report that I’m the bearer of bad news.”

Every time I see your face I think of things unpure, unchaste...

“Well, I’m breathless with joy and anticipation,” he crooned, placing his hands behind his head as he simpered in his seat.

“Making friends is generally a good thing, isn’t it, wouldn’t you agree?”

His eyes glanced at her suspiciously, as he leaned forward and approached the glass partition cautiously. “What exactly is your point? Are you here to instruct me in social niceties and protocol?”

“No, just to gawk at your rapid downfall…..Lionel. Amazingly you’ve gone from volcanic bastard to….oh, what’s the word I’m looking for here. Ah yes! Chump.”

Your face reminds me of a flower
Kind of like you're underwater

Speechless and curious, he smiled as he fingered the mouthpiece of the phone he held under his chin. “Let’s get to the point.”

“Alazraqui. Nice name for a not-so nice person. You’ve been upgrading your associates. I would have never pegged you for a traitor.”

“Miss Sullivan, would you kindly explain what in the hell you are talking about?”

Every time I see your face I think of things unpure, unchaste
I want to fuck you like a dog
I'll take you home and make you like it

“Carlos Alazraqui. Transferred to this fine facility under the guise of money laundering charges, but as it turns out he’s a bit more nefarious than even you could have imagined. It should be announced later today and I’d hate to ruin the six o’clock news for you. God knows you have so very little to look forward to in here.”

Everything you say is so obnoxious, funny, true and mean

Exasperated, he rose to his feet and banged his hand against the partition. Lionel was slowly becoming aware that his new, supposedly secret association with his corridor-mate had somehow gotten leaked to his son. By the looks of it, Lionel was displeased by said disclosure.

“What is it that I’m about to find out?”

“Patience, Mr. Luthor. All good things to those who wait.”

You're probably shy and introspective
That's not part of my objective

With a curt nod and a shake of her head, Chloe departed the visitor’s area, walking as quickly as her high heels would allow her feet to go. Exiting the building, she retrieved her possessions from the check desk, instantly diving in for her cell phone.

“Lex,” she said, reaching his voicemail as she expected she would. “The fish has been baited. Reel him in.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Lex tossed the thin, manila envelope on Senior Officer Kirkland’s desk, sitting down as the man began to inspect the contents.

“It’s everything we discussed on the phone,” Lex assured him. “Apparently, my father was searching for easy funds and this Alazraqui was helping him deal with stolen goods.”

“More than stolen goods, Mr. Luthor. This directly implicates him in terrorist activities, since the art in question was moved by key members of Al Quaida out of Afghanistan to parts unknown.”

“They’re known as of now.” Lex assured the man, “Thanks to the money trail we were able to map out, I was able to find several suspicious accounts, all of which contained small amounts of cash. He had planned to empty the accounts into one larger holding, but it wouldn’t go through.”

“And why is that?”

“Because I saw to it that they only appeared to have the funds,” Lex replied, smiling. “The accounts have been empty for weeks, but I needed for him to believe the funds were available. It was necessary that he expand his friendship with this man. I had no doubt that once this was accomplished, he’d make a quick move for the money.”

“Damn good work, I must admit, though I wish you’d made us a part of it,” Kirkland’s face betrayed a mixture of annoyance and admiration.

“The plan would have failed,” Lex replied without hesitation, “with too many cooks watching the pot.”

Kirkland raised his eyebrows, nodding as he reviewed the printouts of the transactions, page upon page of account access and attempted money wires. “Someday, Mr. Luthor, I’d like to see you effectuate more plans like this one from this side of the desk.”

Proudly, Lex grinned, “Send Lionel Luthor to Gitmo and we’ll talk. Career opportunities should always be explored.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“Lex has got to be out of his fucking mind,” were the first words out of Pete’s mouth when he and Clark arrived at their new apartment in the Red Hook section of Brooklyn. What he’d origjnally thought was a walk-up, turned out to be an entire brownstone.

“Do we even have enough furniture for a place this size?” Clark wondered.

“Clark, we can figure that out, but man. This place has got be worth seven digits. Way fancier than I expected.”

“That’s Lex,” Clark huffed, putting down the box he was carrying, “he never buys anything except top quality.”

“You gonna be okay with this?” Pete wondered.

“I’ll deal with it, Pete,” Clark assured him, “but only temporarily.”

“Spoil sport.”

Pete wandered upstairs, finding to his immense pleasure that the televisions were hooked up. As he picked up the remote control, he realized they were hooked up with satellite television.

Oh, I’m going to enjoy the shit out of this.

“Clark, dump that stuff downstairs,” he called out, jumping down the stairs.”

“What are you talking about?” Clark grunted, laying down another box as Pete headed to the truck again.

“We’ve got to get snacks and get ready for the Raiders.”

“That game’s not being shown on the East Coast, I thought.”

“It is here.”

“Pete-“

“Shut it, Kent. Don’t mess with the football.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Chloe hit the Greenmarket and Zeytuna, shopping for groceries to prepare dinner for the big event that evening. She picked up Lex’s favorite blue cheese and brioche, and plenty of wild greens, salmon and freshly made croutons to go along with the fresh soup and roasted organic chicken. One of the great things about living in New York was how easily markets accommodated the gourmet needs of the culinary challenged.

Heading out on Astor Place, she caught a cab and promptly got herself stuck in rush hour traffic. To add further annoyance she’d once again let her battery run out without charging it. Lex hated tardiness, but he’d have to deal with it.

Grabbing her bags as soon as they rounded the corner to their building, she let the cab driver take her bag out of the trunk and deposit it on the sidewalk. Generously tipping the man, she dragged her things as best she could to the lobby.

“Never again…….airport to market ….bad, bad.”

Using the private elevator key, Chloe dragged the grocery bags and her small duffel into the small space and headed to the top floor. Lex, hearing the commotion outside the door, grabbed his glass of wine and walked out the door to the elevator. Chloe made an exasperated face as he took the bags from her hand.

“What did you do, buy out the entire market?” he teased.

“Oh, stop. How am I supposed to know how much is enough? Everything’s packed into tiny, little containers!”

“We could have sent out for this stuff,” he said, walking into the apartment and laying the bags on the kitchen table, “and I know you must be exhausted from your trip today.”

“As you must be from yours,” she countered, taking the soup and meats out and starting to look for pots and pans, “I can’t believe we had to take two planes.”

“I wasn’t sure how long my conference with the Justice Department was going to take.”

“Even still, I feel like a spoiled, little rich girl,” she said, “but very sad.”

“Why sad?”

“We haven’t kissed today,” she said, mock pouting. Lex laughed, laying his hand on her shoulder and bent down, slowly caressing her mouth with his. Chloe closed her eyes and raised her hand to his cheek, smiling as she relaxed against his tender kiss.

“A stupid oversight,” he said, nuzzling her nose with his, “that I’m sorry about. But I did kiss you this morning as you slept.”

“Good. Make sure you never leave our bed without kissing me.”

“You’re very demanding, my greedy love.”

“But cute, right?”

“Excessively cute,” he said, “and thank you for picking up dinner. I haven’t had anything since lunch.”

“I’ll set it up.”

“No, I’ll take care of it. Turn on the news. I think the fireworks are about to go off.”

As Lex scurried around the kitchen, Chloe turned on the television, flipping the channel to CNN and raising the volume. She returned to the kitchen and poured out the wild greens, tomatoes, dressing and cheese into a large, wooden bowl, tossing it liberally as she watched the screen for any mention of Lionel.

Lex watched as well, even as he warmed up the salmon in the microwave. As he reached for the wine, the broadcast began. Chloe clutched his arm anxiously as they listened:

Lionel Luthor, one of the richest men in North America and current Federal Detainee, has been arraigned this afternoon on charges of terrorist collaboration and PATRIOT Act violations. It is speculated that Mr. Luthor had been smuggling artwork and laundering money on behalf of several organizations known to be enemies of the state. Immediately after his arraignment, Mr. Luthor was transferred to the army base at Guantanamo to await prosecution. It is not known at this time whether the president will make a statement……

“He who strikes last usually strikes best,” Lex said dryly, looking over at Chloe, who had a worried expression on her face.

“Are you sure you’re alright with this, Lex. The man is after all still your father….”

Lex grabbed her hand and shook his head. “It’s done, Chloe. I want to put that man and everything he’s done behind us. It’s the only way we’ll ever be ever to start a new life.”

Smiling weakly, she took his hand and brought it to her face. “Okay, closure it is.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Music Credit:

“Flower” music & lyrics, Liz Phair

autumngold

26th January 2005, 20:52

Thanks for the update!! I'm so glad that Lex and Chloe are out of trouble with the government now!! Will Lionel try to retaliate? Can't wait for your next post!! :applause: :chlexsign1: :applause:

hfce

26th January 2005, 22:42

That was a great update. I love your use with the modern stuff that is happening today. So the next chapter is sex right? :devil:

Hope :chlexsign4:

Kit Merlot

28th January 2005, 14:45

I liked the twist of the terrorism aspect--very cool!

And I love Pete--he is such a guy :biggrin:

Awesome chapter :chlexsign2:

Nadia_

29th January 2005, 04:07

I shouldn't be here now but just couldn't stop reading this! It's just.. just.. :worship2: (thats all I'm capable to formulate right now...)
So pleaseeeee, pleaseeee Update soon!!!!!!

Mrs.Luthor

10th February 2005, 01:08

I am sooo hooked on this story! Wonderful characterizations and :drool: -worthy :chlexsign1: !!!

Keep up the good work (translation: update soon!)

Beth

hfce

10th February 2005, 01:37

Are you planning to update this soon? :D

Hope ;)

Shy Butterfly

26th February 2005, 21:01

This story is awesome please update soon!

Sidhe

27th February 2005, 08:02

That was masterful. Lex is the Bomb! :biggrin:

hfce

27th February 2005, 08:47

Update please..... :D

Hope ;)

kitten

27th February 2005, 08:58

*waves to Lionel*

Bye! Have fun! Be sure to get that "exit only" tattoo as soon as you can!

Wonderful. It's always good to see smug Chloe and Lex settling in for a quiet night at home.

crankychick

3rd March 2005, 00:51

Title: Tango in New York City
Disclaimer: I own none of the characters and none of the storylines, but I especially do not want to be blamed for Blanda.
Rating: NC-17. Its steamy

Spoilers: A bit of the plot intricacies of season 4 are discussed, with some creative license taken.

Setting: As soon as she graduated from Smallville High, Chloe got out of Kansas and moved out to New York. She got a partial scholarship to New York University and makes up for her other expenses by freelancing. She and Pete are close friends, having briefly shared an apartment in Upper Manhattan before he left to move in with his new girlfriend.

(The end of Lionel Luthor. The end of a friendship as a new one begins.)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The following January

The day had finally arrived. As the alarm sounded, Lex sat in bed, his emotions confused as he began to consider the finality of what would take place later that day. Chloe awoke as well, resting her head against his shoulder as they sat together in shared silence. He placed his arm about her shoulder as she leaned against his body.

“I can’t imagine what you must be thinking or feeling at this moment, Lex,” she finally said, “but please remember that I’ll at your side no matter what you decide to do.”

“I’ve already decided, Chloe,” he stated, “and I won’t change my mind on the subject. I need to be there. I need to watch to be sure that-“

“Shh, Lex,” Chloe replied, stroking his face with her hand, “I know. I understand. If that’s what you’ve decided, I’ll be with you.”

“Chloe, you shouldn’t have to witness-“

“No more arguments, Lex,” she stated calmly, “and just so that it’s clear, I’m going. We’ve been through hell over the past year and I’ll be damned if I let you out of my sight on the day this horrific event takes place.”

Lex turned to her, kissed her forehead and held her tightly against his body. “How can I ask you to come with me today, Chloe, after all that man has put you through.”

“It’s simple,” she whispered, eyes closed as she leaned against his body. “I love you and you need me. Where you go, I go.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

In Brooklyn, Pete turned on the television set and saw the inevitable announcement on CNN. Today, justice would be served on several traitors of the state, but his main concern was Lex’s state of mind. For the past week, Lex had been practically mute on the subject of his father but no matter the silence, this couldn’t be an easy time for him.

Clark, on the other hand, had stupidly pontificated that Lex was better off without his father. Pete tried to get him to stop expressing this unwelcome platitude, but it did no good. In a final act of resolution, Pete insisted that if he insisted on continuing to berate the man who’d secured a place for them to live, he should just leave. Clark had agreed.

In the upstairs den, Clark finished collecting a few books and movies he had. Most of his things were already packed and boxed in the small car he’d purchased. He wasn’t quite sure where he was going, but he knew he had start putting the past behind him piece by piece.

Pete stood by the den entryway, leaning against the door. “Clark, you gonna keep up with your stubbornness?”

“Pete, you were right. I can’t stay here if I feel so strongly about Lex and how he’s changed.”

“And you think he’s the only one that has? Clark, we’ve all been through some major shit in the last few months, including you. The guy’s been catatonic for nearly a week, but instead of offering him friendship you keep shooting your mouth off on how much better we’ll all be without Lionel Luthor around.”

“I didn’t mean it that way,” Clark insisted, tossing some DVDs carelessly into his army tote.

“Well, that’s how it sounded and even if the old man is the devil, couldn’t your empassioned stand have waited a day or so, until it was all over?”

“I tried to apologize.”

“Who are you kidding, man? I heard what you said. That shit wasn’t an apology, Clark. You should have known your words were condescending and hurtful.”

“You and Lex have become good friends, haven’t you?”

“Why shouldn’t we?” Pete argued, “He helped me out of a difficult situation and got me a recommendation to work in Congressman Ferrer’s office on that environmental committee I’ve been reading up on.”

“Lex gives with one hand and takes with the other, Pete. Remember that.”

“As opposed to you who takes with both and gives with none? Clark, preaching to an empty choir ain’t gonna make you a hero. It’s going to make you a loner.”

“Then I think it’s best I get out of New York,” Clark said, walking out of the room and towards the stairs.

“Why are you doing this, man?” Pete said, following him as Clark walked towards the front door. “Why is it impossible for you to see any situation objectively?”

“I don’t know, Pete,” he replied honestly, “but for now, what I do know is that I need to give myself some space….some room to breathe.”

“Still insisting this has nothing to do with Chloe?”

Clark flinched slightly as he turned to Pete, “I’ve already accepted that I lost that fight, Pete. What I won’t do is sit around and pretend to be a friend when what I want is to be something more to her. I can’t watch them be happy without hating them for it.”

“Man, that is some selfish shit right there.”

“Maybe,” Clark agreed, “but it’s the truth.”

Pete sighed and shook his head. “You got any money at least?”

Clark smiled and nodded, “I’ll be fine, Pete. As soon as I settle somewhere, I’ll let you know where I am.”

“You can’t run forever, Clark,” Pete said.

Clark smiled as he opened the door. “Don’t preach, Pete. I don’t think it suits either one of us.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~

FEDERAL INTERNMENT CAMP
GUANTANAMO BAY
CUBA

In the small, olive-green room, Chloe held Lex’s hand tightly as Lionel was brought into the opposite room. Through the bulletproof glass window, they could see the events as they took place. As steadfast as he’d been before, Chloe noticed the moment Lex was brought into the observation room, his hands trembled and his face was a mask of pure sadness.

No matter how horrible that man was, Lex always believed secretly he could and would change. Today he faces the fact that Lionel dies exactly as he lived – with no regret for the lives he ruined or nearly ruined.

“I can’t believe this is happening,” he whispered to her. Chloe turned to face him and mouthed, “I know,” into his ear.

As the federal officers synchronized their watches and ran a test of the equipment, Lionel Luthor was strapped into the black gurney. The physicians and nurses placed the monitors on his leg, heart and arm and his sentence was read as a matter of protocol. The gurney was raised until he was parallel with the glass window as a microphone was placed near his mouth.

“Mr. Luthor,” the federal warden asked formally, “do you have any final words to say?”

Lionel looked at Lex, locking eyes with his son and nodding his head before turning to Chloe, whom he scowled at. Shaking his head, he said, “Let’s get this over with, shall we?”

He was wheeled away from the window and brought once again to a lying position as the catheters were inserted into the veins of his arms. Lionel turned his head and stared at his son.

Even in death, you leave me with nothing, Father. Has anyone ever meant anything to you?

The tests were concluded and Lionel Luthor was secured to the boards at the side of the gurney. The catheters were secured to the tubes as the officers waited for the official time of execution.

Lex had been informed that the window was one way, but from his vantage point, he could swear Lionel was staring at him.

The clock ticked and it was officially 1:00pm. The first lever was pressed and the saline solution began to flow into his veins, causing no noticeable effects. When this had been completed successfully, the warden gave the signal to proceed and the sodium thiopental flowed into his veins.

It was at this point that Lionel’s eyes closed and the sounds of a deep sigh filled both the procedure room and the observation room. Lex held Chloe’s hand tightly as he watched the events transgress in silence.

After the anesthetic succeeded in putting Lionel to sleep, he was injected with pancuronium bromide, which paralyzed his muscles and began to stop his breathing. As Chloe looked up at Lex, she saw him cry quietly as the father who had neglected him for most of his life began to die before him.

“I thought I would feel nothing,” Lex said quietly, as Chloe leaned against him, “but I guess I’m not as stoic as I pretend to be.”

The monitors showed the body’s breakdown, all without any setbacks, prompting the warden to give the final signal. The potassium chloride was released – the final element – and the EKG machine registered the final heartbeats of Lionel Luthor.

At this point, Lex crumbled into Chloe’s arms, holding her tightly as the official notice was announced.

“At precisely 1:07pm, Lionel Luthor passed away in fulfillment of state sanctioned execution, having been declared such by the Army medical coroner and the sanctioned medical coroner representing the Central Intelligence Agency of the United States of America. May God have mercy on his soul.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~

Chloe had asked him to stop by that evening and Pete didn’t have the heart to turn her down. As he walked into their apartment, he saw Lex standing by the large bay window, aimlessly staring at the traffic below.

“Is he-“

Chloe shook her head, “He’s been that way since we got. I’m worried about him, Pete.”

“Give me a minute, Ok?”

Pete walked over to where Lex stood and placed his hand on the man’s shoulder. As Lex turned to see who it was, he saw Pete shake his head. He saw no pity on the younger man’s face, just kind empathy. Lex turned towards the window again.

“I’m not good company tonight, Pete.”

“It’s alright, man. Not expecting you to be.”

“I don’t feel like talking.”

“Who does?”

“I don’t feel like being preached to either.”

“Not here for that.”

Lex sighed, hung his head and took a deep breath. “Thank you for coming, Pete.”

“S’alright, Lex. It’s what friends are for, right? Don't worry, though. I ain't planning on singing either.”

Lex smiled as he looked over at the young man, standing by the window in quiet sympathy.
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