Two Sides of the Coin (PG 13/R) Update 9/6/05

[tracyaching]

Disclaimer: All hail the Smallville God's. I own nothing but merely play with the crumbs they leave behind. Yadda, yadda.

Summary: Starts as a Chloe/Lex kidnapping (tired, I know) and becomes so much more.

Author's Note: First Smallville Fic. Don't be afraid to be brutal. Also don't worry, hot Chlex action is in the works-I just think it's best to build up to these things.

Chapter One-

“Why do you keep doing this to yourself? Why don’t you just walk away from your dad?”
“Because he won’t give me the one thing I ever wanted from him.”
“And that would be. . .?”
“I want him to love me.”

Since their brief encounter in his office, Lex had found himself in a rare state of confusion, conflicted and unsure what to do. His first instinct was to avoid Chloe Sullivan at all costs. She knew something about him, something powerful. . . and thus she was dangerous. His father had taught him that what motivated a man could also be used to manipulate him. The truth of this theory had been proven to him again and again as he got older. So with each betrayal, he had gathered up a little more of his fears and anger, his pain and even love and locked it all away into a place inside of himself that looked a lot like a box made from the lead armor of St. George. It had made him strong. And the hidden things inside him mostly stayed there, because no one had a key, not even Lex. And then a small blonde reporter found the key, in the form of three questions he couldn’t not answer.
The way she looked at him then- she didn’t look repulsed or pitying. When the shock of what she had done had worn off, she looked . . . understanding. In that brief second he felt a kinship with her. Somehow she knew exactly how he felt. They were alike. It was- comforting.
When Chloe was gone though, run off to help Clark, the danger of what had happened became clear to him. His armor had been breached. Unsure of the best way to protect himself, Lex decided he would avoid Chloe. After all, he wasn’t so far gone he would strike at a high school girl and it shouldn’t be hard to miss her. The Talon was the only place they really shared in common despite their mutual acquaintances. So he would, he decided take the most expeditious route by avoiding the coffee house and thereby avoiding her. He sat back content that he had a plan. But even though the decision was made he found himself troubled by the image of her at odd times: looking at expense reports, practicing with his fencing coach, even while driving his car he would see her face- the way it looked as the truth of his motivations slipped out. It was the troubling thought of that wise angelic face that brought him into the Talon again and again, despite his vow, to watch her from afar and wonder what else she saw and understood in him.
After two weeks he was still torn, fearing she was dangerous and curious anyway about the nature of her perception. Did Chloe Sullivan see more than other people? Did she see other things in him that he had kept hidden? The girl seemed to be full of contradictions. She could ferret out the truth about any member of the Smallville mutant community but she couldn’t see that Clark would never feel anything but friendship for her. Lex could hardly believe he was reduced to analyzing the love life of a teenage girl as a means of understanding himself. He was becoming frustrated . . . and he was starting to feel like some kind of pervert, watching her all the time.
After another fruitless forty-five minutes of sitting in a booth pretending to do paperwork while actually observing Chloe interact with her laptop and a latte, Lex decided to give it a rest for the day. He would drive home, have a quiet meal, and settle down with a drink and a good book. He gathered up his papers and reached for his briefcase. Lex looked up automatically for one last glance and found himself staring straight into her eyes. His first urge was actually to turn away but he was a Luthor and he refused to run from anyone, especially not some high school girl Friday. He met Chloe’s eyes and nodded calmly. Then he left.
Lex was around the block and pulling the keys to his Porsche out when the side door of the Talon swing open.
“Why are you watching me?” Chloe demanded from behind him.
He turned to face her, his cool mask in place “What makes you think I was watching you, Miss Sullivan?”
He saw her jaw tighten, “I’m not an idiot and I’m not blind, Mr. Luthor.” She drew his name out in a mocking imitation of his ‘Miss Sullivan’.
“Perhaps my eyes are simply drawn to the area of the most noise.”
“Maybe, you’re just a-“
“The quality of your verbal judo has definitely gone downhill if you’re resorting to name calling.” He resumed the walk to his car.

Chloe slid into the passenger seat, just as he started the engine.
“You almost had me there,” She said conversationally, flashing him a big smile and settling her book bag into her lap. “But I get the run around more often than you get laid.”
“I doubt that.” He replied dryly, “Now get out of my car.”
“No.”
He turned his number three baleful gaze on her. She wilted but remained in the seat. “Tell me why you’ve been watching me.” The blonde insisted, crossing her arms obstinately.
“You realize I could have you arrested for trespassing.” He told her calmly.
“You realize I could have you arrested for stalking.” She replied. He just looked at her.
“Miss Sullivan-“
“I’m not getting out of this car until you tell me the truth.” She winced as she heard the words come out of her mouth. The truth. Lex saw the wince quite clearly.
“Haven’t you had enough of that lately?” He asked coolly, no trace of bitterness. It should have sent her stumbling out of his car and it definitely had hurt her. He could see the spasm of pain but she was more stubborn that he had given her credit for. Chloe set her jaw and glared, tucking the pain away in a manner that was all too familiar.
“Fine.” Lex put the car into reverse and slid out of the parking space.
“What are you doing?”
“You won’t get out- that’s fine, but I have things to do.” He would have his quiet dinner and his drink and his book. She could sit in the driveway all night for all he cared. It looked like rain. Good. Ignoring the girl, Lex turned up the music and turned on the Porsche lights. The sun sets over Kansas, he thought sarcastically.

When Lex woke up, his head hurt. It was astounding how many times this sentence had been used to accurately describe his situation. How many times could a person be kidnapped and survive, he wondered. At least one more time, he promised himself grimly. The act of clenching his jaw caused a wave of nausea to rise up suddenly. Lex closed his eyes tightly and rested his head against his knees, willing the headache and dizziness to recede before he concentrated on anything else.
Chloe made a small sound that turned into a loud groan as she rolled onto her stomach and pushed herself to her knees. What was wrong with her life that she was always waking up in strange abandoned buildings? She must have the worst karma in Kansas, possibly the Western Hemisphere. Her eyes fell on Lex.
“I just couldn’t get out of the car, could I?” She said in disgust.
“I did suggest it.”
“Spare me the ‘I told you so’s’,” She looked at him measuring, “So what’s the deal?”
“Excuse me?”
“Who are our evil captors? What is their nefarious plot? How are we going to make our plucky escape? Etcetera, etcetera.” She waved her hand vaguely.
“The newspaper business seems to be affecting your thinking, Miss Sullivan. The answer to your questions is, ‘I have no idea’. I only woke up a few minutes ago.”
Her expression clearly implied that she would at least have had a theory by now.
“We should try to find out where we are at least,” Chloe tried to stand and sat back down heavily.
“I wouldn’t suggest standing. The drugs they gave us don’t seem to have worn off yet.”
“Yah,” The girl agreed, pressing the heel of her hand into her left eye, “You’d think I’d be better at this by now.” Her voice was muffled by her hands.
“I think this is one scenario in which practice does not make perfect.” He studied her for a moment, “Are you alright?” He asked.
“Just peachy.”
“I’m serious, Miss Sullivan. I need to know your physical condition before I can think of an escape plan.” The girl looked at him with one eye.
“I really am fine, Mr. Luthor. My head hurts obviously but other than that I’m okay.” He nodded stiffly but, in the habit now, he continued to watch her as she lowered her head back to her knees.
After twenty minutes of careful and deliberate breathing, Lex was able to stand and begin to evaluate their predicament. Another abandoned warehouse by the look of it. Kidnappers have so little imagination, he thought disapprovingly. It was completely empty, not even a leftover pallet or any other debris to fashion a weapon out of. The kidnappers had taken his suit jacket so that he was left in a deep blue button up and impeccably tailored slacks. He was as slick and fashionable as ever but a little cold. Chloe at least got to keep her jacket. Lex checked his pants pockets and was not surprised to find he had been stripped of anything remotely useful. At least he hadn’t been tied up. Obviously their captors felt it wasn’t necessary. The windows were far out of reach and the one door was chained shut from the outside. Lex could open the door exactly half an inch- not even enough room to get at the lock. The door was heavy steel and new by the look of it-no way to kick through it.
Chloe was watching him sideways from her place on the floor; her head leaning on her crossed arms, resting on her knees. She looked very small when she wasn’t in motion.
“Any helpful suggestions?” He asked dryly.
“Nope, you seem to be doing okay. Good job!” She added, flashing him a thumbs up and a mocking smile. Ah, there was the usual annoying Chloe.
“If you think you can do any better-“ His voice was icy.
“No,” She replied looking weary and contrite. Using the wall for leverage, she stood and approached him, “I’m sorry. This isn’t your fault. I shouldn’t take it out on you.”
“Says who?” He asked.
“Says who what?”
“Who says this isn’t my fault? Whoever kidnapped us was obviously after me-“
“I have been kidnapped and assaulted just as often as you have,” Chloe put her hands on her hips, “Who’s to say they weren’t after me and you just got in the way?”
“Number one- This seems a little high tech for the usual mutant villains. Number two- We’re clearly not in Smallville anymore. My guess is Metropolis. Have any of you’re adventures gotten you kidnapped out of Smallville?” He didn’t wait for her reply, “And number three- Why are we wasting time arguing about which of us is less popular?”
Lex could see her lips twist, fighting the smile.
“Good question,” She admitted. Moving away from him, she began to walk along the warehouse walls, studying them carefully, and trailing her fingers along the concrete. Neither of their searches resulted in anything.
As the hours passed, Lex was became increasingly agitated. It showed in subtle ways; how he tapped the cold floor with his finger and how he frowned occasionally at the night sky, showing through the windows. He knew he was right when he told Chloe the kidnappers had to be after him, and that meant she was a victim of circumstances. He didn’t remember the kidnapping very well- no doubt the result of the drugs. They had been driving toward his mansion because she wouldn’t get out of his car and he wouldn’t be strong-armed into answering her questions. He remembered that. They had been run off the road into a field and then- it got very fuzzy. Was there cursing? Exclamations? Had they been surprised and angry to find Chloe in his car? Lex couldn’t remember and now they were both here. If they hadn’t killed her in the field then they intended to use her against him, to force him to comply with their plans.
He studied her carefully, where she sat on the floor, her head on her knees again. She hadn’t complained- at least not in any serious way, even though it was getting cold and she was probably hungry and thirsty like he was. She hadn’t cried either but she was starting to look nervous and she kept glancing at the door. He realized suddenly how much he had screwed up her life. Thinking back over his paranoid curiosity and the behavior it had prompted he felt disgusted. If he hadn’t been watching her, she never would have gotten in his car which meant she wouldn’t be here now. It was all his fault- so he had to get her out of this.
She was staring intently at the door when she abruptly sat straight up, her eyes wide. Then she started to laugh. He looked at her alarmed,
“Chloe?” He asked. Lex got hastily to his feet and rushed to her side. She waved him back vaguely and shook her head.
“It’s fine.” She gasped between giggles. She got to her feet, “We’re getting out of here- I think anyway.” She headed toward the door, “I can’t believe it took so long to think of it. I can’t believe they-“ She couldn’t fight back the laughter anymore.
“Chloe what are we doing?” He demanded, his patience wearing thin. She shushed him absently. Shushed him. Lex Luther. Shushed him. The blonde knelt down and reached for the lowest bolt hinge- bolt hinge. Lex shook his head, partly at his own stupidity and partly for the stupidity of their kidnappers, before reaching out to remove the top bolt. He couldn’t believe after all their skillful work thus far, their captors hadn’t noticed the door was installed this way. The door was new and well oiled but he still struggled with the bolt a little. Eventually he pulled it out of the hinge. Chloe couldn’t seem to get hers loose.
“Here,” he said quietly, touching her shoulder and nodding her back.
“I am perfectly capable-“
“I know you are, Chloe, but in the interest of time-“
She gave him a sour look but stepped back, “Fine, Lex.”
He pulled the bolt free and turned to her, “We don’t know where we are or what waits on the other side of that door. I would suggest that our best bet is to get as far from here as possible without being spotted and we’ll decide what to do from there, okay?”
She nodded. The middle bolt pulled free easily and he looked at her once more,
”Ready?”
She nodded impatiently. Pulling on the hinges, Lex opened the door in reverse.


Chloe instinctively fell behind Lex, keeping him close enough to reach but not so close that she might accidentally trip him or trip over him. Lex in turn stuck close to the wall, keeping them in shadow, moving slowly. He paused at the corner of the building, trying to decide which way to go when they both heard a loud curse. Lex grabbed her hand and hissed, “Run!” before pulling her around the corner. It was too late. Chloe heard shots and she could have sworn she could sense the bullets, so close. The night was inky black, masking the faces of their pursuers, so that it seemed as though they were being chased by a terrible bodiless danger. If she hadn’t had to concentrate so hard on keeping up with Lex and his iron-hard grip on her wrist, she was ashamed to think she might have broken down weeping with fear.
They had been running so long and Lex wouldn’t let her stop. Every time she would stumble he would yank on her arm again, refusing to let her slow down, refusing to let her catch her breath. Chloe began to hate Lex as much as the men who were chasing them. If only he would let her breathe. Finally after what seemed like hours they couldn’t hear the pursuit anymore and the fierce hand let her go. She fell onto her hands and knees, the air burning in her throat. If Lex had told her they had to run again, she would have fallen onto her back and let them kill her right there.
After several minutes of painful desperate breathing, Chloe felt about as normal as she figured she would. Her reporter’s instincts reasserted themselves and she started to look around. Lex was on her right, sitting against a wooden fence, his head leaning back. Chloe took some small satisfaction from this evidence of weariness. Apparently they were on the south edge of the district, where the warehouses butted up to the rough neighborhoods of the city’s working poor. The fence enclosed someone’s back yard. Chloe could see the post of a clothing line looming over Lex, with someone’s laundry still strung on the line. The young man beside her eyed almost absently, “Are you alright?”
Trust Lex Luthor to enquire if she were alright as though they were sitting in an elegant restaurant and she had coughed over a fish bone or something. Bastard. He was still looking at her.
“Yeah,” she answered briefly. Chloe’s expression turned to a frown and she studied him intently before glancing beyond him again. When she stood unexpectedly, Lex reached up to grab her as she leaned over him.
“Chloe!” He protested. She hip checked his hand roughly and when she came back down to crouch beside him she was holding a navy zip up hoodie, the kind workmen all over the city wore. She grabbed his arm and shoved it into the sleeve. Unable to protest or resist too loudly, he allowed her to stuff him into the coat. Just as he was about to demand to know what she was doing, she settled the jacket on his shoulders and roughly pulled the hood up over his head.
“You were reflecting.” She told him, shortly. There was no arguing with that. Anyway, since they had stopped running the sweat on his skin had left him cold and shivering. Now at least he was warm. The jacket itself was worn but clean and surprisingly comfortable.
“By the way,” Lex said, as he surveyed the night, “that was a pretty brilliant escape.”
Chloe smiled ruefully, “Clark never gets to insult my movie choices again.”

The rest of their journey passed in a nightmarish blur. They slunk around the silent unmarked streets, keeping to the shadows and actually getting lost a few times. The warehouse district seemed to go on and on. At one point, hearing noise and fearing their pursuers had found them again, the pair hid in a dumpster. Huddling in the trash and terrified, Chloe was almost overcome by the hysterical urge to laugh. She was hiding in a dumpster with Lex Luthor. It was almost too absurd.
Climbing back out, Chloe decided it was time get some answers, “Where are we going?”
“I have a place a few blocks from here.”
“Don’t you think that’s the first place our new friends will look?” She asked, sounding as though she were speaking to someone a little slow.
“It’s not in my name and I hardly ever use it,” he replied coolly, “We can hide there until we figure out what to do.”
“Why don’t we just go to the police?”
“They’ll be watching the police stations. Anyone powerful enough to order a kidnapping on me won’t have any compunction about bribing or killing cops to get at us.” To her credit, she saw the logic of this or maybe she was just too tired to fight anymore.
“Okay.”
The building Lex took her to was five stories, stone and utterly non-descript. It sat on the edge of the district that included the hip converted warehouse clubs of Metropolis. Strangely, the lobby doors were unlocked, though it had to be three or four in the morning. The inside of the building was gorgeous, nothing like the spartan exterior. The floor was marble, inlayed with an ornate pattern of dark and light. The ceiling was a beautiful vaulted dome, soaring high over the lobby. Their footsteps echoed horribly as they crossed the floor. There was a security guard behind a desk who eyed them as Lex approached a wall of old-fashioned combination lock mailboxes. When he reached for box 409 the guard stopped watching. Using a six digit combination Chloe couldn’t see (though she tried, force of habit) Lex withdrew a small ring of keys and nodded to the elevator.
Once inside the safety of the elevators, Chloe turned to Lex, “What kind of an apartment building is this?” She demanded. He smiled mysteriously and sailed through the doors when they opened to the fourth floor. Chloe had no choice but to follow in his wake.
The hallway, like the lobby was beautiful but impersonal, like a high-priced hotel. The lighting was dim and the carpet a warm rich red. Lex opened the door to 409 and looking in Chloe suddenly understood why the apartment was so close to all those clubs and the reason for Lex’s rather sly smile. The décor was tasteful and rich, like Lex himself, but all Chloe could see was the enormous bed that dominated the room beyond the foyer.
Her sardonic expression was priceless, “Oh, one of those places.”
“What places?” He asked, amused by her rather prudish distaste.
“It’s your shag pad.”
“I prefer to think of it as my ‘Den of seduction’.” The look she turned on him then actually made him laugh- really laugh-out loud. Chloe’s eyes widened at the sound. Holding the door, Lex motioned her in with a grandiose gesture, “Please, Come in.”
Shaking her head, Chloe did just that.
“I need to make a phone call down to the desk. Make yourself comfortable.” Lex disappeared down the hallway. Using the phone in the study, he informed the front desk, that he wouldn’t be needing the maid service for a few days and that he would like his usual grocery order delivered in the morning. When he hung up the phone he noticed a faint muffled thumping. Frowning, he went to find the source. It was in the kitchen.


“What are you doing?”
Chloe slammed the cupboard door shut and made a noise of absolute disgust. “You don’t have any peanut butter. You have six kinds of dried mushrooms, including black truffles and no god damn peanut butter.”
Lex was tired all at once, exhausted really and he was having a hard time understanding the exact nature of her problem. “This kitchen is full of food.” He observed.
She gave him a level look. “Yes, food for cooking. I do not have the energy for cooking.” She sighed deeply, “This has possibly been the worst day of my life and I would just like a peanut butter and jelly sandwich- not that there’s any normal jelly in this place either.”
“What constitutes ‘normal’ jelly?” He asked a little fuzzy.
“Not marmalade, not conserve, not chunks of weird fruit in-“ She waved her arms around wildly, “stuff.” She finished lamely.
They looked at each other for a minute. Chloe was very pale and despite the unexpected tenacity and resourcefulness she had shown today he was horrified that she was about to cry.
“Sorry.” He said.
She laughed, a sarcastic almost bitter sound, “I’ll let it slide this time, I guess. I’m going to take a shower. Do you have some clean clothes I can borrow?”
“I think I can find a few things lying around.”


The truth was the apartment contained quite a stash of women’s clothing, some of it forgotten odds and ends left by various women and some of it kept around ‘just in case’. He showed her to his walk-in closet and then to the ‘women’s drawer’ and left her alone. Walking over to the bar, Lex fixed himself a stiff drink and for once did not attempt to think. He was too tired. He couldn’t bring himself to sit down on any of the furniture in his filthy clothing, though and so he leaned against the bar. Hearing the shower go off, he suppressed a sigh. His ingrained chivalry demanded that he let her have the first shower but he really wished she would hurry up.
He waited five minutes and then ten. When she didn’t emerge after fifteen he went to investigate, afraid she had passed out or something. The door to the bathroom was open and steam seeped gently out of the door. She was standing at the sink and she was wearing a simple white tank top and . . . black silk boxer shorts- his boxer shorts. Those had not been in the drawer he showed her. The sight was disquieting. He leaned against the door jamb and was about to demand to know what she was doing in his underwear but-
“You’re flossing?” He asked, for once in his life truly surprised by something.
She glanced sideways at him and removed the floss from her mouth for a moment, “You’re powers of observation are intact I see.” She resumed her flossing.
“We have been kidnapped, drugged, chased, and shot at. We have hidden in garbage piles and raided laundry lines. We have narrowly escaped death several times today and you’re worried about gingivitis?” he asked flatly.
She wouldn’t look at him but he could see her expression in the mirror. “Well, you don’t have any peanut butter.” She said stonily.
“What does that mean?” His voice was thin, unwavering, and low.
She turned on him suddenly and he almost stepped back away from her fury, “I needed to do something normal, okay? And I couldn’t have my sandwich so I’m flossing! Flossing is comforting right now! At least flossing is something ordinary!”
“Oh. . . I see.” His slightly contrite tone seemed to calm her a little, “but Chloe, you’re exhausted. You’re actually swaying,” She was. She didn’t seem aware of it but she looked like she was standing on the deck of a ship. He had to fight the urge not to sway in time with her, “Don’t you think you should go to sleep?”
“Yes,” She agreed, surprising him a little again by not arguing. He followed her into the main room in case she really did pass out. They both looked at the large bed and then at the tiny leather couch.
“I don’t suppose this place has a guest bedroom?” She asked resigned.
“That would kind of defeat the purpose of ‘this place’” He observed.
“Right.” She turned to him and opened her mouth to say- something but instead shook her head and said, “Whatever. I get the left side.” And with that she fell into bed and was asleep before her head hit the pillow.

[Louise]

Her sardonic expression was priceless, “Oh, one of those places.”
“What places?” He asked, amused by her rather prudish distaste.
“It’s your shag pad.”
“I prefer to think of it as my ‘Den of seduction’.”

I loved this part! And Chloe ranting about peanut butter! And Lex's head 'reflecting'! Loved it all really, I do hope you continue :)

[welshy]

Interesting start, I hope there's going to be more :)

[Ainur]

You asked us to be brutal so I'm going to. It was perfect and soooo good. You write their banter really perfectly. I loved that Lex has a "Den of Seduction", wait Chloe is right is a shag pad. I find this very funny. Loved this first chappy, update soon. ;)

[asharnanae]

hey, I love this already!!!! I think how they escaped is so interesting!!! please post more soon!!!

[Yarvarni]

shag pad that was priceless, i;ll have to remember that one!

[Krysia]

Great story! I think you have their verbal judo down perfectly. More? :)

[hfce]

Oh my that was a great start :clapclap: I can't wait until more.


:D

[Louie]

wonderful beginning
Den of seduction so funny and probably true. Chloe's probably the first woman to stay there who Lex hasn't had sex with... yet.

[fussy_wuzzy]

I loved it! The fact that they escaped in the first chapter, makes me really eager to see where you're going to take this. Great start!!!

[Zannie]

“You realize I could have you arrested for trespassing.” He told her calmly.
“You realize I could have you arrested for stalking.” She replied. He just looked at her.

Excellent, natural banter in this fic.

Great start. I like how you're writing the characters and can't wait to see where you take them next.

[OddEvens]

Oooo... this story new story sounds very interesting so far. Can't wait for more.
Thanks

[Damaris56]

Loved the first chapter. Can't wait to see where this leads.

[tracyaching]

AN: I forgot to mention it in the first post but for the sake of this story I presume the whole Chloe getting tangled up with Lionel things didn't happen and the scene in Truth is the most significant interaction Lex and Chloe had had.

Chap. 2-


Lex awoke the next morning to more noises in the kitchen. Slipping into a pair of black cotton pajama pants and a gray t-shirt he went to investigate. Chloe was in the kitchen sipping coffee, singing and sometimes dancing a little along to some oldies station on the radio, and doing something involving the stove and presumably food. Whatever she was making smelled good. She turned suddenly and caught sight of him in the doorway and gave a surprised little shriek.

“God, somebody needs to put a bell collar on you or something,” She was blushing a little. He ignored the remark and helped himself to some coffee.

“You can cook.” He observed, sitting down on the other side of the counter from her.

“So?”

“I never thought of you as the type. I would have thought you were too busy investigating things, breaking and entering, etc.”

The blonde glared at him across the counter, “My Dad’s not very ‘culinary’ even when he’s actually home for meals,” -a dig at him and the long work hours that were presumably his fault, “and it’s cook or starve.” She regarded him coolly. “I don’t suppose you cook at all?” She asked.

“A little.” He admitted. Chloe raised an eyebrow mockingly.

“What can you cook?”

“Omelets, waffles, eggs benedict. . .”

Chloe snorted, “Morning after food.” She said dismissively, “I’m surprised you bother.” Lex shrugged. Most of the time he didn’t but when he was here or in any of his other little ‘hideaways’ in the city, there was no Cook and even he had to eat.

“What are you making?” He asked.

“Chocolate chip pancakes.” She gave him a sour look but admitted, “There’s enough for you, too.”

“Thank-you.” He resisted the urge to point out that it was technically his kitchen and his food so she needn’t be so begrudging. He thought for a moment. “Wait, I have chocolate chips?”


The pancakes were delicious and by some unspoken agreement they both waited to shower and dress before discussing their situation. Chloe was in the kitchen again, putting away dishes when Lex sat down. Chloe broke the silence first.

“We’re in trouble, aren’t we?”

“Yes.” Lex agreed.

“What kind of trouble?”

“I’m not entirely sure. That’s part of the problem. If I knew who was behind this attempt I could take the necessary steps but right now. . .I just don’t know.” He paused, “You know-“

Chloe sighed, “I know I can’t go home without you. Whoever did this would just grab me again to get to you.”

“I’m sorry.”

She seemed to have a million smiles. This one was sharp, the bitterness directed inward, “You told me to get out of the car,” She bit her lip, “I have to call my Dad, though and let him know I’m all right.”

“Chloe-“

“Lex. I didn’t come home last night. He’s got to be out of his mind-“

“I’m truly sorry for that but it can’t be helped.”

“Yes, it can. I won’t even make the call from here. I’ll use the pay phone.” Her voice was getting desperate.

“No. They’ll be listening.”

“An e-mail, then-“

“They will have thought of that, too.”

Desperation turned to anger. “Just because-“ She stopped suddenly, lips pressed together in a thin pale line. Lex stood in one abrupt graceful motion. The relieved congeniality of the morning had vanished.

“Just because what, Chloe?” He asked, approaching her slowly, his voice low. Chloe was reminded of a trip to the Metropolis Zoo her bio class had taken last year. She had been leaning over the rail of the tiger enclosure with her camera, trying to get the perfect shot, when the cat turned and looked past the camera, straight at her.

Lex was almost on top of her, now. “Please, Miss Sullivan, finish your thought.” She was trying not to look at him but her back was pressed against the refrigerator and he was everywhere-

Chloe straightened in the confined space made by his body, glaring at him fiercely. Nobody would intimidate her. Nobody would bully her. “Just because no one cares that you’ve disappeared doesn’t mean nobody cares that I have.” She was looking straight up into his eyes and she saw something flicker. Cheeks turning red, Chloe felt immediately ashamed. Although, except for that flicker his expression didn’t change. He stepped back away from her and Chloe couldn’t help but sag a little. Lex turned his back to her to pick up his glass of water.

“Fair enough.”

Stepping away from the refrigerator, Chloe realized she was shaking a little.

“My father will probably be glad to hear it. It will give him a chance to grab up LexCorp.” Despite the ugliness of the words, he didn’t sound bitter. He could have been talking about the weather or Russian poetry. I want him to love me. She remembered.

“Wait, you don’t mean that Lionel-“

“My list of enemies isn’t short by any means but my father has always stuck close to the top.” That was bitter. He knew it to because he turned away again to set the empty glass down.

“But you don’t know for sure.”

“No. Some research is in order.”

“I’m your girl.” Big grin.


They sat down and made a list of Lex’s enemies, detailing the source of the animosity between them, and the possible benefits of his kidnapping to each of them. Lex was pleased by the systematic way Chloe’s mind worked, not to mention her internet searching skills, which were considerable. They fell into an easy division of labor, Chloe checking on leads and then the two of them talking over and evaluating the results. He tried to keep her as busy as possible to keep her mind off her father but he knew she was sneaking looks at the media coverage of their disappearance. There were moments, when he was sure she thought he didn’t see her, when she would just deflate. A pale lost girl would be sitting where a strong focused woman had sat before.

They worked the day through, forgetting to eat until the evening when they would cook a meal together: Lex chopping, peeling, or stirring things and Chloe orchestrating the more complex parts of the culinary process. Lex was disturbed by how much he enjoyed this time of the day. His life had rarely ever been . . . domestic. They would argue over the music they listened to, the way Lex chopped vegetables, and poetry or literature. After a leisurely dinner they returned to their work. Chloe would usually fall into bed around midnight or one. Lex was always careful to wait until he was sure she was asleep before getting into bed. They never discussed the sleeping arrangements. It seemed more comfortable that way.

At the end of three days they had narrowed the list down to three suspects, two were business rivals who had the resources and the motivation to take revenge on the billionaire and the third . . . was his father. They were sitting in the main room. Chloe was on the couch, her legs curled up beside her in a way he knew now was habitual. Three days in close quarters could teach you a lot about someone- certainly more than two weeks watching them in a coffee shop. In the chair across from her Lex frowned at the list.

“What now?” Chloe asked, gently. She knew that he had not really believed his father was behind their kidnapping when he suggested it. He said it out of a kind of dark humor. Bitter habits die hard. But their research showed that with Lex out of the picture LexCorp was at a crucial juncture. If he wasn’t returned to the world safe and sound before one month had elapsed, Lionel could swoop in, make a quick buy out, and take control. A very profitable turn of events for the loveless old vulture.

How did Lex cope with it, Chloe wondered. Her mother left when she was five. One betrayal she knew in the quiet depths of her mind, she still wasn’t over. Lionel seemed to betray Lex once a week just to keep in practice.

“I think we’ve gone about as far as we can from this apartment,” Chloe smiled despite their situation. Oh, please God let them get out of this apartment! Lex frowned repressively at her. “Who said I’m letting you out of here and into danger?”

“How are you going to stop me? Besides you need me.”

He was just looking at her. She hated it when he did that. Hated it. He could at least argue. She was tempted to just let the silence run and see who broke first but she tried that on the first day and had given up after three hours of complete and utter quiet. Chloe couldn’t even hear him breathing for God’s sake. “So what do we do? Where do we go?”

He still didn’t respond.

“Look, Lex, let’s not be stupid. You need someone to watch your back, someone who’s good at asking questions and getting answers.” She stared back at him. Don’t let the big cat stare get to you, she told herself. Don’t let the big cat stare get to you, “You’ll have to tie me to a chair to keep me here and trust me, you don’t want to try that.”

His lips twitched, “Probably not.” He agreed. “There’s a club near here where the wheeler dealers hang out. I can call in some favors, get some answers.”

“What kind of wheeler dealers?”

“All kinds.” The blonde rolled her eyes at this evasion. “The thing is, I can’t walk into that club and be recognized. We need to get in, have our discussion, and then get out again.”

Fingers drumming on the arm of the couch, and her gaze focused on something only she could see, Lex knew she was applying herself to the problem. She sat up in a manner much like the one just before she had suggested their escape from the warehouse. Standing and hurrying toward the foyer, she turned to Lex, “Give me some money.” She demanded.

“Excuse me?”

“Money. I know you’re familiar with the concept.”

“What do you think you’re going to do with it?”

“Buy you a disguise, of course.”

“A pair of glasses with a fake mustache?” He suggested. Chloe stopped dead in her tracks, trying to wrap her brain around the image of Lex in Groucho glasses. It was too much to process. “Where are you going to buy this disguise? You’re not leaving this apartment without me.” He was standing, now. Chloe had noticed this was another of his favorite little tricks. Always meet the enemy on your feet.

“There’s a used clothing store down the block. I saw it the night we came here.”

The argument lasted over an hour. First he refused to let her go out by herself. She argued that the distance was minimal, that she knew such places and could get in and out in minutes, and that Lex Luthor would definitely stand out in a used clothing store. He argued about the danger of her being recognized. She tied her hair up in one of his silk kerchiefs, did a few things with some of the forgotten make up in the bathroom and put on the hoodie they had stolen the first night, to show him how unlike herself she could look. He was starting to lose and knew it. He expressed some distaste at the idea of wearing someone else’s clothes. Chloe didn’t even bother responding to that. Eventually, grudgingly, and borderline angry he conceded to her logic.

“How much to you need?” He demanded finally.

“What club are we going to?”

“Heat.” Chloe was surprised and impressed. Heat was underground, for the hard core clubbers. It attracted an interesting and sometimes frightening mix of people. Chloe had never been there herself but she had heard of it. That opened up the wardrobe possibilities. Hmmm. . . She eyed Lex speculatively and then disregarded the more outrageous ideas. Better keep it simple. He’d probably rather die than go in drag.

“Sixty should be plenty.” He made a face- probably appalled anyone could spend so little money on clothes. Lex pulled some bills out of the drawer in the little table by the door.

“Here,” He looked her straight in the eye, pinning her with his gaze. “If you are not back in one hour,” he said very slowly, very deliberately, “I will come looking for you. Do you understand?” Chloe swallowed and nodded. Lex nodded in turn and opened the door for her to go.





“I’m not wearing this.” Lex said, tossing her the black leather wrist cuff she had picked out for him.

“Trust me, no one will believe you’re Lex Luther with this on.”

The cuff was simple, black leather, an inch and a half wide, with two silver button snaps to fasten it. It was the only accessory she had purchased other than the hat which, obviously was an absolute necessity. The hat was a knit cap, dark gray, tight fitting, the kind skater punks were so fond of. That was the angle she had decided to go with- a kind of hard ass growing out of his skater roots sort of thing. It was completely different from the way Lex usually dressed, fairly common, and the shop had plenty to choose from in that particular vein. Also, skater were one of the few groups of modern day men who regularly wore hats. A pair of indigo jeans (a good buy, ten bucks and they fit him very very well) and a vintage style ring tee in navy. She was particularly proud of the t-shirt. There was a Porsche printed in dark red on the front. He did not seem to appreciate this.

Letting the matter of the cuff go for the moment, Chloe eyed him critically. He looked . . . younger. No, not younger. He had never looked old exactly. It was just that now, dressed like any twenty-something on the street he looked- youthful. He had always carried a kind of dark knowledge that made him seem ancient despite his years. The clothes softened that, cloaked it.

Then Lex stalked over to the foyer to look at himself in the mirror and she knew it wouldn’t work. He smiled mockingly at his reflection and turned to her.

“How do I look?”

“Like Lex Luthor in disguise.”

“Even with the hat?”

“It’s just- look, can you try not to be so Lex-like?”

He raised one eyebrow.

“First of all,” Chloe said approaching him, “Don’t do that. And second, could you try not to act like you own everything within a three mile radius?”

He was just looking at her . . . again. She let out a frustrated sigh.

“How do I put this? Okay,” She brightened, “you know how Clark-“ she dimmed again, just as quickly, “no, that won’t work either. Ah, I’ve got it! You’ve seen Pete, hanging around the Talon, on the farm with Clark. . .”

“Yes.”

“You’ve observed his behavior, his body language.”

“I suppose so.”

“Okay. Think about Pete: how he walks, how he talks and try to,” she waved her hands a little, “channel that.”

“You want me to channel Pete?”

She glared at him, “Lex-“

“Alright. Alright.” Lex frowned in concentration for a moment or two and then crossed the remaining distance between them in a perfect parody of Pete’s bouncing sidle. Chloe had to laugh.

“Maybe Pete isn’t the best choice.”

She smiled up at Lex, who was standing at her left shoulder like Pete always did, standing close like Pete always did.

Lex was smiling down at Chloe, pleased by her laughter. She was wearing her most beautiful smile, unrestrained and warming. He didn’t realize how close they were until she backed up away from him suddenly. He watched her curiously. To his disappointment, her smile when she looked at him again was a little more restrained.

“I guess if you can do that, I don’t have to worry too much about your performance.”

“I’ll do my best.” He assured her gravely.

[Louie]

What's Chloe dressing in I wonder? Can't wait for more

[bluengreenswmer]

What's Chloe dressing in I wonder?

That's what I was thinking. They are going to a hardcore club, so maybe something...clubbish? A short leather mini and a top that will have Lex so close no one will know they're two people?

Hmm...just an idea. :devil: *grins mischeviously*

[suspension of disbelief]

this is wonderful.....

[hfce]

:rofl: Lex as a skater punk. That is something I would like to see. And I can't wait to see what Chloe wears. I love how they are slowly but surely falling for eachother. :wub:


Hope ;)

[fussy_wuzzy]

I love your descriptions of everything. Can't wait for more!

[Zannie]

Great update. Loved Lex's "disguise" and the way you portray their interaction. Good, compelling plot and once again excellent dialogue. Their banter is great, but you also do a remarkable job of making their less teasing dialogue realistic and in character. Case in point:


Lex was almost on top of her, now. “Please, Miss Sullivan, finish your thought.” She was trying not to look at him but her back was pressed against the refrigerator and he was everywhere-

Chloe straightened in the confined space made by his body, glaring at him fiercely. Nobody would intimidate her. Nobody would bully her. “Just because no one cares that you’ve disappeared doesn’t mean nobody cares that I have.” She was looking straight up into his eyes and she saw something flicker. Cheeks turning red, Chloe felt immediately ashamed. Although, except for that flicker his expression didn’t change. He stepped back away from her and Chloe couldn’t help but sag a little. Lex turned his back to her to pick up his glass of water.

“Fair enough.”

I could perfectly visualize that moment, and it rung very true to me. Looking forward to more.

[tracyaching]

AN: Hello, beautiful people! In regards to Chloe's wardrobe- I'm not much of a fashhionista (too much time spent reading fanfic and not enough shopping, I guess {smile}) so I have done my best. If you don't like it feel free to imagine something else.

Also, as this is my first fic, I am keen to improve. Please don't be afraid to tell me what works or doesn't work. I love all feedback. Thank-you! Enjoy!

Chap 3-

Lex refused to leave the apartment before eleven. “Nobody we need to see will get there before then.” He told Chloe. The waiting was making the girl crazy. Now that they had a chance to do something she wanted to get to it. Lex was adamant. Sometimes when they were fighting, Chloe thought of the old philosopher’s debate about the immoveable object and the irresistible force. So far they seemed to come out about fifty-fifty. Chloe, the irresistible force, won about half the time but she had been watching him and honing her game. She was pretty sure she could improve her score. Chloe, the irresistible force, Sullivan. She smiled. Very appropriate. Maybe she would change her screen name.

To keep busy, she made dinner earlier than usual. Lex stayed in the study. Her tense energy was getting on his nerves and he couldn’t bear the thought of being trapped in the small kitchen with her tonight. Dinner was ready eventually though, so he slunk up to his usual stool and picked up a fork. Cooking had not served to expend much of Chloe’s energy. She talked constantly, barely eating, speculating on the evening’s work, the state of peace in the Middle East, and anything else her mind landed on. Eventually, even Lex’s stoic nature had had enough.

“Do you have to do that?”

“Do what?”

“That incessant nervous babbling.” He knew the comment would make her furious. It was a little callous but at least it might give him five seconds of quiet. Her eyes narrowed and he waited for the enraged diatribe but instead she replied,

“Yes, I do. It’s very cathartic- good for the chi. You should try it.”

The corner of his mouth curled of its own accord, “No thanks. I prefer to suppress my emotions.”

That made her smile, “Your loss.” She took the not at all subtle hint, then and gave him a little quiet.


----------------------------------------------------------------------



Chloe is wearing red. The top is silky, slipping off a shoulder to reveal one glowing collar bone. The pants are second skin tight- black, embroidered all over with the outline of red-soaked flowers. Sitting low on the hips they reveal a golden crescent moon of skin. Her hair is streaked with scarlet, blonde and blood colored. Rubies hang like cherries from her ears. Lips so vivid and lush they could have been bruised. Red, scarlet, vermillion, crimson- fire. She is fire. He had been right to watch her. She’s dangerous.

“How do I look?”

Like the most beautiful of conflagrations. Why was it that in the wild days of his youth he had never considered the crime of arson?

No one in Smallville would recognize her, that’s for sure. Chloe fidgets a little in her heels. “Lovely.” He manages. Number six smile, shyly pleased like a little girl. Thank God. The innocence of that smile frees him from the moment. They walk out the door into the night. One flame and one darkness, like a fairy tale.

------------------------------------------------------------------------


They switch taxi’s three times. A journey that would have taken fifteen minutes on foot, takes forty-five in and out of cabs. They had debated it- head straight to the club with less chance of running into someone who might recognize them or double back and protect the location of their safe haven? Paranoia wins out. They decide that if they are counting on their disguises in the club, they might as well as count on them in a taxi.

They arrive a little before midnight and Lex is feeling a little sheepish. He had forgotten they would have to wait in line like the regular people. Leaning against the wall, Chloe raises one mocking eyebrow.

“How’s it feel?”

“What?”

“Not to use the VIP door.”

“Tedious.” He surveys the other people in line. Anything to keep from looking at her. Burning against the dark wall and looking up at him, she seems like an invitation. When they get to the door, the bouncer doesn’t even ask for ID. Chloe’s beauty is her pass and she is both amused and disconcerted by the big man’s appreciative glance. Lex is grateful for this further evidence of her youth. It lets him superimpose an image of the other Chloe, the one he has been getting to know, over the woman before him. He can see her as the Chloe who doesn’t burn. It allows him to think again.

Lex gets them a table away from the dance floor and survey’s the huge interior of the club. Chloe wonders what he is looking for. The darkness and the motion confuse her. She can’t make sense of any of it. His eyes stop on a balcony far above the floor and he smiles a little. The expression is almost feral and she follows his gaze. A tall dark haired man disappears out a view.

“Who is it?’

“Anthony Bird.”

“Who?”

“He owns this club and a couple others. He knows everything that goes on in this town. If someone was advertising for my pick-up, he’ll know.”

“Why should he tell us?”

“He owes me-

“How much?”

“Enough that he would love the chance to do something big and get out from under my thumb.”

She doesn’t look happy.

“You have to trust me, Chloe.”

“I trust you, Lex. I don’t trust anyone else right now.” The words should be concession enough but there’s something about the way she says his name. . . There’s no time to figure it out now, though. He files it away for later consideration.

The club is full of bodies. Clubbers just getting started. Posers just slowing down. Lex holds her hand tightly and leads her through the crowd. It is a little too much like that night not so long ago and Chloe can feel the fear rushing back to her. She breathes deeply and clamps down on the emotion. She has faced meteor mutants, madmen, and armed gunmen more than once and she’s nervous about a little walk in a dark club? Hell no. They climb some stairs and then some more before they make it above the crush.

“Let me do the talking.” Lex turns to another beefy body guard at the top of the stairs, giving her no time to respond. Unlike the guy at the door, he is wearing a very nice suit and doesn’t even look at Chloe.

“This is a private balcony, sir.” The man informs Lex in a flat voice. It’s just like a movie and Chloe has to work hard not to smirk. Lex is also unimpressed.

“Tell Anthony, Alex is here to see him.” The two men stare at each other for a moment. Even in jeans, Lex has whatever look allows him to pass the test. The big man nods briefly.

“Wait here.”

“Alex?” Chloe asks from behind Lex. He shrugs. The bouncer comes back, leads them to a half circle booth hung with heavy curtains. The man from the balcony is lounging against the cushions, legs crossed, one arm resting across the back of the booth. He’s a little older than Lex, dressed expensively with a very expensive watch and heavy gold chain on his wrist. He is generically Italian. Dark hair, dark eyes, big nose. Money, an air of danger, and this place probably get him all his women, Chloe thinks. He looks Lex up and down and smiles evilly at the clothes. The look is not what Chloe is used to seeing Lex get from people. It’s definitely insolent and clearly intended to irritate. Lex ignores it.

“Anthony.”

“Alex.” The man replies, “I thought you were tied up in somebody’s basement.”

Lex shrugs. “Rumors of my death. . .”

“Glad to hear it. Have a seat.” He scoots around the booth and indicates that Lex should sit across from him. When Chloe moves to join them, Anthony holds up a hand.

“Whoa.” He turns to Lex, “You know the rule, Luthor. Strawberries wait over there.” In any other situation, the look on Chloe’s face would have Lex holding his sides with laughter. This time though he regards Anthony coolly.

“She’s fine.”

“I can see that.” The club owners’ gaze is hot.

“Bird-“

He shrugs and pulls his eyes away from Chloe, “Have it your way.” Another quick glance at Chloe says quite clearly, I know I would. She refuses to blush. “I assume this isn’t a social call.”

Lex’s eyes are still cold but he smiles, “As charming as I find your company, Anthony, I’m afraid not. I need some information.” They’re all business, suddenly and Chloe is glad to sit back and watch. There is a feeling in the air- an almost imperceptible tension. They discuss sources briefly, exactly what sort of information Lex wants, and how it should be handled.

“And then we’ll be square?” Anthony is looking at Lex hard.

“When I am safe and sound back in my mansion, we’ll be even. Your debt to me will be payed.”

Anthony leans forward to shake on the promise. “Done. Take the back way out. My guys will let you through.”


They make their way back down towards the dance floor. Their business is concluded but Lex isn’t relaxing at all. His gaze is always moving. He is making Chloe afraid again.

“You need a drink,” She observes dryly. Then she tilts her head to the side, “I could use one too,” she admits. They’re crossing a corner of the dance floor, when Chloe turns abruptly towards the bar.

Lex pulls her back around, up against him-hard.

“Lex!” She protests, shocked, looking panicky. He slides his arms around her waist, pulls her in close.

“There are two men watching us- not Anthony’s.” He whispers in her ear, beginning to move with the music. Her eyes widen in fear. “Smile at me!” He commands. She does so, shakily. Lex drags his hands to her hips, encouraging her to at least sway with him. She’s not cooperating. “Chloe, we have to look normal. Dance with me.” Nothing. He draws her back to meet her eyes squarely, “You can dance, can’t you?”

That works. All Lex can do is hang on for the ride. She wraps her arms around his neck, pushing her body against his before bending back over his arms and straightening slowly. She is remarkably flexible. The song is “Angel” by Massive Attack- eerie, haunting, and sensual, like trying to make love to a memory or a ghost. Chloe is taking full advantage of the mood, coming in close, sliding away- tantalizing. The darkness recedes and advances over her face with the throbbing lights. Lex can feel more eyes on them, watching her intoxicating performance. She turns abruptly as the music changes, sliding her back and ass down his body slowly and coming up more slowly still. Chloe drags her fingernails along his thighs. The friction is almost unbearable. Lex slips a hand around her waist again and accidentally catches his fingers on the edge of her top. His hand rests on hot silky skin. Chloe raises an arm languorously to cup the back of his neck, anchoring them together at another point. Almost unconsciously, he lowers his head, tastes the sweet place where her neck and shoulder meet. His cheek against her throat, he feels the sound she makes more than hears it. A hand caresses his hip. They’re both lost.

Chloe had begun the dance just intending to tease, to get back at Lex a little for deliberately baiting her but as she moves and the music takes over, everything falls away- her fear, her worry for her dad. She can see the hungry look in Lex’s eyes but it is already too late. She can’t stop. The feel of him trembling beneath her hands has ensnared her. When she turns, she can fell his heart beat against her back like a fist. The hand on her stomach burns. She feels as safe and at the same time as imperiled as she has ever felt in her life. Lex puts his mouth on her and even the music seems to recede.


A thousand years later the lights come up. The music becomes hard, furious. They surface from the dream and stumble off the dance floor, trying not to look at one another. The watching men are gone. Lex makes a push for the bar but doesn’t reach back to take her hand. When he gets to the counter she is beside him. He orders them both a drink but still can’t look at her. He is searching his mind desperately for some words that will make the dance go away, that will negate his lips on her skin, her hands on him. All he wants to do is press her up against the bar and taste her again. She saves them both.

“And you thought I couldn’t dance.” It’s not a great joke or even a good one and her voice is obviously strained but it’s enough. It will let them pretend everything is normal.

“Not exactly ballroom material.” He observes. His eyes skip over her face down her neck to her shoulder. Afraid to rest his eyes in one place in case looking at her catches him again.

“I liked it.” Says a low voice. Both their heads turn. The voice belongs to a handsome man in an expensive suit. Everything about him, his haircut, his cologne, the color of his shoes says ‘rich playboy’. How ironic. The playboy is staring quite deliberately at Chloe. He has a wingman. Not as attractive or as rich probably but standing at his friends shoulder, watching Lex mockingly. Disregarding his earlier need to keep his distance from her, Lex pivots so that he is leaning back against the bar with Chloe pressed against his left side. This obvious gesture is ignored.

“Maybe you’d like to dance with someone who appreciates your particular skills.” The man suggests, silkily.

“Not really.” Chloe replies turning her body more towards Lex and away from the playboy.

“What? Is it him?” The man gives Lex a look of contempt, “I can do things for you this punk has never even dreamed of.”

It’s been a long night and a trying three days. Despite all of his father’s conditioning and his brief stint in anger management class, Lex still sometimes has a low irritation threshold. And he has absolutely no tolerance for stupidity. Otherwise he might not have done what he did now.

“What?” He says matching the man’s contempt, “Let her go to sleep bored and unfulfilled?”

The playboy grabs Chloe’s arm and yanks her out of the way to get at Lex. He takes a swing but Lex moves his head and it doesn’t connect well. Lex returns with a punch of his own and the man stumbles into him, bearing them both to the ground. They struggle on the floor a little, both scrambling for purchase and delivering blows whenever they get the chance. Lex has his feet under him and is dragging the other man to his feet so he can finish the job when the wingman comes at them. His arms full of the first man Lex knows this will hurt. He braces himself for the hit when a fist flies out and catches the second man full in the face. It’s followed by a knee to the groin and when he doubles over a liquor bottle clubs him to the floor. Lex delivers a vicious round house to his opponent and shakes him off onto the floor.

“Impressive,” Lex pants, looking at the man Chloe has just beaten the hell out of.

The blonde smiles dreamily, “I punched Lana that way once.” Her expression clears, “Not that I enjoyed it-“ she adds hastily.

“Of course not.” Lex can’t hide his smirk as he takes her hand, “It’s definitely time to go.”

[asharnanae]

*biggest smile* WONDERFULL!

[hfce]

WOW :ecstatic: :ecstatic: that was a fun read. I liked how both Lex and Chloe took care of that jerk in the end. Good job :clapclap:


Hope ;)

[Louie]

One flame and one darkness, like a fairy tale

Loved this line, and them beating up those guys, it wasn't very good for cover though, silly Lex and Chloe.

[jaded-swan]

I just love stories about Lex and Chloe being kidnapped away from the rest of Hicksville. Great interaction between Lex and Chloe and the whole building of their trust but you got to love their chemistry on the dancefloor ;)

“I’m your girl.” Big grin. now if only she meant that in a different context - that was the first thing that came to mind when I read it :D

[meg20]

Awesome two chapters!!!

[ellelea]

AHHHH I LOVE THIS! :ecstatic: Amazing, I LOVED the club scene! Fabulous! Can't wait till the next chapter - wonderful! :ecstatic: :ecstatic:

[Augustine86]

Man, was it hot in that dance flor or what...

I mean.. Great chapter.

[welshy]

Amazing update :)

[Kit Merlot]

My God, I adore this story!

The dance was red hot, and I loved how differently you described Lex's outfit and then Chloe's--the imagery of Lex as a skater-punk and Chloe as a flame are just brilliant.

I can't wait for more :D

[tracyaching]

AN: This chapter has been kicking my ass and my usual beta-reader has deserted me (does anyone want to earn my eternal gratitude and do a little beta-reading, by the by?) so please be patient with this chapter. The road of artistic creation never has run smooth. And thank-you for all your favorable comments, thus far! I love this site and all you beautiful people!

Chapter 4-

Anthony’s people usher them out the back door and they catch a cab across town to catch another cab, and another, and even a fourth. Chloe thinks it’s a little extreme but Lex insists. The last cabby drops them three blocks away from the apartment in front of a popular all night dinner. They don’t go in, although the thought of waffles and a cup of coffee is enough to make Chloe’s mouth water but there is no arguing with Lex like this. There’s no talking to Lex like this and that is both good and bad. Good because she is so incredibly embarrassed by what she did on the dance floor she can’t even put it into words and bad because the silence feels accusatory and angry. Chloe doesn’t try to break it though. She considers it her due, her rightful punishment for toying with him in a situation that was dangerous enough already.

It is almost four in the morning when they finally get back to the apartment. Exactly eight inches in the door, Chloe flings off her shoes with a groan. Stupid fashion whore heels, she thinks. She kicks them in front of her like soccer balls. Lex drops the stolen hoodie on the floor just inside the door and sits down wearily on the couch. He has an ugly bruise forming on his cheek. With a sigh Chloe drags herself into the kitchen and comes back with a towel full of ice. She sits down on the coffee table in front of him and offers it to him. He takes it without speaking and her throat tightens unexpectedly. She should get up and . . . go somewhere else. She starts to do just that but Lex is looking at her, the ice pressed to his face.

“I owe you an apology, “ He begins. He looks so stiff, so formal even with a towel against his cheek and Chloe’s heart pounds in her throat. She can feel his lips on her neck again.

“That’s really not nec-“

“I let those men provoke me and I put us in danger. It was incredibly stupid.”

He’s not talking about the dance. He’s not talking about the dance. He’s been quiet all this time because he thought he had done something wrong.

“It’s. . .” Chloe is so thrown off, she has a hard time thinking of what to say, “It worked out okay. Don’t worry about it.”

Lex nods. He doesn’t look like he thinks it’s okay but she is afraid to argue with him, in case it brings up other mistakes from tonight.

Instead she says, “I’m going to take a shower.” Suddenly, she can’t wait to get out of this costume, to get the smell of tonight off of her. Maybe if she scrubs hard enough, her skin will stop burning.

When she’s done, Lex is in the study and she’s grateful. Chloe climbs into bed and hopes that when she wakes up, everything will have been a dream. She’s almost asleep when she realizes that while he said he owed her an apology, Lex never actually gave her one.


The next morning, Chloe rolls over sleepily and finds herself face to face with Lex. Before, even in sleep, they have managed to keep a certain distance. The bed is large and they never touch, even accidentally, even unconsciously. Now, she is close enough that she can feel his breath on her face. With his bruised cheek pressed into the pillow, he looks truly young for once instead of just youthful. Chloe studies him for a moment before she realizes, to her horror that she’s the one who has moved. She has crossed the no man’s land between them and is almost in Lex’s territory. She starts to slip backwards, trying to minimize the movement and keep from disturbing Lex. The covers tent and Lex frowns in his sleep, tugging at the blanket to block out the cool air coming in on him. Chloe freezes. When she is sure he is fully asleep, she slides back again and then rolls over out of bed.

She makes coffee on automatic and sits down at the counter to drink it. She wonders what she will do today while they wait for Anthony to get back to them. Wonders what she will do with no research to perform, no stories to investigate. Chloe isn’t used to idleness, has never been good at waiting or sitting still. She wonders if Lex can be talked into going out but doubts it. She tries hard not to think about her dad . . . or Clark or Pete or Lana or her beautiful Torch office. Clark. Her feelings for Clark were not what they once were. She realizes that she misses him as a part of her dear safe world in Smallville and as a friend but nothing more. That day in Lex’s office had cemented it for her.

Lex. She indulges for a moment, remembers his body against her, his lips . . . and lowers her head into her hands with a groan, tugging at her hair. She must be crazy, to feel all hot and swoony like a little girl. It was all part of the act, part of their disguises- for both of them. Lex Luthor certainly was not coming on to her in any way, on any dance floor, at any time. Nor was she coming on to him. There was no reason to be embarrassed or to apologize and definitely no reason to sit around thinking about it.

With his usual impeccable timing Lex chooses that moment to saunter into the kitchen. He helps himself to a cup of coffee and leaning against the counter he raises one eyebrow at her, “What? No breakfast?”

Obviously, Lex feels the same way. It was just a dance, nothing more. She realizes she hasn’t responded to him. He is looking at her patiently. She scowls at him, “I’m not one of your little household lackeys. If you want breakfast, bowls are in the cupboard, cereals in the pantry, and you can find the milk yourself.” She pushes away from the counter and heads for the shower.

Chloe is grumpy and restless most of the day. Lex takes a book from the study and reads in front of the windows in the main room, presumably to avoid her. Chloe reads a little, surfs the internet, does some laundry, and even scrubs the tub. It feels good to be in motion- even if it means cleaning. But she can’t settle down to one thing for any length of time. She knows she is being unpleasant but she can’t seem to help it. It is almost five o’clock, the time they usually start dinner. They have barely spoken all day. In an apartment with six rooms, Lex has managed to avoid her. It pisses her off- really pisses her off, all of a sudden- the quiet, this stupid feeling of guilt that she had decided was not necessary. Chloe decides she’s not going to put up with another second of it. She marches into the kitchen and starts pulling things off the shelves.

Lex appears in the doorway in his usual, ghostly fashion, “Are you auditioning for a part as a concert percussionist or are you still just angry with me?” He asks coolly. Chloe sets a large pot on the stove. She knows she's avoiding his eyes but it seems to be the only course of action she can take.

“I’m not angry at you.” She says. I’m angry at me. He’s not the idiot who is shaking just because they’re standing in the same room.

“You seem angry.”

Chloe puts flour and salt and other things in a bowl. She holds the edge of the bowl tightly with both hands so he can’t see them trembling and speaks to the flour mixture. “I don’t like waiting and my Dad-“ She is mortified by the sudden pinching in her throat and the thin sound of her voice.

“What are you making?” His voice is completely normal, letting her pull herself together.

“Pizza.”

“Can I help?”

“You could chop the tomatoes for the sauce.” She says after a moment.

“Alright.”

They work quietly and Chloe begins to relax as she kneads the dough. Lex puts in a CD and Chloe makes a crack about people who are addicted to ambient house music, which results in a very lively and very normal fight. When the argument is over she feels almost like herself again. Lex reaches into the cupboard to start setting the table.

“What are you doing?”

“I was going to set the table,” he frowns, “or the counter as the case may be.”

“You don’t eat pizza pushed up to a table with a knife and fork. That’s un- American.” She shakes her head in mock disgust, “I can’t believe they haven’t kicked you out of Smallville yet.”

“Me, too.” Lex says under his breath but Chloe catches it. To change the look on her face, he asks, “So what is the proper American way to eat pizza?”

“Curled up in front of the TV watching a movie, of course.”

Lex thinks about the tiny leather couch and low coffee table in front of the television. He envisions the nightmare of trying to eat pizza with a plate balanced on his knees and Chloe pressed against him. “I’m not so sure that would be a good idea, Chloe.”

She’s frowning to and he knows she is aware of his concerns.

“Yeah . . . “ Then she straightens in that way he is learning to love and dread. “I’ve got it!”

“It?”

“The solution. Try to keep up, Lex.” Chloe heads towards the main room but turns back at the door, “Chop the green pepper, onions, and mushrooms. I’ll be back in time to help with the pepperoni.” Strangely enough, they can’t agree on music but they like the same things on their pizza.

When she comes back to the kitchen she refuses to tell him what she did in the main room, except to say they will take their pizza in “proper American fashion”. Chloe slides the pizza, a construction of crust, sauce, green pepper, onion, pepperoni, mushroom, and lots of cheese into the oven.

“Okay, now we have to pick a movie.” She tells him. Lex raises his signature eyebrow.

“What’s the American way to do that?”

“Well, if we had similar taste we would simply choose something we could both agree on but if your taste in movies is anything like your taste in music that’s not going to happen. So I suggest we paper, rock, scissors for it.” Chloe tilts her head to the side, “Best two out of three.” She aids. She expects him to argue but instead he shrugs.

“Okay.” Then he beats her all three times. Lex gives her his broadest, most smug smile and strolls toward the main room with exaggerated nonchalance. He stops when he sees the main room. Chloe has moved the couch, the table, and the two chairs off against the wall and in their place thrown down a blanket over the thick carpet. Apparently they are going to have a picnic. It occurs to Lex that he has never eaten on the floor in his life. His father would absolutely hate it. He rather likes the idea. Piled along the opposite edge of the blanket from the TV are all the pillows from the bed. They can sit to eat their pizza and then lie back on the pillows to watch the rest of the movie.

Chloe is watching him anxiously from the hall while trying to pretend not to be anxious. Lex picks the remote up off the TV and flips it on to the movie channel menus. He then very deliberately sits down on the blanket. He can’t see Chloe but he thinks he hears a relieved sigh. He glances over his shoulder.

“Shouldn’t you check on the pizza?” He asks and then adds, “Also, I would like ice water with lemon to drink. Thank-you.” He turns back around to grin at the TV before she can respond. Lex can hear Chloe stomp into the kitchen. She brings him back his glass of water, with lemon, a few minutes later. “Thank-you.” He repeats, surprised.

“Don’t thank me. You don’t know if I spit in it or not. What are we watching?”

“It’s a surprise . . . like whatever is in my water, apparently.”

“No, slasher movies please.” Chloe’s voice is imploring and demanding at the same time. An impressive feat.

“I won rock, paper, scissors. Three times,” Lex adds and Chloe scowls delightfully at him, “I am the victor: we will watch whatever I want- slasher movies included.”

The blonde retreats to the kitchen again and when she returns she hands Lex a plate of pizza. Then she throws his napkin at him. It hits him on the head but he only gives her a mild look which irritates her even more. As Chloe sits down Lex jumps up. She watches, confused as he starts turning lights off all over the room.

“What are you doing?” There is an edge of panic in her voice she doesn’t like.

“Don’t you know you’re supposed to watch movies with the lights off?” Lex asks her mockingly.

“I was just afraid you wouldn’t be able to feed yourself without being able to see.”

“I’ve handled much more complicated activities in the dark than eating pizza.” He tells her. Thank God for the dark. Chloe could feel the blush on her face. As her eyes adjust to it, she can see him settling down beside her. Why is it that in the dark everything else seems magnified? She can hear his breathing perfectly- steady in and out, not like hers which seems erratic and out of control. Just how she feels.

“I’m not interested in your hobbies.” She manages. He chuckles and she feels the sound like a warm breath against her ear. She shifts restlessly. “Are we going to watch this or what?” He starts the movie and she takes a bite of pizza and tries to relax.


Half way through the film, Chloe begins to grope around for the remote control. Her hand skims Lex’s thigh and he jumps. So does she. “Sorry.” She apologizes hastily, “I’m looking for the remote.” Her fingertips tingle where she touched him.

“Why?”

“Bathroom and ice cream break.” He pauses the movie, obligingly.

“Ice cream?” He asks.

She nods. “Just let me go to the bathroom, first.”

“I’ll help with the ice cream.”


Lex has the ice cream softening on the counter when Chloe gets out of the bathroom. Mint chocolate chip she notes with approval.

“So what do you think of the movie?” Lex asks her.

“It’s not what I expected.”

“How so?”

“I never would have figured you for a ‘Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon’ man.”

“I like kung-fu movies.” He says casually. Chloe gives him a rather incredulous look. “What? Billionaires’ sons can’t like kung-fu movies?”

“I guess I just thought you would have been too busy planning corporate take-overs, seducing young heiresses, etc.” Chloe feels a glow of satisfaction as he recognizes his own line fed back to him. Lex has been having it his own way far too much tonight. He needed to be taken down a little. It was good for him.

“That’s only for weekdays, Chloe. A person has to have something to do on the weekends.”

“Good to know, Lex.”

“Why do you do that?” He asks curiously.

“Do what?”

“Say my name back to me like that when I use your name.”

Chloe bites her lip and Lex has to suppress the urge to demand that she stop doing that. It makes him wild- because she shouldn’t hurt herself, even in such a small way and because it makes his heart pound in a manner that is completely inappropriate. He sees her the way she was last night, a flame flickering on the dance floor. He pulls himself away from the image as he has been doing all day, when she answers.

“I’ll answer your question, if you answer one of mine.”

“I don’t make bargains.” He’s gone all cold and he’s wearing his ‘keep out’ face and Chloe represses the urge to call him a coward. It makes her wild- because she knows it’s not good for him to be so closed off all the time and because it makes her want to push into his space and touch him and demand to be let in. She rubs absently at her neck.

“A deal,” She corrects, “I know you make those.” She gives him a small smile. “Off the record.”

The smile is more persuasive than Lex would ever admit to. “What’s the question?”

“Why did you invest in the Talon?”

Lex frowns at Chloe, surprised by her again.

“Do we have a deal?” The girl presses. She is studying him- half intent, which terrifies him and half mocking, which irritates him. He responds to the mockery.

“Fine. You first.”

“I noticed it even back in Smallville. You use people’s names all the time. You always call Clark’s Mom and Dad, Mr. and Mrs. Kent. You say ‘Hey, Clark’ instead of just ‘Hey’. You greet everyone by name. Part of it is a manners thing- it’s polite. And part of it is a charm thing- ‘I remember your name and I use it even though I’m Lex Luthor’. It makes people feel special.” It’s a well orchestrated illusion, really. She doesn’t say this aloud but she knows it’s true: he uses the courtesy to keep things formal, to keep people at a distance. It makes him into a persona, instead of a person, even with her. She hates that standing here in this apartment, where their lives depend on each other he continues to uses her name and his cool smiles to shut her out. She’s been shut out quite enough in her life. Chloe pauses to take a breath and get two bowls out of the cupboard.

“You’re not answering my question.” He observes. She knows her didn’t like the part about ‘I’m Lex Luthor’.

“I’m getting to it.” She retrieves two spoons from the drawer, “But names are power. In the myths of many cultures they can be used to banish demons, to summon ghosts, even to destroy heroes. They have the power to compel their owners. When you use my name it’s because you want me to do what you ask. I use your name back because I have no intention of falling for your mind control voodoo . . . or your charm.” Hearing the words come out of her mouth, Chloe realizes how harsh they sound. Sometimes she surprises even herself with her furious truths. She repents a little. “You don’t have to influence me, Lex.” She adds quietly, “You just have to ask.”

“I’ve never been very good at asking,” His mocking smile, comes and goes quickly. “It’s not the Luthor way.”

God, Chloe’s sick of that.

“Well, get good at it!” She snatches up the ice cream scoop and attacks the frosty treat. He’s done it again, she realizes. Distracted her. She whips around, pointing the ice cream scoop at him, “Your turn.”

He eyes the utensil warily. “I’ve been threatened with a lot of different weapons in my life but never an ice cream scoop,” He observes. Chloe’s lips twitch a little but she refuses to smile.

“Talk.” She demands.

Lex shrugs. “There’s not a lot to say. Lana had a good business plan and it didn’t cost me much to say yes.”

“And?” Chloe prompts.

“And I knew it would make Clark happy and as well as the good townsfolk.” Lex watches her closely when he says Clark’s name but sees nothing, good or bad in her expression.

“That’s it?”

“What else is there?”

Lana, Chloe thinks. There’s always Lana.

“What are you really asking me, Chloe?” Lex moves a little closer to her.

Chloe looks up at him with what Lex thinks of as her ‘false front’ smile. “I’ve always wondered why you would have bothered, that’s all. The parking garage would have made a good immediate profit.”

“Maybe that’s not what I was after.” He’s taken another step towards her. It’s unconscious, an instinctual response to Chloe herself. But he does it most often when he senses a lie. Lex picks up a bowl of ice cream to hide the fact that he has been pushing into her space again. She nods and picks up the second bowl. Now he knows something is wrong, if Chloe isn’t arguing.

They return to the movie but Lex isn’t really watching anymore. He’s thinking about her accusations, and her offer, and her question. What does she see with her hazel eyes full of light? What does she really think? He goes to bed wondering what the woman next to him is hiding.

[asharnanae]

ohhhhh!!! I just LOVE this story, and this chappy is no exception, I love the banter, and the thoughts, you have captured them so well.

MORE! this is too good to wait for!!!

[Krysia]

I wonder how long it will take for Lex to realize how insecure Chloe is about Lana.
Great chapter my favourite part was Chloes explenation of why she uses his name like that. I always perceived it as a defence mechanism. In her way she is showing him that she knows what he is doing when he uses peoples names and that she can do it as well.

[campbti]

I like the way you are allowing each of them to feel the attractino beginning to grow. I hope Lex will have the right answer to the Lana question. Ooooohhh 24/ with Lex, now that is a good way to spend some time.

[Louise]

I am loving this fic, it's just the right blend of fun, action and emotion :)

Especially loved this:


“Don’t thank me. You don’t know if I spit in it or not. What are we watching?”

this:


“I’ve handled much more complicated activities in the dark than eating pizza.”

and this:


I use your name back because I have no intention of falling for your mind control voodoo . . . or your charm.” Hearing the words come out of her mouth, Chloe realizes how harsh they sound. Sometimes she surprises even herself with her furious truths. She repents a little. “You don’t have to influence me, Lex.” She adds quietly, “You just have to ask.”

was all at once a clever insight into Lex, a painful truth, and then an awww... moment! Can't wait for more!

[Louie]

This is such a great story, I never even thought about the name thing but you explained it so well, loved that Chloe compaired it to vodoo.

[hfce]

Oh great update. I love the interaction they had in this chapter. :wub:


Hope ;)

[emnorth2002]

She’s almost asleep when she realizes that while he said he owed her an apology, Lex never actually gave her one.
I don't know why it struck me so strongly, but I just *really* loved this line. Perfect encapsulated Lex! The chapter was wonderful; I love how careful and deliberate their verbal judo and nonverbal responses to each other have become. I can't wait to see what comes next!
:-)
Em

[Kit Merlot]

I adore the way you are showing Chloe and Lex's growing attraction to each other. And I really like how real they are with each other--I like that they get on each others nerves, and that you just don't have them gazing at each other and sighing. Lex and Chloe are both complicated people, so a romance between them would not be easy going.

Excellent work :D

[slyflame]

I ejoy reading this story - it has a lot of insightful and truly original scenes. Not to mention that I love the banter ;)

[tracyaching]

A/N: Wow, I can't actually think of anything to put here. Huh. Oh, I remember now- The story is taking a turn for the serious at this point. I'm afraid it's what the muse demands. Sorry!

Chap. 5-

For once, Lex is up before her. For a guy who is supposedly such a workaholic he certainly likes to sleep in. Of course, Chloe reasons, maybe that’s why he likes to sleep in. He probably doesn’t get many chances. Chloe slips out of bed and hurries over to the TV. She switches it on and immediately hits the mute button. Flipping through the channels, she finds CNN- nothing, FOX- nothing, and then MSNBC- Bingo. Standing behind a podium, almost large as life on Lex’s huge TV is Lionel Luther. Chloe can’t hear what he is saying with the mute on but she’s sure it’s probably some sanctimonious crap about how much he loves his son but will not negotiate . . . blah, blah, blah. Chloe didn’t turn on the TV for him. It’s her Dad. He’s standing off to the side, a show of support suggested by Luthor no doubt. He looks so pale and drawn. Dark circles under his eyes, he looks ten years older. His tie is crooked.

After all the other things she has put him through, with her investigations and mutant theories, it seems unforgivable that she is sitting in Lex’s beautiful apartment not even bruised while he worries himself to death over her. She misses him so much. Chloe lowers her head into one hand and tries desperately not to cry but the tears leak through her fingers to fall onto the carpet, anyway. She bites her lip brutally to hold in her sobs. She doesn’t want Lex find her like this.

Too late. Gentle fingers pry the remote control out of her other hand and Chloe hears the soft pop of the TV going off. Lex sits down beside her but doesn’t touch her.

“You’ll get back to him, Chloe. I promise.” His voice is soft but absolute, like he is relaying commandments or something. Of course the world would never dare cross Lex Luthor. She almost tells him so. It would be so easy to strike out at him, make it his fault somehow- but she knows it’s not. And . . . she needs him and she doesn’t think he is the callous, selfish playboy the rest of Smallville takes him for. Instead, she nods, to show him that she hears him but she can’t lift her head.

“Talk to me.”

She can’t.

“Chloe,” His voice is insistent, “look at me.”

She wipes roughly at her face and looks at him, determined to be fine. She takes a deep unsteady breath that catches a little as she inhales. Lex’s eyes are so blue and for once his body language isn’t distant and defensive. Sitting on the couch, he is turned towards her, his knee almost against her knee. He is even leaning towards her; like he wants to touch her but one hand still holds the remote and the other lies on his thigh as though he isn’t sure what to do with it.

“We will get out of this.”

She nods but he can see she’s still not okay.

“What is it?”

“It’s just, my dad-“ Chloe has to pause and take another shaky breath. Lex doesn’t interrupt, doesn’t prompt her. He just waits. Chloe is so grateful for that. “How can I sit here mostly okay, when-“ She can’t finish the sentence but Lex nods. His face is so grave that she knows he understands. “I just wish I could let him know I’m okay.”

Lex sits back, his eyes on some point in space while he thinks. Chloe is instantly sorry for the sudden distance between their bodies.

“There might be a way. . .” He begins. The hope that blossoms in Chloe’s eyes produces a strange sensation in his chest. She needs this so much. “Come into the kitchen and try to eat something while I think.” He has noticed her waning appetite over the last two days.

She isn’t hungry at all but she agrees anyway. Once they get to the kitchen, Chloe pulls out a pan to start on breakfast but Lex takes it out of her hands.

“Sit down,” He says exasperated, “I am capable of actually doing something in here besides obeying your orders.” Chloe raises one eyebrow, in a sarcastic imitation of the mild look he uses when she is being provoking and he refuses to be provoked. He makes the face back at her and she can’t help but smile a little.

Lex fixes her a cup of coffee just the way she likes it and gets down to work. They don’t talk much except to discuss what Chloe wants in her omelet. Instead she watches him while he works, chopping and stirring. Everything is done with his usual efficiency of movement. Everything is deliberate and graceful and controlled. She wonders suddenly if he finds it exhausting or if it has just become second nature now. Would he find it difficult at this point, to be awkward, to move spontaneously? He catches her fascinated eye and for a second they both just . . . stop. Chloe isn’t sure who moves first but someone does and the next thing she knows Lex is handing her a plate with a very delicious omelet on it.

After breakfast Chloe helps Lex load the dishwasher.

“I think I’ve figured out a way to get a message to your father but it’s not guaranteed and it could expose us.” The tone is warning but he doesn’t insult her by asking if she’s sure that she wants to do it.

“How?” is all she asks.

“I got Clark a very secure e-mail address, a few months ago so I could mail him from time to time. We’ll go down to the internet coffee house on 10th and set up an e-mail account on one of the free services, like yahoo.” He puts the last plate in the rack and slides it in to shut the door. He straightens and turns to face her, “The name will have to be something obscure but that Clark will recognize as you. You can send him a short message to pass on to Gabe.” Chloe opens her mouth but Lex interrupts her, “You can’t tell him anything, Chloe. Not where we are. Not what happened. Only that you’re alright. Anything more-“

“I understand.”

“And we can’t go out until we hear from Anthony. We can’t afford to miss his message.”

“Okay.” She looks far too pleased. Lex feels a moment of foreboding. Maybe he should have just let it be. Then he knows he couldn’t have. She looked so sad. Lex rubs the back of his head wearily. They need to get out of here. His thinking is becoming cloudy.

Lex is about to leave the kitchen when she touches his arm gently.

Chloe hesitates a moment but realizes if he was anyone else. . . So she throws her arms around the young billionaire and as she feels him stiffen thinks, I have made a terrible mistake. Almost instantly though she can feel him relax and slide his arms around her waist to gently return the embrace.

Lex breaths deeply and then sighs as softly as he can into her hair, hoping she won’t notice. Chloe gives him another squeeze, “Thank-you, Lex. I owe you one.”

His hands slide up to her arms and he pulls her back away a little so he can meet her eyes, “We’re friends, Chloe. There are no debts between us.” He studies her carefully to make sure she understands. She nods slowly, studying him in return,

“Okay.” It sounds like a promise or a vow.

Discomforted suddenly Chloe smiles shyly and turns to step away when Lex pulls her back quickly. The embrace is lightning fast and fierce. He looses her abruptly and walks around the kitchen island to settle on a bar stool, his neutral mask in place. And Chloe wonders, What just happened?

---------------------------------------------------------------

They receive a message from Anthony later that day. He will meet them tomorrow night at Heat with the information they have asked for. They can use the VIP door. He adds a small note at the end of his message suggesting that they try not to start any fights on the way in. Lex does not care for this little addition. Chloe can see it clearly in the way he smiles tightly at the message. She interrupts whatever he is imagining doing to Anthony Bird with a question.

“So we can go then? To e-mail Clark?” She sounds ridiculously eager and she knows it but can’t care.

Lex looks at her. Is she so eager then, to contact Clark?

When he doesn’t respond, she bites her lip a little, “You’re thinking maybe we should wait until tomorrow- that it would be better to go out once on one day than twice on two days.” She looks so disappointed, “I guess my Dad can wait one more day.”

Her father. That’s right. That’s what this is all about.

“The coffee house closes at 8:00 and we’re not supposed to meet Anthony until midnight. I think it would be better to send your message today and come back quickly rather than go out twice tomorrow or try to kill four hours out on the street.”

Her most beautiful smile. She hops up so quickly he is afraid she is going to embrace him again and he steps back sharply. She gives him a strange look.

“I’m going to go get ready.” She explains, “You should get changed, too.”

Right. Of course.

Lex takes her suggestion and changes into the jeans. They are not the impeccably tailored slacks he is used to but they are fairly comfortable in their own way. He debates what shirt to wear. The button-up he has on now, even sans tie, would be too recognizable. He settles on one of his gray t-shirts. Then he slides on the hat. He feels like he is dressing for a play. Lex hasn’t worn a hat since he turned twelve. That was when he decided that he would never try to fit in, that he would never act ashamed or embarrassed. He was Lex Luthor. The world should seek his approval.

They step out onto the street and the cold wind hits them. Chloe pulls her jacket tight around her. Today, her disguise consists of a dark red knit hat similar to Lex’s that hides most of her bright hair and a large pair of black rimmed glasses. She looks adorable. Lex glances at her sideways and can’t help but smile a little.

“You don’t actually wear glasses, do you?” He asks.

“I happen to have perfect vision,” She informs him primly. “The glass in these is not prescription.” She catches sight of herself in a window, “Do I look more intelligent?” she asks.

“Absolutely.” His face is completely neutral and Chloe gives him a suspicious glare. He doesn’t smile but she shakes her head in disgust anyway and breaks into a fast walk.

It’s early afternoon, between the lunch crowd and the after work crowd so the coffee house is almost empty. They find a table in the back and when the waitress asks them what they would like Lex orders them two lattes, one with whipped cream and a chocolate chip muffin. Chloe shoots him a smile from behind the computer.

“How do you know that’s what I like?”

“I’m a genius.”

“And you spend way too much time at the Talon for someone who should be busy running a multi-billion dollar company.” As she says it, Chloe realizes how true that is. He does spend a lot of time there- where Lana is.

Lex sees Chloe’s smile fade as she turns back to the computer.

“What?” He asks, trying to understand her sudden turn of mood.

She shrugs, starts typing. Lex is watching her intently; looking for clues . . . They were talking about the Talon. They were talking about the Talon last night too when she shut down. What was wrong with the Talon? She spent more time there than he did. What could . . . Lana. He taps one finger rapidly against his thigh. Hmm. His eyes still on Chloe, he says casually, “Lana makes good espresso.” There. She flinched. Actually flinched at the sound of Lana’s name.

Lex is coldly furious suddenly – at Lana who has convinced Chloe that she has the patent on what is desirable in a woman, at Clark for always always choosing Lana over Chloe, and at Chloe herself for allowing Lana and Clark to convince her that she is ordinary. They’re all morons.

The girl turns the computer screen towards him, interrupting his thoughts. Lex reads-

To: farmboy@lexcorp.com
From: wallofweird@yahoo.com
Clark-
Just a little line to let you know everything is okay. Investigation proceeding as planned. Me and the crazy driver hope to be home soon. Please pass on to all concerned parties.Don't tell the MB.
Love, Your former prom date


“What do you think?” She asks anxiously.

“I think it barely qualifies as English but it works.” Your former prom date, Lex thinks in disgust. Again, Chloe has to define herself in relation to Clark.

Chloe hits the send button, drains the last of her latte, and stands. “I guess we should go then.” She sounds almost uncertain. Something in Lex’s expression is making her nervous.

He is silent and cool on the walk back. Chloe points out different sights, attempts to draw him into conversation but his answers are brief and polite. She is getting progressively angrier the closer they get to the apartment. By the time they stand in the foyer, she has worked herself into a fury. When the door clicks shut, she rounds on him, “What is your problem? Are you mad at me because I needed to get a message to my dad? It was your idea! You can’t-“

“Why are you still in love with Clark after everything he’s done to you?” It wasn’t what he meant to say. It wasn’t something he ever meant to say. But the question has been lurking in him for days now, pressing against his vocal cords, trying to climb out his throat. It has worked its way free of him using his anger as a crowbar.

The color drains from Chloe’s face, “What?” she whispers.

“Why,” Lex speaks slowly, “are you still in love with Clark?”

“What gives you the right to ask me that?” She is furious again. The color returning to her face as quickly as it had left. “Who do you think you are?”

“Who did you think you were when you demanded to know about my relationship with my father?”

“Is that what this is about? Tit for tat, right? That’s the Luthor way.” Her voice is so sharp, so bitter. “Fine. If that’s what you need. I’ll tell you the truth- I’m not in love with him.”

His skeptical look says it all.

Chloe shakes her head, her beautiful hair falling in her eyes. “You think you know so much.” She meets his eyes again and says deliberately, “You’re an idiot.” You could cut diamonds with Lex’s jaw at that moment.

“Explain it to me then.” Arms crossed against his chest, Lex is looking down his nose at her in a way that makes her want to scream. Despite this provocation, something warns Chloe that she shouldn’t answer. That she should never play his game. There is danger here. The guilt is still with her, though. All the trouble she has caused because she had to know the truth. Isn’t it poetic justice that Lex is standing here now, demanding a big truth from her? Isn’t it fair that she answer his question? A question for a question, that’s the bargain she made last night.

“Alright.” She agrees, almost against her will. Somewhere deep inside she’s horrified- but it’s too late, days too late to try to hide anything from him. She walks towards the windows and leans against the arm of one of the chairs. Lex follows and seats himself. Chloe glances briefly at him. He is sitting in his usual posture- knees wide, feet flat on the floor, forearms resting on the arms of the chair. The position is relaxed but supple, he could be out of the chair in a moment or sit there for an eternity.

Chloe stares out the window, deliberately not looking at him, trying to collect her thoughts. When she begins her voice is low, “Love and hate. Ice and fire. Dark and light. People think love and hate are opposites- they’re not. They’re two sides of the same coin, two fierce and terrible motivations.” She pauses, frowning out at the skyline, “I saw it so clearly, that day in your office- how you had twisted yourself around trying to make Lionel love you. Trying-“ She takes a ragged breath and Lex studies the little bit of her cheekbone and far away eye that he can see from where he waits. She always says ‘Lionel’ now instead of ‘your father’, he notes. He is strangely grateful for this little piece of mental distance she gives them. When she continues her voice is lower than before and she still won’t take her eyes from the window, “When you want something so badly, it can make you angry. You start to think that wanting, if it’s strong enough, is a good enough reason for having. That feeling- it can make you do things you never would have dreamed you were even capable of.” The bitterness is back and that tone of self-recrimination she uses. Lex is motionless with watching her. He hardly seems to be breathing. Chloe continues, “I know all about that feeling. I saw all the things I had done trying to make Clark love me the way I wanted him to. So many stupid, petty things. I realized then, that I might be willing to lose my best friend but I wasn’t willing to lose myself.” She puts the palm of one pale hand flat against the glass and as though she is speaking to it or perhaps to herself she says, “So I made a choice; I love Clark but I can’t be in-love with him. It would destroy me.”

It is all the truth she has the strength for. Still not looking at him, she pushes off the chair and disappears into the kitchen.

Lex watches the sun set over Metropolis and feels things swelling up in him he has never felt before.

[Nicki]

you can't leave it there. I love it please up-date soon

[suspension of disbelief]

I saw all the things I had done trying to make Clark love me the way I wanted him to. So many stupid, petty things. I realized then, that I might be willing to lose my best friend but I wasn’t willing to lose myself.” She puts the palm of one pale hand flat against the glass and as though she is speaking to it or perhaps to herself she says, “So I made a choice; I love Clark but I can’t be in-love with him. It would destroy me.”



It's amazing how you really know Chloe. No matter have people try to deny it Clark is Clark. He is a part of Chloe. Yes he might be stupid sometimes okay most of the time when it comes to the girl who is willing to wait for him.


“Love and hate. Ice and fire. Dark and light. People think love and hate are opposites- they’re not. They’re two sides of the same coin, two fierce and terrible motivations.” She pauses, frowning out at the skyline, “I saw it so clearly, that day in your office- how you had twisted yourself around trying to make Lionel love you.


This is so heart breaking. But so true in so many ways.


Love, Your former prom date

So funny. And so original!!....

[SinnerSaint]

Wow. That was emotionally intense. And I really liked her explanation about not being in love with Clark and the whole defining herself through other people. Very interesting. Intriguing even. ;)

[Kit Merlot]

This was a very emotional chapter. I like that Lex and Chloe are unafraid to confront one another.

I really enjoyed the part where you had Lex remembering when he was a kid, and deciding to never hide who he was--Wonderful!

And I liked Lex figuring out Chloe's inferiority complex because of Clark and Lana, and that he got angry with Chloe for letting them influence her.

Beautiful update :grin3:

[hfce]

Wow that was great chapter. I love how you are seeing them getting closer the more they reveal to eachother. And the last sentence about Lex feeling a swell in his heart. I believe he feels he has a chance with her. :D


Hope ;)

[LarkLuthor]

Well no one can call you a slow updater! I finally get around to starting this and you have 5 chapters up! I'm really enjoying this story it has a lot of depth, both in the plot and the characters. *grumbles about her unmanagable obsession with charactization* I'm looking forward to more...

Honestly there's a lot more I could say but giving feedback for five chapters in one post is little overwhelming so when you update again I'll giving detailed reactions for each chapter...

Lark

[red turtle]

You have to update soon. I'm want to see what happens, it's a very interesting story.

[asharnanae]

damn, now that was truly wonderfull. Loved every word!

[Star14]

I love your spin on the Chlex kidnapped plot! The scene at Heat was hott! Also, the way they're slowly opening up to each other is very real. Love your writing and cant wait for an update!!!

[June]

first of all, I must admit, when I first started reading this-- I was like 'oh no another Chlex kidnapped plot'... but you have done such an amazing job with this I am constantly coming back here and wondering if you've update. Great story, Great chlex... all around wonderful. Can't wait for the next update.

[slyflame]

argh, meanie cliff you leave us hanging at ;)

[tracyaching]

A/N- I'm probably going to get yelled at for leaving it where I have but it's going to be a busy weekend for me and I thought a little now instead of a lot later might be better.

Chap. 6, Part I-

Dinner that night is a silent affair, punctuated only by the ting sound as a spoon strikes a bowl. Chloe has made minestrone soup. It is delicious and comforting. Lex realizes that no one has cooked for him, who wasn’t paid to do so since his mother died. The thought makes him feel warm and weak. He wonders if Chloe’s mother ever cooked for her, before she left. How old was she when it happened? Does Chloe ever dream about her? What does she dream about? The more Lex learns about the girl, the more he is hungry to know. He does not understand what is happening except that he feels like he is drowning.

Or how he imagines drowning must feel. Floating, trapped between two screaming muffled voices. One full of fear, demanding that you fight, that you claw your way to the surface and breathe at any cost. The second voice is persuasive. It murmurs that the water is cool and warm at once and so welcoming. It tells you to rest, to let yourself sink and the burning pain will stop. The first voice sounds vaguely like his father. It makes sense. It’s a very Luthor sentiment.

This is usually the point where Lex runs but there is no where left to run to.

“I saw how you had twisted yourself around trying to make Lionel love you.” He can hear Chloe’s voice again. He does not want to be twisted anymore. Lex feels Chloe’s eyes, like a touch on his skin. What does she see now? What else will she reach in and pull out of him? He smiles tightly into his soup bowl- he has become a magician’s hat. He is full of metaphors.

Chloe stirs her soup rather than eats it. She watches fascinated as vegetables rise and fall in it. Bubbles, currents, eddies form and dissipate. Against her will her eyes keep returning to Lex. He is eating his soup with silent perfection. Even the way he grips his spoon is fascinating to her. What is this power he has, she wonders. How does he make her reveal things she has never told anyone? Chloe knows she has always led a double life- seeking and sometimes demanding the truth from others while hiding the truth about herself. It is almost intoxicating to be the story for once. The way he watches her when she speaks, so absorbed like she has become the whole world- she’s never known anything like it. No one, not even her father has ever listened to her with such intensity. She is eager and terrified by the thought that he will ask her more questions.



Chloe goes to bed early and sleeps in fits and starts. Every time Lex moves a finger or breathes too deeply she is awake again, and waiting for . . . something. Eventually, deep in the night, she sleeps the sleep of the desperate. She wakes hours after Lex and is strangely conscious of the fact that she is tracing his path through the apartment- to the kitchen for breakfast, to the bathroom for a shower, into the closet for clothes, and even into the study for a book.

She browses idly through the book shelves. He has a lot of philosophy- Nietchze, Plato, Sun Tzu- which she kind of expected and a lot of poetry which she didn’t. She pulls a very beautiful edition of “Leaves of Grass” off the shelf and begins to read. Lex leans against the doorframe an hour later and watches her. She is lying on the floor with her legs in a chair, and a pillow wedged under her head. The book is propped on her stomach, leaning against her legs. He wonders how she could possibly be comfortable like that. Suddenly, he wants her to look at him. He wants to see her eyes.

“What does MB stand for?” His voice is loud in the silence. Chloe jumps and Lex takes shameful satisfaction from it. She is not supernatural. She can’t sense his presence.

“What’s your favorite cereal?” Chloe responds, almost sharp but not quite. She is watching him from a strange angle. Her head tipped back on the pillow. He knows he looks almost upside down to her but her expression is still too intense.

“Are we still playing that game?” He shouldn’t have come in here. He knew better. And that’s not what he should say to her. If he really wanted to push her away he would have asked, “I thought we stopped playing that game yesterday.” But he can’t bring himself to punish her for being brave enough to answer his question. She rights herself suddenly so that she is sitting properly on the floor and facing him.

Chloe is holding on as best she can in the face of Lex’s stare. It would be so easy for her to give in, to answer his question and the next one and the next one and let him watch her that way forever- but she told him yesterday she wouldn’t lose herself to Clark and she won’t lose herself to him, either. If he wants answers, he can give answers.

“What else is there to do?” She asks.

Not much and they still have eleven hours before they have to meet Anthony.

Chloe is watching him like she expects him to turn and run at any second. Lex decides it’s an innocent enough question to answer.

“Cheerios.”

Chloe doesn’t look surprised although she feels a little- discombobulated, to be honest. Cheerios. That’s so . . .endearing. So she answers his question.

“Magnificent Bastard.”

“You think my father is magnificent?” He asks.

“Only in the sense that some things are so perfectly what they are you have to be a little awed. Lionel is a perfect and utter bastard.”

That was certainly true.

“What’s your favorite cereal?” Her question has made him curious in turn.

“Count Chocula. How many pairs of sunglasses do you own?”

“Hundreds. Have you ever had a pet?”

After a while Chloe gets up to take a load of laundry out of the drier. When she’s done folding it she finds Lex in the kitchen making a sandwich. The ridiculous questions continue. What was the name of your first stuffed animal? (Chloe) Who is your favorite poet? (Lex) Do you flush the toilet with your hand or your foot in public rest rooms? (Chloe, again) Have you ever been drunk? (Lex) Lex makes her a sandwich while she watches from the behind the counter. When Chloe eats it she absently licks some mayonnaise off her thumb and Lex watches mesmerized through his eyelashes.

After lunch they return to their own pursuits, occasionally Chloe shouts a question at Lex which he invariably walks over to reply to and then asks a question of his own before leaving the room. He lets her shout her answers, though he never raises his voice.

They make dinner together again.


“What was your first kiss?” The questions have been getting progressively more intimate all afternoon. It happened so slowly Chloe hardly noticed. Nor is she sure how it occurred or who is responsible. The question sits there and dares her to answer.

Lex is watching her out of the corner of his eye as he slices cucumber for the salad. There is a faint blush on her cheeks. He actually sees her pull herself together and decide to be nonchalant.

“Sixth grade. Kevin-“

Lex turns around, quick and sharp and Chloe steps back. He pulls a towel out of the drawer beside her hip and smiles at her.

“Sorry. Please continue.” He is leaning back against the counter, watching her as he dries his hands.

“Kevin Cousineau. Under the monkey bars. Someone bet him a quarter to do it.” It’s a silly memory but it still bothers a little. She got her first kiss from a boy who wanted a quarter not her. Story of her life.

“When was your first real kiss?” His voice is soft and he has not taken his eyes off of her since he turned around. Chloe can feel her body slowing down like time is leaving her behind. The blood is sliding through her veins like syrup and she can’t seem to get enough oxygen. No. She shakes her head to clear away the spell.

“My turn.” She asserts, “When was your first kiss?”

“I was thirteen. Her name was Jessica Van Avery. Spin the bottle.” He bought his way into the game and then rigged it.

“and?”

“and what?”

“How was it?”

“Clumsy.” He smiles a little, recalling the moment. It is not bitter or sarcastic and Chloe experiences a vague annoyance with this faceless girl. “but memorable.” Lex turns his attention back to her. “What was your first real kiss?” He asks again. In the dim light of the kitchen his eyes are dark.

“That is a very vague question. What do you mean by “real” kiss? Do you mean the first time some guy tried to stick his tongue in my mouth or the first time I wanted him to? Or do you mean the first time I ever felt dizzy and breathless and swept away?” She is surveying the kitchen as she talks, looking at anything but Lex and trying to keep her voice casual. “In that case maybe what you really mean is ‘what was my best kiss to date’. You wouldn’t be much of an interviewer.” She observes.

Lex steps across the narrow area between the counters again. He pulls the same drawer at her hip open and tucks one end of the towel into it so it can hang dry. He shouldn’t have crossed the space between them. He can’t back away. He looks down at Chloe. She is staring at the floor but can’t seem to move either. Lex can smell her- clean, and sweet and delicious like lake water.

“What,” His voice is husky, “was your best kiss?”

Lex Luthor. Two days ago. He kissed my neck and I could feel him shivering as he did it. She can’t tell him that.

She licks her lips nervously and Lex has to close his eyes.

“Fifteen. Joe Andrews.”

“And?”

“And what?” Why are they always going around in circles, Chloe wonders frantically. She picks a thread on her shirt to hide- everything.

“What happened?”

“We were behind the gym. I was interviewing him about some things that went missing from the chem lab. He had criminal impulses.” She admits. “All of a sudden he kissed me.”

“That’s it?”

He captured my mouth. He pushed me up against the wall. His hands- He still wasn’t you.

She looks up at Lex finally. He has only ever been so physically close to her once- on the dance floor. Would she always be haunted by that damn dance? The distance between them is shrinking. She can feel the heat of his body. He is so much warmer than. . .

Ding! The oven timer buzzes sharply and they both jump.

“The rolls-” Chloe hastily pulls herself away. Oh god, what was she about to do?


They return to the game as they eat their meal but it is innocent again and they are both distracted. Afterwards Chloe watches a movie she will never remember seeing and then wanders in the bathroom to begin getting dressed for the club.

Out of the shower and trying to decide what to do with her hair she hears a thump and growl. She wanders toward the noise. Lex is going through the drawer where she has put all his “disguise” clothes. She promises herself she will behave normally.

“What’s the problem?” She asks him.

He rounds on her and opens his mouth. Chloe readies herself for the barrage but his lips twist and he smiles ruefully, “I was going to say that I don’t know what to wear but that sounds a little- pathetic.”

Chloe grins. He is making it easy. “Vanity thy name is Lex.” She intones solemnly. She reaches down into the drawer and pulls out a charcoal gray long sleeved t-shirt and a white short sleeve button up. “Wear these.” She tells him.

He looks at them doubtfully, “Together?” He asks.

“Yes, and the cuff.”

“That is not going to happen.”

Chloe makes a disgusted noise, “You know nothing about modern fashion.” She informs him on her way out.

“Thank God.” She hears behind her.


Lex waits on the couch in what he thinks of as his stage clothes and tries to prepare himself for whatever will come out of the bathroom. He tells himself all the things he should: she is just a high school girl, he is a man, a very experienced man who has known hundreds of beautiful women (in the biblical sense), this is certainly not the time or the place for whatever is going on inside of him, and he has never been attracted to blondes anyway.

None of it works. He doesn’t feel like a man. He feels like a turgid sweaty teenage boy.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

Tonight Chloe is in green- jade to be exact. Her top is silk, falling from her neck to reveal far too much of the beautiful skin between her breasts. She is wearing jeans as well, of a blue so dark they are almost black. She has a wide green ribbon around her wrist and her hair is pinned back behind one ear with what looks like an elaborate brooch made of jade green rhinestones in the shape of a leaf. Her eyes have become green to match. She looks like some kind of modern day wood nymph. Lex imagines his tongue tasting the skin her top is showing him. Only the long hard years of his life under Lionel allows him to stand up and usher her out the door like everything is normal.

TBC. . .

There's been a bit of a debate on the boards about Lex's favorite cereal- I couldn't help but incorporate it. Just know that I have the utmost respect for everyone's opinion on the subject this is just what I had to go with now.

[Kit Merlot]

This was a great update!

Loved the way Lex and Chloe were playing 20 questions with each other :grin3:

And I can't wait for the second part.

This story rocks :D

[LarkLuthor]

The 20 questions were great! and I loved that the cereal question got in there!

More soon? Right?

Lark

[Louise]

LOL you've brainwashed me! I have crossed over to the Lex-loves-Cheerios camp because that was just so cute! And I kind of want to try Count Chocula now! Great update :)

[tracyaching]

A/N: Okay, so I got inspired and neglected my homework a little. I work better under pressure anyway.

Chapt 6, Part II-


The atmosphere in the club is ferocious- there are even more people than last time. Everyone is drunk and dancing. Chloe is grateful that they came in the VIP door. The thought of crossing the dance floor in this is unimaginable. The bouncer from the door doesn’t take them up to the balcony like before, instead he ushers them to a small office somewhere behind the bar. When the door shuts behind them Anthony doesn’t even bother with hello.

“You really inspire people, you know that Alex?” The club owners’ voice is not mocking this time, rather it is tense and short. Lex seats himself very deliberately in one of two chairs in front of Bird’s desk. They both ignore Chloe, so she stands back in the shadows to watch. “When people hate you, they don’t do it half-assed. You inspire them to new heights.” Seeing the formally cool man so agitated is worrying Chloe. When all this is over, she promises herself she will never come to this club again.

“This discussion of my charms is fascinating, Anthony. Could we get to the point please?”

“It’s Perry- Thomas Perry.” Chloe is stunned. She had assumed it was Lionel. It was almost always Lionel or something to do with him, wasn’t it? She watches Lex carefully but she sees no evidence of relief or anger. He curls his lip delicately in disgust when he hears the name. Lex had wormed a very lucrative contract out from under Perry’s thumb, leaving the electronics mogul in a very vulnerable place. Perry had needed that defense contract to convince his board of directors he was not running the company into the ground. When he lost the deal, they dumped him from his own company and now Luthorcorp was on the verge of buying it all. Chloe was constantly amazed at the precarious nature of big business. It was a wonder anything ever got done at all with the dramas being enacted in and out of boardrooms.

“He contracted with some Russians for your pick-up. The idea was to grab you, find out how you got the information, and then make it look like a random robbery gone wrong.” It’s Anthony’s turn to look disgusted, “Stupid fucking Russians.” He throws Lex a large manila envelope. Lex catches it deftly, slides the papers out, and starts to flip through them rapidly. “They’re still looking for you.” Anthony tells him grimly, glancing quickly at Chloe, “the strawberry too. They’ve been everywhere, asking questions, flashing money around. You can’t come here again.”

Lex nods absently as he reads.

“What are you going to do?” Anthony asks when Lex looks up finally. The smile Lex gives him is chilling.

“I’m going to teach Mr. Perry why it’s a good idea to lose gracefully.”

Anthony becomes his old self all at once, giving Lex an evil smile in return, “Good luck with that man.” Anthony stands, “C’mon, I’ll walk out with you.” Anthony holds the door for Chloe and when she walks through she has the distinct feeling he is looking at her ass.

They enter the small ante-chamber that is the VIP exit and entrance. The guard has changed from earlier and there are three instead of two. One approaches them and Anthony frowns, “K.S. you’re not on-“

Everything happens at once.

The man Anthony called K. S. pulls a knife and reaches for Lex. The two other guards run at them. Anthony pulls out a gun but a man barrels into him before he can use it. Meanwhile Lex is struggling with the man and his knife. The door behind Chloe bursts open and two more guys come pouring in. The room is too small for eight people to brawl in. Chloe doesn’t know who the good guys or the bad guys are anymore so she kicks and punches anyone who tries to get between her and Lex. She reaches him just as K.S. slashes at his shoulder. She sees Lex’s eyes go wide and she knows he has been cut. The man with the knife pulls back to stab again- he crumples to the floor. Anthony is standing behind his body, panting.

“Go!” He snaps. Chloe takes Lex’s arm and hustles him out the door.

They are a block away when Chloe stops, pushes Lex against a wall.

“Let me see.” The wound is ragged and ugly, bleeding profusely. She has never seen anything like it. Chloe knows a lot more about head trauma then knife wounds. She’s never been knifed. There’s no way they can take a taxi with him bleeding like that. Lex bunches up the material of his jacket at the shoulder and presses it to the injury. He doesn’t hiss or wince but his face is very grim. He seems more angry than in pain. He is looking very intently at Chloe’s face. She raises her hand and winces at the bruise she can feel forming under her eye. She doesn’t even remember getting hit.

“Thomas Perry-.” He can’t even finish the sentence but he doesn’t need too. Chloe can see his face. She shivers.

“C’mon.” She says. The walk is long and cold. If Lex wasn’t bleeding they could have sauntered up the street, straight to the apartment and no one would have noticed them, probably. But he is bleeding and so they keep to the shadows and the back alleys. They have to go down five blacks to cross the street at a spot that isn’t so brightly lit. Lex is so silent and grim, Chloe can’t tell if he’s okay or not. He is walking rather slowly but that maybe to avoid jostling his shoulder. She asks him a question. She’ll know better if she hears his voice, “What did you do for Anthony that he owes you so big?”

He glances over at her. In the faint light of the street lamps she glows. “I saved his sister’s life.”

Chloe feels her eyebrows rise. “How?” She asks.

“She was drunk, in the parking lot at the club. She and Anthony had just had a very heated argument and she wouldn’t let anybody walk her out. Three guys found her puking beside her car and thought they’d have a little fun. It was an accident that I arrived when I did.” If he had been capable of it at that moment he would have shrugged. “Anthony was very grateful. His people take family very seriously.” His voice is casual and Chloe rolls her eyes. Of course, he took on three guys to defend the virtue of a girl he didn’t even know- not a big deal but ask him what his favorite cereal is and he’ll glare at you and refuse to answer for ten minutes. Lex stumbles a little suddenly and Chloe is instantly at his elbow. His face is much paler than it should be.

By the time they reach the apartment building Lex is leaning on her. Chloe doesn’t ask him anymore questions, afraid they will require too much energy from both of them. He is heavier than his slender frame would suggest. Before they enter the lobby, she slides her arm around his waist and tries to make it look like they are any young couple coming in from a night on the town that can’t get enough of each other. She keeps Lex’s body turned away from the guard behind the desk as they approach the elevators.

Inside the elevator, Lex leans against the wall with his head tilted back. He breathes slowly and deliberately. The pain is intense. He has been stabbed deeper but this longer, shallower cut seems to hurt worse and he knows he is losing a lot of blood. Just keep breathing, he tells himself. Stay awake. He looks at Chloe. She is as pale as he is, although the bruise on her face probably makes it seem worse than it is. That bruise. Thomas Perry is going to be so sorry for that bruise. The elevator stops but Lex can’t remember what is supposed to happen now. Chloe takes his undamaged arm gently and leads him down the hall.

At the door she asks him, “Where are the keys, Lex?”

Is she trying to use his mind control voodoo on him now? He smiles a little. “Left front pocket.”

The side of the injured arm. Chloe takes a deep breath and slides around in front of him. There is not a lot of space between his body and the door but she doesn’t want to ask him to step back in case he falls over. She slips one hand into the pocket and he makes a small noise she forces herself to ignore-this isn't the time- and pulls out the keys. She turns between them and moves to open the door. Lex leans against her back.

Chloe manages through sheer strength of will to get him to the couch and then runs back to shut the door. Lex is slumped against the leather, his head leaning back again.

“Lex.” She says. She needs to see his eyes. And again sharper this time, “Lex!”

He opens his eyes, looks at her.

“I need your help.” She tells him, “I don’t know what to do about knife wounds.” Her voice is quavering a little and she clenches her jaw. She will be okay. She has to be okay for Lex.

“Unwrap it.” He tells her. Chloe pulls his hand back away from where it is pressing into his shoulder. She has to help him untangle his fingers from the jacket, he has been holding on so tight. She pulls him forward gently to try to ease the jacket off of him buts he winces visibly. “Scissors might be better.” He suggests. Chloe nods and runs in to the kitchen for a pair. Lex feels a momentary pang at the thought of losing the stolen jacket. It’s ugly as sin but it's the most comfortable he has ever owned. He’ll have to buy another one when all this is over. Chloe must know where they sell them.

Chloe cuts the jacket free and he sees her stop abruptly, frozen in place. She is staring at the wound, at the blood soaked cloth of his shirt. She begins to shake. She is starting to panic. Lex can see it quite clearly even through the pain. He draws a deep breath.

“Chloe,” he says softly. She looks up and he holds her eyes deliberately. “Chloe, I need you-“ He needs her. His mind swims. He needs her. . . She is still watching him, mesmerized. The moment stretches.

“I need you to get me a clean towel. . . “ he gives her instructions and she follows them. Holds herself together admirably. Cleans and bandages the wound. Brings him water and Tylenol with codeine. She hardly cries at all.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

That night in bed, Chloe crosses the invisible barrier that has existed between them, pressing her chest against his back, an arm around his waist, her leg comfortably nestled between his. Lex knows he should push her away, cut into her, send her running- but he’s so tired. And when she holds him his shoulder doesn’t hurt so much. So he allows it. He is too exhausted to fight anything, anymore.

[Kit Merlot]

This was an exciting update!

I like that Lex isn't afraid to let Chloe help him, and I like the image of Chloe holding Lex while he sleeps--Very sweet.

Now, tracyaching, I'm worried about your schoolwork--I'm loving this story, but I don't want you to neglect your studies.

Oh man, when did I become an adult?! :eek:

This story completely rocks. :D

[June]

The chapter before this was incredible of course, and the beginning with Lex's thoughts on Chloe and her mother mirroring those of his and his own mother were beautifully done and wonderful, considering I've always thought that was what made them so right for each other-- the fact that they connect on that sort of level. *sighs* and I did hate where you ended it, but lucky for me I didn't get to read until today and there was already a chapter waiting for me...


That night in bed, Chloe crosses the invisible barrier that has existed between them, pressing her chest against his back, an arm around his waist, her leg comfortably nestled between his. Lex knows he should push her away, cut into her, send her running- but he’s so tired. And when she holds him his shoulder doesn’t hurt so much. So he allows it. He is too exhausted to fight anything, anymore.

Wonderful, truly amazing. Chloe's strong when she wants to be weak, but at the end of the day she is always there to comfort Lex and the thing that always amazes me is that he lets her. Beautiful ending, I can't wait until the next update.

[campbti]

Beautiful chapter. You carried the intensity very well. Loved them fighting and helping each other. Last paragraph was perfect. Can't wait for more.

[welshy]

That was an excellent update

[LarkLuthor]

Wow! Profound thought and fast paced action all rapped up in one chapter...I'm impressed... More please...

Lark, Who's trying hard not to tease Kit about being a grown up...

[hfce]

That was a great update. I loved how in the end they helped eachother out. I hope they can get out of this soon.


Hope :)

[leik2]

Nice adrenilin (sp?) rush.

[buddyfozzy]

I love that Chloe is taking care of Lex, and that he is letting her. I hope Lex can take care of the guy that's after him and that they will be okay. Wonderful update!

[tracyaching]

A/N: No time, gotta go! Hope you like it!

Chap. 7-

The next day Chloe changes his bandage. She flinches when she sees the cut and somehow manages the difficult task of ministering to him while hardly glancing at the wound itself. She won’t look him in the face either. It gives Lex the chance to watch her instead. He sees the way a strand of hair falls against her cheek, watches how her fingers shake a little as she cleans the torn skin. She is so careful; more careful than Lex himself would have been. She reaches absently for a roll of tape and Lex can see her eyeing the mark on his other shoulder.

“I should learn to stay out of clubs.” He remarks lightly.

Chloe looks him full in the face then and her expression says quite clearly she finds nothing amusing in this scenario. Lex draws a sharp silent breath. It is the first time she has looked him in the eye since they woke, wrapped up in each other’s arms. She turns back to the bandage without speaking, smoothing the fresh gauze gently before tapping it.

She then proceeds to fashion a sling for his arm out of a sheet she has cut up.

“Where did you learn to do that?” He asks, mildly impressed.

“I looked it up on the internet.” Chloe replies coolly. “You should try to keep your shoulder immobile so the cut doesn’t tear open.”

“Yes.” He agrees gravely.

She doesn’t like to be mocked.


Chloe sits down very deliberately in the chair in front of him. “You weren’t surprised it was Perry, last night at the club. Why? What aren’t you telling me?”

The question is unexpected and it stings. Doesn’t she trust him by now?

“He was one of the names on the list, Chloe.” He sees her shift impatiently at the sound of her name on his lips. “Just because I use your name doesn’t make it a lie!” She jumps a little. Even Lex is startled by the vehemence in his tone. He takes a deep breath and continues in a more normal voice, “I was prepared for it to be any one of them.” That is not exactly true but he is in no mood to discuss his father. Chloe studies him for a moment, assessing and Lex forces himself to endure it calmly.

“Okay,” She says finally, “So what do we do?” She smiles a little, “To make Thomas Perry realize he should lose gracefully, that is.”

Strangely enough it is her way of apologizing for doubting him. Lex understands this but forgiveness has never come easily for him. “Nobody likes a smart-ass.” He tells her, as cool as she had been before.

It is impossible to cow Chloe. She smiles brightly at him. “Actually nobody likes a genius who rests on his laurels.” She stands and sweeps the supplies off the table into her arms, “Start thinking.” She throws over her shoulder as she walks away.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Lex does think- for two days straight, considering potentialities, making plans, discarding them, then making new ones. Sometimes he talks points over with Chloe. She responses with an abstract calm that is totally unlike her. It is one more thing on the list of things that trouble him. An idea begins to take shape, anyway. Normally he wouldn’t require so much time but he sleeps a lot and the pain in his shoulder is distracting. He has no desire to give any drug a foothold in him again though and so he avoids any but the most basic painkillers.

Chloe herself is also proving to be somewhat . . . distracting.

She has taken to watching him since that night- not in an obvious way but he can see her, in the corner of his eye, her head always lowering as he raises his. The feeling of her eyes alternately pleases and irritates him. He wonders what she sees when she looks at him. He hates the quiet and he finds himself plagued by the desire to know what she is thinking. In eight days, they have come full circle and he is sitting back in the Talon a week ago, observing her and trying to understand what she is exactly. He is full of desires he doesn’t understand and desires he understands all too well.

Every night they sleep holding each other and never speak of it in the morning.

Lex watches her watching him and remembers. When he should be thinking of ways to destroy Thomas Perry, he thinks about how it feels when she presses her little body against him and throws one leg across his legs, pulling him closer. He can smell her in his clothes, on his skin when he wakes in the morning. He gets into the shower later and later in the day to preserve it. Last night she moved restlessly in her sleep and when he slipped his fingers through her hair to soothe her she burrowed closer and dragged her lips across his jaw. Instantly awake, he lay in the dark for what seemed like hours trying to maintain his already tenuous control over his body. Lex is loosing all perspective but he can’t care. He affects fatigue he does not feel and goes to bed early and eager.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Chloe tends to Lex’s shoulder again the next morning. It is the third time she has done this and it doesn’t get any easier. She looks at the ugly mark that had poured blood like some obscene river just two days ago and forces her eyes away. The thought of what could have happened, what still could happen- if he gets an infection, if the wound turns septic and refuses to heal is almost paralyzing. She helps him put his shirt on. As she slips the last button through the button hole, Lex asks her,

“Do you want to hear the plan?”

Not really. She would like to sit here and touch him gently for a few more minutes or barring that, she would just like to sit here and not think about how the last eight days in this apartment hiding from mortal danger have felt like the safest of her life- until that night at the club. It never occurred to her before then that he might leave her. Now of course, that’s all he wants to talk about.

“Yeah,” She answers, feigning enthusiasm she doesn’t feel. God, she’s an idiot. I want to go home, she reminds herself. And she does- the thought of her dad and the Torch office are enough to make her eyes water but Chloe knows the minute they step out of the apartment doors for the last time, that will be it. Lex will act as though none of this ever happened and that thought produces an awful sick anxiety in her gut she can hardly bear. No matter what happens, he’ll be lost to her.

He’s watching her intently. She let’s her gaze skim his face but doesn’t rest it there. If she looks him in the eye he’ll see it all and she won’t allow that. She smiles vaguely in his direction and settles down into the chair to listen.

“We have enough evidence to implicate Perry but probably not enough to get him convicted,” Lex begins, his voice confident and calm. Chloe imagines it is the one he uses in the boardroom; it’s so full of self-assurance no one would even think of arguing with him. “and we can’t get out into the open to give it to anyone without endangering ourselves.” She nods a little impatiently. She knows all this.

“In two days my father is throwing his annual Halloween Charity Ball at the Luthor building. Despite our unfortunate disappearance he has decided not to disappoint his guests or the hospital board.” His smile is sharp and mocking, “Perry, and the rest of society will be in attendance. We can slip into the party through my father’s private entrance. . .” Chloe listens with growing horror that doesn’t show on her face. The plan is three things: impossibly brilliant, ludicrously dangerous, and undeniably dramatic. Chloe can’t believe he is seriously suggesting it.

She stands and walks towards the windows like she’s considering it. When she turns back towards him, her voice is hard, “Are you insane?”

“What?”

“What is this?” Chloe catches his eye for only a second and then turns sharply again, pacing and waving her arms a little, “A masquerade ball? An unveiling at midnight? Are we in an opera?”

“I have explained my logic to you, Chloe-“ She can see his coldly furious face.

“Ha! You certainly have! You-“ She stops abruptly and sees the answer. This is about more than Perry. Lionel- this is about him, to punish him, embarrass him. Lex will use this little moment to upstage his father. Another ugly-

She has made a mistake.

She’s still facing Lex. She knows, he knows something is not right. She can see it in his face. “Are you trying to get killed?” She demands. Keep him angry Chloe tells herself, keep him distracted. She glares out the window.

“What do you think I’m doing?” Lex asks her. He is on his feet advancing towards her, suddenly.

“It doesn’t matter what I think. We’re talking about you.” She moves restlessly to hide the fact that she has just put a chair between them.

“I think it does.”

The familiar sensation of panic is starting to set in. Even wounded Lex is still full of intimidating grace, is still implacable.

“You’ve never had a problem telling me your opinion before.” He observes coolly. He’s stopped pursuing her for a second and Chloe takes the opportunity to try and put something a little more substantial between them. She moves toward the leather couch and realizes she has walked straight into his trap. There is a point in the movement when she is between the chair and sofa, exposed and on a direct line with Lex. He takes advantage of it, is there suddenly in front of her. She takes a step back and another and finds a wall at her back. Lex leaves a steps worth of space between them but it is still not enough for her to run from him.

“What aren’t you telling me?” He asks softly, mirroring her question from a day ago.

“You’re paranoia’s getting worse.” Chloe is looking at the buttons on his shirt, his shoes, anything but his face.

“Tell me the truth!” His voice is a whip. All she can do is shake her head mutely.

Her evasion, her silence is more than he can take. Despair and desire drive him forward.

Lex pins her against the wall. Their bodies touching at thigh, groin, stomach, chest. His hands are like manacles on her upper arms. Chloe can see his pulse beating in his throat like bird wings against cage bars. He forces her head up. Forces her to meet his eyes, "What do you see?" He demands, "What do you see when you look at me?" He can feel her trembling frantically under him.

Trapped by his gaze and his body, she can’t do anything but answer.

"I see a wounded little boy, lost and desperate in a dark wood, getting angrier every second no one comes to save him." Her eyes are wet and burning at the same time, "I see someone just like me."

With a cry, somewhere between grief and release, Lex covers her mouth with his.

It is more than a kiss. It’s the opening of a floodgate. The force of it leaves no room for finesse or technique. All they can do is cling to each other and try to keep from drowning.

Chloe experiences a profound moment of shock when Lex sweeps into her, bringing their lips into contact. His mouth on hers is burning hot and hungry. He slides his tongue along the seam between her lips and she opens her mouth to him almost helplessly. She can feel one of his arms tight around her waist, the wall flat and cool underneath her and his body against hers everywhere. There are so many sensations and her heart is roaring in her ears- so she tries to concentrate on one thing. She focuses on the feeling of his tongue stroking hers. It helps for a moment, she almost surfaces but then he pushes against her, demands that she stay with him and she falls back into the flood.

With his limited mobility, Lex cannot get his left arm around her tightly enough. He cannot seem to get close enough to her. He makes a desperate noise into Chloe’s mouth to which she responds, wrapping her arms around his neck, somehow deepening the kiss. Chloe lifts one leg, dragging her sensitive inner thigh up his leg. He breaks their kiss long enough to groan and he rubs one hand along her lifted leg, pushing her back into the wall. It’s good but it’s not enough.

Chloe’s head falls back as she breathes frantically. Lex takes advantage of their position to kiss the sweet skin underneath her jaw. Her arms tighten convulsively and he repeats the motion, this time nipping the jawbone delicately. She responds with a little cry, pulling his mouth back to hers. Lex can’t lift her into his arms with his damaged shoulder the way he wants to, so he pulls her around, away from the wall towards the bed. This creates entirely too much space between their bodies and Chloe follows as close as she can, pushing against him as much as he pulls. They stumble a little over the coffee table and when the kiss breaks abruptly, Chloe draws her lips over his ear to the sensitive place just below it. The sensation of her tongue on this point forces Lex to stop moving for a moment. He slides one hand beneath her ass to press her up against him. He body is begging him for friction, for greater contact. He’s tempted to just pull her down onto the carpet. Impatient with standing, Chloe reverses their positions so that she is leading him to the bed.

Lex slides his hands under her shirt to caress the cool skin of her back. This time it is Chloe who stops them, to pull her shirt over her head. It flies away into the distance. He dips his head and tastes the skin that had so fascinated him two nights ago. It is sweeter and softer than he ever could have imagined. Chloe moans, an incoherent little whimper that sends him groping for the bed again. With shaking fingers, she works at the buttons of his shirt, pausing to slide a hand inside and run her fingers over his skin to his scalp.

They hit the edge of the bed as Chloe reaches the last button. She can’t seem to get it undone and with a harried growl Lex rips the shirt apart himself. She pushes the silk off his shoulders, running tender fingers and then lips over the scar before reaching for his mouth once more. Straining back to get free of his sleeves causes Lex to wince but Chloe’s mouth is on him again and he tips her back onto the bed and follows, covering her body with his.

They are so far beyond the territory Chloe knows there might as well be a map marked ‘Here be dragons’. She doesn’t care. She will lose Lex- but first at least she will have had this, at least she will have had this piece of him.

[buddyfozzy]

Ok you have to get back here and post the next chapter! This update was so full of emotion, I loved it!

[Louie]

She will lose Lex- but first at least she will have had this, at least she will have had this piece of him.

That is such a sad though, wow that was great. Can't wait to see the aftermath.

[Kit Merlot]

Tracy, this chapter was gorgeous!

Finally, Lex and Chloe are giving into the deep feelings between them, and I really love that Chloe uderstands Lex's self-destructive streak.

Beautiful update :D

[hfce]

Oh wow that was amazing. :D EEK!!! I love how they want eachother so much that they can't stand it. More please more :clapclap:


Hope ;)

[June]

Alright, first of all, hell of a chapter. Second of all-- yeah, I'm still stunned by this chapter.



Every night they sleep holding each other and never speak of it in the morning.

Lex watches her watching him and remembers.


The relationship you write between these two tragic characters is real and I love it. Their avoidance of the topic of the relationship and bond that is growing between them is very much them, and I love the way you write it so it slowly escalades to the proverbial mess they find themselves in at the end of the chapter.



Lex pins against the wall. Their bodies touching at thigh, groin, stomach, chest. His hands are like manacles on her upper arms. Chloe can see his pulse beating in his throat like bird wings against cage bars. He forces her head up. Forces her to meet his eyes, "What do you see?" He demands, "What do you see when you look at me?" He can feel her trembling frantically under him.

Trapped by his gaze and his body, she can’t do anything but answer.

"I see a wounded little boy, lost and desperate in a dark wood, getting angrier every second no one comes to save him." Her eyes are wet and burning at the same time, "I see someone just like me."


This is sick and twisted in a sort of way I'm sure all the shrinks in the world would have a day with-- but this sort of physical touching, arguring is, in my opinion, very Lex and very Lex and Chloe. Lex hides all his feelings and emotions so when they are finally released it is very much like you described their final meeting (the kiss) a floodgate. It is very much, in my mind, justified for their to be physical arguments to be between them-- as long as it doesn't border the line of abusive. Does this make any sense at all, or am I just crazy?



With a cry, somewhere between grief and release, Lex covers her mouth with his.

It is more than a kiss. It’s the opening of a floodgate. The force of it leaves no room for finesse or technique. All they can do is cling to each other and try to keep from drowning.


Again, beautiful. Loved it.


They are so far beyond the territory Chloe knows there might as well be a map marked ‘Here be dragons’. She doesn’t care. She will lose Lex- but first at least she will have had this, at least she will have had this piece of him.

Especially loved the way you ended it because it's exactly how I imagine Chlex. The first initial time is always a mistake but, eventually it is always leading them to the place where the can sit back and say 'I need this, and to hell with everyone else'.

Loved this update.

More please?

[LarkLuthor]

June stole everything I wanted to say. *sticks out her tongue at June for being too right* So I'm going to coment on her quotes.
Alright, first of all, hell of a chapter. Second of all-- yeah, I'm still stunned by this chapter. Amen sister!


The relationship you write between these two tragic characters is real and I love it. Their avoidance of the topic of the relationship and bond that is growing between them is very much them, and I love the way you write it so it slowly escalades to the proverbial mess they find themselves in at the end of the chapter. Oh yeah, it's the little things that add up to make the conclusion so good.


This is sick and twisted in a sort of way I'm sure all the shrinks in the world would have a day with-- but this sort of physical touching, arguring is, in my opinion, very Lex and very Lex and Chloe. Lex hides all his feelings and emotions so when they are finally released it is very much like you described their final meeting (the kiss) a floodgate. It is very much, in my mind, justified for their to be physical arguments to be between them-- as long as it doesn't border the line of abusive. Does this make any sense at all, or am I just crazy? They do have a lot of sexual tension built up through little touches in the show... It's as if everytime the interact there's some great physical tell in their movements and reactions that they simply can't control around each other...


Especially loved the way you ended it because it's exactly how I imagine Chlex. The first initial time is always a mistake but, eventually it is always leading them to the place where the can sit back and say 'I need this, and to hell with everyone else'. Chlex is doomed but yet unstopable...it might not end pretty, but they can't resist anyway...it becomes a part of them...

And most of all I agree it was a great update and we NEED more soon!

Lark

[suspension of disbelief]

"I see a wounded little boy, lost and desperate in a dark wood, getting angrier every second no one comes to save him." Her eyes are wet and burning at the same time, "I see someone just like me."


Totally hitting the nail on the head. The dynamic of Chlex is how they are actually alike. Looking at far you cannot see it but you have to dig deep and digging deep is what we Chlexer are good at. We are able to see what the writers of smallville fails to see. Can only imagine how smallville could had been. At the beggening of the series so much potencial but they were not able to capatalize it.

Your one of the new writers here but your definitely vast becoming one of one favorite.... Bravo...

[vardaquareien]

Absolutely wonderful ficcy! You've taken what in the beginning could have been a trite story of kidnapping that's been done to death and given it a new spin and a wonderful new life! The gradual awareness that has grown between Chloe & Lex is fantastic! And this last update, well... yummm that's all I can say! You leave me wanting More!!!

...And you're a Pterry fan!!! *hugs* (you know the first time I saw your username on the board I immediately thought of Tiffany Aching, then dismissed the thought as being the product of an overly Pratchett obsessed brain. luv the sig ;) )

[kimmie]

I cannot believe you ended it there!!! Get back here quick, i am desperately in need of the next chapter. That was so amazing!!!

Kimmie

[slyflame]

Gorgeous, darling. wowowowow.

[Ace9]

Just found this treasure, one of the best fics on this board..I love it. It's endearing, captiviating and giving us a raw look into two very fascinating characters. The plot and characterization are on par and I'm very impressed, keep up this great piece.

I cannot wait to read your next chapter and your future work as well!

[campbti]

Fabulous update. I love how their more physical relationship comes, as an explosion. I think the relationship has to be about talking and time and you have done that well. But their attraction is undeniable and you did a fantastic job of showing how well they fit. More soon please.

[Madison_Writer]

Love it! This story captures all of Chloe's fears and insecurities without making her seem too bitter or like Lana. It also shows a side of Lex that is sooo frigtheningly like Chloe. I've always thought that Lex and Chloe were two halves of a coin. Lex, hiding behind the dark brooding persona of rich playboy-corporate tycoon, and Chloe hiding behind the persona of the bright, ever-happy, intrepid reporter. Well done

[tracyaching]

A/N: Wow. I was really nervous about the new direction of this fic but you guys have been amazing- better than amazing. Thank-you so much.
Here is a rather short update but in the words of Ray Charles, "I'm going let it be what it be, baby." So it is in writing, as in music.

Chapt 8-

Chloe is asleep, lying on her side, facing him. Her dark lashes flutter gently against her pale cheek and her lips (sweet and soft, Lex knows) are slightly parted. He traces the lines of her body with his eyes, imagining and sometimes remembering his hands and his mouth on her instead. The curve of her exposed hip is the most alluring thing Lex has ever seen. He slides a little closer, so he can feel the heat of her skin.

Lex has no idea what to do. He knows what he wants to do. He wants to stroke his fingers over her hip bone and then his lips and then he will. . .

He wants it so badly the hand he reaches towards her shakes. He has never desired a woman so much after just having her- but Chloe is different.

Chloe makes him feel.

Truly feel.

The sensation is unfamiliar. Lex has always watched. He observes the world, finding the angles, seeking weaknesses, always assessing, always removed. And therefore safe. Even with beautiful women- beautiful wanton willing women in the midst of the act- he performs and watches himself do it, the buffer always in place. But there is no safe distance with Chloe. She is immediate, visceral- overwhelming. He feels everything.

He should be horrified.

He feels alive.

His brain, the ever present little man in his head is demanding to know what will happen, where this could possibly go. As Lex’s fingers slip over Chloe's warm skin, her eyes flutter open and she gives him a smile he can feel to the marrow of his bones. He shushes the little voice and lowers his mouth to her. Tomorrow he will think. For now, for tonight he will have this.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------


Because he doesn’t want to get out of bed the next morning, Lex makes himself. Discipline drives him into the shower, insists on clean clothes, marches him into the kitchen for breakfast. Every step takes him further away from the events of last night. Each one is a test of will he refuses to fail.

He is sitting upright and stiff, at the counter eating a bowl of Cheerios when Chloe wanders in. She is mussed and rumpled and languid. He can smell the scent of their mingled bodies on her. In these ways he has marked her and some part of him takes immense satisfaction in it. She helps herself to coffee and watching her standing at the counter, her shoulder blades pale and sculpted like swan’s wings, almost breaks his resolve. All he wants is to stand close to her and feel her breathing. The four feet of space between them is four feet too many.

When she turns to face him, she gives him a small quiet smile, “What? No breakfast?” She asks.

He offers her a bite of Cheerios from his spoon, grave and mocking and she grins. Moving quickly, Chloe crosses the kitchen and leans over the counter between them to take what he has offered before he pulls it back. His eyes are wide when she snatches the mouthful. They narrow again when a drop of milk rolls down her chin. She wipes it away before he can act on his next impulse.

His exercises of will power this morning mean nothing. He sees that quite clearly now. He is not in control of anything.

“I’ll need a clean spoon.” He hears his voice say.

Chloe stops dead, her smile draining away.

Lex wishes he could close his eyes or turn his head but he forces himself to watch. This is my fault, he tells himself. I have done this. I have made this necessary.

She rips open the silverware drawer behind her and when she comes around with the spoon she looks like she wants to plunge it into his chest but instead she hands it to him.

“Thanks for breakfast.” She tells him as she leaves the kitchen.




Lex finds her later in the study, staring at a book. He doubts she’s reading it. She hasn’t turned a page in five minutes. It doesn’t occur to him that he has stood and watched her not reading for that long.

“We need to talk about the plan.” He says from the doorway.

She looks up at him. Somewhere in the last nine days she has mastered his stare. Lex has the uncomfortable sensation that she can see right through him. She smiles a little, “Of course, the plan.” He can almost hear the commas dropping into place around the word.

He ignores the smile, the stare, and the tone of voice. “What do I need to do to convince you this is our best chance at getting out of here?” He asks seriously, sitting across from her.

“Nothing. I’ll do it.” Her gaze is steady, neutral, completely opaque.

“You will?” There is a stone in his gut, holding him to the chair. She won’t even argue with him.

“Yeah. I don’t have any better ideas and you’re right- we need to get out of here.”

He doesn’t answer and she continues on in the same calm voice.

“But where will I get a costume? and I know you have a tux in the closet but we both need masks.”

“It’s taken care of.” A brief call to a costume shop this morning and an offered bribe in cash, to have the required items delivered to the desk downstairs has taken care of that particular problem.

“Fine.” Chloe says her eyes falling back to the book. Lex sits stunned. Only his father has ever been able to dismiss him like that. He resists the urge to rip the book out of her hands and kiss her until she looks at him again the way she looked at him last night.

“What do you want from me?” He asks instead.

Her eyes are pale and bright and flecked with a dozen different colors like stones at the bottom of a stream. “What do you want, Lex?” She asks before returning to the pages.



The question haunts him all through the day and into their bed that night. He knows what he wants. But all the years of his life have taught him that anything he truly wants and tries to take will only leave him emptier than before. And there is the matter of what she wants and what is best for her. What could he offer her but shame and staring eyes and big empty gestures? It should be painfully obvious to her that he knows nothing about love.

Love. How is it possible that such a dangerous word has snuck into his vocabulary and into more than his vocabulary?

In the dim light, Lex can see Chloe’s outline, like a landscape. He realizes that with her, he is becoming his mother’s son and not his father’s. It is this thought more than anything that lets him reach out to touch her skin, gently near the shoulder. She rolls over. Her face is soft and sad and something in him that came loose yesterday falls free. He reaches towards her again and with a sigh she slides into his arms. He is briefly afraid she will misinterpret the gesture but she doesn’t move to kiss him. She only holds him and before he drifts off he hears her murmur, “You’re such a coward sometimes”.

He doesn't argue. She has a way of seeing the truth.

[Louie]

It was ok that it was short because it was beautiful.

[suspension of disbelief]

He realizes that with her, he is becoming his mother’s son and not his father’s.

If anyone can take Lex from the dark side I think Chloe could do it...

Very nice update. I love the intensity of emotions, beautiful update. Please make the next one a bit longer, no make that much longer. Thanks for giving birth to this fic. Love it all the way.

[Krysia]

He realizes that with her, he is becoming his mother’s son and not his father’s. .

This line was just perfect.
I love how Chloe understands him and that she didn't make a big scene out of his behaviour in the kitchen, coz he was an ass. I love the way that she can see through him and know why he is doing something even before he realizes the reasoning behind his actions. He needs someone like that , so he can feel safe and be himself. Living with Lionel I don't think he had a moment of rest. Everything could be a test and he had to always watch himself. I love that he can go back to being his mothers carefree happy Alexander with her.

[jafrizbee]

I just discovered this story, and I must sat it's pitch perfect. It's like you've just climbed inside Lex and Chloe's heads and made yourself right at home.
I'm eagerly awaiting your next update!

[ellelea]

Gosh! I love this story! You write the perfect Chlex. So realistic and deep, and you know both characters so well. Their reactions are believable and true... amazing, amazing writing. :D

Ah! Can't wait for the next chapter! :D

[kimmie]

That was beautiful, can kinda understand why Lex is so scared, but you have to make him realise how much he loves her! Can't wait for next update!

Kimmie

[June]

"I'm going let it be what it be, baby."

First of all this is one of my favorite quotes, and I'm going to borrow it from you, Tracy. If that's okay of course.

Second of all... the update, and whoa, what an Update it was.


Chloe is asleep, lying on her side, facing him. Her dark lashes flutter gently against her pale cheek and her lips (sweet and soft, Lex knows) are slightly parted. He traces the lines of her body with his eyes, imagining and sometimes remembering his hands and his mouth on her instead. The curve of her exposed hip is the most alluring thing Lex has ever seen. He slides a little closer, so he can feel the heat of her skin

The mood you created with this first paragraph was stunning and brilliant and made you feel A. For Lex and B. the sexiness that us avid smut readers (I am shameless to admit I am one of them) missed out on because of that little "R" rating at that top. Don't get me wrong or anything, I definitely think it was brilliantly the way you played words in the first scene, and I love how you made us feel in some sort of way what he was feeling during and immediatley thereafter even though we had never read it.


She is immediate, visceral- overwhelming. He feels everything.

He should be horrified.

He feels alive.


Again, your writing is so percise so haunting it grabs me and doesn't let go. You write Lex a way that I love to write him-- sweet, confused, vulnerable and fighting for control.


He reaches towards her again and with a sigh she slides into his arms. He is briefly afraid she will misinterpret the gesture but she doesn’t move to kiss him. She only holds him and before he drifts off he hears her murmur, “You’re such a coward sometimes”.

He doesn't argue. She has a way of seeing the truth.

What surprised me about this was that he didn't kiss her-- I had hoped on some level he would have-- and that she knew what he was doing without the ever discussing him. You wrote that unwritten bond between them in a way that sneaks up on you and takes you by surprise and It was wonderfully portrayed.

Another wonderful update, from another wonderful author. I can't wait for the next one!

[Kit Merlot]

Tracy, this was a beautiful update!

I am not surprised that Lex would try to pull back from his bond with Chloe, and good for Chloe for realizing what he is doing.

And I can't wait to find out what their plan entails.

Excellent work :D

[meeaz]

very awesome update! thwere were so many emotions and feelings involced and you did a brilliant job conveying them. more soon please!

[hfce]

I loved this update. :)

[fussy_wuzzy]

Absolutely gorgeous update! I just loved the mood you managed to create with your writing.

[Damaris56]

Simply wonderful! I can't wait to read more.

[vardaquareien]

*happy, content sigh*

Wow. Wonderful update! I really love the way this was written completely from Lex's point of view. So many times we get to see Chloe's pain at Lex's 'rejection' of her but this was just so well done.
Lex has always watched. He observes the world, finding the angles, seeking weaknesses, always assessing, always removed.I find this a very astute summation of Lex's character. It also fully describes Lex's thoughts and actions in this chapter. He has removed himself and has stepped back watching and assessing the situation. That's why I think you've written Lex's POV so well here. He's remote and watching. And very, very, Lex.


She only holds him and before he drifts off he hears her murmur, “You’re such a coward sometimes”.

He doesn't argue. She has a way of seeing the truth.This is the piece de resistence of the update! It just brings it all together. I love that Chloe knows him. She knows what he's been doing all day, and she's waited for him to finally make a move. Wonderful stuff!!

[Madison_Writer]

YAY! You updated. That was sooo neat. I liked how Lex had to look at his feelings with Chloe, and even resolved it. I love how you made Chloe not beg him, or let him see her cry. That rocked. Keep up the good work.

[tracyaching]

A/N: I must have built up some seriously good karma in another life to have found you people. I hope everyone understands that in this kind of format a writer is getting so much from readers responses. In a lot of ways I feel like we're writing the story together. There is no end to my appreciation. Thank-you.

Chap 9-

Chloe wakes feverish and shaking, to the feeling of Lex’s warm breath on the back of her neck. His chest is pressed into her back and his arm is around her waist. His chest is not the only thing pressing into her body. It’s quite clear to her that Lex is in the midst of a particularly enjoyable dream. His breathing is becoming erratic and he rubs restlessly against her. Chloe herself is having some difficulty breathing just then. His obvious desire, asleep or not, is intoxicating. When he moans into her skin and kisses her neck, she can’t take it anymore. She rolls over swiftly and presses her body back into his to kiss him in sudden desperation and the hope that when he wakes he’ll let her keep kissing him.

Lex regains consciousness to Chloe’s warm hungry mouth on his and it takes a moment to separate the dream from reality. Trying to get his bearings, he automatically begins to draw back from her but she makes a sound of such heart-rending need, he finds himself pulling her closer, encouraging her to open her mouth wider to him. She responds and it is better and more terrible than the dream because it is real and he knows he can’t stop- doesn’t ever want to stop.

He rolls onto his back and pulls her with him, needing to feel as much of her body against his as he can. Lex pulls the strap of her tank top down off her shoulder and nuzzles the delicious skin it has been protecting. He will never get enough of the taste of her. When he moves to finish taking her top off, he catches her eye for a moment. Lex opens his mouth to say something: about how he has ached with the nearness of her, how she makes him- but he doesn’t know the words. Seeing the sudden sorrow in his eyes, Chloe responds by kissing him in a way that makes verbal speech impossible.

They spend the rest of the night trying to tell each other without words the depth of what they feel.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------



The next morning they revert to their old routine: a quiet breakfast, Lex in the shower, then Chloe, then attending to the bandage. They are gentle and skittish and uncertain with each other though the time is punctuated by sudden touches that surprise them both. In the afternoon, they share the small couch in the study and Chloe rests her feet in Lex’s lap. He looks uncomfortable, almost afraid and she moves to pull back but he rests his hand on her ankle and returns to his book. He rubs her ankle bone absently with his thumb as he reads.

It’s their last day in this apartment. Whatever happens tonight they will return to the world and Eden will be closed to them. They both feel heavy with a combination of relief and sorrow but they don’t discuss it. They don’t discuss anything. They are just together and it gives them the only comfort they can get.


Boy and girl make dinner together. Neither is hungry but they like the ritual and want to experience it one more time. They make mac and cheese because Chloe needs something warm and solid and predictable to cling too, even if it’s just a plate of pasta in a slightly inferior sauce. She gives Lex the rare privilege of cooking the macaroni and grates the cheese herself. Looking around the kitchen, with its warm lights and memories, some of which are also warm she wonders what will happen to the apartment. Will Lex keep it? Will he continue to bring women here to- the thought of another woman in her bed makes her want to vomit and her hand slips, scrapping her knuckles painfully. At the sound of her sharply in-drawn breath, Lex turns. He sees the blood and takes her hand gently to hold it under the cold water of the faucet. The combination of his warm hand and the cool water is disorienting . . . or maybe it’s just that he is touching her and standing so close.

Chloe watches him as he studies the injury, determined to remember every little thing he gives her unconsciously, probably reluctantly. His eyes are silvery and serious tonight, like a sword edge as he holds her hand. Looking up at him, she can see the scar on his lip perfectly. She wonders what it’s from. She never got the chance to ask, though she remembers exactly how it tastes and that he groaned when she traced it with her tongue. It’s true that she knows him- to a point. In moments of sudden clarity and insight she sees into him like no one else but that doesn’t mean she can predict him. She had no idea, last night that he would reach out to her or that they would make love that last aching time. Despite what she thinks he feels for her and what she knows she feels for him, she doesn’t know what will happen after tonight. And she won’t beg. She won’t ever beg again. Not even for him.

“It’s a good thing the plan doesn’t require me to use any fine motor skills.” She observes dryly. He smiles at her a little and she tucks the curve of his lip into her mind greedily where it will be preserved and visited often.

“You should be more careful.” Lex tells her quietly. Chloe devours his presumed concern as well. She knows he cares that much at least.

They eat together in relative silence. Despite her resolve that she won't beg, every moment Chloe wants to tell him- how she feels, that she doesn't want to leave if it means everything will go back to the way it was but in this she is a coward. She has put herself on the line so many times- she can not bear the thought that she will become to him what she is to Clark: a fond nusiance, someone who has to be handled. If she can't keep Lex at least she can remeber their time together without an embarassing and desperate ending. Still Chloe is plagued by the feeling that he is watching her and waiting for something but when she looks up his eyes are fixed on his plate.





When dinner is over Chloe goes into the bathroom and in a moment of panic and sorrow, throws up everything she has eaten. Strangely enough, it is that awful and desperate purging that helps to clear her head. Looking into the mirror at the fierce, hungry, truthful girl she has become in this apartment, she gives herself a truth. I always knew this would end, she reminds herself, but I chose anyway. She would do it all again if given the chance. It doesn’t actually make the thought of losing Lex any easier to bear but it does give her the strength to brush her teeth and begin preparations for the party. It helps her find some of the mental distance he embraces so readily.

The dress he ordered for her is black- an absolute and mysterious black, hinting at a myriad of colors but never delivering on the promise. It’s not the sort of thing Chloe would have picked out. She likes color and originality in her clothing. She has never considered herself to be remotely mysterious. She puts the mask up to her face. It is also black with jet beads and a small graceful swan’s beak to hide the shape of her nose. She will be a black swan tonight. Chloe has to wonder if this is Lex’s way of responding to her furious question about operas.

The dress fits as well as anything off the rack can or she’s sure it will as soon as she can get it fully zipped. Apparently Lex’s genius even extends to the ability to judge women’s dress sizes. Do his talents ever end, she wonders sarcastically. Unfortunately her talents have hit a wall. She can’t get the zipper up any farther. She reaches over the opposite shoulder and then bends her arm up and under but she’s stuck. The zipper is in the middle of her back, just below the shoulder blades and she can’t get her arm at the right angle to pull it up any farther. Chloe sighs at the small cruelties of the universe and accepts the fact that she’ll need some help.

“Lex,” Chloe appears at the doorway of the closet where he is tying his bow tie. She is holding the back of her dress together with one hand, while the other is splayed against her stomach holding the bodice in place. “Could you zip me up, please? I can’t reach the damn zipper.” Her voice is harried and impatient. Lex smiles a little as she turns around to offer him her back. He zips her up gently; glad to be close to her for the moment. When she turns around he is struck by the beautiful contrast between the dark of the dress and her pale skin. The fitted bodice hugs her close, revealing elegant collar bones and surprising cleavage. The skirt falls over the perfect curve of her hips to swirl around her legs.

“You look beautiful.”

She smiles, a mere twist of the lips that cuts him. He slides his fingers under her chin and tilts her face up to look into her eyes.

“You are beautiful- absolutely and unequivocally.”

She smiles truly at this, the distance she has been clinging to slipping away. “The Luthor charm re-asserts itself.” She observes. The smile gets wider. “Nice bow tie.”

“Thank-you.” Lex replies with a calm dignity that makes her laugh as she sweeps back out the door. The smile falls off her face by the time she reaches the hallway. Chloe presses her eyes closed for a moment when she returns to the bathroom. He makes it so hard to let him go.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------



At 8:05 they find themselves facing the door. Dressed in evening clothes and about to do battle for their fates everything seems surreal. Did the past ten days really happen? If they step outside will it all just disappear?

“What will happen?” Chloe asks Lex. She doesn’t want to. It is too close to begging but the words come out anyway.

He knows she is talking about more than just Perry. There are a thousand things he could say to her. He could quote Virgil or Shakespeare or even Helen Keller. He could re-assure her and make promises that he may or may not keep- but he won’t. She has always told him the truth and he gives it back to her now, “I don’t know”.

She nods, accepting that it is at least the truth. “Alright.” Chloe takes Lex by the hand and leads him out the door.


One more chapter, boys and girls.

[June]

*Does a little happy dance*

As happy as I am for the update, I must admit I'm rather upset that there will only be one more. This story is filled with beautiful prose and descriptions and you have knack for getting to the root of the moment without being overly obvious. It's subtle in a gentle, lovely way and I adore every word you write. Whew. Haven't I told you this all before? Well, I really do love this story. What can I say?


They spend the rest of the night trying to tell each other without words the depth of what they feel.

That whole first scene was awe-inspiring but that just pulled it all together. Wonderful.


The combination of his warm hand and the cool water is disorienting . . . or maybe it’s just that he is touching her and standing so close.

I've had this kind of moment and I know exactly how Chloe feels, and even if I hadn't had experience with that I still could have known exactly what she feels because there was just something about the way it was written that tells you everything you need to know.


The smile gets wider. “Nice bow tie.”

Lex Luthor in a Bow tie? Yeah, if that doesn't get me all hot and bothered I don't know what will... He is sexy in a class, elegant sort of way and the bow tie just proves it. Josh Lyman in TWW anyone? Some men were just born to wear bow ties beautifully... side comment, sorry.

Wonderful update, beautiful writing and I just realized something that I really should have realized a long time ago. You may just be one of the only other writers beside myself that writes in present tense.

Can't wait for the next (and final) update.

[Nicki]

you end it there? Please up-date soon like now??? Good chapter

[hfce]

That was so good but heart breaking. Since this is in the romance section that means a happy ending right? Right? ;)


Hope ~

[Kit Merlot]

Tracy, I am truly hoping for a happy ending to this fic, but their attitude with each other is that this is their last night in the apartment and in their bed and that this is their last night together.

You created the mood beautifully: I know that they love each other, but they just can't say it with words.

And I am anxious about this master plan--I hope all goes well.

Excellent update!

[kimmie]

I am so sad that this fic is nearly over, I love it and I really can't wait for the next chapter...

Kimmie

[LaLa]

I just discovered this wonderful fic, can u believe this? huh, I swear i'm a moron, big time! It's so amazing! I mean, EVERYTHING! one more chapter and it's over? Aww, that's so sad! I love that story, u're a very talented writer, I hope reading others from u!! well, i'll beg for the next chapter now so PLEASE!

[campbti]

So beautifully written, I actually winced at the thought of only one more chapter. I agree with June your writing is so powerful yet subtle. It is akin to having the words sweep across your skin in a way that makes you hunger for more. Anxiously awaiting more...

[starmoon]

update soon please because i realy got into this story and i can't wait for more.

[malugargula]

This fic is amazing
:D
Please write more soon

[Kit Merlot]

Okay, Tracy, I have no problem with begging for an update to this awesome fic.


PLEASEPLEASEPLEASE Update--SOON!!!

Thanks, you're the best :D

[redhotchick85]

How heartbreaking! :puppydog: I cannot wait to see what happens. I hope that they are able to work everything out...they are so great together.

You're a great writer. :worship: This is different from any other kidnapping fic I've read. I love it. Awesome work!

More soon! :D

~Kristina~

[psychgirl81]

Wow I just found this story and I have to say it is just amazing. You write the characters in such a profoundly touching way and the emotional intensity that you are able to deliver is truly impressive. I can't wait for the last chapter!

[darkangel]

This is the best kidnapping fic that I've ever read. Please update soon.

[tracyaching]

Hi Guys!
I'm afraid I've hit a bit of a block (also I am finishing my last semester of graduate school so I've been a little with the busy). I assure you I am working on the last chapter though and I thank-you all for your phenominal patience. Don't give up on me! If anyone has any inspiring suggestions or words I would appreciate them.
Struggling but determined, TracyA.

[Kit Merlot]

Hi Guys!
I'm afraid I've hit a bit of a block (also I am finishing my last semester of graduate school so I've been a little with the busy). I assure you I am working on the last chapter though and I thank-you all for your phenominal patience. Don't give up on me! If anyone has any inspiring suggestions or words I would appreciate them.
Struggling but determined, TracyA.

Tracy,

Please don't stress yourself about your last chapter. Just relax and don't worry--your muse will inspire you when the time is right :D

Was that inspiring enough?

[ColumbiaBlue]

Okay, so I was going to leave you some very frazzled feedback because I've just read this entire thing through and I actually cried out in horror when I saw that there were no more chapters, because I am so addicted to this it isn't even funny...

But then I saw your note and... well, the frazzle-ness has died away because I can totally sympathize with writer's block (it's a bitch and a half) and the stress of school (it has a habit of getting in the way).

Let me just say that I LOVE this story to pieces and that you're brilliant. Good luck with grad school and the writers block.

your friendly neighborhood Amanda :D

[Louie]

I just thought I'd up this story to let Tracy know that we still love it and hope she gets around or over or digs a tunnle through that block ;)

[tracyaching]

Thanks for the bump, Louie! I know you guys are still waiting for the last chapter but I wanted to let you know I posted something I call "Two Sides of the Coin- The lost nights" on the NC-17 board. I decided to try my hand at the smutty stuff I didn't put in this version. It's my first straight-up smut, so let me know what you think. And I am working on the last chapt. I want it to be perfect! Thanks for your paitience.

[tracyaching]

A/N- the last chapter has become rather unwieldy so I'm giving it to you in two parts. I hope you guys like it. I've written and re-written and read it over so many times it hardly makes sense to me any more. Ah, the joys of authorship! But you guys help make it worthwhile. Thanks! Also a special thanks to June and KitMerlot for all their help and great advice! You guys are my hero muses!

Chapter 10, Part I-

Lex’s costume consists of a half mask, a tux, and a pirate’s hat. The mask is white, stylized, and blank. It does nothing but hide his identity and darken his eyes by casting them into shadow. The combination of mask, hat, and evening dress is not exactly traditional but Lex pulls it off with aplomb, like everything.

During the cab ride, Lex wears the hat and holds the mask in tense fingers. The hat, complete with plumes and worn at an angle gives him a rakish air. Of course part of it is his attitude. As he readies himself for the tasks ahead, his body language becomes increasingly relaxed, almost languid. He projects a confidence so complete it requires no dark expressions or tense postures. He looks like he has never been afraid of anything in his life. It is undeniably seductive but Chloe finds that she prefers the Lex she saw last night, overcome by emotion and human. And touching her.

She thought that when she stepped through the apartment doors something would be severed and she would have to accept that there was no way to go but ahead and away from him. She has yet to accept anything, really. Her mind keeps pushing back the deadline she had put on the end of her feelings. Now it was promising her that when she got out the cab, she would stop thinking of him as her Lex, that when they reach the high rise she will stop wanting to touch him.



Lex instructs the cabby to drop them off in a parking garage a block from the LuthorCorp building. Chloe steps out of the vehicle and fails once again to be freed from her emotions. Maybe when they are standing in the party itself she won’t need to look at him again and again. Their footsteps echo loudly as they cross the cement floor.

In the west corner stairwell on the second level, Lex stops in front of what looks like the doorway to a maintenance closet. There is an old-fashioned number pad beside the rusty door and Lex quickly types in seven numbers. The lock clicks and he opens the door to guide Chloe hastily through before following himself.

The room is small; there is only a few feet of space between the door they entered through and the opposite wall, which is really a set of elevator doors.

Chloe raises one eyebrow at Lex, “Lionel is a closet Bond fan, isn’t he?”

“Oh yeah. Octopussey is his favorite.”

Her lip curves but Lex doesn’t get the laugh he had hoped for. He would like to see her beautiful unrestrained smile directed at him once more before all this is over. Instead all he sees is the quirk of her lips and the light in her eyes that conceals rather than exposes. His insatiable curiosity for her forces him to ask, “How do you feel?”

“Like some kind of twisted Cinderella, about to sneak into the ball.” She quips. He wonders if she deliberately misunderstood him and can not manage to dredge up the smile she obviously expects. Why should he smile at her when she is shutting him out?

The dark of his eyes and the intensity of his stare makes Chloe’s breath catch. Tell him! something in her is screaming. Tell him. But she can’t.

They enter the elevator and going down and Chloe looses count of the floors as she fights with the words inside her. Obviously they are below the street when the elevator stops. The doors open up on a cold utilitarian hallway. The walls are gray and so is the carpet. The lights are florescent and weak and she can hear the faint buzzing sound they make in the relative silence. Chloe is reminded of a doctor’s office here in the city she visited once. Hallway and doctor’s office share the same sterility and cold disturbing smell. All she can see at the end of the corridor is a bend.

As they walk along Lex quizzes her on the plan. She responds absently, only a small part of her listening. The rest is busy wrestling with itself, fighting for a dignity she is becoming less and less convinced she wants to or has actually preserved.





Lex asks Chloe about the plan, attempting to draw her attention back to him from wherever it has gone. He wants desperately for her to look at him. She is moving farther and farther away from him in her mind and it makes him ache. Suddenly he wants the day back- he sees all the time he wasted when he could have been touching her, talking to her, when she could have been smiling at him. His mouth is moving on automatic and he barely knows what he is saying- all he can think of is the twelve precious hours he threw away.

They stop abruptly in front of another set of doors. Chloe realizes he has just explained to her that when they pass through those doors, they will be constantly monitored by video and that they should put their masks on now. It seems a little ironic. She has been wearing the mask of indifference all day.

“Lex-“she says. Her voice sounds strange and far away.

He turns to her. She wants to say it- she really does but the words just won’t come out. They stand in front of the doors staring at each other.




Lex is trapped in place. They are standing at the door and there is no more time and he can’t bring himself to move, can’t bring himself to pass through those doors. Everything has become monochromatic; Chloe’s white skin, the black dress, the gray wall behind her. Everything is stark and edged.

He manages to pull his gaze away from hers and as his eyes fall, he sees something he hadn’t noticed earlier.

She is wearing the cuff.

That damn stupid piece of black leather she has been trying to bully him into wearing since the third day. It’s too big, sliding around on her wrist and it clashes terribly with the elegance of the dress but she is wearing it anyway.

He sees it clearly then- he wants her and he will not let her go.

In one sudden move, he leans over and kisses her, fierce and tender and sweet, terrified and desperate and reassured, hungry and burning and joyful. He kisses her with all the things he feels when he’s with her.

“This is not over.” He promises fervently. He is shaking with the revelation and the pounding beat of his heart.

He holds her eyes for a moment to make sure she understands and agrees. She looks a little dazed but her expression resolves itself under his gaze.

“Why?” She asks.

He recoils, visibly.

“Why?” She repeats, “There are thousands of women you could have.” She is pale and shaking but her gaze is steady. “Any of them would be willing to-“

“Is that what this is to you?” He demands, furious and so hurt. “A quick tumble-“

“Isn’t that what it is to you?”

“No.” The word slips out, with a desperate sincerity that surprises them both, “Damn it, Chloe, we don’t have time for this-“

“What is it then?” She presses. She realizes now why she couldn’t speak first. He has demanded all kinds of answers from her. She will have this one. “What do you see when you look at me?”


Lex wears the same shocked, almost bewildered expression he had worn a month ago when he told her about his father. He opens his mouth to speak but nothing comes out.

Of course.

Chloe nods, feels the familiar burning pain in her chest that is a thousand times worse than what she felt with Clark. She turns from him toward the door and begins to slide her mask on when he grabs her arm, gently pulling her back around against the wall to face him.

He is not Clark. He won’t let her get away that easily.

He takes a deep breath but meets her eyes, “I see a fierce beautiful woman hiding in the dark, afraid that no one will ever see her true self or care enough to come looking for it.” His gaze is inescapable and he touches her face on the cheekbone just below her eye with one trembling hand, “I see someone just like me.”

The hand slips down to cup her jaw in one palm and he tastes her lips, as deeply as he can and still wanting more. She responds, sliding her arms around his neck and bringing her body flush against his. It is not the overwhelming flood of that first kiss but it is just as powerful, just as transformative. It is a promise.

He smiles at her when they come apart finally and she smiles back- a true smile. “This is not over.” She agrees and the relief and joy almost make him sag. He rests his forehead gently on hers for a moment, feeling her breathe and his hand slides down her arm to touch the leather on her wrist. He gazes at her beautiful face for a few seconds more, never wanting to stop looking at her, talking to her, touching her

- but he will have to. There are things to do. But at least now, there will be time. He will not let her go. His fingers slip away from her skin with a sigh.

“Are you ready to make Thomas Perry sorry?” He asks, moving them on to do what is necessary.

Her hand slips down and away from his arm slowly but her grin widens to show more teeth, “Oh, yeah.” She tells him. Lex moves in quickly for one more kiss before drawing back. She smiles at him- just for him before sliding on her mask with the deliberate motion of a samurai belting on his sword. His Chloe. Lex takes comfort in her smile and in the knowledge that what he is about to do does not mean he will lose her. Pulling his own mask into place, he pushes the double doors open with both hands and sweeps into his father’s castle with all the arrogant assurance of his namesake.





Chloe waits ten minutes as Lex instructed, before passing through the doors herself. She takes the elevator up twenty floors and follows Lex’s directions through the twisting halls of LutherCorp. Twisted like Lionel’s’ mind, she thinks dryly to herself as she approaches the party. She can hear the noise of it already and she steels herself for what she has to do now. Don’t look at Lex, she reminds herself. Don’t even look for Lex. Luckily, they are taking invitations on the first floor at the entrance to the building so at least she doesn’t need to worry about being caught crashing.

Chloe enters the party behind an older couple dressed as Romans and tries to look like she comes to these things all the time. It’s not easy. Even though her father worked for LuthorCorp all those years, she has never seen “The Grand Ballroom”. Trust Lionel to put a grand ballroom complete with marble floors and vaulted ceilings in his corporate headquarters. The room is huge, surrounded on three sides with ornate balconies. The fourth wall is actually a set of windows, two stories tall overlooking the skyline of the city. A jumbo screen obscures part of the view and below it is the table of honor, complete with podium. The ballroom is full of the cream of Metropolis society, dressed in elaborate costumes, eating elaborate horderves, and telling even more elaborate stories. One woman looks as though she is dressed entirely in diamonds. Chloe isn’t sure if she should be fascinated or disgusted by this obvious display of wealth. She decides it doesn’t matter which she feels as long as she manages not to stare.

Her eyes scan the room and she heads casually towards the stairs to the balcony.

Lex gives precise directions, Chloe has to give him that. Walking along the balcony casually, like she is just bored and wandering, she easily spots the boardroom he mentioned. With a quick glance ducks down the nearby hallway. Around the corner is a steel door with another number pad. Normally, it would require a card swipe as well as a code but Lex’s code has a master override and doesn’t require a card. Chloe enjoys the ease of breaking and entering with the help of an inside man. She’ll have to remember it for the future. She types the code in and listens for the tell tale click. She thanks a god she doesn’t usually converse with when she slips through the door without being spotted.

It’s the control room for the projector system. Lex had explained to her that presentations are generally loaded beforehand into the system and are then controlled by the person on the floor by a remote. It saves Lionel the cost of paying a technician overtime. Chloe vaguely remembers some quotation which explains that the reason rich people are so rich is because they hate to part with even pennies.

The room is crowded with computer equipment and cables, as well as one small desk on which rests the projector computer. Pulling the thumb drive out of her beaded handbag, she plugs it quickly into the proper port and loads the little “presentation” she and Lex have made of the evidence against Perry. Rifling through the desk drawers she finds one of the remotes and checks its battery. It looks all ready, so she slips it into her hand bag. She straightens slowly. It is freezing in the little room but Chloe pauses for a second and takes a deep breath. The hard part for her is coming next.





Meanwhile, Lex is on the main floor of the ballroom carefully stalking his prey and trying to stay out of Lionel’s sight. Lex doubts the power of a mask and hat to disguise him from his father. He has the disquieting feeling Lionel could recognize him in a full body cast with a paper bag over his head. The mask and hat is working on everyone else though. Of course, people rarely see what they don’t expect to see. It’s interesting for Lex to attend one of these events as just another person, usually he is fighting off the attentions of half the guest list or hiding in the coat closet. Looking around he is surprised to see people smiling and laughing in genuine pleasure. It never occurred to him that anyone might actually enjoy this sort of thing.

Lex turns his attention back to Perry. He’s a big man, heavy-boned in his early sixties. His hair is white and his nose is crooked, a clear indication it had been broken and set improperly sometime in his past. The fact that he has never had it fixed is very telling. He is one of the few people in the room who is not wearing a mask or costume, only a tux. Perry is a member of the “American success story, built my company on the sweat of my brow and the strength of my wits” set, like Lex’s father and he has all the insecurities therein. Probably the reason Lionel and Perry have never gotten along- robber barons prefer to be the only billionaire in the room so everyone can give them their undivided attention. Lionel had been very amused when Lex stole that defense contract out from under his enemy.

Lex watches as Perry sends his wife and what Lex recognizes as his granddaughter off, so that he can talk to a business associate. Lex leans casually against a pillar and pretends to watch the band as the two pass by. He can’t hear Perry’s conversation but he doesn’t care. He just needs a chance to get the other man alone.

His chance comes sooner than expected as Perry’s associate excuses himself and wanders away. Lex slips around the pillar and approaches Perry from the other side by the wall. He is at the older man’s elbow when Perry looks over and jumps a little.


“Geez, son. You scared me.” Perry said with a little laugh, “It’s polite to shake a man’s hand and say hello when you want to speak to him.”

Lex holds out his hand and when Perry takes it, Lex says quite deliberately, “Hello, Perry.” Lex can see the realization dawn on the man’s face as he recognizes the voice. Perry moves to pull his hand away but Lex holds on tight and leans forward to speak softly, “I wouldn’t make a scene if I were you. I’d like to have a quiet word since we’ve run into each other so conveniently.” Lex’s smile is not comforting or reassuring, nor is it meant to be.

“Lex, I’m so glad to see you alive and well.” Perry feigns a hearty tone.

“I’m sure you are.” Lex observes dryly, “I know I’m certainly glad to see you. There is a small matter I think we should discuss.”

“This is a party, Lex. I’m supposed to be entertaining my wife.” Perry is looking around for an escape but Lex won’t give it to him.

“This really won’t wait. You can convey my sincerest apologies to your wife later. Please come with me.” The words are a request, the tone is not. Perry nods reluctantly. They stroll up the stairs together to the balcony where Lex ushers them into the conference room Chloe had passed earlier. He locks the door behind them and motions for Perry to sit down at the large oval table.

He does reluctantly, swiveling the chair out away from the table to face Lex. Perry crosses his legs casually and leans back with a pleasant smile. He looks calm and attentive and mildly curious as Lex removes his hat and mask and places them on the table. The two men size each other up for a moment. Despite the businessman’s casual posture Lex isn’t fooled. Perry is an old lion, powerful and rangy with a vicious cunning- but a lifetime with Lionel makes him little more than an annoyance in Lex’s eyes.

Perry breaks the silence first, “What is this all about, Lex?”

Lex smiles mysteriously and rounds the table to it’s head. Sitting in the chair at the head of the table is a folder and a remote. In his mind, Lex’s smile turns genuine. Chloe really is a remarkable young woman. Lex reaches down into the chair and picks up the folder. With a casual flick of his wrist he sends it skidding over the tabletop to Perry before seating himself in the chair.

The older man moves automatically to catch the folder with one hand. When Lex doesn’t speak, he opens it reluctantly while the younger man watches. Though Perry must have suspected what it was, his lips still tighten. To his credit, he doesn’t attempt to deny anything. He just sighs a little as though he is bored before turning a mild look on Lex.

“So what happens now, Luther? Will you turn me over to the proper authorities?” Perry’s tone is gently mocking. They both know rich men rarely go to jail.

Lex smiles just as gently and mockingly in return, “So you can finally get your money’s worth out of all those lawyers you own and get off anyway?” he asks. “No, I don’t think so. The law doesn’t really apply to people like us. If we want justice we make it ourselves.” Lex leans back in his chair and surveys Perry as though he is casually passing judgment on the older man. He watches Perry go white with anger and allows his smile to widen. The older man’s façade is starting to crumble. “You’ve inconvenienced me for ten days. I think I’d like to inconvenience you in return.” He sits up suddenly and Perry jumps a little. “And while an attempt at prosecution would trouble you for a while, eventually it would be over and nothing would have changed. What I envision for you is something a little more . . . lasting.”

“I’ve know dozen’s like you- young and slick-fast talkers but none of them has had what it takes to come up against me. You don’t scare me, Luther.” Perry is ramrod straight in his chair, his eyes fixed on Lex in a cold level gaze.

Big words but Lex knows they are a lies. “I believe you came here tonight with you granddaughter. I noticed her earlier. A lovely girl. What is she, fifteen?”

Perry’s eyes widen, “You-“

“Don’t worry, Perry.” Lex interrupts, “Unlike some people, I don’t make it a habit of harming defenseless young women.” He pauses theatrically as though something new has just occurred to him, “How do you think she’d feel, to hear how her grandfather kidnapped an eighteen year old girl and planned to have her tortured and killed?”

“I never- She wasn’t supposed to be there!”

“But your people took full advantage of the fact that she was. They could have left her in that field but they took her- to keep me in line, isn’t that right, Tom? Because it might take a few days to break me but maybe to protect the girl I would spill it all in a few hours.” Lex’s grip is tightening on the arm of the chair and he forces it to relax. The thought of what could have happened to Chloe- in his mind he can see the ugly bruise on her cheekbone. What the businessman had set after them was a pack of rabid dogs and when Lex was done with Perry, he would deal with Perry’s little helpers.

Lex stands abruptly and strides over to the window. Looking down toward the buffet table his eyes fall on two figures. “Come here.” He gives Perry the command in a casual tone over his shoulder. When the older man doesn’t move, Lex adds mildly, “It would be in your best interest-“ Perry gives him a resentful look that would not be out of place on the face of a twelve year old school boy but he does come to stand at the window with Lex.

“Let me direct your attention to the nearest end of the buffet table,” Lex says with a nod. Perry looks down onto the party, eyes skimming. Lex knows the exact moment he recognizes his granddaughter below them. A pretty girl with plain brown hair dressed in white and winged like an angel. She is talking to another girl- a blonde dressed all in black. Lex knows the exact moment Perry spots Chloe as well.

Years in the boardroom and business meetings where self-control is imperative for success keeps Perry from going for Lex’s throat but it is a close thing. Lex is almost disappointed, although the thought of fighting the taller heavy boned man with his injured shoulder is not pleasant. “What is this?” Perry demands through clenched teeth.

“Relax, Tom.” Lex says almost mockingly, “I told you, I am not a danger to teenage girls. She won’t be harmed.” He studies the two girls absently while he speaks. Even from here Chloe stands out. She isn’t graceful but she moves with a confident self-possession that draws the eye. Something she says makes Perry’s granddaughter laugh. “This can go two ways. In the first scenario, we sit down and you tell me exactly what made you think you could kidnap me, threaten my life, and get away with it. Then you agree to sell me all of your stock in Perry Electronics-“ Perry makes a sound of protest which Lex ruthlessly plows over, “You’ll get a decent price, don’t worry. And in return the evidence I have of your involvement in my and Miss Sullivan’s disappearance never comes to light and you’re granddaughter and all the rest of your family never have to know that in addition to being incompetent you’re also a criminal.”

Perry is looking at him with hate filled eyes but Lex can’t care. Victory is what matters now. Victory that would ensure Chloe’s safety. Perry would concede. He would see that he had no choice. “In the second scenario, you do not concede to my very reasonable demands and I plaster the evidence I have against you all over the jumbo screen behind the podium and your granddaughter as well as your wife can watch while you’re unmasked as a gutless criminal in front of the best of Metropolis society. How do you think Jessica will enjoy school on Monday after that?” He uses the girls name deliberately for the first time and observes the blood drain from Perry’s face as he watches his granddaughter. Lex feels almost guilty for a moment but his eyes fall on Chloe where she stands beside the other girl and he remembers her tears and again the bruise on her face.

Lex gives Perry a moment to let his helplessness truly sink in.

Finally, the old lion sags in defeat and sinks down into a chair with his head in one hand.

“They were only supposed to hold you for a little while- a month no more,” his voice is weary and resigned as he explains, “so I could find out who had leaked that information to you and he could take over LexCorp. You weren’t going to be killed and they weren’t supposed to hurt you any more than necessary. It seemed fair that you should lose your company like I lost mine and he promised there would be no repercussions.”

Lex goes cold all over and though he knows with absolute and terrible certainty he forces himself to ask, “Who? Who could take over LexCorp?”

Perry gives him a strange look, “Your father.”

They are in terrible danger.

TBC. . .

[Kit Merlot]

My GOD, Tracy, this was a gorgeous chapter! And thanks for the mention in your A/N--even though I'm not quite sure how I helped. You are a very kind person :D

And I'm thrilled that it is in two parts--so we'll have one more part to go to this kickass story :grin3:

Good for Lex for admitting his feelings for Chloe--that was a beautiful moment.

Well done!

[kimmie]

What, who's in danger...? Lex and Chloe? Please don't let anything happen to them, i want my happy ending!!! Loved this update, especially Lex refusing to give up Chloe!!!

Hope you have another update coming soon, cos I'm dying to know what happens next!!!

Kimmie

[darkangel]

Well that's a twist. Good update. Please update soon.

[hfce]

Yeah they told eachother how they feel. :clapclap: I am so happy about that. :D
But I so knew Lionel was behind this. I hope to God Lex can save them. Please :beg:


Hope :)

[Kendrix03]

WOW. I've read a lot of fanfic in my day, but I don't think I've ever been as thrilled to hear Lex profess his feelings to Chloe as I am now.


“What do you see when you look at me?”

He takes a deep breath but meets her eyes, “I see a fierce beautiful woman hiding in the dark, afraid that no one will ever see her true self or care enough to come looking for it.” His gaze is inescapable and he touches her face on the cheekbone just below her eye with one trembling hand, “I see someone just like me.”
(sigh)

[OddEvens]

Oh goodness, I got chills at the end. That is some superb writing. Please update again soon.

[campbti]

Loved it, and I kindof like the fact the man crumbled to say himself in the eyes of his granddaughter. I am so glad that Lex finally took the initiative. I never understand people who think that the hurt of rejection is worse than the pain of going without and never knowing. LOVED IT!!! More.

[Louie]

Crap, yep their in some truble all right can't wait to see what Lex comes up with to get them out of it. Loved them getting over their fears.

[pipersmum]

Wow can't believe i have only just found this and you are on the last part already :eek:
Really enjoying this story something that made me chuckle was
She turned suddenly and caught sight of him in the doorway and gave a surprised little shriek.
“God, somebody needs to put a bell collar on you or something,” She was blushing a little. He ignored the remark and helped himself to some coffee. :rofl:
So glad Lex is not letting Chloe go and what is Lionel upto?????
Please update soon :grin3:

[skitty]

I started reading this story a couple of hours ago and now I'm one of the many
waiting for the next part! Great work!

[buddyfozzy]

He takes a deep breath but meets her eyes, “I see a fierce beautiful woman hiding in the dark, afraid that no one will ever see her true self or care enough to come looking for it.” His gaze is inescapable and he touches her face on the cheekbone just below her eye with one trembling hand, “I see someone just like me.”

Aww, so sweet. ;)


Lex goes cold all over and though he knows with absolute and terrible certainty he forces himself to ask, “Who? Who could take over LexCorp?”

Perry gives him a strange look, “Your father.”

They are in terrible danger.

Uh. Oh. :eek:

Wonderful update, I can't wait for the last part. :grin3:

[tracyaching]

A/N: Well, here it is- last part. Thank-you so much to all you lovely fic readers out there who took the time to FB for a nervous new writer. Couldn't have done it without you! I hope you have enjoyed reading this as much as I have enjoyed writing it. I left the end pretty open, what do you guys think- sequel or no?



Chap. 10, Part 2-
Studying Lex’s face Perry smiles viciously before letting out a bitterly satisfied laugh. “You didn’t know.” Another laugh, “It’s almost worth it. How do you think my people knew to look for you at that particular club?”

Lex holds himself in check through sheer will power. When his gaze falls back onto Perry’s face, the old man flinches visibly. Then he leans back in his chair as though it never happened and his insolent smile widens, “It seems to me that the situation has changed somewhat, Lex. I-“ Before he can say another word, Lex reaches down and grips the business man brutally by two very sensitive little orbs- and twists. Perry’s eyes go wide with horror and he gasps with the pain. The move is so crude but Lex doesn’t have a lot of choices at this point. Chloe is on the floor all alone and they are both trapped in his father’s stronghold.

Lex leans down so he is only a few inches from the other man’s face. He says in a quiet, intimate voice, his eyes boring into Perry’s,

“Do you think my father is a dangerous man, Mr. Perry? Ask yourself, what kind of man uses his hated business rival and his own son against each other? What kind of a man would put his own son’s life in danger for the sake of profit? A ruthless and amoral despot, perhaps?” Perry doesn’t answer in words but his expression is a clear reply. With great deliberation, Lex says, “Imagine what kind of a son he raised.”

Letting go abruptly, Lex straightens calmly, almost casually. Perry is grey faced and shaking. He’s a long way from the rough and tumble youth he is so proud of and it is obvious his position has just become clear to him. He is trapped between two angry titans and there is no escape.

Lex regards him quietly for a moment before speaking. “Now, you are going to go down to the ballroom and get your wife. The two of you will drive over to my lawyer’s office on Chestnut Street. Jessica will stay here with Ms. Sullivan and myself. She will not be harmed physically but if I don’t hear from my lawyer in the next forty-five minutes that you have sold me your stock at the price I have dictated, I will do exactly as I threatened.” This is a lie actually. Lex lost his cell phone the night they were kidnapped and in forty five minutes he will be too busy dealing with reporters to take any phone calls anyway but Perry doesn’t know that. As long as he believes the call will be made, he will do as Lex wishes. Lex twists the knife a little, “Imagine how much more damaging it will be for Jessica to face the knowledge of your crimes and the cameras alone.”

Lex doesn’t wait for Perry to agree. He had seen the older man break the minute he realized that Lex was truly his father’s son. Lex can taste something bitter in his mouth but he ignores it. Using the conference phone on the table he makes the call to one of his numerous lawyers- at home but Lex pays enough money for them he should be able to demand their attendance on his whims in the afterlife. When the arrangements have been made, Lex turns back to Perry, “Are you ready?”

Perry nods. He is pale and shaken and he looks truly old for the first time. Lex feels no satisfaction in seeing his enemy broken before him. His father is the real monster- always. And Perry is just another pawn. If he could he might let the other man go but there is only one way to protect Chloe at this point and that is to make sure she never knows that Lionel was involved. And so he has to stick to the plan- or seem to. Lex feels distinctly disquieted by the idea of trying to deceive Chloe, even for her own good. She deserves better- and he’s not entirely sure he can do it successfully. She sees so much. He shakes the thought off. He can do whatever he has to, to keep her safe.

He gives Perry a few last minute instructions, “Find your wife and leave. Do NOT approach Jessica.” The older man looks so weary and afraid Lex finds himself offering a small assurance, “I will see that she gets home safely. You have my word.” Perry nods and stands stiffly. He regards Lex quietly for a moment. His expression is a strange mixture of fascination and fear. Lex raises an eyebrow.

Perry shakes his head, “He has no idea what he has made.”

No, Lex thinks, he doesn’t.





On the floor, Chloe chats amiably with Jessica Heath. It’s easier and harder than she thought it would be- because Jessica is genuinely . . . nice. They have been amusing themselves for the last forty-five minutes by making fun of the other guests and eating the best hors d’ overs off the buffet table. Jessica has grown up rich but she’s not too spoiled and she has a great sense of humor. Chloe is shamed by the knowledge that she has helped to make the other girl a pawn. But like most reporters’ Chloe is a realist. Perry most likely would have had her killed the night of the kidnapping and if all goes well Jessica will never know what really happened here tonight. It is an ugly necessity.

And Lex is counting on her. Chloe would rather die than let him down.

At a quarter to midnight Chloe is actually shaking with nerves. Jessica snags two glasses of champagne off a passing tray and with a wink offers her one. Chloe accepts it gratefully. Things are going to start happening soon and it takes all of Chloe’s willpower not to look around for Lex.

The lights go down suddenly and exactly five seconds later a spotlight kicks on to illuminate the podium. The crowd murmurs a little at the drama and Chloe makes a delicate sound of disgust. Jessica giggles. Chloe has developed a passionate dislike of dark crowded rooms. When Lionel steps up to the podium, she hides her discomfort by leaning over to Jessica and whispering, “I wish he’d get a haircut. He looks like he’s trying to get a job posing for the cover of a bad romance novel.” Chloe hears the other girl smoother a hasty laugh.

Chloe studies Lionel with disgust as he makes charming jokes and talks about the importance of charity. For all he knows, Lex’s body is lying in a ditch somewhere but Lionel looks as smug and superior as ever. She’s glad suddenly that she agreed to Lex’s plan. Lionel deserves to be punished- if only for his terrible neglect of his own son. He doesn’t deserve Lex.

Jessica moves forward a few steps to get a better look at someone on the platform and Chloe stays where she is for the moment. Watching the other girl with one eye, she scans the crowd hastily. Where is Lex, anyway?

She feels a warm grip enclose her hand and she smiles without turning. Lex steps up until his chest is pressing against her back. He murmurs into her ear, “Did you miss me?”

She can’t help herself. Her smile turns teasing, “Not really.” She whispers back, “There are a lot of eligible billionaires here tonight. I may start a collection.”

Lex slips an arm around her waist, pulling her more firmly against him and actually growls into her ear. It is arguably the most inappropriate time and place possible but Chloe shivers a little in his arms. She slides her hand over his hand where it rests on her stomach and squeezes gently. “Of course,” she adds, “none of them have your incredibly sexy bald head.”

Lex experiences a low warm sensation. She thinks his head is sexy. He holds her closely for a moment, enjoying the warmth of her body and the curve of her hip under his hand. For a moment his father’s betrayal means nothing and the world falls away. Then he remembers where they are. He kisses Chloe quickly at the base of her neck and steps in front of her, “Come on.” He tugs gently at her hand and begins to push through the crowd toward the podium where Lionel is wrapping up his little speech.

Oh god, here they go. This is the part Chloe has been dreading. In less than a minute every person in the room will be staring at the two of them. The idea would be completely paralyzing if Lex wasn’t be her side. Chloe thinks she hears Jessica’s voice raised in a question but it’s too late to reassure the other girl or to explain. As they approach the dais, people are parting before them- too intent on what is happening at the front of the room to worry about two rude people who seem to be jostling for a better position. Glittering and nightmarish faces pass through Chloe’s vision. Though there is no logical reason to be afraid, she waits for hands to reach out and grab them both. Lex pulls off his pirate hat and throws it casually back into the crowd. Chloe slides her fingers under the edge of her mask and when they reach the steps to the platform Lex lets go of her hand. She understands why but it still hurts a little. Hello again world, Chloe thinks as, mirroring Lex she pulls her mask off.

A protest dying in his throat, the security guard on the steps moves aside hastily when he sees Lex’s face. The noise from the crowd grows louder as someone sees Lex and Chloe step onto the dais. Lionel has just finished his speech but there is no applause and Chloe can see him frowning in confusion. He turns, following the attention of the crowd and his eyes land on his son. Chloe can feel the tension in Lex as sharply as though it was her own. He is as still and rigid as a mountain in front of her. Lionel’s expression as he looks at Lex is unreadable. There is something strange in Lionel’s face, something almost angry. Chloe wishes she could see Lex’s face. She wishes she could touch him. Then Lionel moves, crossing the platform rapidly to embrace his son.

The audience breaks into spontaneous and confused applause.

Chloe stands stony-faced a few feet behind the two embracing Luthor’s. She is torn between her urge to kick Lionel for his self-serving hypocrisy and the need to weep because they are back in the world now and all she wants to do is throw her arms around her own father. Pulling back from Lex, Lionel asks a few rapid questions Chloe can’t hear. Lex shakes his head and smiles a smile Chloe knows to be false. Lex turns toward the crowd and every reporter in the room rushes forward, their arms waving wildly as they shout questions.

Chloe and Lex are seated quickly and the charity ball becomes an impromptu press conference just as Lex predicted. But they are alive. They are safe.

Chloe is too relieved and weary all of a sudden to deal well with questions and she delivers the answers she and Lex agreed upon as well as she can. It seems impossible that it is almost over. Lex handles most of the inquiries, telling their convenient lies and siphoning attention away from Chloe with so much charm no thinks to question his replies. Watching him, Chloe feels a small pain. He is sitting right next to her but he seems a thousand miles away. They are separated again by his persona. The crowd before them becomes a confused sea of camera flashes and voices. Just when she starts to think she can’t take anymore Lex calls an end to barrage, stating the need to speak to the police and re-unite Chloe with her father. He takes one more question from a young man Chloe recognizes as a staff writer from The Inquisitor.

“Mr. Luthor-“ The young reporter begins, “this week you’ve disappeared, been presumed dead, crashed a major charity event, rescued a damsel in distress and then reappeared to society. Any big plans for this weekend?” When the laughter at this somewhat fascias question fades, Lex smiles a little. Under the table where no one can see, he presses his knee very deliberately into Chloe’s and says into the microphone, “I thought I might go dancing.”

On the inside where no one else can see, Chloe smiles brilliantly.

-The End-

[Kit Merlot]

Tracy, this was a superb ending, but of course I want a sequel.

I'm glad that Lex and Chloe are safe, but I can't help but feel that Lionel needs to feel some pain, Chlex style!

This was a beautifully romantic, and suspenseful story, and I'm sorry that it had to end.--WELL DONE!

[kimmie]

Oh, I'm kinda sad its over but I loved the ending and its just crying out for a sequel!!!

Come On you know you want to write a sequel!!!

Great fic...Well done on finishing it!

Kimmie

[OddEvens]

Awe, such a lovely story! I'm really sad to see it end but as they say; "all good things must come to an end."

[darkangel]

Lovely ending. :grin:

[hfce]

That was a great ending but you have to continue. Please I want Lionel to suffer. :mad:


Hope ;)

[Ann]

That was beautiful! But like everyone else, I would love to see a sequel. :)

[planetcal]

Great ending!!!!!!

[Louie]

perfect ending but you know sequel, cause Lionel has to get what is comming to him.

[suspension of disbelief]

sequel all the way... love to see you put clark on it... a little triangle wont hurt.

[lilith]

Great story! I definitely loved how you portrayed the characters. Can't wait to read the sequel...

[Esther25jm]

Oh wow, I absolutely loved it!! You've such a way with words. They just seemed to flow so easily throughout this story in the most detailed of fashions. Wonderful job!!

[Sunflower]

I can't believe I missed this gem! You're a gifted writer.
That was truly beautiful! Sad and sweet and sensual. *sigh*
Thanks!

[spitfire2062]

The blonde smiles dreamily, “I punched Lana that way once.” Her expression clears, “Not that I enjoyed it-“ she adds hastily.

“Of course not.” Lex can’t hide his smirk as he takes her hand, “It’s definitely time to go.”


ahahahahahaha perfect, absolutely perfect :D

[zal80]

I love coming back to this fic. Great job

[dkfuryan]

wonderful story, just discovered it and had to read it all in one go - you made it so addictive!

[dira]

Great fic, always great to read again!

[malugargula]

This fic is amazing
I really wish it had a sequel so we could see Lionel suffer, Chloe meet her father and see Chloe and Lex`s relationship.
:)

[Kit Merlot]

This fic is amazing
I really wish it had a sequel so we could see Lionel suffer, Chloe meet her father and see Chloe and Lex`s relationship.
:)

There is a sequel to this lovely fic, and a sort of continuation to the orginial:

Two Sides of the Same Coin: The Lost Nights (NC-17) (http://forums.naughty-seduction.net/showthread.php?t=3342)

Under the Mask (sequel to Two Sides of the Same Coin) (http://forums.naughty-seduction.net/showthread.php?t=3508)

Under the Mask: The Lost Nights (NC 17) (http://forums.naughty-seduction.net/showthread.php?t=3960)

[elementia]

awesome story!!!!
It was so bizarre trying to picture Lex looking like a "skater punk" lol......I like it!

[malugargula]

There is a sequel to this lovely fic, and a sort of continuation to the orginial:

Two Sides of the Same Coin: The Lost Nights (NC-17) (http://forums.naughty-seduction.net/showthread.php?t=3342)

Under the Mask (sequel to Two Sides of the Same Coin) (http://forums.naughty-seduction.net/showthread.php?t=3508)

Under the Mask: The Lost Nights (NC 17) (http://forums.naughty-seduction.net/showthread.php?t=3960)

OMG I didn`t know
Thanks!!! Thanks so much
:)

[Kit Merlot]

OMG I didn`t know
Thanks!!! Thanks so much
:)

You are welcome:grin3:

[wdge]

Wow! I really hope there is a sequel.

[dayamiracle]

I enjoy most of the kidnapped Lex and Chloe stories...but re-reading this reminded me how much I enjoy this one.

[dayamiracle]

There is a sequel to this lovely fic, and a sort of continuation to the orginial:

Two Sides of the Same Coin: The Lost Nights (NC-17) (http://forums.naughty-seduction.net/showthread.php?t=3342)

Under the Mask (sequel to Two Sides of the Same Coin) (http://forums.naughty-seduction.net/showthread.php?t=3508)

Under the Mask: The Lost Nights (NC 17) (http://forums.naughty-seduction.net/showthread.php?t=3960)

Wait... there are sequels? How am I just now figuring this out? Skips off to read the sequel

[cousinmary]

This was a lovely story. Thanks so much for writing it! :)

[Ami Rose]

that was amazing! love the whole thing!

[Rachet]

Thanks for the great story. I’m off to read you sequels. You sucked me down another rabbit hole