Disillusioned Perception (R) (Complete 2/17/06)

[Ann]

Disillusioned Perception
By: Ann
Rating: R
Summary: What happens when the people you trust the most turn out to be the ones you should fear?
Coupling: Lex/Chloe, Clark/Lana
Disclaimer: I own nothing.


(This fic is NOT based on a song. I just think it fits in some, so I’m putting part of it here at the beginning.)

Hey dad look at me
Think back and talk to me
Did I grow up according to plan?
And do you think I'm wasting my time doing things I wanna do?
But it hurts when you disapprove all along

And now I try hard to make it
I just want to make you proud
I'm never gonna be good enough for you
I can't pretend that
I'm alright
And you can't change me

I try not to think
about the pain I feel inside
Did you know you used to be my hero?
All the days you spent with me
Now seem so far away
And it feels like you don't care anymore

And now I try hard to make it
I just want to make you proud
I'm never gonna be good enough for you
I can't stand another fight
And nothing's alright

Nothing's gonna change the things that you said
Nothing's gonna make this right again
Please don't turn your back
I can't believe it's hard
Just to talk to you
But you don't understand

'Cuz we lost it all
Nothing lasts forever
Now it's just too late and
We can't go back


-Perfect by Simple Plan-


Part One: The Ultimatum

“I could have sworn I hit you.”

“If you did, I’d be…I’d be dead.”


It had been six months since Lex Luthor drove his blue-gray Porsche off the side of the bridge and Clark Kent pulled him out of the river, saving his life. An event he would never forget but would be forever grateful for. That was the day their friendship was born. A friendship that Lex would never take for granted.

He had found a true friend in Clark, which was something he had never really had before. Having been judged by most and betrayed by the rest, friends were something he never had the opportunity to really have.

Being raised a Luthor, the billionaire son of Lionel Luthor, had been anything but ideal. It had been full of blackmail, ruthless business acts, hostile takeovers and police cover-ups. Lex had seen more people lose their jobs, homes and families in his twenty-one years than most people would have seen in three lifetimes. And yet it still bothered him. Which is why visits from the very man he loathed more than anything left a bad taste in his mouth that even the ten year old scotch he was drinking couldn’t cover.

“What do you want dad? Here to ruin my life yet again?” Lex, who was sitting at his mahogany desk and looking at the computer screen asked as his dad walked in the room. Lionel never bothered to call ahead of time to warn anyone he was coming. He just showed up unannounced and unwelcome. He refused to give Lex the chance to get away before he showed up.

The man began to chuckle, his shoulder length curly black hair moving slightly from the action. “Come now Lex, we both know I’ve never ruined your life.” He said, walking around the desk and standing next to him. Leaning his head down, he spoke into Lex’s ear. “You wouldn’t have a life if it weren’t for me. You’d be just like one of our employees, poor and dirty and without a pot to piss in.” He chuckled again. “If it weren’t for me Lex, you’d be rotting in jail.”

“Don’t flatter yourself dad. I’ve been rotting in jail for the past ten years. So tell me warden, what can I do for you now?” He asked sarcastically, taking a drink from his glass.

“This feel sorry for me act you’ve got going on is very unbecoming Alexander. Can’t a father just want to see his son?”

“Come on dad, we both know you’re not really here to see me. So what is it that you want this time?” He asked, running his hand over the top of his smooth head.

“Can’t wait to get me out of here can you?” Lionel asked, a grin on his face.

“Most people exterminate rats. Consider yourself lucky.” He said, standing up and walking to the pool table, his patience wearing thin. After lining up the balls, he rubbed the chalk against the end of his cue and took aim, sending the balls across the table and the striped 7 ball into the left corner pocket.

“Do you really think your little threats scare me son?” Lionel asked, stalking over to Lex and leaning his mouth down to his ear. Gritting his teeth, Lex turned around and faced him.

“No. Because that would require you to have feelings which you clearly don’t possess.”

Lionel reached over and picked up the 8 ball. “Feelings are for the weak. You have to be strong and forget about feelings.”

“Why? Because you say so?” Lex asked, pulling the ball away from him and returning it to the table.

“You’re damn right. You can think of nothing but yourself and your loyalties to your family.”

“Interesting theory dad. We’ve always had such a tight-nit family after all.” Lex said sardonically, as he took another shot, sending several balls into the pockets.

“It’s that theory that has made me the man I am today. You might learn something from me.”

“You mean it’s made you the bastard you are today. The man who will screw over everyone else to get what he wants. And I have no intention of ever taking anything from you.”

“Better them than me Alexander. That’s the way life is. Toughen up.”

“How very heartwarming. Now is there a reason for your visit or are you just going to continue to stand here and take up space?” Lex asked sardonically.

Lionel grinned and sat on the edge of the pool table. “The Smallville plant will be staying open over the holidays. The employees just haven’t been producing here lately and they need to make up for that.”
“Well apparently you already have your mind made up so what is it you want me for?”

“It’s your plant Lex. You’re going to tell them.”

Lex pursed his lips and shook his head. “Tell them what exactly? That although they’ve worked their asses off the past six months and increased production by 63% it just isn’t good enough for you?”

“You’re going to tell them that we had a significant order of extreme urgency come in that can’t wait the week they would be gone.”

“So you want me to lie to 2500 people about why they won’t be able to spend Christmas with their families just because it may bring you a bigger profit?”

“That’s exactly what I want, and exactly what you’ll do.”

Lex walked over, standing just inches from Lionel. “And if I refuse?”

“I’m not asking Alexander. You will do this and if you screw it up, you’ll be left to explain to those 2500 people why they no longer have jobs.” He said calmly just before walking out of the room. Letting out a growl of aggravation, Lex threw the pool cue across the room and into the china hutch, causing the glass to shatter.

Twenty minutes later, he stormed into the high school, making his way to the Torch office.

“Lex. What are you doing here?” Clark asked when he met him by the door.

“I need to talk to your reporter friend. She’s been bugging me for months to do an interview. I think I have something she might just be interested in.”

“I’m sure. Chloe’s always looking for a good story. She’s not in the best mood though. Mr. Wilkes has been fighting her for the past twenty minutes.”

“The editor of the Smallville Times?” Lex asked.

“That’s the one. Apparently he promised her an editorial and is trying to back out on it now.” The two men looked over at the young blonde who was pacing the room, a cordless phone up to her ear.

“No, you listen to me you pompous jerk!” Chloe spouted.

“Does she always call people pompous jerks?” Lex asked Clark who was standing next to him.

“Only when she’s slightly perturbed.”

“What if she’s royally pissed?”

“They’d be better off to move to Metropolis.”

“Aah. Nice to know.” Lex grinned as he continued to listen to what he could hear of the phone conversation.

“You think you can walk all over me with your blasé attitude because I’m just some impish little school girl, but I have news for you. I’ve been writing since I was five years old and researching the Times just as long. I know how the paper works. If you even try to back out on me now, I will blow the top off this story with a little piece of information you really don’t want getting out. It won’t exactly do good for your reputation. Lets face it Gray, you don’t want to push me. I promise you, if you do, I’ll have your job by tomorrow. Now, do we have a deal? Good. I’ll be there tomorrow afternoon. Yes, it was nice talking to you too. Tell Aunt Becky I said hi.” Chloe grinned and hung up the phone, turning to the two impressed men in the doorway.

“I swear, sometimes that man makes me want to scream.”

“Who doesn’t?” Lex asked, amused.

“Good point. Is there something I can do for you Mr. Luthor?” Chloe asked as she walked to the file cabinet.

“Thought you wanted an interview.”

“Don’t tease me. I don’t have time for games.”

“I don’t play games Miss Sullivan. I either do something or I don’t. I wouldn’t be here if I had no intentions of going through with the interview.”

Chloe’s face lit up. “Really?”

“Under one condition.” Lex said, crossing his arms to his chest.

Figuring it was too good to be true, her smile faltered. “I’m not sleeping with you.” She said, causing Clark to choke on his Mountain Dew.

Lex furrowed his eyebrows briefly before raising one of them. “As tempting as that is, that wasn’t what I was going to suggest.”

“Well what were you going to suggest then?” Chloe asked as she put a folder into the cabinet drawer.

“My name is Lex. Mr. Luthor is my father and I refuse to be put in the same category as he is.”

“So the only condition is that I have to call you Lex?” Chloe asked.

“Think you can handle it?” He asked her.

“When can we get started M…Lex?” She grinned.

“Meet me at my place in an hour. I have something to do first.”

Chloe grabbed her things and hurried out the door to get everything she would need for the interview.

“You busy?” Lex asked Clark.

“Terribly.” Clark joked.

“I could use a hand if you have a few minutes.”

“Sure. What’s up?” Clark asked.

Lex looked at him with a determined look on his face. “It’s time for a little house cleaning.”


TBC…

[Krysia]

Disillusioned Perception
“Under one condition.” Lex said, crossing his arms to his chest.

Figuring it was too good to be true, her smile faltered. “I’m not sleeping with you.” She said, causing Clark to choke on his Mountain Dew.

TBC…
This was a perfect Kodak moment :) [ and it kinda made me think of the movie Two weeks notice]
You should remember never to get Chloe pissed off :) I love how you established both Chloe and Lex as characters. I can't wait to see what happens next.

[Natasha]

I liked how you started off the story. It's always good to see the battle between Lex and Lionel. Update Soon

[purpleant]

I love how aggressive Chloe was on the phone! I can't to see what Lex has planned.

Thank you ;)

[tigerbaby]

Can you please re-rate to what we use at NS.net please. I have no idea what Mature is rated at but have changed it to R for the time being.

[Ann]

Oops, sorry. Yeah, Mature is the same as R. Most sites have changed their ratings and made it to where instead of R you have to put Mature so it's just second nature for me. I'll make sure to put the right rating from now on. Thanks for changing it! :)

[tigerbaby]

No problem. Don't think Julie has made final decision on ratings so we are sticking with old system for time being.

[kimmie]

That was a great start, it seems like its gonna be really good, loved Chloe telling Lex she wasn't gonna sleep with him!!!

Don't take too long with the update wanna know what Lex is up to!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Kimmie

[pipersmum]

What a fantastic start can't wait to see what Lex is upto :wth:

[darkangel]

Great start.

[Julie]

No problem. Don't think Julie has made final decision on ratings so we are sticking with old system for time being.

I think NS will stick to the old ones as most people are familiar with those ;)

[Ann]

Ok. Thanks for letting me know. I'm working on the next part now. :)

[Ann]

I am so sorry it took so long to get this part up. I am working on the next part now so it shouldn't take near as long to get it posted. Hope you guys like it. You may be mad at me for the way I end this part but I promise I will make it better. Eventually. Mwhahaha!

Disillusioned Perception
Part 2
By Ann
Rating: R

Disclaimer: I own nothing in any way related to Smallville or it’s characters.


“So what are we doing?” Clark asked with a look of confusion in his eyes as they sped toward the LuthorCorp plant in Lex’s silver Porsche.

“Apparently my father has decided that all my employees should work through Christmas this year. I’m trying to find a way for them to be able to open gifts with their families.” Lex had been irritated when Lionel had told him what he had planned but now that the time went on, his irritation had turned to full-blown anger. The employees at the plant had worked very hard in the past six months and this was how they were repaid for it? By having to give up the holiday that they should be able to spend with their spouses, parents and children. Just thinking about it made Lex’s blood boil as he clinched the steering wheel hard with both hands, his knuckles turning white from the strength of his grip.

He and his father had not gotten along since the meteor shower when he lost all of his hair. It seemed to shame Lionel in a way, or so it appeared as he began to pull away and become cold and distant. Lex had tried for years to have a relationship with him, but Lionel would never allow it. Instead he would become more hateful and turn Lex’s emotions against him, calling him weak and walking all over him. It had been twelve years since Lionel had even come close to muttering anything that resembled affection toward Lex and he wasn’t expecting it anytime soon. He guessed he should be used to it by now, but it didn’t stop the desire to hear it.

“He can’t do that can he?”

“He can Clark. And he will if I don’t figure out how to prevent it.”

“Is it worth fighting him over? I mean I know that it’s Christmas and all, but what happens when he finds out what you’re doing?”

“Best case scenario? I’m missing a finger and walking with a severe limp.”

“And you’re willing to take that chance?”

“You don’t know the full extent of the situation Clark. He did this two years ago at a plant in Greenwich. Made the employees work through Thanksgiving claiming their production had been way down. When they all went back to work the next day, the plant was closed. Everything they had produced during the holiday was sent to the plant in Metropolis and 930 people were out of jobs. Within two weeks the town was dead because ninety percent of the people couldn’t afford to live there anymore and had to relocate to find jobs. People that had been retired for ten years had to go back to work to support their families. It’s how he works. Milk every last bit he can out of a person then drop them like they’ve got the plague. I’m simply trying to prevent that from happening here.”

“How though? How are you going to beat him?”

“I have a plan but I need to get the employee files first, which is where you come in.”

Clark furrowed his eyebrows. “What do you need me to do?”

“There are 2500 employees, which means there are 2500 files. I need your help getting them out getting them to the car.”

“That’s it?”

“What did you think I wanted you to do? Be my lynchman?”

Clark looked over at him and shrugged. “Never know with you.”

“Then you don’t really know me very well. I may be sneaky in business but I’m far from being a killer.”

“I was just kidding Lex.”

“No you weren’t.” He smirked. “But that’s ok. I’m used to people assuming I’m just like my father.”

“I’ve met your father. Trust me, I know you’re nothing like him.” Clark reached up and scratched the back of his head. “So what happened between you two anyway? I mean what caused your fallout?”

“There was never anything to fall out from Clark. We never had what you’d call a father son relationship. You see, to him I’m a failure. Someone he can make an example out of. It’s business. Plain and simple.” Lex said, pulling up in front of the plant. When he was first sent to Smallville, he hated this place. The building itself represented something he never wanted but that was forced upon him. It represented his life slipping away and becoming another one of his father’s possessions. But now it represented another chance. A chance to make something of himself and become the man that he knew he could be. He wasn’t ready to give up on that chance.

Pissing Lionel off was usually a deadly mistake that had been made by many. However, Lex was willing to risk it. He knew what his options were. Either fight his father and possibly save 2500 jobs or sit back and watch Smallville die like Greenwich because the residents didn’t have the money to survive. Not a difficult decision to make when he thought of it.

“So you need to snoop into the employee files to find a way around this.”

“Basically.” Lex glanced over at him before turning his focus back to the building in front of him.

“You know curiosity killed the cat right?” Clark smirked.

“Ignorance killed the cat Clark. Curiosity was framed.” Lex stated matter-of-factly.

Clark nodded. “Well, what are we waiting for?”
~*~*~*~*~*

Forty-five minutes later, Lex’s car came to a screeching halt in front of his home. He looked at the house and snorted, the very thought of calling it home causing the bile to rise up in his chest. He had never been anywhere so cold and unwelcoming as the castle was. There had been several times he had considered getting an apartment and leaving the old structure standing empty. Something he might still do. Rolling his eyes, he got out of the car and popped the trunk, lifting several of the files out and carrying them inside. It would take him several trips to get them all in since he had dropped Clark off at home on the way back, but he didn’t really care. At least he had the files now to do his research with. Walking into the den, he set the first batch of files on the floor in the corner. Turning, his foot caught into something, sending him falling ungracefully forward, falling on his face with a thud.

“Lex?” He heard her voice call out and groaned. Great, just what he needed. Well this would make for an interesting story for the Torch.

“Down here.” At this point there was no sense in him trying to get up quickly. It wasn’t like he could save face now.

“What are you doing down there? Are you alright?”

“Fine. Just thought I’d see if the weather down here was any different than it was up there.”

“How are you coming on that?” She grinned.

“Very well, thank you. I think I might make a habit of it. It’s a very enlightening experience.” He said, turning onto his back and running his hand over the growing lump on his forehead.

“Lex why don’t you just admit that you tripped over my bag?” She walked over and reached her hand down to help him up. Raising an eyebrow, he took her hand and got back to his feet, glaring at the offending bag that had sent him on his decent to extreme humiliation.

“It isn’t as manly.” He smirked, walking out the door to grab more files. Chloe scoffed as she followed him.

“Yeah like that’s something you have to worry about.”

“Excuse me?” Lex asked as he reached the car and lifted more files out of the trunk.

“Nothing it’s just…it’s just that if any man in this town has to worry about people not perceiving him as manly, you’re clearly not him.” She blushed.

“Why Ms. Sullivan. If I didn’t know any better I would say that was a compliment.” He smirked, looking down at the flush that had taken over her normally crème colored skin.

“Yeah I guess it was.” She said, looking puzzled. “Damn, I must be losing my touch.”

“I wouldn’t say that.” He said, turning from her and walking back into the house, making sure not to trip over the bag again.

Chloe walked over and dropped more files into the corner. She had no idea what they were carrying them all in for but if it got them to the interview quicker, she’d be glad to help. “What do you mean?”

“I heard how you were with Mr. Wilkes this afternoon. You definitely haven’t lost your touch.” He walked over and sat behind the desk. “Have a seat Ms. Sullivan.”

“Chloe. If you insist on me calling you Lex then you have to call me Chloe.” She said, sitting across from him.

“Very well Chloe. Can I get you something to drink?”

“No I’m good, thank you. So what’s the catch here?”

Lex raised an eyebrow. “The catch?”

“Yeah. The reason why you’re agreeing to do the interview. I’ve been trying to get you to for the past five months and you kept shooting me down. So why now?”

“You’re very perceptive Chloe. I’m impressed. You’re right, there is a catch.”

“I knew it. There’s always a catch when Luthors are involved.”

“Ouch.” He said, standing up and walking over to the bar to pour himself a scotch.

Chloe rolled her eyes. “Come on Lex, you know it’s true. Your dad doesn’t do anything for anyone unless it benefits him so why would you be any different?”

“Oh I don’t know. Maybe because I’m not my dad.” He said, slightly irritated by her accusation.

“You can’t tell me that you don’t have the same traits.” She said, turning in her chair to face him.

“You know, maybe this was a bad idea.” He shook his head as he sat back down.

“Why do you say that? Get a little too heated for you Luthor?”

“Clearly you’ve already made up your mind about me so it doesn’t matter what I tell you. Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m sure I have something else to do.”

“Yes I’m sure you do. Probably a Jennifer or Pamela. Ooh, maybe she’s a Terri. Not like you have a shortage of choices.” Chloe spat, standing up from the chair. She didn’t really know what had come over her but for some reason she was feeling incredibly rejected and bitter.

“Why does everyone assume that I’ve been with so many women?” Lex asked, eyebrows furrowed and arms crossed over his chest.

“Come on Lex, you can’t expect me to believe it isn’t true. I know your reputation. Do you even care about any of them or are they just easy fucks for you? I mean let’s be honest here. How many have there been? 100? 200?”

“Three.” He said coolly.

“Three hundred?” She asked, flabbergasted.

“Three women.” She looked like she was about to fall out of her chair at his admission. He couldn’t tell if it was more because he had been so open about it or because the number shocked her. “That’s right.” He said bitterly. “I was 14 the first time. Her name was Becky. She was my Spanish tutor. We got busted and my dad fired her. I never heard from her again. I believe she was 21 at the time. Then there was Allison. I was 16 when I was with her. It only happened once before her father sent her to boarding school in Seattle. Then when I was 17, there was Chelsea. We were together for a year. She was the world to me. I even had a ring picked out that I carried around waiting for the right time to ask her to marry me. But see I never got that chance because two hours before I was supposed to pick her up, her car went off the side of the road and blew up. With her in it.” Swallowing hard, he continued. “A piece of me died with her that day and I haven’t been able to make myself be with anyone else. So don’t presume to know about me and do not talk to me about not caring!”

Standing abruptly, he walked out of the room leaving a very shocked blonde in his wake.

TBC…

[Ann]

Disillusioned Perception
By Ann
Part 3
Rating: R
Summary: What happens when the people you trust the most turn out to be the ones you should fear?
Disclaimer: I own nothing!


Lex sat on his bedroom floor with a lost look on his face. It had been two and half-hours since his altercation with Chloe and it still pissed him off. But more than being angry about the actual argument, he was mad at himself for letting his emotions show through. He had not talked about Chelsea since the accident and even though it had been three years, it still stung. Other than his mother, he had never loved any woman as much as he did her and to have her just ripped out of his life was almost the death of him. And not something he liked to admit to. He had spent the last two hours looking through an old photo album that they had put together just months before the accident, his focus on his favorite photo of the two of them at a baseball game. It was the last game they had attended together. It was also the last time he stepped foot in a stadium. To this day, he couldn’t bear the thought of a Dodgers game. Pulling the picture out from behind the clear plastic covering, he gently ran his fingers over her face, trying to remember how it felt to touch her. Swallowing hard, he leaned his head back against the bed and let out a shallow breath. This was how she found him.

“Lex?”

“I’m surprised you came back Miss Sullivan. I wasn’t expecting to see you again so soon.” He said, his voice barely above a whisper.

“I never left.” She admitted quietly. She hadn’t been able to make herself leave the mansion after the argument they had. Watching him walk out of that room a few hours before caused a serious truth to come crashing down around her. Contrary to popular belief, Lex Luthor really did have feelings. And as much as she didn’t want to admit it, she was ashamed for the way she went about coming to this conclusion. Whether it was intentional or not, which sadly it was, it was still wrong.

Taking a deep breath, Chloe walked over and sat next to him on the floor, noticing the picture in his hand and the photo album lying on his lap.

“Is that Chelsea?” She asked, a hint of hesitation in her voice. He merely nodded once and grabbed the album, sliding the photo back into its page.

“How did you meet?” She watched as he closed the book and looked at her, his eyes empty and expressionless.

“As fascinating as it would be to see my past personal life plastered on the front page of The Torch, I’m afraid you’ll have to find something else to fill up space. This conversation is over.” Standing up, he walked over and placed the album back on the bookshelf before walking out into the hall toward the stairs. The last thing he wanted right now was to talk and he doubted seriously that he would change his mind anytime soon. Maybe if he was real lucky, she would take the hint and leave.

“That’s not why I asked Lex and you know it.” She said, walking up behind him.

Stopping dead in his tracks, he turned to face her again. “Do I now Miss Sullivan? Let’s consider the situation shall we? I promise you an interview so you come over here and start accusing me of things you don’t know anything about. If that’s what you consider to be proof that a person can trust you not to publish their personal business, then your journalistic tactics leave a hell of a lot to be desired.” Turning on his heel, he began walking again, making his way down the stairs and toward his office.

He wasn’t surprised when she followed him. In fact, he expected she would. If there was one thing he could give her credit for, it was that she rarely gave up without a fight. She had made that quite obvious the first time he met her. She got in his face and proceeded to call him a self-serving son of a bitch because he refused to do an interview on the potential health hazards his plant was causing the people of Smallville. Just when he thought the debate was over, she dumped her coffee in his lap and stormed out of the Talon. He was tempted to hire her on the spot to work for LuthorCorp, but figured his father would eat her alive and decided against it. But as much as he admired her for her ambition and determination, he was beginning to wish he hadn’t agreed to this interview.

“I wasn’t accusing you Lex.” She said, plopping down in the chair across from his desk. As much as she had sat in this particular chair today, she was beginning to think that her ass should be paying rent to the cushion.

“You chose to believe rumors that you’ve heard instead of simply asking me and therefore decided to reprove me without knowing the actual facts. If you don’t call that accusing, then please Miss Sullivan, tell me what you do call it. Really, I’m on the edge of my seat in anticipation.”

Glaring at him, Chloe shook her head. “Ok, fine. Yes, I pushed harder than I should have and said some things that I shouldn’t have but I was simply trying to get you to open up some. You keep yourself so closed off from everyone that I really don’t know who you are!” She shouted.

“So you decided it was your job to be my personal savior and break open my shell?” He asked, with a hint of disdain.

“You know what Lex? Screw you! I was trying to be a friend but clearly that isn’t something you’re willing to accept.”

“I have no problems accepting friends Chloe. What I do have a problem with is people jumping to conclusions about me without bothering to ask first.” He said, leaning against the window.

“Would you have told me if I did?”

“No I wouldn’t have. You know why I wouldn’t? Because it was none of your damn business! When I asked you to do this interview, did I compare you to your worst enemy or ask you how many sexual partners you’ve had in the past?”

“No.” Chloe said quietly, looking down at the floor.

“That’s right Miss Sullivan. I didn’t. Nor would I have because not only is it irrelevant, but it’s none of my business.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to…” She looked at her fingernails briefly before lifting her head and making eye contact with him. “One.”

“Excuse me?” He asked, confused.

“One. His name was Jeremy Price. I was a freshman.”

“You don’t have to tell me this.” He told her as he sat back down in the leather chair behind the desk and propped his legs up on the mahogany surface.

“I know I don’t. I want to.”

“Why?” He questioned.

“Because I know I can.” She replied simply. She hadn’t told anyone about Jeremy. Not even Clark because a part of her knew that they would all look at her differently. Even if they didn’t mean to, they would, and she didn’t want that. But she knew from their previous conversation that Lex wouldn’t judge her and she took comfort in that.

“Anyway, it was freshman year. I went with Clark and Pete to this party that Jeremy was throwing out at Winger Lake. It was the first party I had ever actually been invited to so I was really excited about it. We had been there for about half an hour when Jeremy came over and asked if I wanted to go for a walk with him. I’d had a crush on him since I was twelve so of course I said yes right away. I told Clark I was going for a walk and followed Jeremy to the small beach on the other side of the lake. We were laying there looking at the stars when he proceeded to tell me how beautiful I was and that he had always been in love with me, yada, yada, yada.” She rolled her eyes. “Anyway, I was young and naïve and fell for his bullshit line and before I really knew what was happening, he was on me. I didn’t scream or tell him to stop or even really think twice about it. I just gave in, thinking that he really did care about me. But the next day he pretended like I didn’t exist and there was a rumor going around school about how easy I was. It took me days to convince Clark and Pete that I hadn’t slept with him. I lied to my best friends because I didn’t want them judging me. I was doing a good enough job of that on my own.” Chloe looked up and locked her eyes with his. “You may have lost Chelsea Lex. But at least you know she cared about you. That’s more than a lot of people get. I really am sorry that I pushed you and if it’s at all possible, I would like to start over.”

Nodding silently, Lex stood and started over to the bar to pour himself a drink when he heard the sound of glass shattering and felt a sharp pain hit his left outer thigh. Struggling to keep from falling, he reached out and grabbed the edge of the drink cart and tried to steady his balance. It was a pointless effort though as the cart gave way and he hit the ground, the glass bottles and shot glasses crashing all around him. Chloe jumped out of her chair and hurried over to where he lay on the floor. “Are you ok?” She asked, a panicked expression on her face.

Letting out a strangled hiss, Lex nodded and pulled himself back into a sitting position and looked around the room. The window that was once behind his desk was now nothing more than broken fragments of glass. He looked at Chloe who was now crawling toward the desk. “Are you alright?”

“Oh yeah, just peachy.” She replied, sarcastically. She reached up and opened the desk drawer, retrieving a pair of scissors before crawling back to where he sat. “I don’t know who you pissed off, but whoever it is, they don’t kid around.” Grabbing the bottom of his pant leg, she began to cut up the outside hem.

“If you want me out of my clothes Chloe, why don’t you just ask?” He smirked.

“Now is not the time to be a smart ass Lex! You’re bleeding.”

“I’ve bled before. Something tells me that I’ll bleed again. Someone probably hit a golf ball through the window. I’ve had to replace it four times in the past two months already. This is, however, the first time I've had part of it in my leg."

“If it was glass Lex, I’d simply pull it out. But that’s no piece of glass in your leg, it’s a bullet.” Lifting the cut pant leg, Chloe pulled off her overshirt and proceeded to cut the sleeve off of it. Wrapping it around his leg, she tied tied a knot over the wound tightly, causing Lex to grunt in discomfort. “Sorry.”

Lex looked at her, thinking about where they were. “Chloe you have to get out of this room. If there’s someone shooting at me, it isn’t safe in here.”

“I’m not leaving you in here to get killed. Come on.” She told him, standing and reaching down for his hand. Grabbing it, he pushed himself up off the floor and pulled her toward the door. They had almost made it when another shot rang out and shattered the picture on the wall next to them.

“Shit!” Lex yelled, pushing Chloe out the door and slamming it behind them. Pulling her through the hallway, he grabbed his two way from his belt and spoke into it.

“Malachi, I want a full perimeter scan done immediately. All security is to be in force. We have an enemy in our midst. Send Noah to the main hall now!” Clipping the radio back to his belt, he continued to hurry through the hall, keeping Chloe next to him. His leg hurt like hell and he was more than a little concerned about Chloe being in the middle of whatever eminent danger he had gotten himself into this time but knew he had to keep his bearings enough to get her to safety.

“Just for the record Lex, ‘we’ don’t have enemies. I’m liked here. People respect me.” She said, making sure to stress the word we as she stopped walking.

Rubbing his hand over his face, he turned to face her. “I’m not questioning your public persona Chloe. What I am trying to do however is get you to a room where you’ll be safe. Think you can work with me here?”

“I have to go home.” She told him as she tried making a run for the door.

“Are you crazy? Chloe there’s a shooter out there. You’re not leaving this house. It isn’t safe.”

“Don’t tell me what to do Lex! Whoever it is that’s shooting isn’t after me. I told you I don’t have enemies! Now I’m going home.” Taking her car keys out of her pocket, Chloe pulled the front door of the mansion open. Car remote in hand, she pushed the automatic start button and looked on in horror as her VW Beetle blew to pieces, a large ball of fire shooting out from it. Another shot rang out and hit the door panel next to Chloe’s head. Lex yanked her back and slammed the door shut. He began pulling her back in the direction they had been going.

“W..What are they after me for?” Chloe asked, voice shaky, as she hurriedly followed Lex.

“I don’t know. But I’m going to find out. We’ll get out of this Chloe. I promise you that.” Grabbing his radio again, Lex barked into it. “Malachi! Where the hell is Noah?”

“Right here sir.” A voice came from behind them as a tall middle aged man with light brown hair ran up to them. “I’m sorry, I got here as fast as I could but I had to…”

“We’ll talk about it later. Right now just get her downstairs. I’ll be there shortly.”

Noah nodded and looked at Chloe. “Come with me miss.”

Chloe shook her head. “Where are you going? You can’t stay up here with someone shooting at you Lex. It isn’t safe!”

“I’ll be right there. I just have to check on something first. Now go!” Nodding, Chloe went with Noah down the basement stairs and into the fitness room. Lex ran as quickly as he could on his injured leg toward the security office and opened the door, looking expectantly at his staff. “What the hell is going on?”

“Sir, whoever he is, he’s staying just outside the perimeter limits. Either he just doesn’t want to take any chances of getting caught or he has a working knowledge of your security system. The second is looking more likely.”

“My father?” Lex asked.

“Could be, but it’s doubtful. Whoever this is has most of the town backing him. Even your father couldn’t pull that off.”

“But what’s their purpose? I can see them coming after me Malachi. Most of the town can’t stand me. But why Chloe?”

“I don’t know. I don’t understand it either.”

“We have to get her out of here.”

“There’s more sir.”

Fifteen minutes later, Lex walked down the basement stairs and looked over at Chloe who was sitting on one of the weight benches.

“Lex what’s going on?”

Taking a deep breath, he sat on the bench across from her. “It appears that whoever is doing this, has most of the town on his side. A group of them has formed and is working together as a lynch mob of sorts who have made it their job to kill us both.”

“We need to call my dad. He can find a way to get us out of here.” Lex shook his head. “Lex we have to. Let’s call my dad.”

“We can’t Chloe.” He said quietly.

“Why the hell not?” She yelled.

Lex looked down at his feet before raising his eyes back to hers. “Because he’s one of them.”

TBC…

[Ann]

Disillusioned Perception
By Ann
Rating: R
Summary: Lex and Chloe are in for some big changes.
Coupling: Lex/Chloe, Clark/Lana
Disclaimer: Ok, so I called up Mr. Gough and Mr. Millar and they said I could have Smallville and all of it’s characters, free of charge. Well, they did! Don’t you believe me? You don’t? I’m hurt! Ok, so they aren’t mine darn it, but a girl can dream right?

"There are three signs of a hypocrite: when he speaks he speaks lies, when he makes a promise he breaks it, and when he is trusted he betrays his trust."
-Unknown-

Part Four: When trust is broken

“”What do you mean he’s one of them? There has to be a mistake.” Chloe said, shaking her head violently. “How dare you accuse him Lex!” She couldn’t comprehend why he would blame her dad. Lex always acted like he got along with him and now suddenly he’s accusing him. She had half a mind to slap him and if he wasn’t already injured, she probably would have done just that.

“Malachi called him after the shooting began. He thought maybe Gabe could help get you out of here before anything else happened.”

“So he’s on his way right?”

“Chloe.” Lex started as he turned his eyes to the punching bag and let out a deep breath. He didn’t want to be the one to have to tell her about the conversation between her dad and Malachi. He was used to not being able to trust his dad. As a matter of fact, he had come to take comfort in his distrust. But with Chloe, that had never been the case. Gabe was all she had. She trusted him. Lex didn’t want to be the one to take that away from her. But he had to wonder what was worse? To tell her the truth and help keep her alive or let her continue to believe in what once was and throw her to the wolves? Thinking about it that way, the decision was much easier to make.

Standing up, he carefully took the two painful steps over to the bench she was sitting on and sat next to her.

“Lex, where’s my dad?” Chloe asked, voice shaky. She was beginning to panic, as long as he was taking to answer her previous question.

Looking up, his eyes made contact with hers. “He’s not coming Chloe.” Lex said quietly.

“Yes he is. I know he is. He’ll be here soon.” She was visibly shaking now and he couldn’t tell if it was more from fear or anger. Both emotions that she definitely had a right to feel.

“He told Malachi to fuck off and stay out of it.”

“No. No, I don’t believe that. Malachi’s obviously lying.”

“He’s been working for me for years Chloe. He’s very trustworthy.”

“I know my dad. He would never say something like that and he wouldn’t turn on me. He would kill anyone who was trying to hurt me! Why are you doing this to me Lex? Is this some kind of twisted joke to you? I want to talk to my dad damnit!”

Nodding, Lex pulled his cell phone from his pants pocket and handed it to her. He figured she would have to hear it for herself. He just hoped he was wrong and she would take his word for it. But he couldn’t blame her. If he had Gabe for a dad he would have to hear it for himself too. Deciding to give her some space, he walked over to the compact refrigerator in the corner of the room, gritting his teeth at the pain that tore through his leg. Pulling out a bottle of water, he shut the door and quickly opened the blue bottle, taking a drink. Hearing someone call his name, he turned his attention to the stairs.

“Sheriff Adams.” Lex had to fight to keep the groan from slipping out. He didn’t like the woman. But if she could figure out who was shooting at him and Chloe, he would deal with her as long as he had to. Or so he thought.

“Well Mr. Luthor why am I not surprised that you’re being shot at? It was really just a matter of time. Frankly, I’m amazed it took this long.” She grinned sardonically. It was all Lex could do to keep from kicking her out on the spot.

“You’ve clearly pissed someone off.” She said snidely, giving him a look that could kill rabid beasts in the pursuit of fresh meat.

“Your ability for perceiving the obvious is impressive Sheriff but if you don’t mind, I would appreciate it if we could get to the point of finding out who that someone is.”

“Are you trying to get on my bad side Mr. Luthor? If that’s what you’re aiming for, I strongly suggest you stop.”

“Oh but why? You’re already on mine. We might as well be on the same level, don’t you think?”

“Careful young man. I could arrest you on the spot for verbal assault of an officer.”

Lex threw his hand up to his mouth and raised his eyebrows. “But…couldn’t you just slap my hand and stick me in the corner?” He dropped his hand again and smirked.

“You really think you own this town don’t you?” She seethed.
“No see, that’s where you’re wrong Sheriff. I know I don’t own this town. I do however own this house and I have as much right as anyone else in this cow town to be safe in my own home. Just as she has a right to be safe here.” He said, pointing toward Chloe. “Now if you’ll get off your dead ass and do your job, instead of wasting time trying to insult me, maybe we will be.”

Shooting him a dagger, she handed him a piece of paper to write his statement on. He had half a mind to write some kind of obscenity but thought better of it. Even he wouldn’t stoop to that level. But that didn’t mean the urge wasn’t there. Quickly writing down the events of the afternoon, he handed the paper and crossed his arms over his chest waiting for her to leave.

“Now if you’ll excuse me Mr. Luthor, I have some very important business to attend to.” She said, glaring at him.

“You know, Bertrand Russell once said that one of the symptoms of an approaching nervous breakdown is the belief that one’s work is very important.”

Giving him yet another one of her dirty looks, Sheriff Adams left the room, his statement in hand. Watching Chloe push the end button on the phone, Lex hobbled over and sat next to her, not saying a word. She would talk when she was ready. At least he hoped she would. He could tell by the look on her face and the fact that she had begun rocking back and forth, that the conversation had not gone well. He just hoped he could help her through it.

“Why is this happening Lex? Am I being punished for something?” She began to cry. He knew he should probably do something, hug her or something, but the last time he hugged a woman was four years ago and he was out of practice. Not to mention, this was Chloe. They had never exactly been friends. She may not appreciate him touching her.

“What did he say?” He asked quietly as he watched her furiously wipe tears from her cheeks.

“It doesn’t matter what he said.” She sobbed. “I just don’t understand how he could turn on me like that. He was so cold. I’ve never heard him like that before.”

“Chloe I’m sorry you’ve been put in the middle of this. If I hadn’t had you come here…”

“Lex?” Lex looked in the direction of the voice. Getting up, he hobbled over to the man who was more than a little pale by now. In the seven years they had known each other, neither of them had had to deal with anything of this nature.

“What is it Malachi? Did something else happen?” The man simply shook his head.

“Clark and Lana are here. Do you want me to send them down?” Lex nodded and the man started up the stairs.

“Malachi.”

“Yes?” The man asked, stopping to face Lex again.

“Why don’t you go on home? You don’t need to be stuck in the middle of this.”

Malachi was more than a little worried about the situation that had taken place within the last couple of hours. He could take Lex’s advice and leave. But he wouldn’t. After such a long time of knowing Lex, he had come to look at him as a brother, though he had never told him that. Maybe someday he would. But now he was more concerned with protecting him and Chloe.

“I’m not going anywhere Lex.” The man simply said.

“You shouldn’t have to deal with my problems Malachi. It’s too dangerous.”

“Lex, with all due respect, I knew what I was getting myself into when I took this job seven years ago. You’re right, it is dangerous. But I’m where I want to be. This is what I live for. I’m not leaving until you and Chloe are with me. My job is to protect you and whoever you’re with and I’ll be damned if I let you push me away because you’re afraid for my safety. It’s my job to worry Lex. Not yours. Now get over there and take care of her while I figure out a way to get you both out of here safely.” Not giving Lex a chance to respond, Malachi walked back up the stairs.

Lex grinned slightly and shook his head. Not many people would stand up to him but it was something Malachi never had a problem with. For the first two years he knew him, Lex couldn’t stand the man. He hated being talked back to and even more than that, he hated that ninety percent of the time, Malachi was right. But he quickly grew to respect him for his opinions and take no shit attitude. Even though the twenty-five year old security officer was only four years older than Lex, he had taught him quite a bit and Lex saw him more as family than an employee. Lex grinned again, making a mental note find out what the name of the next book in the Harry Potter series was called and buy it for Malachi as soon as this mess was over. Anytime he tried to repay him for something he had done, the only thing Malachi would take was a Harry Potter book. Lex guessed there were some things about him that he would never fully understand.

Turning from the stairs, Lex had started toward the bench Chloe was on when he noticed she had fallen asleep. She had been through hell today and it was something he had only himself to blame for. Whoever he had pissed off obviously decided to take revenge on her too, which he was convinced was simply because she was with him. He still wasn’t convinced that his father didn’t have something to do with it. As a matter of fact, he was almost positive he did. And as if that incident wasn’t bad enough for her, Gabe had done a complete turn around. He didn’t know what was said, but whatever it was, she didn’t deserve it. Shaking his head, Lex hobbled to the bathroom linen and pulled out a sheet. He was halfway back to her when he noticed Clark and Lana walking down the stairs. Motioning for them to keep quiet, Lex carefully covered Chloe with the sheet and made his way over to where they stood waiting for him.

“Clark, Lana, what are you two doing here?” He asked, wondering what they were doing risking their lives when there was a sniper on the loose. There hadn’t been any shots in a while but that didn’t mean that whoever was doing it wasn’t still out there.

“We came to see what was going on. My mom said something about shots being fired over here. Are you guys alright?” He asked, a look of concern on his face.

“I’m fine. But I’m not so sure about her.” Lex said, tilting his head in Chloe’s direction. He wished they could turn the time back. Then he wouldn’t have asked her about the interview and she wouldn’t have been in the line of fire. Literally. Unfortunately, his name wasn’t Marty and he didn’t own a time machine..

“What happened?” Clark asked, bringing Lex out of his thoughts as Lana walked over and sat on the floor next to Chloe.

“I wish I knew. We were getting ready to do the interview I promised Chloe when one of the shots fired.”

“Who do you think it is that’s doing it?” Lana asked quietly.

Lex shook his head, never taking his eyes off of Chloe who had curled up in a ball. He wished he knew what to do for her. “I don’t know. I know I have enemies here, but whoever it is that’s doing this, isn’t just after me.”

“You think they’re after Chloe too?” Clark asked, visibly terrified at the thought of someone going after Chloe.”

“She tried to leave earlier. As soon as she pushed the button on her key chain to start her car, it blew up. If she had been in that car Clark…” He swallowed hard, unable to finish the sentence. The thought of Chloe being in the car made him physically sick and it was all he could do to keep from running to the nearest bathroom.

“Did someone call the police?” Lana asked him.

“Malachi triggered the security system. It has an automatic feed to the police station. Sheriff Adams just left. You know you two really shouldn’t be here Clark. It isn’t safe."

“You should listen to him. For once in his life he’s right about something.”

They all turned to see Lionel standing in the doorway. ‘Great.’ Lex thought. Just what he needed.

“Dad. I would like to say it’s nice to see you but it would be a lie of great proportions.”
“Well at least we have something in common Alexander. I was beginning to think our DNA was the only thing we shared.”

“What do you want dad?” Lex asked, his patience shot from the day’s events. He shot Clark and Lana a look of apology, actually quite embarrassed that they had to witness the devil incarnate in action.

“Well you see Lex, it has come to my attention that you have brought some trouble to yourself. Again. It isn’t good for business Lex.”

“Oh I’m sorry dad. To be quite honest, business was the farthest thing on my mind while the bullets were flying at my head. But I’ll tell you what. The next time I’m being shot at, I’ll make sure to call the investors and have them buy up more LuthorCorp stock to keep your business going.”

“There isn’t going to be a next time Alexander. You’re out. You no longer have a position with LuthorCorp. And while I’m at it, I think it would be best if you left the mansion. Now.”

“Wait a minute, you can’t do that!” Clark exclaimed.

“On the contrary Mr. Kent. I own the place. I can do whatever I want.”

“He’s been through hell already! Where’s your heart? Or do you even have one?” Lana jumped in.

“This is business Miss Lang. There’s no place for heart in business. I don’t recall asking for an opinion from either of you. Nor do I need your approval.”

“But…” Lana started again.

“Lana, Clark. It’s ok. If he wants the mansion so bad, let him have it. Trust me, I’d rather be out of his shadow anyway. He’s doing me a favor.” Lex told them. He would have to find another place for them to stay but at least it would be away from his father. He’d been looking for a way out of that situation for months. Lionel had just provided him with it.

“You have two hours Lex. If you aren’t out by then, I’ll have you physically removed.” Lionel turned and walked back up the stairs.

“He can’t just do that Lex.” Lana said.

“You heard him Lana. He can do whatever he wants. But it really isn’t a big deal. We’ll just get a hotel room.”

“Lex, not to alarm you or anything, but I don’t think anyone in Smallville is going to give you a hotel room. The town seems to be plotting against you.” Clark told him.

“Then we’ll drive to Metropolis. We have options Clark. Lana, if you can wake Chloe up, I’m going to go fill Malachi in on the situation and get things ready to leave. Thank you both for trying to help. I do appreciate it.”
~*~*~*~*~*

Twenty-five minutes later, they were walking out the side door into the garage. He had quickly thrown several clothes, his cell phone, PDA, GPS, two-way radio, the watch his mother had given him, and the money that was in the safe into three suitcases. All they had to do now was put it all into one of the cars and leave.

“Um, Lex? Where are the cars?” Clark asked as they looked into the empty garage.

Lex merely smirked and shook his head. “When my father decides to play his games, he doesn’t play minor league.

“Unless you have a problem being seen in an Explorer, we can take mine.” Malachi said, pointing to his car in the driveway.

“The Explorer’s good enough for me. At this point, I’d take a mule if I thought we couldn’t get shot off of it. Now the question is, how do we get to it without being in the line of fire?” Lex asked.

“We make a run for it.” Lana replied.

Malachi took a minute to judge the distance between them and his car before speaking up again. “Alright, here’s what we do. Seeing as how I’m wearing a bulletproof vest, I’ll go out first. Lex, you and Chloe keep right behind me and get in as quickly as you can. Clark, you and Lana get in right after them. I’ll stay by the door, blocking you all from any shots that may be fired. Got it?”

Lex was about to protest but knew this was the only way he could get Chloe in the car without putting her in direct danger. “Let’s just do it.” Quickly executing the plan, they all made it into the Explorer in less than three minutes.

“Alright, keep your heads down in case more shots are fired.” Malachi instructed them as he sped out of the driveway and through town. “Where are we going Lex?” He asked.

“My house.”

Lex looked at the man in the passenger seat. “I appreciate that Clark, but I’m not putting your family in danger like that. Besides, something tells me your dad wouldn’t like the town pariah staying in his house. He never liked me before. This can only make that worse.”
“It was my dad’s idea Lex. I called him while you were packing. My parents seem to be the only other people in town, besides us, who are on your side.”

“And what is your dad going to think when whoever it is that’s doing this finds out we’re at your house and opens fire there too? I won’t risk your lives to save mine Clark.”

“My dad has it figured out already. We’ll go in the back way through Miller’s field. You could lose an elephant in that field. There’s no way anyone will be able to see us. Once we get to my house, we’ll hide the Explorer in the machine shed and run to the house. They’re only about six feet from each other. You can stay there a few days until we figure something else out. You don’t have any other choice tonight Lex.”

“I don’t like this Clark.” Lex told him, letting his thoughts be known.

“You may not, but it’s the only option for now. Head for Miller’s field Malachi.” They made it to Clark’s house in record time and ran through the directions that had been given to them, quickly getting into the house where Mr. and Mrs. Kent were waiting for them. Chloe was still asleep when they got there so Lana helped her to the upstairs spare bedroom while Clark took Lex’s bags to a room down the hall.

Lex stood in the kitchen waiting quietly for the comments he had expected from Jonathan. Regardless of what Clark said, he knew the man never liked him and had mentally prepared for the lecture he was sure he would get about putting his son and others in danger. Instead, he was surprised when the older man walked over and patted him on the shoulder.

“I’m glad you’re alright son. I’m sure you’re probably hungry. Dinner’s on the table. Go on and eat.” Confused, but not wanting to take anything for granted, Lex nodded and followed Martha to the dining room.

After they were done with dinner, Lex and Malachi started on the dishes. Martha had tried to stop them but Lex told her simply that he refused to stay there and not pull his own weight. Once they were finished, they went into the living room where the others sat and talked for a while about what all had happened earlier that day and Martha bandaged Lex’s leg. Shortly after, they went to bed for the night.
~*~*~*~*~*

The next morning, Lex woke up and quickly realized that he, Chloe, Malachi and Jonathan were the only ones home. He walked to the door of the kitchen and found Jonathan sitting at the table sipping on a cup of coffee and reading the paper. “Mr. Kent, can I talk to you for a minute?”

“Sure Lex. What is it?” Jonathan asked, putting the paper down. Lex walked over and sat across from the older man.

“I know we’ve never been on the best of terms. But I want to thank you for letting us stay here. You didn’t have to.”

“I know I didn’t have to Lex. I wanted to. I never really had an issue with you. My issue was with your dad. It was just easier to take it out on you, which was wrong of me. And for that I apologize. You’re a good kid Lex. You’ve just never really been given a chance. But Clark told me how you were trying to protect them and Chloe last night. Your father wouldn’t have done that. Regardless of what people try and tell you, you’re nothing like him. And I respect you for that. No matter what happens, you’re welcome in this house.”

“Thank you Mr. Kent. I don’t really know what to say.”

“You don’t need to say anything. Just knowing you’re safe is enough.”

“Morning.”

Lex looked up as Chloe padded into the kitchen in search of the coffee. She looked like she'd been run over by a bus. And emotionally, she had. Lex stood up and walked over to her.

“I’ll get it. Go on and sit down.” Nodding, she moped over to the table and sat down, laying her head on her arms. Lex had just set the mug in front of her when the door flew open and Malachi rushed in, Lionel following closely behind.

“What the hell are you doing here?” Lex demanded.

“Hold on a minute Lex. Before you blow a gasket, I think you better look at this. Apparently, your dad here had perimeter cameras set up that none of us knew about.” Malachi looked irritably at Lionel, thinking that it would have been nice to know about them before. We have a visual of the shooter.

Putting aside his own anger for the sake of finding out who was behind the war against them, Lex stepped over to the door and grabbed the pictures. Looking at them, his eyebrows furrowed. “There has to be some mistake. This can’t be right.”

“Who is it?” Chloe asked

“What is it?” Jonathan asked, walking up next to Lex and looking at the pictures. “There’s no way!”

“Will someone please tell me who it is?” Chloe snapped. Lex looked at the pictures again before making eye contact with her.

“You were right Chloe. We don’t have enemies. It’s just our best friend that’s trying to kill us.”
TBC…

[welshy]

Ooooh this keeps getting better and better, I hope there's going to be more soon :)

[hfce]

WHAT??? Oh my Lord what a twist. I want more please... :beg:


Hope :)

[kimmie]

Why oh Why would you leave it there???

Please come back with the next part...SOON!!!

Kimmie

[gecko]

ooh cliffhanger, dont leave us hanging for long, hope you update soon

[starmoon]

more please write more i canit wait for the next update. why would there best friend want to kill them???!!!! i hope chloe and lex will be ok and fall in love in the end.

[pipersmum]

Oh my god you can't leave it there!!!!! You need to come back and update pretty please I don't understand are you saying that Clark was firing at them???

[ellelea]

Oooh. Looks good. Can't wait for more!

[Ann]

Sorry it's taken so long guys. Once my muse got started, she wouldn't let up which is why this part went from being 4 pages to being 12. So anyway, here it is. Thank you all for the wonderful feedback! I promise to have the next part up sooner.

Disillusioned Perception
By: Ann
Rating: R
Summary: Is the enemy closer than they thought?
Coupling: Lex/Chloe, Clark/Lana
Disclaimer: I own nothing.

“Let your plans be dark and as inpenetratable as night, and when you move, fall like a thunderbolt.” –Sun Tzu-

Part Five…

“Do you want to explain to me how you got pictures of my son with a sniper rifle?” Jonathan demanded, grabbing Lionel by the lapels of his white dress shirt.

“Like Malachi told you Mr. Kent, they were taken with the security cameras at the mansion. Contrary to what you may believe, I’m trying to help my son. Now kindly take your hands off of me.”

“I will let you go when I’m damn well ready to! Until then you’re just gonna have to deal with it! You have a hell of a lot of nerve coming into my house and implicating my son. All you've done for the past six months is investigate him and I'm sick and tired of it! You're nothing but a manipulative bastard who will use whoever you have to in order to get what you want. Well you're done using my son! It stops here Lionel or I'll kill you myself!" .Jonathan angrily let go of Lionel, shoving him back against the counter in the process. It was short-lived freedom however as Lex quickly strode over and grabbed him next.

“You’re a regular boy scout aren’t you dad?” He asked bitterly, yanking him closer and getting up in his face. “If you were really interested in helping why did you kick us out of the mansion in the first place?” He barked.

“Would you have left if I merely told you it was for your safety?” Lionel asked.

“I have never been able to believe a word that’s come out of your mouth in the past. What makes you think I would start now?” Lex seethed through gritted teeth.

“Believe what you want Alexander, but whether you choose to see it or not, we’re more alike than you care to admit. I knew you would never leave unless you were forced to. I wouldn’t have either. But it’s no longer safe there for you or Miss Sullivan. Whether you find it believable or not, I really was thinking of your safety.”

Grinning angrily, Lex shook his head and emitted what could only be described as a feral growl. “And were you thinking of our safety when you had my cars removed from the property? Had Malachi taken the limo to work as he normally does, we would have had to walk out. Where was your supposed concern for our safety then dad?” Lex questioned, his voice getting louder as he spoke until the last part came out as a near yell. The urge to hit someone, or at the very least something was overwhelming. He had begun shaking with near uncontrolled anger and was wishing he had his punching bag. Lex had always prided himself on being able to stay calm in bad situations but the last two days had been a definite test on his patience and right now, he was failing miserably! Knowing that if he continued to stand where he was he was going to end up hitting Lionel, Lex let him go and took a step backward, rubbing his face with his hands.
Lionel on the other hand was doing nothing to help curve Lex’s anger. In fact, he was adding to it when he began to laugh. “Though I appreciate the amount of credit you give me son, I had nothing to do with your cars vanishing. Guess you’d better look at your friend Clark. Haven’t I always told you to be careful who you trust?”

All self-control gone at this point, Lex glared at him as his fist flew, connecting with the older man’s nose, causing a nauseating cracking noise to fill the room and Lionel to stumble backwards into the counter. It felt good to be in control for once, but Lex was too angry to truly enjoy it. “The Kents have been the closest thing to a family I’ve had since mom died. I’ve always been able to count on Clark and Mr. and Mrs. Kent have come through for me more in the past two days than you have my entire life. You will not stand here and insult them. I’m sick of playing your bullshit games. I won’t do it anymore. If there’s something you want, just come out and say it. Otherwise, you know where the door is.”

“I already told you son, I’m here to help. Look at the pictures. They speak for themselves.”

Shaking his head again, Lex looked over to the other people in the room. “He’s playing you Malachi. The pictures are fabricated. There’s no way Clark would try to kill us.”

“You have no idea how much I wish that were true Lex, but I pulled the tapes myself. And then I had Noah analyze them. They’re one hundred percent real.”

“Who the hell is Noah?” Jonathan asked, his temper and patience matching Lex’s.

“He’s on our security team.” Malachi answered. “He’s also the best digital analyst in the country.”

“Damn it Malachi! He’s my best friend. He did not try to kill us!”

“I’m afraid he did.”

Hearing the clearly shaken voice, the occupants of the room turned to see the two very disheveled and nearly hysterical women standing in the doorway.

“Mrs. Kent? Lana?” Chloe asked, unable to control the tears streaming down her cheeks. In the last 48 hours, she not only lost her dad, but now her best friend too. She just wanted to wake up from this nightmare and go back to when everything was normal and the worst thing they had to deal with was the latest freak of the week. She wished someone would make the make it all end somehow. Make the pain go away. She quickly went from being the daughter and best friend to being nothing. She felt empty, she felt cold, but most of all, she felt angry. The people she had trusted the most had turned on her and the person she had spent the last six months trusting the least was the one she was now having to rely on. It seemed wrong. But that wasn’t what pissed her off. What pissed her off the most now was the fact that she hadn’t seen it coming. One minute everyone was acting normal and the next, Clark and her dad turned Nazi on them. Being a reporter, she had always been able to see within the cracks, read between the lines. How had she missed this? Almost violently wiping the tears from her face, she forced them to stop coming, knowing there was one thing she had to do before she could continue in this fight. She had to put a wall up. Emotions be damned. Neither of them could afford for her sentimental feelings to get in the way. She was done crying over her dad and Clark. It was time to fight. Having her mind set, she watched the two other women walk in and sit around the table.

“What’s going on Martha?” Jonathan asked his wife. They had been through a lot since they eloped twenty-five years before. Had their ups and downs and faced a lot of things that most people never will. But they had never had to deal with anything like this. Never did they believe their son would be out shooting at people, especially his best friends. Clark had always been a good kid. The kind who went out of his way to help others. He had never tried to hurt anyone before. It didn’t make sense. None of it made sense.

“Lana and I…Jonathan…can we?” She motioned toward the living room. Whatever happened in town, she clearly didn’t want to voice it aloud. And by the looks she kept giving Chloe, Lex knew it had to be about Gabe. After Jonathan and Martha left the kitchen, Lex looked back at his father who was holding a towel to his nose. Against his better judgement, he felt somewhat guilty for taking a swing at the older man.

“You alright?” He asked him as he walked to the freezer. He had no doubt that he broke his dad’s nose. He felt it happen. He also knew that if he didn’t put some ice on it quickly, it would be the size of a grapefruit and while that was an amusing thought, now was not the time to be finding entertainment.

“Careful son, your emotions are showing through.” Lionel joked, taking the ice from Lex.

“I was trying to be considerate. But if all you’re going to do is stand here finding things to fault me for, then you can go. You’re clearly not helping matters.”

“Having emotions is not a fault Lex. It’s a weakness. And one that we all suffer from. Myself included.”

Lex nearly laughed at him. “It must be difficult to suffer through the ever changing emotions of anger and hate. I honestly don’t know how you do it. And quite frankly, I don't want to know.”

“Is that really what you think?” Lionel smirked. “You think I only feel anger and hate? You must be blind if you don’t see what I feel.”

“Yes because you’ve always been one to wear your heart on your sleeve haven’t you dad?” He asked sarcastically.

“One of these days Lex, you’re going to realize that what I feel for you is far different from anger and hate.”

“You’re right dad. It’s disappointment, disapproval and an overwhelming desire to make me look incompetent. The kinds of emotions lives are built on. Maybe you should produce a few more heirs. We could be the next Brady Bunch. Swing enough money, maybe you could even get Ann Davis to be our maid. She might even let you call her Alice.”

“Don’t be so presumptuous Lex. Maybe I want to name her Mabel.”

“Well as much as I hate to disturb this sickening display, there are more important things we need to deal with than what you’re going to name your maid.”

“There really isn’t much we can do until we found out what Mrs. Kent and Lana found out Chloe.”

“Well there is one thing we can do.” Chloe huffed.

“What’s that Miss Sullivan? Learn how to turn an ear of corn into a kitchen ornament?” Lionel asked, picking up the centerpiece that lay in the middle of the kitchen table. It was made out of an odd shaped basket, three dyed ears of corn and hay.

Rolling her eyes, she snickered. “Like getting the bullet out of your son’s leg before he gets an infection. The last thing he needs is for gangrene to set in.”

“Mrs. Kent checked it last night. It’s fine.” Lex tried to reassure her.

“No Lex, it isn’t fine. It hasn’t been fine since it happened and it won’t be fine until it’s taken care of. Until then, it’s far from being fine!” She snapped.

“Chloe, I think you’re blowing this way out of proportion. It’s not a big deal. One bullet in the leg isn’t going to…”

“Just one bullet Lex? Well you know what? It only takes one to cause blood poisoning, or permanent damage. It only takes one bullet to kill you. It’s not fine!” Under normal circumstances, Lex would probably be worried about how angry she was getting but now it was almost a relief. She had barely spoken two words since the shooting yesterday and he was getting concerned. Sure, he’d seen her cry several times, but they could have simply been tears of frustration. Tears of not knowing how to react. Empty tears. At least now he knew she was feeling something. Even if it was anger, it was better than nothing. But he still had to find a way to calm her down. Her making herself sick wasn’t going to help things either. And to be honest, he didn’t know why it was this particular thing that set her off. What was the big deal? He’d been shot before and he doubted seriously that this would be the last time.

“Okay.” He said quietly, putting his hands on the tops of her arms. “I’ll have someone come in and take care of it. But I don’t understand why you’re so worried about this.”

“In the past two days, I’ve lost my dad and my best friend. I’ve been shot at, had my car blown up, and have been hiding out in the enemies house. My best friend is trying to kill us, most of the town has turned against us, and I haven’t had a decent shower since yesterday morning. I feel abandoned, betrayed, and empty and you wonder why I’m so worried about it? Have you stopped to consider that maybe I don’t want you hurt? Hu?” She yelled, poking her finger into his chest. Her voice was getting louder by the second and by now Jonathan, Martha and Lana had returned and were standing in the doorway watching the scene play out.

“Have you stopped to consider that maybe it saddens me to see your leg and know that it was my best friend that did it to you? Have you ever thought that maybe I need you Lex? You’re all I have left and I don’t want to lose you too!”

Lex grabbed her wrist gently to stop her finger from pounding into his chest yet again and spoke quietly. “You are not going to lose me Chloe. We’re in this together and no matter what happens, I’m not going to abandon you. Somehow, we’ll get through this.” They heard someone clear their throat and looked up to see Jonathan looking at them.

“What’s going on?” Lex asked. Jonathan looked down at the floor before making eye contact with him. Not a good sign.

“While Martha and Lana were in town this morning, they overheard Clark and Gabe talking outside the Talon. Whatever’s going on, they’re working together.”

“What were they talking about?” Chloe asked him, afraid to know but more afraid not to.

“They’re planning another attack. I don’t think it’s safe here for you two. We need to get you somewhere else.”

“Mr. Kent, this is your home and whatever you decide, I’ll respect it. But I don’t think running is such a great idea.” Lex told him, squeezing Chloe’s hand gently for support.

“Lex, with Clark living here, he has easy access to both of you. I never thought I would have to say this about my own son, and it kills me to have to, but he’s dangerous. For some reason, he wants you both dead and with you being here in the house, it makes it that much easier for him.”

“He’s right Lex, you need to get out of here. You can go to Metropolis. He won’t be able to find you there.” Lionel said, walking up next to Lex and Chloe.

“No, I think Lex is right.” Chloe said, looking from Jonathan to Martha. “Clark’s smart. If we leave now, he’ll know we’re on to him. And if he’s got the town working with him, we’d be lucky to make it down the street. At least if we stay here, we can try to figure out what’s going on and keep an eye on things in the process.”

“Lex, Chloe, you know you are both welcome to stay as long as you want, but are you sure you want to take the risk?” Jonathan asked.

“Mr. Kent, whatever’s going on with Clark, I don’t believe it’s of his free will.”

“What are you saying you think something happened to him?” Martha asked, a shimmer of hope shining through.

“I’m saying I think something happened to ninety percent of Smallville. I was talking to Clark yesterday morning and he was fine then. Whatever happened, it happened between when I dropped him off here and when the shooting began. A person doesn’t go from normal to homicidal that quickly.”

“And my dad was fine yesterday morning. He would never try to kill us voluntarily.”

“So somehow they’ve come across something that’s infected them and most of the town. But what? And how do we find out without Clark suspecting anything?” Lana asked.

“The best way to see into the mind of a killer is to befriend him.” Lex replied.

“It’s a dangerous game Lex. And I’d be lying if I said I was thrilled about it.”

“No I’m sure you’re not dad. It looks bad for business. But it’s our only option. Right now Clark doesn’t think we know anything about him being involved. We have to use that to our advantage.”

“But how?” Martha asked.

“We pretend inferiority and encourage his arrogance.”

“Sun Tzu. I’m impressed.” Lionel smirked.

Hearing the sound of a vehicle coming up the driveway, Malachi walked over to the window. “He’s here. Do you want me to stay Lex?”

“No. I need you to call Dent.” Malachi nodded.

“How soon should he be here?”

“This evening.”

“If you need anything, you’ll know where to find me.” Malachi told him as he walked to the door. Just before he opened it, Clark walked in.

“Hey Clark.” Malachi grinned. He had always liked Clark, which is one reason why this whole situation pissed him off as badly as it did. He had considered himself to be a good judge of character, yet he never saw this coming, which had him questioning himself and his ability to do his job. But if there was one thing he was extremely good at, it was playing games. After working for Lex as many years as he had, he’d learned to play whatever games he had to in order to keep him safe. And this would be no exception. He’d act like they didn’t know who the shooter was, and he’d do a damned good job doing it!

“Hey Malachi.” Clark smiled. “Wanna shoot some hoops? I believe I still owe you that rematch.”

“I’m gonna have to take a rain check on that. I have a doctor to call and a shooter to find. But after everything’s back to normal I’ll take you up on that. I want my twenty bucks back.” He laughed.

“That’ll be the day.” Clark patted him on the shoulder.

“See ya later man.”

“Yep, see ya later.” Clark replied as he closed the door behind Malachi. He walked over and opened the fridge, reaching for the orange juice. “Hey mom I ran into Mr. Davies at the Talon. He said to tell you that the part you ordered for the tractor came in this morning.” Taking a drink from the carton, he put it back and shut the refrigerator door and looked around the room.

“Oh good! I’ve been waiting for that all week. Now we can finally get that wheel fixed and get some stuff done around here. Thanks honey, I’ll go pick it up this afternoon.” She smiled, walking over and kissing him on the cheek. Clark’s focus however, was far from the conversation they were having. There was a look in his eyes that was frightening.

“What the hell is he doing here?” Clark bit out, pointing to Lionel.

“He’s trying to help Lex, Clark.”

“Trying to help? Like he tried to help him by kicking him out of his own house? He’s not trying to help Lex, mom. The only thing he’s interested in is destroying him.”

He was back to defending him again. There was definitely something strange going on and whatever it was, Lex could only hope that it wasn’t deadly. To any of them. The last time Clark went on one of his ‘spells’, he tried to make out with another girl in a bar and was planning on running away. Lex to this day still wasn’t sure what caused that but whatever it was, was nothing in comparison to this. But regardless of what was going on, they had to continue to play dumb. It was the only way to find anything out and maybe keep them alive. At least keep Chloe alive. She was his primary concern right now and with the way things were going, he didn’t expect her to be able to help much. Her emotional state had taken quite a hit the past two days and it was only going to get worse. He just hoped he could get her out of it before it got so bad that she couldn’t recover from it.

“Clark, I appreciate your concern, but I assure you, I’ve got it under control. I would like to talk to you though if you’re not busy.”

Clark looked between Lex and Lionel disapprovingly. Shaking his head, he rubbed the back of his neck. “Sure. Come on, you can help me feed the cows.”

“That may not be such a great idea right now son. With the shooter still on the loose, Lex being in the wide open probably isn’t real smart.”

Telling himself to play this out and hope Jonathan picked up on it, Lex shrugged his shoulders. “I don’t think it will be a problem just to walk to the livestock barn Mr. Kent. What is it, two hundred feet? They wouldn’t have much of a span of time to take the shot. Besides, I don’t think they’d do it with Clark around. The only people the shooter seems to be interested in are Chloe and me.”

“Would you listen to yourself?” Chloe shrieked. Forget Jonathan. Chloe was playing along for him. This might actually work out better.

“Chloe, I’ll be fine.”

“Fine? Is that your answer for everything Lex? You’ll be fine? Fuck fine! I don’t want you fine. I want you alive. And you’re trying to take risks that could get you the complete opposite of that. I haven’t asked for much since this all took place, but I’m asking you now to stay in this house. Go upstairs if you want to talk. Take a trip to the bathroom together. See if I care. But going outside could get you killed! Please, please stay in here.” She was all but begging when she finished. Lex never thought he’d see the day when Chloe Sullivan would beg him for anything but he guessed there was a first time for everything.

Under normal circumstances, he’d tell her she was being paranoid and go anyway. But these were far from being normal circumstances. And looking at her, he could tell that she wasn’t playing along. She was genuinely worried. Other than Malachi, he wasn’t used to people being concerned about him. He didn’t quite know how to react to it. He didn’t know what to say. So instead of responding with words, he merely nodded and squeezed her hand again before looking over at Clark. “Maybe we should go in the living room.” Releasing Chloe’s hand, Lex followed Clark out of the kitchen and into the living room. It was a nice room with pale yellow walls that were adorned with family pictures.
“So what did you want to talk about?” Clark asked as he sat on the couch. Lex walked over and sat on the recliner across from him.

“Since this all started, I’ve put a lot of things into perspective. I’ve discovered that there are people I can trust that I wouldn’t have before and I’ve felt things I didn’t know I was capable of.” He said, thinking about how angry he felt when he found out it was Clark that was behind the attacks. He never thought he would have that harsh of feelings toward his best friend but as much as he wanted to believe that this wasn’t really Clark’s fault, that he had been infected somehow, it was something he couldn’t just push away. But he still had to play the game.

“All my life I’ve had to second guess the intentions of others. I’d reached the point where I started to think friends were a luxury I couldn’t afford. Till I met you, Clark. From the day you pulled me out of that river, you’ve been the one person I can trust completely and I want to thank you for that. You didn’t have to help us yesterday, but you did. And I won’t forget it. Your friendship means a lot to me Clark.”

As much as he hated to admit it to himself, he meant everything that he was saying. Or at least he wanted to. He wanted to believe that Clark was still his best friend and that he could tell him just about anything and know that it wouldn’t be used against him. He wanted to believe that somehow, things would go back to the way they were twenty-four hours ago before everything went to hell. He wanted to believe he could get his best friend back. But as much as he wanted to believe, he couldn’t right now. His faith in Clark was quickly diminishing.

“You know I can see right through you, don’t you?” Clark asked, giving Lex a look that could only be read as danger.

“Excuse me?” Lex asked him, more than a little unnerved.

“You’re not fooling me Lex. At all.”

“What the hell are you talking about Clark?” He asked, trying to keep his cool and not give anything away. Not that it really mattered at this point anyway. Clark was clearly on to him. How? He didn’t know. But it was very disturbing.

“This game you have going on. How long do you think you can pull it off? I’m not stupid Lex.”

“I never said that you were Clark. But if you’re onto my game so well, why don’t you let me in on it? Because I’m afraid I’m not following.”

“I know you don’t trust you dad. So why are you pretending that you do?” Clark asked, as he stood up and began to pace the room. Lex let out a deep breath of relief before responding.

“Right now Clark, my beef isn’t with my dad. You’re right, I don’t trust him. But think about it. I’ve already lost my house, my cars, my company, my dignity, and my sense of safety. What else do I have to lose? I mean yesterday morning, the biggest problem I had was trying to make sure twenty-five hundred people didn’t lose their jobs. Now I’m trying to make sure Chloe and I don’t lose our heads. There’s not much of a comparison there. Especially considering those same twenty-five hundred people whose jobs I was trying to secure are now on the side of plotting against us. I’m at the point where the only thing I care about is making sure Chloe gets out of this alive. And I’ll do whatever I have to do to make sure that happens. If I have to pretend to trust my dad in the process, then so be it. I will not let her die because I can’t swallow my pride.”

“You’re a stronger man than I am Lex, cause I wouldn’t be able to do it.”

“No, I’m not. I’ve just learned to reset my bounds.”
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

That night…

“Would you just pull it out already?”

“I’m trying. It appears to be stuck.”

“Well unstick it. It hurts like a bitch!”

“Well if you’d stay still, maybe it would come out easier.”

“Yeah, that’s what you said the last time and as I recall, it was just as hard then as it is now. I’m seriously beginning to wonder about your experience.”

“Ugh! Why does this sound like a porno gone bad?” Chloe asked, causing the two men to turn their gazes to her. “Just pull the bullet out and shut up about it!”

“Easy for you to say.” Lex replied. “He’s not twisting metal clamps around in your leg. Ow! What the hell!” he yelled, looking back at Dent. “Care to explain what you’re doing?”

Dent leaned down toward Lex. “You know I can’t work with him looking at me like that. It’s…distracting.”

Lex rolled his eyes. “Malachi, could you do me a favor and bring me some ice?” Malachi nodded and walked toward the kitchen.

“I don’t know why you two don’t just get it over with. You’ve been flirting with each other for years. It’s no wonder you’re distracted. It distracts me and I’m not gay!”

“Malachi’s…” Chloe started to ask.

“As they get.” Lex replied, letting out a deep breath as Dent pulled the small piece of metal from his leg and started to clean and sew the wound.

“I’m really tired. I’m gonna go to bed.” She said quietly, getting up from the chair and heading toward the stairs.

“Chloe.” He called after her. She turned around as he carefully walked over to her and put his hand on her shoulder. “If you need anything, you know where to find me. We’ll get this all worked out.” She nodded and turned, walking on to her room.

Twenty minutes later, Lex shut and locked the front door. Dent had just left after yet again, he and Malachi barely spoke to one another. Lex fought the urge to roll his eyes.

“Coward.”

“You know it isn’t as easy to get a date when you’re a gay man as it is when you’re straight.” Malachi argued, sitting on the kitchen counter.

“It is when the man you’re drooling over is clearly interested.”

“I don’t see you telling Chloe how you feel.”

“Yes, because now would be perfect timing. ‘Oh hey Chloe, I know your dad turned out to be an ass and you’re life is in danger, but I really want to throw you across the table and screw your brains out.’ Yeah, that would be real good right now.” Lex replied sarcastically.

“What stopped you before? These feelings of yours didn’t just start Lex. You rag on me for not talking to Dent about it but you’ve never told Chloe.”

“There’s a difference there Malachi.”

“And what exactly would that be?”

“Chloe doesn’t want me.”
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

He didn’t know what had brought him here, but something kept him moving. Opening the door, he briefly looked around the darkened room, his eyes stopping when they fell upon a familiar figure sitting on the bed, her eyes looking into his.

She continued watching him as he found his body moving toward her. Then something happened that he hadn’t been expecting. She smiled at him. Genuinely smiled, before pulling the blankets back to reveal the small t-shirt and boxer shorts she was wearing. Boxer shorts. He would have laughed if it hadn’t been so damn sexy.

He wasn’t aware that he was still walking until his knees bumped against the bed, his eyes never leaving hers. Placing her knees underneath her, she reached her hands out and grabbed his, pulling him onto the bed with her, neither of them losing eye contact.

She furrowed her eyebrows as she continued to study him. “What are you so afraid of Lex? You wouldn’t be here if you didn’t want to be. Tell me what you want.”

He sat in silence, almost afraid to answer her question. It would change too many things. They would be awkward around each other. Right now they could at least work together. If he told her what he wanted, uncomfortable silences would be an understatement of gigantic proportions.

“Tell me Lex. What do you want?” She asked, almost seductively, as she lay down, pulling him until he was lying above her.

“Chloe.” He groaned. She began to run her hands down his back.

:”Lex.” There was that smile again.

“Chloe.”

“Lex.” She said as her hands ran over his stomach.

“Chloe.” His voice almost a whisper now. The urge to devour her was becoming more than he could take and his so-called self-control was quickly slipping away. If she kept asking him to tell her what he wanted, he would do just that. Consequences be damned.

“Lex!” He felt her hand come in contact with his face.

“Fuck Chloe, I want you!”

Hearing the startled gasp, Lex shot up in the bed and wiped the perspiration from his face with the palms of his hands. It was just a dream. Just a dream. Moving his hands away, he felt like his heart stopped beating. It may have been a dream but if the pissed look on Chloe’s face as she stood next to his bed was any indication, it was going to be a hell of a lot better than his reality was about to be.

TBC…

[pipersmum]

Excellent update this is really hotting up now:grin3: :grin3:



“Fuck Chloe, I want you!”

Hearing the startled gasp, Lex shot up in the bed and wiped the perspiration from his face with the palms of his hands. It was just a dream. Just a dream. Moving his hands away, he felt like his heart stopped beating. It may have been a dream but if the pissed look on Chloe’s face as she stood next to his bed was any indication, it was going to be a hell of a lot better than his reality was about to be.



I can't believe you left it like that again so i have to wait:bang:

Please Please Please update again soon;)

[welshy]

I can't wait for more, these is getting really good :)

[kimmie]

IT WAS A DREAM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I cannot believe you would leave us hanging at such a good part...GET BACK HERE...PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Kimmie

[angelslady]

Omg, just caught up with this fic, lol and you have me hooked, can't wait for the next update! :)

[hfce]

Oh my God that was a great update. I can't believe it was a dream. :eek:


Hope :)

[Ann]

Thanks for all the wonderful feedback! Here's the next part. I hope you all enjoy! :)

Disillusioned Perception
By: Ann
Rating: R
Summary: Will Lex’s erotic dream cause more problems for he and Chloe?
Coupling: Lex/Chloe, Clark/Lana
Disclaimer: I own nothing!

Part Six- The Point.

He knew she heard him. She had to. The look on her face said it all. She heard him and it pissed her off. This was exactly why he didn’t want to tell her how he felt. He disgusted her, always had. Some things never change no matter how much he wanted them to. Unfortunately there was no way of skirting around this.

“Chloe.” He said, waiting for the bomb to fall. It was inevitable.

“Don’t Lex! Don’t even try to justify that.”

“I wasn’t going to.” He started to get up from the bed.

“Don’t do that!” She said quickly, eyes wide.

“Relax. I’m covered.” He replied, getting up from the bed, the black sweat pants Jonathan gave him hanging loosely from his hips. He had to get out of that room. It was bad enough that she had heard him but sitting there while she gave him that look of sheer anger and disgust was more than he could take. Pulling on a borrowed t-shirt, he walked out of the room, Chloe fast on his heels.

“Where do you think you’re going Lex?”

“I need a drink.”

“We need to talk about this.” She nearly shrieked.

Lex walked over to the kitchen sink and poured a glass of water. “I know.” He took a drink and gripped the side of the sink with his other hand.

This was not a conversation he was ready to have yet, but now he didn’t have a choice in the matter. What had she been doing in his room at 3:45 in the morning anyway? If she had just stayed in her own room, none of this would be an issue right now. He would still be asleep and not have to worry about upsetting her. But that wasn’t fair either. He had told her that if she needed anything, she knew where to find him. He had left that possibility open and then couldn’t keep his brain out of his pants. No, this landed on him and he knew it. The question was, what brought her to him in the first place?

“Was something wrong?” He asked as he walked in and sat on the couch. By now he knew there was no escaping this conversation so he might as well get it over with.

“Excuse me?” She asked dumfounded.

“Chloe, you were in my room at almost four in the morning. What’s wrong?”

“Don’t change the subject Lex. I want to talk about what happened.”

“I’m not talking about anything until I know you’re alright. Now what happened?”

Chloe huffed for a minute then sat on the other end of the couch. “I had a nightmare.”

“Want to talk about it?”

“Not really.”

“It might help.” He tried to persuade her. Talking about it could serve two purposes. It really might help her feel better and at the same time, it could delay the conversation he was dreading.

Chloe hesitated before she spoke again, not sure if she really wanted to say the words. Voicing them made the situation real. She had known it was real from the beginning but actually talking about it made it hit closer to home for some reason.

“It was my dad.”

Lex waited for a few minutes for her to continue but she didn’t. “Chloe you know that whatever’s going on, your dad’s just a pawn in it. I’ve seen how he is around you and there’s no mistaking the fact that he loves you.”

“Yeah.” She said, deflated. “He loves me so much he wishes he had gotten rid of me a long time ago instead of wasting all the years he had to give up to raise me.”

“That’s ridiculous!” He stated, eyebrows furrowed. “Why do you think he would think that about you?”

“Because he told me he did.”

“What?” He asked in disbelief and growing anger. “When?”

“When I called him from the mansion.” She replied quietly.

“Why didn’t you tell me?”

“It’s not like you could have done anything about it. Besides, you had enough to worry about without me adding to it.”

“Chloe, I don’t care what I’m dealing with. If there’s something going on with you, I want you to be able to tell me.”

“That goes both ways Lex.” She said, making eye contact with him for the first time since the incident. He walked straight into that without even realizing it.

“It was just a dream.”

“Don’t give me that bullshit line. I’ve taken enough Psychology classes and read enough books to know that there’s no such thing as just a dream.”

“What is it you want me to tell you Chloe?”

“I want the truth Lex. Can you look me in the eyes and tell me honestly that it meant nothing?”

Lex paused. It was now or never. He could tell her the truth and take the chance of her never talking to him again or he could lie and they could go on like it never happened. It was something he didn’t really have to consider. It would obviously be to his advantage to lie about it. What was one little white lie anyway? Besides, it would be in her best interest too. The last thing she needed was feeling like he was trying to hit on her.

“No.”

“No?”

It seemed so easy in his mind to just say yes and pretend it was just a dream but for some reason when he went to actually say it, it wasn’t so easy anymore. He could lie to anybody. Become cold and callous to anybody. Deceive anybody. Anybody but her. He didn’t like it. It made him feel weak. Less than what he was. And yet, in a way it made him proud. When he first came to Smallville, it was nothing to him to take advantage of people. Just another everyday occurrence. But he could never do that with her and that fact always made him want to be better than that. Better than the crooks in the high price office buildings who would throw people to the wolves just to get what they wanted. Better than his father. He wanted to be better to her. For her. Because of her. So now here he sat, Chloe asking him to bear his heart and there was only one thing he could do about it.

“Look Chloe, I could sit here all night and tell you that the dream meant nothing and that I don’t have feelings for you. But I’d be lying. And that’s something I’m not willing to do. So the way I see it, we have two choices. We can either become the kind of people who work together but don’t communicate, or we can pretend this never happened and move on. It’s up to you. But either way, I’m going back to bed.” He stood up and started out of the room.

“Lex.” Chloe said, standing up. She was confused and shocked. She had learned the past couple days that things aren’t always what they seem but she still hadn’t expected this. Lex had never given her any indication that he was attracted to her before, and she didn’t really know how to react to it now. But there was one thing she had to know.

Lex stopped and turned around in the doorway to face her. “Yes?”

“How long have you felt this way?”

“Since you dumped your coffee in my lap.” He said, matter-of-factly.

“Lex that was what? Five months ago?” Chloe asked, stunned.

He smirked. “Six months, three weeks, two and a half days. But who’s counting?” He turned and walked back to his room, closing the door behind him before climbing back into bed.

November 13th. For most it would seem like just another ordinary day. But to Lex, it was far more than that. Who would have thought that dumping your coffee into someone’s lap would cause such a lasting impression? To most it probably wouldn’t have. They would have just shrugged it off or gotten pissed and grumbled for a few days. Most wouldn’t have changed their lives because of it. And they certainly wouldn’t have remembered the date. But most weren’t Lex Luthor. November 13th, 2005 at exactly 4:00 PM, he came into contact with the one person who could make him want to scream, run for cover, and throw her against the wall in a passionate embrace all at the same time. It took six months and a crisis, but they had actually begun to get along and depend on each other. They had headed into a direction he might would consider to be friendship. November 13th, he met Chloe Sullivan. And tonight, he threw it all away.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

That same morning, Lex did something he had never done before. He slept in. By the time he made his way back down to the kitchen, it was nearing noon and everyone was working on figuring out a plan. Everyone being Jonathan, Martha, Malachi, Chloe and his father that is. School was out for the summer so Clark and Lana took a trip to visit Pete. Jonathan had tried to talk Lana out of going along, but she insisted that in order for them to make their act believable, she had to still go places with him. It was a girlfriend’s ‘duty’ as she put it which caused her to be on the receiving end of Chloe’s disgusted grunt.

“Well, look who finally decided to grace us with his presence.” Lionel teased as Lex walked in the room. There was something about Lionel teasing that disturbed Lex but at that moment, he was too distracted to really worry about it. Chloe kept giving him strange looks which concerned him. Was this the way it was always going to be between them now? Trying not to think about it, he quickly grabbed a cup of coffee and sat himself at the table to see what they were working on.

“What’s going on?” He asked when he realized it wasn’t just Chloe looking at him strangely. They all were. And at this point, he wasn’t sure which was worse.

“I checked your mail this morning Lex.” Malachi told him.

“Should I be concerned?” He asked dryly when Malachi failed to say anything more.

“There were threats made.”

“How many?”

“Forty-six letters, two cassette tapes, a picture of what looks like a slaughtered cow and Mayor Albright sent a finger.”

“A finger?”

Malachi nodded.

“Do we have a match for the finger?”

“Not yet. I’m having Brent run it now. We should have the results by three.”

Lex rubbed his temples with his fingers and tried to drown reality out. Unfortunately, it was a hell of a swimmer.

“What else?” He asked, looking back up at the group.

“There isn’t anything else.”

“I’ve never lied to you Chloe. Please don’t insult my intelligence by lying to me now.”

Chloe lowered her head to look at the table, trying to hold back the tears. “My dad called me on my cell phone.”

Lex reached his hand around, rubbing the back of his head and closed his eyes briefly. He didn’t know what kind of hateful words Gabe had for his daughter this time, but he was sure there had been plenty of them.

“What did he say?” He asked, looking up to see that she wouldn’t look at him. He had known things were going to be strained but he had hoped that it wouldn’t effect their ability to work together. Apparently, he was wrong. Standing up abruptly, he walked to the doorway and leaned against the wall. “Is this how it’s going to be between us now?”

She didn’t answer him. Instead, she seemed to find the table centerpiece quite interesting.

“Damn it Chloe, I can’t help you if you don’t trust me.”

She perked her head up slowly. “I do trust you.”

“No. You don’t. You never have.” He walked out of the room, leaving Chloe and the rest of the group behind. There were some things he had to figure out.

He had only been back in his room five minutes when he heard a knock on the door, which swung open before he had a chance to answer.

“What the hell was that about?”

“It’s complicated.” He breathed out.

“You told her didn’t you?”

“I didn’t have a choice.”

“You always have a choice Lex. Aren’t you the one who’s always telling me that?”

“And usually I’m right. But when a woman walks in on you while you’re having an erotic dream about her, and hears it, it doesn’t exactly leave much room for choices.”

Malachi had a pained look on his face. “She heard everything?”

“I don’t’ know about everything, but enough.”

“So what are you gonna do now?”

“Nothing.”

“Nothing?”

“It isn’t something she want’s Malachi and I’m not going to push it on her.”

“Lex, you’re not one to give up that easily.”

“There are more important things at stake here than my feelings.”

“So now what?”

“We go on. My main concern is keeping her alive. That’s what’s…” He was halfway into his sentence when he heard a loud crash and he hit the floor, his world going black.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

“What was that?” Jonathan asked, flying into the room to find Lex on the floor, his forehead bleeding and Malachi kneeling over him, trying to wake him up.

“What happened?” Chloe gasped, her and Martha running over to them.

“Brick. Someone threw it through the window. I can’t get him to wake up.” He was getting concerned. It had been at least two minutes since he’d been knocked out and if he had a concussion, sleep was the last thing he should be doing. Chloe ran out of the room, just to return seconds later with a glass full of water.

“Here.” She said, handing it to Lionel who was now leaning over Lex. “Dump it on him. Maybe it’ll wake him up.” Lionel nodded and splashed the water into Lex’s face, s they all waited, hoping it would work. Chloe had gone down to the kitchen trying to find the first aid kit while the others continued to wait. After what seemed like hours, but was really a matter of seconds, he practically jumped off the floor, sending his hand flailing into Lionel’s nose again.

“Chloe!” Lex shouted, searching the room, panic running through him. He felt like he was running through a dark tunnel, trying to find someone who wasn’t there. He had taken her from him. Clark had taken her from him and no matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t find her. The world was closing in on him threatening to swallow him whole and it was becoming increasingly hard to breathe. She was gone. He didn’t protect her and now it was too late. He had failed her.

“Lex?” Her voice was so far away. He could see her face but he knew that if he reached out, she would disappear. Maybe he was dead. But this couldn’t be what it felt like to die. You were supposed to be at peace in death. He was far from peaceful. If anything, he felt like he was dying an excruciatingly painful death. Suffocating with no way out. There was really no point in fighting for air. What good did it do to fight for something that wasn’t there? And was it really there to begin with or was air an illusion one created in order to survive? The minds way of telling you that you have everything you need when in fact the one thing you really need is so far beyond your grasp that you’ll never get it. So far away that if you try to reach for it, you’ll stumble, yet you’re willing to take the risk. And then you open your eyes and you realize that the one thing you need the most, the one thing that you once believed to be trivial, was right there the whole time and you never really knew it. It’s at that point that you know everything’s going to be ok.

When Lex fully opened his eyes and saw her kneeling over him, that was the point. The exact point when he knew just how far his feelings went for Chloe. It was at that point that he knew he loved her.

TBC…

[Ann]

Disillusioned Perception
By: Ann
Rating: R
Summary: Is Clark really to blame or is there a whole other evil?
Coupling: Lex/Chloe, Clark/Lana
Disclaimer: Nope, never have, don’t now, and never will own any of them. Damn it all to hell!

A/N: Ok guys, this part will alternate POV’s. The first half will be Chloe’s POV and then it will switch back to Lex’s. Hope it isn’t too confusing.

Part Seven: Regrets

“Lex?” Chloe squatted next to him and tried to find some kind of sign that he was alright, but she was getting concerned when he failed to respond. He just sat in the middle of the floor looking at her like she was the toy surprise he pulled out of a box of Captain Crunch. She wasn’t used to being the center of attention, but looking at him now, she certainly felt like it.

“Lex, talk to me.” He looked so incredibly lost which was heartbreaking in itself, but the thing that got her the most was that she didn’t know how to fix it. They were supposed to be there for each other and she didn’t know how to help him when he needed it. She didn’t really even know what had caused the state he was currently in. She knew the brick hit him in the head but this was more than a case of aftershock. He looked like he was completely lost in her and sad and it made her want to cry.

She had spent the past two days grieving over what she had lost, what she had been through and hadn’t even considered how it was effecting him. Sure, she had been concerned for his safety, but while he had been telling her that everything would be ok, she hadn’t realized how difficult it must have been for him to believe his own words. And while she could, and did blame a lot of his anger and frustrations on his dad and Clark, a lot of it fell back on her too. He had been right earlier. He had given up everything to protect her and yet she didn’t trust him. Not really anyway. But whereas most people lacked trust in him because of his name, she lacked trust in him because as of late, everyone she’d come to trust had betrayed her. What she failed to remember until now, was that they had also betrayed him. And now everyone was standing huddled around him like he was some circus clown performing tricks. The thought almost sickened her as she heard Mrs. Kent ask Lionel if Lex was alright. She knew they were concerned, but the gathering of the masses couldn’t be helping matters.

“Could I maybe talk to him alone for a few minutes?” She asked as she looked around at all the people who stood around waiting for even the smallest sign that he was ok.

“You’ll let us know if anything happens?” Martha asked, visibly shaken.

Chloe nodded. “Of course.” Once everyone left the room, she opened the first aid kit and began to clean up the cut on his forehead.

“I am so sorry Lex.” The tears that she had been trying to fight began to fall despite her efforts. She hated crying in front of people, especially Lex. He had become the strongest person she had known. Her rock. And crying in front of him made her feel so weak in comparison.

“For what?” He asked, so quietly she hardly heard him. She nearly jumped when she heard his voice but instead let out a sigh of relief. He was talking. That was a good sign anyway.

“I’ve been so damn worried about what I’d lost that I didn’t even think about what this all must be like for you.”

“Don’t.” He warned. “Don’t start blaming yourself for something you had no control over. None of this is your fault.” He winced slightly when she wiped the cut on his head with an alcohol pad.

She finished cleaning the wound and put a bandage on. “So what happened just then?” She couldn’t hide the shudder that ran through her when he looked down toward the floor. Whatever it was, must have been pretty bad.

“Lex?” She watched him as he took a deep breath and swallowed the lump in his throat.

“He had you.”

“Who? Clark?” She wondered just how hard the brick had hit him. “Lex, I was just in the kitchen. No one had me. What’s this all about?”

“Alexander was in love once.” Chloe turned to see Lionel standing in the doorway.

“Yeah, with Chelsea. He told me.” She couldn’t see how any of this was relevant to their situation.

Lionel nodded, not trying to hide his surprised look on his face. Either he wasn’t expecting her to respond to him, or she had become privy to information that Lex hadn’t told anyone else. The thought of her and Lex sharing a secret was kind of exciting in a way that she didn’t even want to think about. And understood even less.

“Did he tell you then what happened?” Lionel’s voice broke her from her train of thought. It was a good thing too considering the train had jumped track and was headed in the wrong direction.

“Dad.” Lex said, quietly and Chloe knew it was his way of asking the man to stop. It may have been three years since the accident, but the scars were still there. They probably always would be.

“She needs to know Lex. You both do. You see, I believe you were right about your friend Clark’s involvement in all of this. If my beliefs are correct, he’s being manipulated and no one can help you if you don’t know the facts.”

“I don’t need help!” Chloe could tell he was getting angry and she didn’t want to upset him but if it was something that could help her help him, then she had to take that risk. She just hoped he could forgive her for it later.

“Lex…please.” She all but pleaded with him. With a growl of frustration, he pushed himself off the ground and stalked to the other side of the room where he leaned against the door frame.

Lionel continued. “I’m assuming you know he was planning to propose to Miss Delora but never got the opportunity.”

“Yeah.” She said, looking over at Lex who had lowered himself back to the ground, his elbows resting on his elevated knees. “Something about a car accident.”

“On the contrary Miss Sullivan. It was far from being an accident.”

Chloe watched Lex’s head snap toward his father and had no doubt what was going through his mind. She knew there was about to be a battle of the Luthors and considered leaving the room but thought better of it.

“You just couldn’t do it could you?” Lex seethed. “You couldn’t stand the thought of me ever being happy so you decided to rip the one person who meant something to me away. It wasn’t enough that mom died. No, you had to take Chelsea from me too. Render me so fucking weak that I’d have no choice but to turn to you. Then just when I start to feel somewhat secure again, fling me into some other life in this cow town where you could control me from afar.”

Lionel stepped closer to him. “I may not be father of the year Lex…”

Lex laughed. “I’m not sure you could win that award dad if you were up against Henry VIII and Hitler.”

Lionel lowered his voice and sat on the edge of the bed. “I didn’t kill Chelsea Lex. And I didn’t have her killed. I’ve made mistakes in the way I raised you but I assure you that stripping you of your happiness was never my intention nor was controlling you. I have no interest in controlling you. I’m quite proud of the man you’ve become Lex and I wouldn’t want to change you. I’m far from being perfect, but I’m not the monster you believe me to be either.”
Chloe looked back at Lex and felt her eyes begin to sting with tears again at the sight before her. He sat there, completely stripped of all barriers. The man who was normally so good at controlling and hiding his emotions sat looking at his father, his soul bare and his desire to be able to believe the other man clearly visible. It wasn’t the ‘I love you’ that she knew Lex longed to hear his dad say to him, but the fact that he said he was proud of him was enough to render him speechless. She didn’t want to break the moment but none of them knew when Clark would be back or when one of his followers would plan another attack like the brick incident. If they were going to get any kind of useful information gathered, now was the time to do it.

“Mr. Luther, if you don’t mind me asking, what does Chelsea have to do with any of this?”

“Everything.” He replied. “I didn’t have anything to do with her death, but I know who did and I do believe it he may be the key to us solving the problem.”

“How long?” Lex whispered.

“Excuse me?” Lionel asked, looking at Lex, puzzled.

“How long have you known what happened to her? How long have you been keeping it from me?”

“I’ve known all along.”

“Why would you keep something like that from him?” Chloe asked, walking over and sitting next to Lex on the floor.

“Contrary to what you may believe Miss Sullivan, there was a legitimate reason.”

“And exactly what would that be?” Lex asked through gritted teeth.

“Helen Brice.”

“Who?” Chloe asked.

“She’s a doctor at Metropolis General and the head of Molecular Sciences at the University. In the past five years, she’s been working on a project that if successful, will enable her to take human brain cells and implant them into cloned animals. She’s convinced that she can create a Labrador intelligent enough to take over the world. But she needs Lex in order to accomplish it.”

“Why me?” Lex asked.

“You’re high profile, which means that the fact that you were able to skip four grades in high school is public knowledge. Your IQ is off the charts and you’ve been running half the company since you were 16. She can produce the animals and the tests but what she can’t produce is the intelligence.”

“So she wants to kill me for my brain cells?”

“Oh, she doesn’t want you dead. If you die, your brain cells do too. But she does want you willing. She wants to bring you so far down emotionally that you’ll give up and submit to her. See Chelsea was in the way. You were too happy and she hoped that killing her would destroy you. But you were stronger than she anticipated. Unfortunately, she doesn’t give up easily which is why the incident seven months ago took place.”

“So that’s why you sent me here.” Lex said, matter-of-factly.

“I believed it would be safer. But it appears Miss Brice has caught up with us.”

“Wait a minute, what happened seven months ago?” Chloe asked, trying to take it all in. She’s always known Lex was smart, but this went far beyond what she had expected.”

“I was attacked while coming out of a charity event for TriLeap Incorporated.”

“Lex managed to get away with only a bullet in the shoulder, but his best friend Eric wasn’t so lucky.”

“So once again, a family was destroyed just by knowing me.”

“Lex, you couldn’t have known what was going to happen. And yeah, it’s tragic that Eric was killed but a death doesn’t usually destroy a family.” She reached over and grabbed his hand.

“Two.”

“What?” Chloe asked, confused.

“Two deaths. Eric was Chelsea’s twin brother.”

“Oh.” She said quietly. “But you still had no way of knowing he’d get killed.”

Lex had opened his mouth to respond when there was a knock on the door just before Malachi leaned his head in.

“What is it?” Lex asked, silently thanking him for the distraction.

“Lex, Clark and Lana just pulled up.”

“Thank you Malachi.” Malachi nodded and walked back out. Lex stood and looked at Chloe, locking his eyes with hers briefly before turning to his dad. “It’s happening all over again isn’t it?”

“I’m afraid so.” Lionel replied. “But this time we’re fighting back.” Lex nodded slightly and walked out of the room. Chloe stood and proceeded to follow when she was stopped by Lionel.

“Overwhelming isn’t it?”

Chloe turned and looked at him. “I don’t know what to do for him.”

“There isn’t much you can do Miss Sullivan. Other than staying alive.”

“He asked you if it was happening all over again. What did he mean by that?”

Lionel put his hands on her shoulders. “Miss. Brice doesn’t play nice. As I said before, she’ll do whatever she has to do to break Lex’s barriers down and render him, how do they say, living dead. Right now, there’s only one thing she can go after that can do that.”

“Which would be?” She asked.

“You.”

“Me?” She asked, shock apparent.

“Can you honestly tell me you don’t know how my son feels about you?”

“I know he’s attracted to me Mr. Luthor. He’s told me that, but…”

“It goes far beyond attraction Miss Sullivan.”

“Excuse me?”

“Lex is one hell of a business man. He can bluff the best of them. But when it comes to his feelings, he wears his heart on his sleeve, as he likes to put it. He looks at you like you’re the only one in the room and to him, you are. Look into his eyes when he looks at you. If you can’t see then how much he loves you, then you aren’t really looking.”

Chloe nearly collapsed with the feelings that were going through her. Sure, Lex had told her that he was attracted to her. He even said that he cared about her. But loved her? How could he love her? All she had managed to do the past few days was cause him problems. It was her fault that he was in this mess. Had she just stayed away to begin with and not been so damn adamant about getting that interview, he never would have gone to her and none of this would be happening. That bitch Helen wouldn’t have the leverage to use against him and he would have been able to go on with his life. But then she would have just found another way. If it wasn’t her, she would have found something else to use against him. But what could he possibly see in her? She was just some 17 year old high school girl whose biggest ambitions in life were The Torch and trying to get a job at the local newspaper office. She wasn’t smart like he was. She wasn’t what people considered to be beautiful or intelligent. So why would he want her?

“Regardless of what you think of yourself, Lex sees something in you.”

“Why?” She asked, trying desperately to understand.

“I don’t try to understand my son or the way his mind works. I gave up on that a long time ago. All I can honestly tell you is that his feelings for you are very strong. What you have to ask yourself now Miss Sullivan, is how do you feel about him?”
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

It had been twenty minutes since Lionel left Chloe standing in that room trying to gather her thoughts and she still wasn’t any closer to figuring anything out now than she was then. So much had happened and her feelings were so jumbled that trying to single any particular one out was near impossible and trying was doing nothing but giving her a migraine. She knew one thing for sure. She had to get the hell out of that room.

Shaking her head in frustration, she turned on her heel and walked out of the small area and toward the stairs, descending them two at a time. By the time she got into the kitchen, everyone was crowded around the table again. Clark was talking to his dad about his visit with Pete and Lana was talking to Martha. Everything appeared to be normal. But then again, normalcy had a whole new definition these days.

“Hey guys. How was your trip?” Chloe asked them, playing along. She longed for the day that they could stop pretending and everything could go back to the way it was before. Or at least as close to it as possible. That damn bitch took away their lives and Chloe made a mental note to make her rue the day she messed with them. She wasn’t sure how yet, but she would make sure it happened if it was the last thing she did.

“Hey Chlo. It was pretty uneventful but Pete said to tell you he misses you.” Clark smiled.

“I miss him too. It just doesn’t seem right without him here.”

“He’s playing football again. Quarterback. Can you believe that?”

“Pete isn’t big enough to play quarterback. He’ll get trampled!”

“We tried to tell him that but you know Pete. He’s stubborn and hard-headed.” Lana chuckled.

“Yeah, well he always did have to learn things the hard way. When he winds up in a full body cast and traction, he’ll wish he’d listened.” She laughed. “Hey Lana, can I talk to you a minute?”

“Something wrong?” Clark asked, his face showing concern.

“Nope, just girl talk. You know, PMS, periods, tampons, sex. That sort of thing.”

“Too much information.” Clark grumbled.

“Well, maybe next time you’ll know better than to ask.” She grinned, pulling Lana back up the stairs.

“So how was the trip really?” She asked Lana as soon as they got to her room.

“I swear Chloe, I don’t know what to think anymore. I mean it’s like one minute he’s acting normal, the next he’s gone psycho, then he’s back to normal again. I just want Clark back.”

“Yeah, me too. Did he try anything or act funny while you were gone?”

“No, that’s just it. It was so easy to be around him and it scares me. I’m so worried that I’ll get too comfortable with the ‘normal’ Clark and not even realize it when he switches.” Chloe nodded. “So what happened here while we were gone?”

“Lionel’s on our side.”

“Yeah, right. Come on Chloe, you don’t really expect me to believe that do you?”

“Not really, but it’s the truth. I know it shocked me too. He really does want to help though and as much as I never believed it would ever happen, he actually cares about Lex. He even told him he was proud of him.”

“What’s happening to our town?” Lana asked in shock.

“I don’t know, but that’s not all of it.” She bit her bottom lip.

“You mean there’s more?” She asked hesitantly.

Chloe nodded. “According to Lionel, Lex is in love with me.”

Lana’s eyes grew large as her jaw dropped. “Are you serious?”

“That was pretty much my reaction too.”

“What are you gonna do?”
“I don’t know. Lionel said I need to ask myself how I feel about Lex but it’s not that easy. I mean up until two days ago, I really didn’t know anything about him other than the fact that he’s a 21 year old billionaire who owns a company and drives expensive sports cars. Not really much to base feelings on.”

“Yeah but you’ve gotten to know him better since this all started, haven’t you?”

“Well yeah but…” She hesitated.

“Did you find out something that bothered you?”

“No, nothing like that. I mean he’s been through hell. Just about everyone he’s ever really cared about has been ripped away from him somehow, he’s had people try to kill him more often than not and he’s spent the past several years thinking his dad hated him. He’s a mess.”

“Just because he’s a mess doesn’t mean he doesn’t feel Chloe. I mean if you’re thinking that his feelings for you aren’t real, you can’t really base them on things that have happened to him. People overcome their past everyday. It’s what makes it the past. The question is can you see any kind of a future with him?”

“I don’t know Lana. I really don’t know. I mean I’m not gonna lie about it, I’ve always been attracted to him. But how do you know how you really feel about someone?”

“There really isn’t an answer for that. It’s something you have to find out for yourself. But the way I’ve always known, is when I looked at Clark, the only things I could think about was how much he meant to me. How much I wanted to be with him and how lost I would be if anything ever happened to him. Before all this happened was your attraction based on the few things that you knew about him or was it based on him?”

“What do you mean?”

“I mean did the fact that he was four years older, had a ton of money and owned a bunch of fancy cars have anything to do with your attraction toward him or were you attracted to him because of who he is? What was it about Lex Luthor that made your toes curl?”

Chloe chuckled. “If you’re asking me if the fact that he’s loaded means anything to me, I could care less. I’m confused, not shallow.”

“Martha said that there was some sort of accident while we were gone.”

“Oh, way to change the subject.” She huffed. “Someone threw a brick through a window.”

“Is that how Lex got the cut on his forehead?”

“Yeah, it hit him pretty hard. Stupid jerks could have killed him. I swear I wa…” Chloe swallowed the lump in her throat and furrowed her eyebrows. “Um, I’m gonna go take a shower. Could you um…could you just tell everyone I’ll be down in a few minutes?” Lana nodded and walked out of the room, Chloe missing the grin that had formed on her face.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Chloe’s few minute shower turned into a four hour session of which she spent most of sitting on the shower floor letting the water spray in her face. It was already after midnight and the water had long ago turned cold but it was soothing somehow. Her conversation with Lana kept playing over and over in her head but there was only one part of it that really stuck out.

…the way I’ve always known, is when I looked at Clark, the only things I could think about was how much he meant to me. How much I wanted to be with him and how lost I would be if anything ever happened to him.

…and how lost I would be if anything ever happened to him.

The truth was, when that brick hit Lex in the head, the only two things going through her mind was how badly she wanted to choke the person responsible and… Getting up off the shower floor, she shut the water off and stepped out, quickly drying off and throwing on a nightgown that Martha had bought her in town earlier that day. There was something she had to do.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

It wasn’t surprising to her that everyone had gone to bed. She wasn’t even surprised that Lionel was camped out on the living room couch. What she was surprised about was that even though Lex’s bedroom light was off, he was leaning against the wall in the corner wide awake and looking out the window. It wasn’t that she’d expected him to be asleep, because she didn’t, she’d just expected that he’d be at the desk working on something. He was a natural born work-a-holic.

“Hey.” His low voice spoke out through the dark.

“Hey. Not working tonight?”

He shrugged. “I don’t even know where to start. I was beginning to get worried. Lana said you’d be out hours ago.”

“Yeah, I needed some time to think.” She walked over toward him.

“Everything alright?” He asked.

She leaned against the wall in front of him. “It is now. There were just some things I needed to figure out.” She smiled.

“I’m tired Chloe.” She hadn’t been expecting that . Though considering the day he’d had, she guessed she shouldn’t be too surprised. She simply closed her eyes and nodded her head.

“You know I’ve always been a strong believer that we get one chance in life.” He paused, waiting until she opened his eyes again. His face was less than two inches from hers and she could feel his breath against her skin. “One real chance where we can either be the coward or the hero. All my life I’ve been the coward. Running from my problems and denying everything that I’ve felt that maybe seems scary at first. But I’m tired of being the coward.”

“You’re the strongest person I know Lex. What are you talking about?”

He gave her a very slight smirk and lowered his head. “Nothing. Just blowing off steam.”

She bit her lower lip. He was pulling away again. Closing himself off and there was nothing she could do about it. If he didn’t want to open up to her, she couldn’t force it. But she really wished he’d let her in.

“Do you trust me?”

“You’re about the only person I do trust these days Chloe.”

She nodded. If he trusted her, then why was he putting up that damn wall with her? Trying to understand Lex Luthor was like sprinkling cookie crumbs all over the floor to try to get rid of roaches. Highly improbable but not completely impossible. After all, the cookies could be laced with arsenic or something, right? It was all she could do to keep from groaning at the stupid thoughts going through her mind. Men!

“I should probably go on to bed.” She said, trying to hide the hurt in her voice. “Try and get some sleep ok?” He nodded before she started walking away from him. She hadn’t made it far though before his hand reached out and grabbed hold of her arm gently.

“I don’t really want to be alone.” He whispered. Chloe knew that not many people got to see that side of him. He had spent so many years perfecting his harder side that it’s what came natural to him. Maybe she could get him to talk yet. One thing was for sure, she wasn’t about to give up on him. But she was beginning to get confused. One minute he was completely bared and open to her and the next that damn wall went back up. It terrified her that maybe psycho lady was succeeding in her plan. Breaking him down emotionally. How long would it be before there was nothing left of him? Or was this something she was causing? Hadn’t she been acting rather up and down the past 24 hours herself? Being pissed at him one minute and nearly pawing after him just hours later? Ok, so maybe pawing was a bit of a strong word but walking into a guy’s room wearing something that could barely classify as a nightgown after biting their head off for having a sex dream about you could be confusing as hell. Well, there wasn’t much she could do about it now.

“Me either.”

He merely nodded as he walked over and lay down on the bed, pulling her down next to him. She turned onto her side and put her arm over his chest, getting as close as she possibly could without crawling inside of him. He didn’t seem to mind though, as he wrapped his arm around her back and pulled her even closer. She smiled to herself at how safe the gesture made her feel.

Trying to adjust so that her right arm wasn’t laying directly under her, she leaned up to shift her body slightly but found herself looking down at the man holding her. Lionel had been right. When Chloe looked at Lex, she found an emotion in his eyes that was so raw and strong that it was both heartbreaking and exciting at the same time. And it was directed at her. She wasn’t sure whether she wanted to cry or wrap him up in a ball and never let him go. She had gotten so caught up in her thoughts that the sound of the toilet flushing down the hall caught her off guard. Jumping from the sound, she tumbled over the side of the bed to the floor, taking Lex down with her and smacking her head on the nightstand. “Shit!” She hissed, reaching her hand up to the side of her head where it had connected with the small piece of furniture.

“Are you ok?” He asked.

“Yeah, I just hit my head.”

“Here, let me see.” Turning her head to the side with his hand, he carefully moved her hair out of the way and looked to make sure she hadn’t cut herself on the corner of the stand but didn’t see anything. “I think it’ll be alright.”

Chloe’s heart was pounding when she turned her head and realized that his face was just millimeters away from hers and he didn’t look to be in any hurry to move. She wasn’t what most people would consider to be a real forward person when it came to the opposite sex but for some reason, she couldn’t manage to keep still and before she really knew what was happening, her mouth was on his.

Lex closed his eyes trying to take in the feeling of kissing her. Burning the feeling of her lips on his into his memory, not ever wanting to forget it. He knew it was the only real way he could have her and he didn’t want to lose this moment, brief as it may be.

Pulling away, he tried to gather his thoughts. “Chloe, stop.” He said quietly, turning his head to the side.

Her face turned bright red and she was clearly embarrassed. “I’m sorry. I…I thought you…”

“You know I do.” He responded, knowing what she was thinking. There was no mistaking the fact that he wanted her. He had made that clear the night before but he couldn’t have her. Not the way he wanted anyway. “But you don’t. And I won’t be what you regret in the morning.”

She frowned. “I thought you knew me better than that. I don’t go after things I don’t want. And I certainly don’t go after them without a lot of thought. I spent four hours sitting on the floor of that damn shower in water cold enough to freeze a live chicken, thinking about my feelings and in less than two minutes you’ve managed to make them sound fake.” She said quietly, a stray tear making it’s way down her cheek.

“That wasn’t what I meant.” He wiped the tear away with his thumb. “But like you, I don’t go into things halfway. When I told you I wanted you, I wasn’t trying to get you into my bed. I want you Chloe. You. So if you have any reservations, any doubts at all, I need you to tell me now. Because if this goes any further, I won’t be able stop it. I’m not strong enough to walk away from you.”

“I don’t want you to walk away Lex. If I wasn’t sure about this or if I had reservations, I would have ran the minute I realized I was in love with you. I wou…” Lex’s mouth caught hers, effectively cutting off her ability to speak. Deepening the kiss, he completely lost himself in her, feeling for the first time in days like he actually had something to look forward to.

Reaching her hands down, Chloe grabbed the lower hem on his shirt and gently began to lift, wanting to feel as close to him as possible. Breaking away briefly, Lex pulled the garment off from his body before returning his mouth to hers. They were both so caught up in each other that neither could recall the point in which the rest of their clothes joined his discarded t-shirt. Lex leaned up on his elbows, taking in the site of her as if for the first time. She thought she would feel self-conscience under his gaze, but all she felt was sexy and wanted. That was when she realized that although he may not be the first person she would be with, he would be the first person she made love to and that made her love him even more. She felt at home with him in a way that she never had before.

His fingers ran over her outer thigh before moving upward and intertwining with hers as they made eye contact. Chloe felt nothing short of contentment as their bodies slowly rocked together. For the first time in three days, she felt truly safe in his arms. All she could do, all she wanted to do, was pour herself into him as much as he was her, make him feel as loved as he was making her feel. It wasn’t rushed, or sloppy. It was slow and sweet and caring. It was beautiful.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Forty-five minutes later, Chloe lay with her head on Lex’s chest, running her fingers over his stomach.

“Can I ask you a question?” She asked, looking up at him.

“Yeah.”

“What’s TriLeap Incorporated?”

“An Orphanage for children with special needs.”

“Who sponsored the charity event you were leaving when you got shot?”

“A kid by the name of Peter Parker. His grandfather owned TriLeap up until he was shot about a year ago.”

“Peter inherited it?”

“He was the only living heir. Funny thing is he runs the company better than his grandfather does.”

“How old is he?”

“I don’t know. Sixteen or seventeen I guess.”

“You said his last name is Parker?”

“Yeah. Why?”

“Lex, that’s it.” Chloe said, excitedly.

“What’s it?” He questioned.

“I know how we can beat her.”

TBC…

[pipersmum]

This just keeps getting better and better i loved this bit in chapter 4 :-
When Lex fully opened his eyes and saw her kneeling over him, that was the point. The exact point when he knew just how far his feelings went for Chloe. It was at that point that he knew he loved her.


Chapter 5 was really, really good you are so good and writing down peoples feelings and i loved this bit:-

“Lex is one hell of a business man. He can bluff the best of them. But when it comes to his feelings, he wears his heart on his sleeve, as he likes to put it. He looks at you like you’re the only one in the room and to him, you are. Look into his eyes when he looks at you. If you can’t see then how much he loves you, then you aren’t really looking.”

This part just made my heart melt........:-


But you always have a habit of ending on a cliff hanger and this chapter was no exception aaragh!!!!


“You said his last name is Parker?”

“Yeah. Why?”

“Lex, that’s it.” Chloe said, excitedly.

“What’s it?” He questioned.

“I know how we can beat her.”


Please, please hurry back with another update:grin3:

[hfce]

I just read the two updates. I loved them. I am so glad they finally got together. Now all they have to do is defeat Helen. I can't wait to see them do that. ;)


Hope :)

[Kit Merlot]

Ann, those were two excellent updates! I love your version of Lionel--still kind of a bastard, but he does have Lex's best iterests at heart.

Nicely done:grin3:

[eternitychlex]

I love it..................Please Update

[Ann]

Disillusioned Perception
By: Ann
Rating: R
Summary: Lex finds himself in more trouble than he anticipated.
Coupling: Lex/Chloe, Clark/Lana
Disclaimer: I own Malachi, Dent, Noah and any other characters that I choose to dream up. Unfortunately, I can’t claim any of the regular Smallville charries.

Previously on Disillusioned Perception:

Forty-five minutes later, Chloe lay with her head on Lex’s chest, running her fingers over his stomach.

“Can I ask you a question?” She asked, looking up at him.

“Yeah.”

“What’s TriLeap Incorporated?”

“An Orphanage for children with special needs.”

“Who sponsored the charity event you were leaving when you got shot?”

“A kid by the name of Peter Parker. His grandfather owned TriLeap up until he was shot about a year ago.”

“Peter inherited it?”

“He was the only living heir. Funny thing is he runs the company better than his grandfather did.”

“How old is he?”

“I don’t know. Sixteen or seventeen I guess.”

“You said his last name is Parker?”

“Yeah. Why?”

“Lex, that’s it.” Chloe said, excitedly.

“What’s it?” He questioned.

“I know how we can beat her.”
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*





"There will be no justice as long as man will stand with a knife or with a gun and destroy those who are weaker than he is."
-Isaac Bashevis Singer-


Part Eight- When Justice Fails

Lex slid his hand up and down her back, a slightly confused look on his face. “Chloe, you know I’m open for suggestions, but I’m failing to see what Peter Parker’s charity event has to do with Helen Brice and her murderous intentions.”

“What happened to Peter’s parents?” Chloe asked.

“I really don’t know. Rumor has it they were both killed but I don’t know the specifics.”

Chloe feigned shock. “You must be slipping. I thought you always knew the specifics.”

“Only if they have something to do with me or someone I’m closely associated with.”

“Don’t you have to be closely associated with Peter to be invited to his charity events? Last I knew those weren’t the kind of occasions just anyone was invited to.”

“You’re right, they aren’t. But my business relationship with Peter doesn’t go beyond sending a check every month and making sure the children get proper medical attention.”

“Why are you in charge of their medical attention?” Chloe asked, eyebrows raised.

He smirked. “Before I came to Smallville, I went through what my father likes to call my bad boy phase.”

“Oh really.” She grinned. “And exactly how bad were you? I mean if you’re an ex-con, the least you could do is tell me.”

“Trust me, I’m not an ex-con.”

“Oh, well that’s a relief. I mean what would the people of this wonderful little town say if they found out I was not only spending a lot of time with an ex-con, but sleeping with him too?” She joked.

“Yeah well, if I’d been anyone else, you wouldn’t have to worry about it because I’d most likely be sitting in a prison cell right now.”

“Well you don’t remind me of the killer type and I certainly doubt you’d be doing time for theft so that leaves…”

“Drugs.” He said seriously.

“Drugs?” She asked, surprise evident in her voice. “What kind of drugs?”

He shrugged. “Cocaine, Acid, Heroin. It didn’t matter. Whatever it took to stay numb.”

“So what happened? You got busted?”

“Yeah, I got busted. The first two times my father just paid off the cops and they let me go. My record stayed clean and the Luthor name remained untainted.”

“The first two times?”

“The last time they weren’t so easy on me. The sheriff said he was tired of some punk rich kid getting away with whatever he wanted and he was going to personally see to it that it didn’t happen again.”

“So what did he do to you?” Chloe asked as she propped herself up on her elbow.

“Well I had two choices. Do what he said and keep my record clean or face the judge. I spent two weeks in county, three months in rehab, and had to agree to donate to a local charity organization for a year. Considering the fact that if I had faced the judge, I was looking at five years minimum in state pen, I still got off pretty easy.”

“How long ago was that?”

“Thirteen months.”

“But it’s been longer than a year. You could have stopped donating to them a month ago.”

“I could have. But when I chose them I discovered that the kids were lucky to see a doctor once a year and a dentist less often than that. Parker simply didn’t have the funds to keep up with it all.”

“So you stayed on and took over their medical expenses?” She asked.

“Letting a bunch of little kids die of Scarlet Fever or have all their teeth rot out when I know I have the money to try to prevent it isn’t something I’m willing to do. A doctor goes in once a month and for emergencies and they send me the bills. I’m surprised you didn’t know about any of this before.”

“I knew you were pretty wild. That’s all in public records and what kind of reporter would I be if I didn’t check those?” She grinned. “But even I can’t dig up buried records and Clark’s never said anything. There would have been no way for me to know about it.”

“Clark doesn’t know. We never really talk about our past.”

“Oh.” Chloe said, sitting up.

Lex let out a deep breath and wiped his face with his hands. “Is this something that’s going to be a problem?”

Chloe slipped her nightgown over her head and turned back to him. “What you’ve done in your past is exactly that Lex. It’s your past. What worries me is that something might happen that could cause you to revert back. I mean you said it. It’s only been a little over a year. What happens when things get worse? And they will. Do you go back to using to stay numb?”

“Look” Lex said, pulling his boxers back on. “I’m not going to try to tell you that there aren’t times when I crave it. When I feel like maybe just one hit will help make the day go by easier. But I can tell you that I’m not the same person I used to be. I’m not the same person who wakes up in the middle of the schoolyard not remembering how I got there. I’m not the same person who walks around in a daze not really hearing anyone because my mind’s too clouded to take anything in. I’m not the same person who doesn’t know who I am. Who is so disconnected from reality that I can’t hardly function. It’s a constant battle but it’s one that I continue to fight because I don’t want to go back to being that person. I’ve worked too hard and come too damn far to go back to that. But Chloe if this changes anything, then I need you to tell me now.”

“It doesn’t. I’m just worried that’s all. This whole situation makes me nervous.” Chloe replied, sitting on the bed. “I won’t give up Lex.”

“Neither will I. You said earlier that you thought you knew how we could beat her.”

“I’m not positive if it’s the same family or not, but the place I order my coffee beans from is a company out of Jamaica called Parker-Brice. Now like I said, I don’t know if it’s the same Parker and Brice or not, but it seems awfully coincidental. Did you happen to see Mr. Parker’s will?”

“No, I had no reason to.” Lex said. “Why?”

“Well, most business owners, as I’m sure you know, have their wills set up so that when they die, their company goes to the oldest son or male figure in the family. You said that Peter was the only heir. But what if he wasn’t? What if he was just the only male heir? It stands for reason that any females in the family could hold at least a bit of jealousy and resentment.”

“So what you’re saying is that Helen could be Peter’s what? Sister?”

“I’m saying it’s possible. I mean think about it. She doesn’t want you dead because you’re too valuable to her. Yet she has you shot outside a charity event that Peter’s holding? How does that kind of thing look to investors of an Orphanage? Psycho opens fire in front of an orphanage putting hundreds of young children at risk. Not exactly a glowing recommendation to someone looking for a place to send children.” She said, laying back on the matress.

“So not only is she trying to use me as a guinnea pig, but she’s also trying to use me to bring down Peter.” Lex said, sitting down next to her and taking in the information.

“What better way to be able to take over the company? I mean if Peter’s proven unfit to run it, then that leaves her doesn’t it?”

“This is all assuming that they are related which right now, we have no proof of.”

“Well, I could try to get the proof if I had my computer but it got trashed with my car.”

“You can look it up from any computer?”

“Yeah if you know what you’re doing. It takes a little while but it’s really not that hard.”

Lex nodded. “I’ll have Malachi bring one in. Tomorrow we take our lives back.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

They had been staring at the screen of the laptop computer Malachi brought for what seemed like days but had in fact only been about four hours. Chloe had searched avenue after avenue just to keep running into roadblocks. It was beyond frustrating and they were quickly losing hope. Finding opportunities to keep searching was about to become more difficult as Thanksgiving vacation was two days away which meant that Clark would be home for a week.

Jonathan and Lionel had gone into Metropolis earlier that morning, a fact that left Lex and Chloe feeling rather uneasy. As much as he wanted to, Lex still couldn’t make himself trust his father. Whether or not he would ever be able to was yet to be determined. But at that moment, his broken relationship with Lionel was the furthest thing from his mind as he paced the kitchen floor. He had more important things to deal with and little time to do it in.

“Nothing’s showing up?” He asked, rubbing a hand over his scalp.

“Well I’ve been able to determine that Peter’s family are the same Parker’s as the coffee franchise owners, but I’ve yet to find any information on the Brice’s. It’s like they just don’t exist.”

“Maybe they don’t.” Martha said, taking a sip from her coffee mug.

“What do you mean?” Chloe asked.

“Well, businesses get certain tax breaks if they have partners or stock holders. It could be that the Parker’s used the Brice name as a phantom partner to cut corners tax wise.”

“So it might have nothing to do with Helen at all.” Chloe groaned before looking over at Lex. “I’m sorry. I really though there was a connection.”

“Maybe there is.” He replied, sitting down at the table.

“What do you mean?” Martha asked.

“Can you hack into the Kansas state physician system?” Lex asked Chloe.

“I’m sure I can, given enough time. Why?”

“Maybe there’s a reason why you can’t find any information on the Brice’s.”

“Like maybe they don’t exist.” Chloe finished his thought, grinning.

“Maybe Helen Brice isn’t who she says she is.” He said.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Another two hours and several cups of coffee later, Chloe was still sitting at the computer. She had managed to hack her way into the system just thirty minutes before and was in the process of rummaging through the physicians currently listed in the Metropolis area. Martha had just left for town to pick up the parts for the tractor, Lana left school early and was looking for some sort of clue as to what caused most of the town to go wacky in Clark’s room, and Lex had gone upstairs to take a call from Malachi. The security team was watching the farm closely and checked in on an hourly basis.

“A hundred and eighteen thousand doctors in Metropolis. Pathetic. No town has that many sick people!” She grumbled “Wait a minute…”
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

“How would they have gotten that information Malachi?” Lex asked, pinching the bridge of his nose between his thumb and forefinger. “But why Italy? What would they have to gain? Damn it! Get me the number for Bradburg.” He quickly wrote the number down and slammed the phone down onto the holder. This was getting worse by the minute. Unclipping his cell phone from his belt, he punched the number into the keypad.

“Bradburg. Abbiamo un problema. Prendere Fingersi Ammalato per chiudere la pianta di Italia e muovere tutti gli impiegati alla pianta di Mosca immediatamente.”

Hanging up the phone again, he looked up and realized he wasn’t alone.

“Lana. Find anything helpful?”

“I don’t know. Depends on what you consider to be useful.” She smiled, walking over to where he sat at the desk.

“Anything that can help us find a way out of this mess.”

“Oh, I think I might be able to help with that problem.”

“Care to enlighten me?” He asked.

“I’d love to.” She said huskily, reaching her hand out and running it down his chest just before straddling his lap.

“Lana, what are you doing?” Lex asked, quickly becoming increasingly uncomfortable. He wasn’t sure what had come over Lana, but whatever it was, it couldn’t be good.

“You asked me to help you out of this mess Lex. I’m simply granting your wish.” She said, pulling his shirt out of his waistband.

“Lana this isn’t you. You need medical attention. Let me call in my doctors and we’ll get you the help you need.” He tried to reason with her.

“I don’t want a doctor Lex. I want you. And you want me too. You just need to admit it to yourself.” She reached down and pulled her shirt off, her black lace bra all that was left covering her upper body.

“Lana I don’t…”

“Lex I found som…..thing.”

Lex looked up to see Chloe staring at him, tears running down her face. “Chloe! It isn’t what it looks like!”

“What?” Lana shrieked. “What’s going on Lex?”

“Get the hell off of me Lana.” He all but growled, carefully pushing her off of him and making his way toward Chloe who turned and ran out of the room.”

“But Lex, you said you loved me!” Lana yelled, a wicked grin on her face

“Chloe!” Lex called, following Chloe down the stairs.

“She’s my best friend Lex.” She stopped and turned to him. “My best friend. How could you?” She started running through the house again, Lex on her heels.

“Chloe I didn’t….” His sentence trailed off as he walked into the kitchen and stopped dead in his tracks when he realized they weren’t alone.

“Lex Luthor?”

“Yes?” Lex asked the officer who was standing next to a confused looking Martha Kent.

“You have the right to remain silent.”

TBC…

[gecko]

wow, crazy chapter, great update, so hate lana trying to break up lex and chloe, can't wait to see what lex has been charged with and what's going to happen next. great work

[pipersmum]

What is going on everyone is acting crazy:eek: What has Lex been charged with ??? Will Chloe know that Lana pushed herself on Lex or is she going to believe Lana ??? So many questions I can't wait for another update to find out :D

[eternitychlex]

Oh My GOd!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Please update soon.........this story just rocks!!!!! I can not wait to see what happens next..........

[hfce]

Blaa needs to die. :mad: and chloe needs to calm down and believe Lex and why is he being arrested? ;)



Hope :)

[Ann]

Wow! Thank you for the wonderful feedback. Here's the next part. I hope you all like it. :)

Disillusioned Perception
By: Ann
Rating: Mature
Summary: Lex and jail. That’s all I’ll give ya.
Coupling: Lex/Chloe, Clark/Lana
Disclaimer: I only own the characters I’ve created.
Warning: This part contains heavy language!

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~*~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Part Nine: When faith is lost…

“Anything you say can, and will, be used against you in a court of law.” The young, sandy-blonde haired cop continued as he slapped the cuffs onto Lex’s wrists. Martha and Chloe stood in stunned silence, not sure how to react.

“You have the right to consult with an attorney and to have one present when questioned by the police. If you cannot afford an attorney, one will be appointed to represent you.” Lex had to hold back a chuckle at that last line. Even with as many times as he’d been arrested and as well known as he was, they still added that part. He guessed he should be glad at least someone in this piss ant town treated him like everyone else. Even if it was just long enough to drag him to jail.

“There has to be some kind of mistake officer.” Martha spoke up, trying to understand what was going on.

“There’s no mistake ma’am. Now if you’ll excuse us.” Lex looked at Chloe as the officer was escorting him out of the house but Chloe wouldn’t return his gaze. Instead she just turned and walked out of the kitchen, never looking back.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

It didn’t seem to matter how many times he’d been in this same situation. Lex would never get used to being in a jail cell. The officer had told him what he was being charged with. And yet again, the charges were valid. Even when he was trying to stay straight, he always managed to find himself in situations that got him into trouble. Funny thing was, he hadn’t given the possibility of being behind bars a thought this time. All the other times he’d been in jail, he’d known he would end up there eventually. But he failed to consider it as a possibility this time.

“First time in the slammer?” A man with a deep voice asked. Lex looked behind him at the man, who with his black beard hanging halfway down his chest, small silver hoop earring in his left ear, and leather pants and vest, looked like he belonged in a biker gang.

“Fourth.” Lex mumbled, wondering why he was even talking to him.

“Awful young to be catching up with me boy. Keep going at that rate, you’ll make a career out of it.” The man paused briefly, pursing his eyebrows. “Name’s Styles.”

Lex walked over and sat on the bench. “Lex.” He said, looking over at the bars.

“So what’d she do Lex?” The man asked.

“Who?” Lex mumbled again.

“The bitch who’s got your mind all clouded.”

“She isn’t a bitch.”

“Man you’re either in serious denial or she’s pulled a real number over on you.” Lex was trying his best to keep what little patience he had left in tact but this guy was becoming a real pain in the ass.

“Do not meddle in things you know nothing about!” Lex spat out. He was in a bad enough mood already. The last thing he needed or wanted was some punk jerk attacking Chloe.

Styles merely chuckled. “I’ve been in here more in the past two years than not. Ninety percent of the men they’ve thrown in here wear the same expression on their faces that you’re wearing right now.”

“And exactly what look is that?”

“The one that says being in here is the furthest thing from your mind because somewhere you’ve got some bitch who ran off with your best friend. Most guys tend to get themselves thrown in here when they figure they have nothing else to lose.”

“There’s always something to lose.” Lex mumbled.

“Look in the mirror and tell yourself that Lex. You can try to convince yourself that the only thing bothering you is the fact that you’re stuck in a cage with some loony, but I know better. It’s in your eyes. So I’ll tell you what. I’m just gonna sit over here and mind my own. When you decide you want to talk about it, I’m a great listener.”

They sat there for the better part of twenty minutes, neither saying anything before Lex spoke quietly.

“She thinks I cheated on her with her best friend.”

“Did you?”

“Of course not!”

“Then why does she think you did?”

“She walked in on something that…”

“That made her think you were porking her best friend?”

“Tact really isn’t something you possess is it?”

“Tact is overrated.”
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

“For the sake of my sanity please tell me you didn’t give her that bullshit line of it not being what it looked like.”

“It isn’t bullshit Styles because it wasn’t what it looked like.”

“Did you not learn anything from Growing Pains or Passions?” He asked exasperated. Lex stared at him, a perplexed look on his face. “Do you own a tv?” He asked, his voice monotone and drawn out.

“Ugh!” He ground out at Lex’s lack of an answer. “Ninety-nine percent of the time when some shmuck gives his chick the line of it not being what it looks like, it’s bullshit. They just don’t want to be figured out. They want the piece of ass and the fucking great personality too and you can’t have it that way man. It’s either one or the other. If I was her, I wouldn’t have believed you either.”

He was screwed no matter how he looked at it. Even if he could beat these charges, the chances of him ever getting back into Chloe’s good graces were extremely slim. Even though what happened between he and Lana wasn’t what it looked like, he’d blown the one chance he had with the one person who made fighting worth it. And the worst part of it was, he was beginning to believe what Styles said. He really didn’t have anything else to lose. He groaned outwardly, dropping his head into his hands.

“Lex!” He looked up to see Martha and Jonathan standing outside the cell looking at him.

“Martha. Jonathan. Is there any news?” He stood up and walked over to the bars.

“Your dad’s out in the lobby talking to the arresting officer now. Were gonna get you out of here as soon as possible.” Lex looked up toward the ceiling.

“I don’t think he can bail me out of this one.”

“What are they charging you with Lex?” Jonathan asked.

“Lex please tell me that you didn’t sleep with her.” Lionel’s said, entering the room.

“Nice to see you too dad.”

“She’s seventeen Lex. You’re twenty-one. Statutory rape is a very serious offence.”

“I’m aware of the age difference, but thank you for the recap.” Lex replied sarcastically.

“Statutory rape?” Martha asked. “So what Lana said...”

“What did Lana say?” Lex asked.

Jonathan let out a deep breath. “She’s going around the house telling everyone that you took advantage of her.”

“WHAT?” Lex roared. “I didn’t touch Lana.”

“What did I tell ya Lex? Bitches. All of them. Chick tries to ride you like a stallion, gets you in trouble with your girlfriend then blames you for it. Get rid of them both man, you don’t need this shit.” Styles said, shaking his head.

“So what really happened?” Lionel asked.

“I’ll tell ya what happened.” Styles said, walking over to the bars. Lex normally would have stopped him but he didn’t really feel like explaining it again.

“Chick comes in, tells him she wants to ride him like the fucking royal express on family free day, starts stripping in front of him, tries taking his clothes off, then makes up some bullshit story. If you ask me, she’s trying to break up Lex here and his girlfriend who in my opinion, isn’t worth all the trouble anyway.”

“Girlfriend?” Martha asked.

“Yeah some little blonde chick. What’d you say her name was again? Christy? Cassie?”

“Chloe?” Jonathan asked.

“Chloe! That’s it.”

“Chloe’s your girlfriend?” Martha asked.

“Well she was.” Lex replied quietly.

“You’re behind the times people, catch up.” Styles said, rolling his eyes.

“So why’d you sleep with Lana then?”

“I didn’t sleep with Lana.” Lex said, rubbing the back of his hand.

“Well then we can beat this. If you didn’t sleep with her then the charges aren’t valid, right?” Martha asked, a hopeful pitch in her voice. Lex slid down the wall, pulling his knees up to his chest and dropping his face into his hands again.

“Oh.” Martha said, understanding.

“Like I said.” Lex mumbled. “I can’t beat the charges.”

“Wait a minute dude. Who pressed charges in the first place?” Styles asked.

“Lana’s aunt Nell. Her and Lana must have arranged it before she hit on Lex.” Martha answered.

“Well then there’s your loophole.”

“What do you mean?” Jonathan asked.

“He didn’t sleep with this Lana chick and no one’s pressed charges for him doing his girlfriend. So prove the charges are false and you’re free.”

“How am I supposed to do that?”

“Find a way to prove you didn’t pork the bitch.”

“Tact isn’t your strong suit is it?” Jonathan asked.

Lex looked up at him. “Tact is overrated.”
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

“What happened wasn’t his fault Chloe.”

“How can you defend him? I walked into that room. I saw what was going on.”

“Did you? Is it even remotely possible that what you saw might not have been what it appeared to be?”

“She was sitting on his lap without a shirt on! I think appearances were very clear.” Chloe said, digging through a pile of clothes that Martha had given her.

“Did you know that right before the incident between Lex and Lana she called Nell and claimed that she’d slept with him and that’s why he’s sitting in that jail cell right now?”

“Oh so it’s happened before? He played me and I completely fell for it!” Chloe plopped down on the bed and wiped furiously at the tears streaming down her cheeks.

“What if I can prove to you that he didn’t?” Martha and Chloe looked up to see Malachi standing in the doorway, a stack of papers in his hands.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

“It was all a setup.” Chloe said, looking at the transcripts from the phone company. She looked over at Martha. “I really blew it didn’t I? I can’t imagine what he thinks of me right now.”

“He’s terrified of losing you Chloe and you just proved to him how easy it can be. Now I only know the bits and pieces of what’s going on between you two and what happened but he really believes you have no faith in him. Now my mind’s been going about twenty different directions the past week and I admit there are many things I haven’t noticed. But there’s one thing that I have noticed since this all began. That boy would walk on the sun for you. That kind of love is hard to find. Don’t throw it away for nothing.”
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

“Luthor! Clavin!” The guard spoke loudly as he unlocked the cell. “On your feet. You’ve both been sprung.” Lex stood up from the bench, looking over at Styles, relief flowing through his veins. He figured he’d be here a hell of a lot longer than six and a half hours but definitely wasn’t complaining. He walked over toward the bars and stopped dead in his tracks when he noticed who was waiting for him.

“Chloe.”

[pipersmum]

Chloe has come to Lex's rescue zbout time:D God Lana is such a bitch glad they got the phone records to prove it :grin3:


“He didn’t sleep with this Lana chick and no one’s pressed charges for him doing his girlfriend. So prove the charges are false and you’re free.”

“How am I supposed to do that?”

“Find a way to prove you didn’t pork the bitch.”

“Tact isn’t your strong suit is it?” Jonathan asked.

Lex looked up at him. “Tact is overrated.”

This made me chuckle looking forward to the next part.
Did Chloe bail out styles as well????

[hfce]

I was about to perform a beat down on Chloe and Blana. :mad: God I hate Blana hopefully she meets and untimely end the bitch. I am glad Lex was proven innocent I hope he makes Chloe grovel before he accepts her back. ;)


Hope ;)

[Donutte]

OMG, where has this been this whole time?!? I only happened upon it yesterday!!

This is so very good!! On so many levels too. Very angsty, but with bits of humor amidst the angst. Like Lex punching Lionel in the nose; Lex accidentally hitting him in the nose again; not to mention several of the quips Chloe made (one of which I found particularly humorous, but my brain will not let me remember what it is :(). This story is awesome, and I love how you incorporated other characters from SV (and other places) into the story in a subtle, non-overwhelming way. Kudos!!

Do'

[spaceboi's pixie]

brillant fic want more please

[Ann]

Thank you! I'm glad you're enjoying it. Here's the next part.

Disillusioned Perception
By: Ann
Rating: Mature
Summary: Lex gets out of jail. But was he safer behind bars?
Coupling: Lex/Chloe, Clark/Lana

A/N: This is only half of this part. The other half should be up tomorrow night.

Disclaimer: I own nothing other than the characters in which I have created.

“To be or not to be, that is the question. Whether 'tis nobler in the mind to suffer the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune, or take arms against a sea of troubles, and by opposing, end them.”
-Hamlet-

Chapter 10- It all comes crashing down Part 1

Chloe had been the last person Lex had expected to see when he stepped out of the cell that for the past several hours had been his home. In fact, he hadn’t expected to see her ever again after what she walked on just before he found himself here. And as much as he hated to admit it to himself, he had hoped he wouldn’t. Not because he didn’t love her. No, it was the complete opposite. He loved her too much and now that he knew what was going to have to be done, he wasn’t so sure he could go through with it. But at the same time, he knew he had to.

He had spent the last six months of his life imagining what it would be like to be with Chloe. To have her love him the way he loved her. And for a brief two days, he thought his dream had actually come true. But that was before reality came crashing down around him. He didn’t doubt the fact that she loved him. He could see it in her eyes. But it had become heart-breakingly clear that although the love was there, the trust still wasn’t. He had hoped that after everything they had been through, he had proven himself to her. Clearly, he had been wrong. Now he just hoped he could keep his emotions in check long enough to figure out what to say to her.

“What are you doing here?” He asked quietly.

“I came with your dad. He bailed you out.” Lex nodded, walking past her toward the booking room to gather the few belongings he had on him when he was brought in. “I’m sorry Lex.”

“For what? Assuming that I’d actually sleep with Lana, or not trusting me enough to ask?” He asked, reaching the counter.

“I guess I deserved that.” She whispered, looking down at the floor briefly before looking back up at the back of his head. “But you have to understand how it looked Lex.”

“I’m aware of how it looked.” He said, signing the required paperwork and pushing it back to the man behind the desk before slipping his watch back onto his wrist.

“Then you have to admit that if the tables were turned…”

Turning, Lex looked at her, barely able to hold back from pulling her to him. “If the tables were turned, we wouldn’t be in the position we are now.”

“You’re saying that if you walked in on me sitting on Clark’s lap you wouldn’t have been upset?” She asked, hurt evident in her voice.

“No. I’m saying I would have asked and given you the chance to explain. And then I would have kicked Clark’s ass for trying to take advantage of you.”

“You wouldn’t have been able to.” Lex and Chloe turned to see Jonathan standing behind them, a somber look on his face. “Come on back to the house. There are some things we need to discuss.”
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

“What exactly are you saying? Clark isn’t human?” Lex asked, a smirk on his face. That sure as hell would explain a lot.

Jonathan hesitated briefly, praying that sharing this information, especially with Lionel Luthor, wouldn’t backfire on them. Looking at Martha, he took in a deep breath before addressing the group of people, who were staring at him in shock. “Clark came to us during the meteor shower nine years ago. His powers have developed rapidly since then. I’m telling you he’s dangerous Lex.”

“Is there any way to beat him?” Chloe asked nervously.

Jonathan let out a deep breath. “I don’t know. There’s only one way we’ve been able to stop him before but the situation was very different. If what Lionel told us this morning is true, he’s being manipulated by at least two different sources.”

“Well we know about this Helen lady but the question is, who else is controlling him and the rest of the town?” Chloe asked.

“We have reason to believe that whoever it is, is working with Ms. Brice.” Malachi said, handing Lex a packet of papers.

“What is this?”

“We managed to hack into Ms. Brice’s computer system at the hospital. Most of the files were locked so we couldn’t get into them, but we were able to get a listing of the emails she’s sent and received in the past month.” Lionel spoke up.

“What about IP addresses?”

“You’ll find them all in there. You both need to know that although we have this information, it doesn’t mean finding the other person is going to be easy. In the past 30 days, Ms. Brice has received over eleven thousand emails, and sent close to the same amount. Narrowing it down to one person isn’t going to be a five minute job.” Malachi said.

Chloe shifted her eyes to take in the stack of papers in Lex’s hands. “Then we better get started.”
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Three weeks. Three long, agonizingly stressful weeks and they were still only halfway through the listing. They had managed to narrow the first half down and separate it into fifty-eight IP addresses, but so far, most of them had turned out to be dead ends. Everyone was tired and discouraged, the farm was suffering from lack of attention, and Lex and Chloe still weren’t really speaking. And she was no closer now than she was three weeks ago to knowing how to fix it.

People were getting cranky, most of them having not slept more than fifteen or twenty minutes at a time. Chloe was so far behind in school that her graduating was beginning to look like nothing more than a pipe dream. Martha had somehow taken the flu, Jonathan’s neck and left shoulder had been causing him a great deal of discomfort, Lex was more closed off than ever and Chloe was on the verge of a breakdown. And to top it all off, no one knew where Clark and Lana were.

“If I have to look at these numbers anymore my head is going to explode.” Lex said, dropping his part of the packet down on the table and rubbing his eyes with the palms of his hands. “We’re getting nowhere.”

“Well we can’t just give up Lex.” Chloe argued.

“I’m going to go take a shower.” He said, standing up just as Martha walked in the back door.

“Oh, Lex there was a package for you at the post office.” She said, handing him the small box. Lex just looked at it for a minute, worried about what he might find inside. Tearing the outer wrapping off, he lifted the lid briefly before slamming it back on the box. He turned to say something to Jonathan just in time to see the older man, who was now clutching his fist to his chest, lose his balance and collapse.

“Jonathan? Jonathan!” Martha yelled, dropping to her knees beside him.

“Mr. Kent!” Lex said, jumping from the chair and closing the short distance to where the man lay. “Dad, get a car here. Now!”

“It would be quicker if we…” Lionel started.

“NOW!” Lex yelled, grabbing a dishtowel off the counter to place under Jonathan’s head. “Mr. Kent can you hear me?” Jonathan merely nodded, pain evident on his face. “Mr. Kent you need to cough.”

“I don’t think now is the time to worry about clearing his sinuses Lex.” Chloe said, trying to figure out what to do to help. But she didn’t know why she bothered. He clearly wasn’t listening to her anyway. Fighting back the urge to cry, she ran over and wet a dishcloth and carried it over, kneeling next to Martha and dabbing it over Jonathan’s forehead.

“Mr. Kent listen to me. You need to cough.” Nodding slightly, Jonathan gave out a small, strangled cough that could barely be heard. “Good. Now cough as hard and as much as you can.” Jonathan did as he was told, but the effort was almost more than he could handle. Lionel came barreling through the door announcing that the car was ready.

“Help me get him up dad.” Lex said, standing and hooking his hand under Jonathan’s arm. “Keep coughing.” He instructed as he and Lionel helped him out to the car, laying him in the back seat. The idea of getting shot not once crossing their minds. “Mrs. Kent.” He said, motioning for her to get in next to him. “We’ll meet you at the hospital.”

“Be careful Lex.” She said, sliding into the car.

“We will. Try to keep him coughing.” He watched as the car sped away before starting toward Malachi’s truck. “Are you coming?” He asked Chloe as he opened the driver’s side door and climbed in. He looked over to see Chloe still standing in the yard as if in a trance. Climbing back out of the truck, he walked over to where she stood and placed his hands on her shoulders.

“You don’t have to go if you don’t want. My father’s in the house. You wouldn’t be alone.”

“No I have to go.” She said, wiping a tear from her cheek. “It’s just that in the past month Mr. Kent had become like my dad. I’m scared Lex.” She cried.

“I know.” He said quietly, pulling her to him. “I wish I could tell you he would be ok, but I can’t promise that.”

Not wanting to hear what might happen to Mr. Kent, Chloe nodded, pulling away slowly. “We better go.”

The trip to the hospital was made in silence, their thoughts on what was going to happen with Jonathan, but neither wanting to voice any speculations. Walking into the hospital brought a feeling of deja-vu for Lex as he recalled the time he spent at Metropolis University Hospital while his mom was dying. The strong smell of antiseptics permeated the room and was nearly enough to make Chloe gag. “Ugh I hate hospitals.” She mumbled to herself as she found a seat in the lobby while Lex walked up to the front desk to ask about Jonathan.

“They just got him into one of the ER rooms. She said it will be at least an hour before they have him in a room where we can see him. You want some coffee?”

“I want this to all be over.” She whispered, looking at her shaking hands as Lex sat next to her. “A month ago everything was normal. Our biggest problems were getting interviews and fighting your father. Now we have psycho killers and heart attacks and ears coming in the mail…I just…I don’t know how much more of this I can take.”

“How did you know what was in that box?” Lex questioned, scratching his eyebrow.

“Your knee hit the table when you jumped to check on Mr. Kent. Lid popped off.” She mumbled. Lex closed his eyes and propped his head against the wall behind them.

“I was hoping no one would see that.”

“Can’t shield me from everything Lex.” She paused, not saying anything for several minutes. “So why coughing?”

“What?” He asked, opening his eyes.

“You kept telling Mr. Kent to cough. Why?”

“It causes the heart to contract.” He explained. “Evens out the heart rate. It can stop a heart attack.”

“Oh.” She said, surprised before closing her own eyes.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

It had been twenty minutes since either of them had spoken, both looking off down the halls and sneaking glances at each other when they thought the other wouldn’t notice.

“Why?” She asked quietly.

“What?” He looked at her in confusion.

“Why? Why don’t you feel like you can talk to me?”

“We have been talking.” He said.

“Yeah, for about ten minutes tonight for the first time in how many weeks? I mean was what I did so bad that you just don’t want me anymore?”

Lex took a deep breath before continuing. “It’s never been about not wanting you Chloe.”

“Then what is it about Lex? Please tell me because I don’t understand.” She said, beginning to cry again.

“Trust. After everything that we’ve been through the past month, you still honestly think I’d hurt you. If we can’t trust each other then we’ll never make it.”

“I do trust you Lex I’m just scared.”

“I know. So am I. But out of all the things you have to be scared of, I never thought I would be one of them.” He stood up and walked over to lean against the wall on the opposite side of the room.

“You aren’t.” She said, standing to walk to him. “I’m just…” She started but the room began to spin and her vision started to blur. “Lex…I don’t… I don’t feel so good.”
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Lex had managed to catch Chloe just before she hit the hard linoleum hospital floor. One of the nurses wheeled her back to the ER over an hour ago and Lex sat, waiting to hear something. He still hadn’t heard anything about Jonathan and was at the point that if he had any, he’d be pulling his hair out.

“Lex.” He looked up to see Martha walking toward him. “Where’s Chloe?”

“In one of the ER rooms. She passed out about an hour ago.”

“Have you heard anything?”

“Not yet. How’s Mr. Kent?”

She looked at him with a grateful expression. “Well thanks to you he’s alive. The doctor said that most patients don’t live through a massive heart attack and that if you hadn’t sent him into that coughing fit and we had been five minutes later, he wouldn’t have made it. You have no idea how grateful I am to you.” She said, reaching out to hug him.

“I’m just glad he’s alive. When can we see him?”

“They’re moving him to a regular room now. Once they get him settled, he can have visitors.” He nodded, turning his attention in the direction the nurse took Chloe.

“What do you think happened?” Martha asked.

“I don’t know.” He said, rubbing the back of his neck. All this waiting was killing him. Knowing that Jonathan was alive was a huge relief but Chloe was still back there and he wanted to know that she would be all right.

“Mr. Luthor?” Lex looked over at the middle aged, balding doctor who was addressing him. “My name’s Doctor Gilland. I’m the physician in charge of Miss Sullivan.”

“Is she alright?” He nearly blurted. Niceties were not something he had the time or patience for right now. He just wanted to know Chloe was going to be all right.

“Yes Mr. Luthor, she’s going to be fine. She’s overly exhausted and severely dehydrated but she’s going to pull through just fine.”

Lex let out a breath of relief and reached out to shake the doctor’s hand. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome. However…” The doctor began. “I do suggest you try to help her limit her stress level. Too much stress isn’t good for anyone and it certainly isn’t good for the baby.”

TBC…

[hfce]

ANN!! How could you stop there??? :eek: She is pregnant oh my. Now Lex has no choice but to talk to her now. More please...

Hope :beg:

[Donutte]

Hmmm, ok, skimmed over that half-part; too long to read now. Will read when I get back home though. I can't wait; been looking forward to this update!!!

Do'

[eternitychlex]

Oh My GOd!!!!!!!!!!! Chloe is pregnant..............Please update soon..........I can not wait to see Lex's and Chloe's reaction............I need more!!!!!!

[pipersmum]

She's pregnant I don't believe it!!! I was so not expecting that came as a complete shock:shocked: Well Lex and Chloe are going to have to sort their relationship out now ;)
I am glad Mr Kent is going to be ok thanks to Lex :D
Looking forward to more later I am really enjoying this story.

[Donutte]

OMFG, that is awesome!!! I certainly hope you post the second half sooner rather than later!! I NEVER expected that (Chloe pregnant). I'm expecting Lex will be the next to faint...

[welshy]

What the ... OMG .... ending it there isn't exactly good for my stress level lol I can't believe she's pregnant, I hope you update soon :)

[bob_is_strange91]

What?! Nooooooooo! You can't leave it off with pregnant Chloe! Please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please come back and finish it!!!

[Ann]

I am so sorry it has taken me so long to get this part finished! This fic is coming to an end. As a matter of fact, there will only be one or two more parts and I'm partway done with the next part.

Thank you all for the wonderful feedback! Hope you enjoy this part.

Disillusioned Perception
By: Ann
Rating: Mature
Summary: Lex and Chloe have a long road ahead of them.
Coupling: Lex/Chloe, Clark/Lana
Disclaimer: I own nothing other than the characters in which I have created.

“The most important things are the hardest to say, because words diminish them.”
~Stephen King~

Part Eleven

Lex was sure of one thing. People didn’t really bounce when they hit the ground like they did in the cartoons. Or at least he would be sure of it when he came to.

He had never actually passed out before, but then again, he had never been told that his girlfriend, with whom he was barely on speaking terms with, was pregnant. It wasn’t that the prospect of being a father bothered him. Or the fact that it was Chloe. As a matter of fact, he wouldn’t want it to be anyone else. But with everything that had happened as of late, news of a baby was the last thing he expected to hear.

“Harne, you want to get me a stretcher over here?” Dr. Gilland asked the nurse working at the admissions desk.

A young, short, brunette nurse grinned as she wheeled the bed over to Lex. “Well, it’s all or nothing with this family isn’t it?”

“You have no idea.” Martha sighed as she watched the doctor wheel Lex off into an examining room. They had been at the hospital less than five hours, and she was the only one of the four who wasn’t being examined for something. She still didn’t know all the specifics about Jonathan’s condition and now the two people who she’d begun to look at like her own kids were facing parenthood. Rubbing her face with her hand and letting out a deep breath, she turned and headed down the long hallway toward Jonathan’s room. Maybe now they could give her a little more information.
~*~*~*~*~*

Chloe was scared and confused and didn’t know what to do. She had always been told that the answers were often where you least expected to find them, but right now even the least expected place was offering nothing in the sense of advice. Reaching over to the stand next to the bed, she grabbed the remote control and pressed the large ON button in the center, bringing the television on the wall across from her to life.

Oh great, just what she needed. The so-called drama of Sharon Newman as she wondered whether to sleep with her husband Nicholas, or Brad, the guy she’d been drooling over for months, and her pestering mother-in-law who couldn’t keep her nose out of it.

She let out a snicker of disgust. This wasn’t real life. These women never had to pee, let alone have a period. They never had to worry about menstrual cramps, or family members and best friends trying to kill them. Hell, they never even had a migraine or a pimple. Their lives were as predictable as a country song, and yet it was that simplicity and predictability that Chloe longed to have.

She didn’t have any regrets. She could never regret being with Lex. But if she could, she would go back to that day at the mansion. That day of the interview, before the shooting, when her biggest problem was having an argument with him over past relationships. She wished they could go back and become friends on their own terms. Lovers on their own terms. Parents on their own terms. Not because circumstance pushed them into it.

She loved Lex, there was no doubt about that. But would he love her now? Could he? She had unintentionally forced him into a life neither of them was expecting. Could he accept that life? Would he even want to? What if he didn’t? What if he wanted nothing to do with her now? Could she raise a baby on her own? Would he want any part of the child’s life or would her baby grow up without a dad? What if her own dad never came around? Would he try to hurt the baby? Would Clark? How was she going to support them? Were there jobs out there flexible enough for single parents? Could she get one without a degree? Where would they live?

All she had ever wanted was a normal life. Or at least a somewhat normal one. A somewhat normal life with somewhat normal problems and a somewhat normal boyfriend who would eventually become her somewhat normal husband and father her somewhat normal children. Now she was beginning to think it was nothing more than a fairytale and that what happened between her and Lex was a big mistake. She didn’t want to feel that way but in the course of two months, she had completely ruined his life. As much as she wanted to, she couldn’t continue with their relationship. He would just end up hating her, if he didn’t already, and that was something she just couldn’t handle. It had to end.

Chloe turned her head toward the window as a sob escaped her throat. She hated crying. It was nothing more than a sign of weakness. And one that she didn’t like to showcase. But at least there was no one else in the room to see her.

“Penny for your thoughts?” Chloe turned to see the dark headed nurse step through the doorway, chart in hand.

Chloe chuckled angrily. “That wouldn’t even begin to cover it. Who are you?”

“Harnepher Sandro. I’m your nurse.”

“Harnepher. Unusual name. Where are you from?” Chloe asked, growing nervous. She knew that name from past research and the findings were more than a little unsettling.

“Everywhere.” The nurse replied bitterly. Chloe may have been out of sorts at the time, but she knew better than to press a bitter woman into talking.

“So can I get out of here yet?”

“Not yet Miss Sullivan. Or is it Mrs. Luthor?” the woman snickered.

“Excuse me?” Chloe asked dumbfounded.

“Oh come on. The whole town wants you dead. You didn’t honestly think the hospital staff would be an exception now did you?” the brunette asked, shooting a clear liquid out of the tip of a syringe.

“Where’s Lex?” Chloe’s voice shook as she tried to scoot off the side of the bed.

“I’m afraid he was feeling a little…under the weather. Apparently the thought of having a baby with you terrified him right into unconsciousness.”

“What did you do to him?” She tried to mask her fear but was anything but successful as the tear slid down her cheek. All she could imagine was Lex lying hurt or dead somewhere and that thought alone was almost enough to kill her.

“You didn’t really think he loved you did you? You’re nothing but a kid to him. A kid who’s willing to give him what he wants. You’re a piece of ass Chloe. Nothing more than his little slut.”

“That’s not true! Lex loves me.” She cried, backing her way across the room.

The woman laughed loudly as she followed Chloe, holding the needle out in front of her. “Really? I’m curious. Has he forgiven you yet?”

“Excuse me? Forgiven me for what exactly?” There was no way this woman could possibly know about the problems her and Lex were having. They didn’t fight in public or make their problems well known. The only way she could have known about the fight they had was if… “Have you been watching us?” she nearly yelled, anger getting the best of her.

“Guess that means he hasn’t.” The woman smiled evilly. “Tell me Chloe, how does it feel to be pregnant? You have so much to look forward to. Lamaze classes, your baby kicking, feeling it grow inside of you. Enjoy it while you can sweetheart. It won’t last long.”

“Is that a threat?” Chloe asked as the woman closed in on her. She looked around frantically for an escape but was backed into the corner with no way out. She barely heard the woman’s next words before her world turned black.

“Oh no honey. It’s a promise.”
~*~*~*~*~*

There was a quietness in the air that made Lex’s nerves stand on end. Waking up in a hospital bed had been an experience that was completely foreign to him. And although he knew he should feel comfortable in the hospital, he felt anything but. The temperature in the small windowless room had to be set on about 95 yet the room was freezing. But it was a cold that all the blankets in the world wouldn’t fix. No, it was the kind of cold that made Lex’s skin crawl.

He had to get out of that bed and find out how Chloe and Jonathan were doing. He had a bad feeling that he couldn’t shake and his instincts were telling him to trust that feeling. Something was wrong. Very wrong. And if recent events were any indication, they were just going to get worse.

Sitting up, he tried to push himself off the bed when something pulled painfully at this hand. Lex looked down to see the clear liquid seeping out of the short needle barely hanging from the irritated flesh. Confused, he pulled the offending object from his hand and tossed it on the bed. He was smart enough to know that IV’s weren’t custom procedure for someone who passed out from shocking news, which could only mean one thing. Damn it, he should have known better than to take Chloe there. What was he thinking? Mrs. Kent could have kept them informed of Mr. Kent’s condition and Lex could have had Malachi call in Dent to check on Chloe and she wouldn’t have been put into anymore danger than she already was. If he had been thinking clearly, that’s exactly what he would have done but as it was, he blew it. Again. They were being closed in on and it was his fault.

Right now he didn’t have time to think about all the things he should have done differently. He had to get to Chloe before someone else did, and pray that he wasn’t already too late.

“Where are you going in such a hurry?” Lex turned quickly to see a brunette, young woman standing across the room. Gauging by her outfit and the papers in her hand, he guessed she was from the hospital administration. He furrowed his eyebrows and wondered briefly how she had gotten in without him hearing the door open.

“I have some things to take care of.”

“You have to wait for the doctor to come in and see you first.” She said a little too sweetly for his taste.

“I don’t have time.” He replied shortly, walking toward her to get to the door.

“It’ll just be a few minutes. Now, sit back down.” She said in a near bark which screamed danger to Lex. It had been his experience that when a woman went from sickeningly sweet to foot caught in a bear trap in less than a minute, it was time to run for cover and ask questions later. Unfortunately, that approach didn’t always work and from what he could tell just by the two minutes he’d been in contact with this woman, this was one of those times.

“What is your name?” He asked, crossing his arms over his chest. He didn’t have the time or patience to deal with this lady.

“Regan. I work in Adm…”

“Regan what?” He asked, sharply, cutting her off mid-sentence.

“Excuse me?”

“Regan what?” Lex looked at her expectedly, eyebrows raised.

She rolled her eyes. “Desdemona. Regan Desdemona. I work in Admissions and need you to sign these papers.

“Well, Miss Desdemona, those papers won’t be necessary. I’m leaving now.”

“I’m afraid I can’t let you do that Mr. Luthor.” She said, blocking the doorway.

Lex merely smirked. “Unless you want to explain to the sheriff why you’re keeping a patient against his will, I suggest you move out of my way.”

“Fine!” The woman grumbled angrily. “But if I were you, I’d watch my back. Fate has a way of…catching up with you.” She said cryptically before storming out of the room.

He had almost made it out the door when he was faced with another obstacle.

“Hey Mr. Luthor. Ready to get out of here?” A young nurse with fire engine red and black streaked hair asked, as she came in the room, pulling a blood pressure machine behind her.

“Clearly.” He said, sarcastically, fighting the urge to roll his eyes.

The girl chuckled. “Well let me get your vitals real quick and you can be on your way. Ok?”

“Look I really don’t have time for this right now.”

“It’ll only take a minute. They won’t let you go without your final stats. I promise, it’ll be quick and painless.” She smiled.

“Alright just make it quick.” He said, hoping he could get to Chloe before it was too late.
~*~*~*~*~*

Chloe lay in her hospital bed, tears running down the sides of her face. She didn’t know what that nurse had put in her arm, but whatever it was, it had her knocked out for over an hour and she had a really bad feeling that something was wrong with Lex. That and she was praying that what the lady said about Lex not wanting her wasn’t true. He had hardly spoken to her in weeks and she was beginning to think the woman was right. As much as she didn’t want to believe it, she had to face reality. Maybe she was just a kid to him. Maybe he never really did love her.

“You look like someone stole your computer.” Martha said, walking in and sitting on the edge of the bed.

Chloe faked a smile. “How’s Jonathan?”

“Stable. They have him on so many medications I honestly don’t know how they keep track of them all.”

“They’re probably pretty used to it.”

“I’m sure they probably are. You and Lex still not talking?”

Chloe looked toward the window. “Not really. I tried to talk to him in the waiting room but didn’t get very far before I ended up in here.”

“Did I ever tell you about the baby I lost?” Martha asked.

Interest peaked, Chloe turned and looked at her. “No. When was that?”

“About two years before the meteor shower. She was eight months old when it happened. She was so beautiful. She had a full head of blonde hair and green eyes. And a smile that would light up the room.”

“What happened?”

“Well, it was three weeks before Christmas and we didn’t have our Christmas tree yet. Jonathan and I were both very much into traditions and decided to start one of our own. So we agreed that every year, the first snowfall before Christmas, we would go as a family and buy our Christmas tree. It started snowing around 7:30 on Friday night, December 4th, exactly eight months to the day Raven was born.”

Martha wiped a tear and chuckled. “We bundled her up so tightly that she looked like a little eskimo before we buckled her into her car seat and headed to Eugenes. It took us two hours to pick the perfect tree that wasn’t too short, or too tall, or too bare. It had to be just right. By the time we left, it was almost 10:00 and we still ended up getting two trees because we just couldn’t choose between them.”

Chloe smiled, picturing the scene in her mind.

“We were both so excited to get home and put them up that neither of us saw the patch of ice until it was too late. We slid sideways seven feet before the car went off the road. It rolled three times before hitting the pine tree at the edge of the property. We were less than a block from our driveway.”

“Raven was so tiny and her little body just couldn’t take the impact. The coroner assured us that it was quick and painless but that offered little consolation at the time. After that, Jonathan and I really didn’t communicate anymore. He went his way and I went mine. Even when we were home, we stayed in separate rooms. We just couldn’t find common ground anymore.”

“So how did you deal with things?”

“We didn’t. Six months after Raven’s death, we still weren’t speaking to each other. We even slept in separate rooms. Both so filled with guilt that simply facing each other was too painful. Neither of us wanted the reminder of what happened. What we lost. We were headed straight for divorce.”

“So what saved your marriage?”

“Nell Porter and Lionel Luthor.” Martha said, grabbing a kleenex off the bedside table and wiping her nose.

Chloe looked shocked. “What did they have to do with it?”

“When you’re so consumed by self-hatred that you can’t connect with the people you love anymore, you need someone to turn to. When you’re not thinking clearly, or considering the consequences and you just need that connection whether it’s right or not.”

“So you…with Lionel?” Chloe asked, eyes wide.

“No. I would have. I was so lonely through that time that I would have simply to try to stop the pain. Even if it was brief. But Lionel stopped me before it got that far.”

“Why?”

“He knew the circumstances and knew that instead of relief from the pain, all I would end up with would be more regrets. It was that point that I knew that if Jonathan and I continued on the path we were on, it would destroy us both. Without knowing it, Lionel Luthor saved my life that night.”

“What about Mr. Kent? I mean did he…?” She motioned with her hands.

“Nell’s husband had just left her for a younger woman. She was as vulnerable as Jonathan was. They were together one time before Jonathan came home and confessed everything to me. From that point we vowed to talk to each other. To be each other’s support.”

“What happened to Nell?”

“She became pregnant. Her and Jonathan both signed the paperwork placing the baby up for adoption. He’s tried to find him since, but hasn’t had any luck.”

“Wow. You guys seem so happy. I would have never guessed that you’d gone through any of that.”

“Well like I said, after it happened, we became stronger as a couple. We depend on each other and communicate more. Whatever’s going on between you and Lex, as long as you’re there for each other, you’ll work things out.”

“I hope you’re right.”

“Hey.” Chloe and Martha looked up to see Lex standing in the doorway.

“Hey Lex. You look like you feel better.” Martha said.

Lex smiled slightly. “Mind if I cut in here?”

“Not at all.” Martha smiled as she got up from the bed and walked to the door. Reaching her arms out, she hugged him and whispered in his ear. “Take care of her.”

“I will.” He whispered back before she pulled away and walked out of the room. “How you feeling?” He asked, sitting next to her on the bed.

“Okay. Lex what did Mrs. Kent mean by you look like you feel better? Are you sick or something?” She asked, concerned.

He shook his head. “I passed out earlier, but I’m fine.”

“So it’s true then.” She said matter-of-factly, barely keeping her emotions in check.

“What’s true?”

“The thought of having a baby with me bothers you.”

“Where the hell did you get an idea like that?” He asked, trying not to overreact.

“It isn’t important.”

“Yes it is Chloe.”

“Is it true?”

Lex reached down and grabbed her hand, intertwining their fingers together. “Chloe you’re going t o make an amazing mother and I want to be there every step of the way. I can’t imagine anyone I would rather be a parent with. Who told you that?”

“The nurse. She said that to you I’m just a kid that gives you what you want. Is that what people really think of me Lex?”

“Probably.” He nodded. “But you’re not a kid. You’re the strongest woman I know. It doesn't matter what other people think about you Chloe, because at the end of the day I love you. You are the reason I wake up in the morning, and the reason I fight going to sleep at night. And regardless of what people try and say, the fact is, I need you. You’re all that matters to me. So let them think what they want. They can’t hurt us if we don’t let them.”

“I know but…wait a minute. Lex the nurse, she asked me earlier if you had forgiven me yet.”

“For what?” Lex asked, perplexed.

“I guess the Lana thing.”

“How would she know about that?”

“That’s what I wondered. I think they’re watching every move we make.”

“Come on, we have to get you out of here.” He said, reaching out to help her stand.

“Lex?” She said, getting up from the bed.

“Yeah?” He asked.

“I know how it looked, but I know you wouldn’t have done something like that. I guess with everything going the way it has been, I’m a little insecure. I should have trusted you though. I really am sorry.”

“It’s not your fault.” He said, sliding her shoes on her feet. “It was made to look bad. Anyone that walked in would have thought there was something going on. That’s what they wanted you to think.”

“We have to figure out who’s doing this Lex.”

Lex nodded. “Come on, let’s get out of here.”
~*~*~*~*~*

Signing Chloe out of the hospital was an easier task than they had expected, which just served to make them more nervous. They made it out to the hospital parking lot and walked toward the truck they had driven there. But they didn’t stop when they reached the door. Instead, they continued to walk, carefully and discretely looking for another way out. Being as easy as it was to leave the hospital, the chances that their truck was rigged was pretty high. Finding an unlocked car, Lex opened the door and helped Chloe in. Once she was situated, he slipped in next to her, and leaned forward, reaching for the wires under the dashboard. Finding them, he quickly got the car started and looked at the gas gauge.

“Three quarters of a tank. We’ll drive around for a while and go over what we’ve already figured out since we clearly can’t discuss it at the house.”

“I’ll probably need my computer.”

“I called my dad from the hospital. He’s meeting us outside the Kent’s with it. What was your nurses name?”

“Harnepher Sandro.”

“What?”

“Yeah my reaction exactly. It’s a really weird name. But you want to know the really freaky part?”

“Probably not, but something tells me it’s important.”

“Trust me, it is. Harnepher Sandro was a Hispanic nurse.”

“Was?”

“Yeah was. She was found dead seven years ago in her Metropolis apartment.”

“I’m afraid to ask.” Lex said, pulling out of the hospital parking lot and onto Fogelberg Road.

“Her throat was slit. But here’s the real kicker. She was severely dismembered. All her fingers, both ears, nose, tongue. The list goes on. Almost all of it was eventually recovered.”

“Almost all of it? Chloe what is it you’re trying to tell me here?”

“They never found her left ear or her right index finger.”

“So you think the ear and finger that was sent to me at one time belonged to her.” He stated, trying to evaluate the situation. “It’s possible, but wouldn’t they be nothing but bone by now? If it’s been seven years, they would have been rather decayed.”

“Not if they were properly preserved. If the right steps are taken, human flesh can stay intact for decades.”

“Why that particular nurse? I never knew her, so why was she the one they chose to send me pieces of?”

“Well I wondered that too. I searched for hours and couldn’t find anything. Until I did a name meaning search.”

“And?”

“Well, Harnepher means the anger of a bull.”

“I’m failing to see the importance here.”

“Sandro, means from Alexander.”

“The anger of a bull from Alexander. That could be anyone. I’m far from being the only Alexander out there.”

“Yes, but you are the one that the dead nurse’s body parts are being sent to.”

“Point taken. When did you have time to research all this?”

“When we were looking through the Kansas Nurse’s registry. I ran across a news article about Miss Sandro and her missing body parts. It was right after you got the finger in the mail so I decided to follow up on it. I was coming in to tell you when the whole Lana thing took place.”

“Why didn’t you tell me before?” He asked, pulling into the Kent’s driveway.

“Well nothing else really came up until today. I figured it was just a fluke but then you got that ear in the mail and my nurse just happened to be sporting the name of the dead lady. There’s your dad.”

Lex pulled up next to where Lionel stood with Chloe’s computer, and rolled down his window. “Anything else show up?”

“If you’re referring to body parts, no it’s been pretty dead around here.” Lionel said, a weak attempt at humor. “I believe you’re looking for this.” He told Chloe, handing her computer through the window.

“Thank you.” She smiled, taking the laptop from him.

“Keep an eye out dad. And don’t discuss what’s going on, even with the security team. It appears we’re being watched.”

“Be careful.” Lionel said, stepping away from the car.

“We will.” Lex replied, pulling back out of the driveway.

“Alright, so here’s what we know so far. Mayor Albright sent you Harnepher Sandro’s finger. Someone else sent you her ear. Clark, my dad, and 99% of the town are somehow involved, and we know there’s some kind of connection between Peter Parker and Helen Brice.”

“The question is, how do we connect the dots?” Lex asked.

“Hey you had a nurse right? What was her name?”

“Regan Desdemona.”

“Desdemona?”

“We need to find somewhere with internet connection.”

“Talon’s open.”

Lex nodded and drove to the small coffeehouse. Once inside, Chloe plugged her computer into the nearest available jack and began typing.

“What are you looking up?”

“Desdemona. It’s a strange name.”

“Chloe as much as I appreciate your being thorough, I don’t think name meanings are going to lead us very far.”

“Uh, Lex? I think you should look at this.”

Lex walked over and looked at the computer screen. “Desdemona. Greek meaning of the devil. That’s comforting.” He said sarcastically. “But what about Regan?”

“Haven’t you ever seen The Exorcist? There’s more.”

“What is it?”

“She was killed in a car accident six months ago.”

“Ok, so whoever it is that’s doing this has a hard on for using dead women’s names as her alias.”

“I don’t think she’s just using them. I think she’s the one killing them.”

“Did we ever determine whether or not Peter and Helen are brother and sister?”

“Not yet. Give me a minute and I’ll see what I can come up with. If I can get into the…”

“What is it?” Lex asked quietly.

“I think Helen Brice is the least of our concerns Lex.”

“Let me guess. Victim number three?”

“No, it’s much stranger than that.”

“How so?”

“There is no such person. She never existed Lex.”

“So then who’s the head of Molecular Sciences at the University of Metropolis?”

“It’ll take a little bit of time, but I should be able to hack into their system. May take a few hours.” She shrugged.

Lex nodded. “Let’s head back to the house in case there’s news on Mr. Kent.”

TBC…

[hfce]

I am so glad they made up. I am happy about the baby. I can't wait to see what they do next to solve the case.

[Skye]

This is awesome! I am so glad that Chloe and Lex are back together and going to have a baby. Even happier that they have Lionel, Martha and Jonathon on their side. Can't wait to see who is behind all this madness? And what is the connection between Peter and Helen?

[Ann]

Well guys, this is it. The final chapter in a story that I feel has become my baby. It’s sad to see it end, but I feel it was time. I want to give all of you who have been reading it a huge thank you! You all encouraged me to keep writing even at times when I had no idea where to go with it. I especially want to thank Angie, Manny, Alli, Gerry, and Jenny. You guys never gave up on me even when in my opinion certain parts really sucked! And you’ve all been a huge inspiration as you really kept me going at times. For that I would like to dedicate this fic to the five of you!

Special thanks also goes to Kerry and Dave for allowing me to use this very sweet line: “It doesn't matter what other people think about you, because at the end of the day I love you. You are the reason I wake up in the morning, and the reason I fight going to sleep at night.”

And now for the final chapter. Thank you all again for reading and I hope you enjoy!

Ann

Disillusioned Perception
By Ann
Rating: Mature
Coupling: Lex/Chloe
Summary: Things are beginning to come together.

“I have no trouble with my enemies. I can take care of my enemies in a fight. But my friends, my friends, they're the ones who keep me walking the floor at night!”
-Warren G. Harding-

Part 12

They had been back at the farm for two hours trying to find answers, but were coming up short. Chloe had sent an email to her contact at Metropolis U and was waiting to hear back, they still couldn’t figure out how the name Helen Brice came into things, and there was no new news on Jonathan. And of course, Lionel was no where in sight to answer the Helen question. It seemed entirely too convenient to Lex who was now pacing the kitchen floor.

Why would Lionel have made up some name and claimed that it was the person who was after them unless he was in on it? Lex should have known better. He had wanted so badly to believe that the older Luthor actually wanted what was best for them that he let his guard down and stopped considering the what ifs. But now the what ifs were bitch slapping him with great force. Without even realizing it, he had put them in further danger by trusting the man. He sold them out.

He was mid stride and halfway into an inner rant when the door flew open and Clark stalked in. He barely had time to register the fact that it was the first time he had shown up in over a month before he was being lifted in the air by his throat.

“Clark! Clark let him go!” Chloe yelled, looking up at Lex whose face was turning an odd shade of purple.

“Sure thing Chloe.” Clark replied, grinning, as he dropped a coughing Lex to the floor. “What in the hell do you think you’re doing Luthor?” Clark asked.

“I could ask you the same thing. Where have you been for the past month? Your parents are at the hospital Clark. In case you didn’t know, your dad had a heart attack. Or do you just not care?” Lex seethed.

“That old bastard? Let him die. All he’s ever done is hold me back. Well I’ll be damned if he holds me back anymore.”

“He’s worried about you.”

“Don’t give me that bullshit line Luthor! You can quit with the games. You think I don’t know what you’ve been up to? You must really think I’m stupid.”

“I know you’re not stupid Clark. But I also know this is not you. Whoever it is that’s causing this has a personal vendetta against me and is using you to do their dirty work.” Lex said, picking himself up off the ground.

“Maybe I’m just sick and tired of your crap! Maybe I’m tired of being nothing more than the small town farmboy in comparison to the spoiled brat billionaire who gets everything he wants at the wave of his hand. Maybe I’m tired of trash like you being in my town driving down my streets taking up my air. This world would be better off if you would just drop off the face of it.” Clark ground hatefully, delivering another strong punch to Lex’s gut, sending him back to the ground again, his mouth slamming into the counter on the way.

Lex swallowed the growing lump in his throat, fighting the conflicting thoughts in his head. One part of him was saying that this really wasn’t Clark, while the other part was telling him that he was right. Everyone would be better off if he hadn’t ever come into their lives. He knew he should just give up. Just let them do whatever they wanted to him. At least then maybe he could keep Chloe and everyone else from having to go through anymore hell because of him. At least then maybe he could save Chloe and the baby.

“Do whatever you have to do to me Clark, but leave her out of it.” Lex said, wiping the blood from his mouth.

“That’s just like you. Put her life in danger then try to save her at the last minute. Quite the hero aren’t you Luthor?” Clark asked, kicking him hard in the side.

“Clark!” Chloe shrieked.

“Shut up bitch!” Clark yelled, backhanding her across the cheek.

Witnessing this, Lex pulled himself up and lunged at Clark full force. The effort was pointless however, as Clark stood tall and Lex fell backwards.

“Is that all you’ve got? No wonder you’re always getting your ass kicked. And you really think you can protect her? You can’t even protect yourself. Do you honestly think you can beat me?” He asked snidely, sending another kick into Lex’s gut before lifting him off the ground and sending him flying through the kitchen window and into the yard.

Lex tried to get up, but was yanked to his feet before he had the chance. “You’ll never be able to beat me!” Clark spat, sending Lex flying backward into the tractor.

“Enough.” Clark put his arms down at his sides and stood at full attention at the sound of the masculine voice that belonged to the man walking up next to them.

“You.” Lex said, shock apparent, as he attempted unsuccessfully to stand. As hard as he tried, his left leg had other ideas and refused to support him. Sliding down the side of the tractor, he couldn’t hide the look of being betrayed that crossed his face.

“Surprised Lex? Honestly, you should have known”

“All this time.” Chloe whispered. “All this time you’ve pretended to be on our side.”

“Look around you Miss Sullivan. No one’s on your side. Even your best friends turned against you. I guess you really weren’t all that special to them. Tell me, how does it feel knowing your father hates you?”

“You bastard! What did you do to him?” Chloe asked, shaking in anger.

“Oh it was simple really. Just the right amount of meteor rocks here, anhydrous ammonia and LSD there among a few other things. See in Molecular Biology, it’s all about measurements and how those measurements effect a person’s biochemistry.”

“How did you infect the whole town?” Lex asked, pulling himself up off the ground.”

“Oh I didn’t. You did. You see, your plant puts off a ton of pollution on a daily basis. All I had to do was make sure the chemical was among that pollution which was rather simple to do. Really just a matter of getting it into one of the smoke stacks. Any helicopter is capable of pulling that off. So in reality, I didn’t poison the town Lex. You did it yourself. If you would have used the PolluSafe filters in your stacks like the EPA suggested two months ago, none of this would have been possible.”

“Well that explains the town turning psycho but how are you controlling them?” Chloe asked, pointing to Clark who still hadn’t moved an inch and appeared to be catatonic.

“Have you ever heard of something called Korbastanda Vinicus?”

“KSV? You mixed KSV in with the meteor rock combination? Do you have any idea how potentially deadly that can be?” Lex shouted.

“So you have heard of it hu?”

“What is KSV?” Chloe asked, confused.

“It’s a soviet drug primarily used as a form of mind control. They use it to turn prisoners into spies.” Lex seethed.

“Well clearly your plan wasn’t so perfect.” Chloe said.

“How do you figure that Miss Sullivan?”

“Not everyone was affected. Guess your little wonder drug isn’t so great after all.”

“On the contrary. I intentionally made sure certain people weren’t affected. Scientific rule number one. Never produce a plague without producing a cure.” He said, taking a small bottle from his pocket and holding it up in the air. “Just in case you infect yourself in the process.”

“And how exactly did you manage to “make sure” these people weren’t affected?” Chloe asked, using her fingers to form quotations.

“Think about it Miss Sullivan. Where were the unaffected people all at that morning?”

Chloe thought for a minute, trying to find the connection between where Mr. and Mrs. Kent, Lana, and the sheriff had been that morning. It only took a second before it really dawned on her. “The Talon.” She said, shaking her head slightly. “What’d you do spike their coffee?”

“Very perceptive aren’t you?” The man snickered. “Actually, yes. That tacky little coffee shop actually came in handy for something. Once I had Lana under my control, the rest was really very simple. Just a matter of making sure she put the serum in the right people’s coffee.”

“Lana? You were controlling her the whole time weren’t you? Using her as your personal spy?” Chloe shouted, stepping closer to the man.

“Chloe don’t ge…” Lex tried to stop her, but being unable to stand, it was near impossible.

Reaching out, the man grabbed her by the hair and yanked her head backwards. Pulling a gun from the waistband of his pants, he jabbed the barrel into the bottom of her chin. “Sit down and shut up!” He spat, pushing her to the ground in front of Lex, before pointing the gun down at both of them.

“If you were so damn intent on turning the town against us, why leave some people on our side?” Lex asked, pulling Chloe close to him. He felt like nothing more than a coward, waiting for the fatal shot to ring out and his world to disappear.

“The best way to defeat your enemies is to leave them with a sense of security. Then pull it out from under them. You of all people should know that.”

“Are you the reason Mr. Kent is in the hospital?” Chloe asked, trying not to cry in front of the bastard responsible for making their lives a living hell.

“It’s amazing what modern science can do these days isn’t it?” The man chucked evilly.

“How?” Lex asked through gritted teeth.

“The how’s and when’s are of very little importance. What really matters is that he’ll be lucky to leave the hospital in a pine box, which is certainly more than he deserves.”

“What do you want?” Lex asked, pulling Chloe closer.

“Ah, the million dollar question. There are so many ways I could answer that but it all comes down to just one. I want you to sign all of your Luthor Corp shares over to me. You see Lex, by the time I’m through with you, you’ll cease to exist. Your name, social security number, all records of your birth will vanish. You’ll become nothing more than a speck on the wall. Just like Helen.”

“Helen?” Chloe asked, at the name of the supposedly non-existent woman.

“Who the hell is Helen?” Lex asked, hoping to get answers to a question that had alluded them for weeks.

“Don’t play stupid Lex. It doesn’t suit you.”

“I don’t know a Helen.” Lex said, cocking an eyebrow.

“Mm, of course you did. Tell me Lex, how long were you sleeping with her behind everyone’s back?”

“If you’re going to accuse me of having a torrid affair, the least you could do is tell me who the woman in question is.” Lex said.

“You know damn good and well who she was Lex. After all, you were planning to marry her weren’t you?”

“The only woman from my past that I considered marrying was…”

“Chelsea, I know.” The man snickered. “I told her she should come up with a name less common. Less American. Like Sveta or Dramilla.”

“Or Desdemona?” Chloe asked snarkily.

“Yes like Desdemona!” The man growled. “But no, she was all to quick to walk away from her heritage like she was ashamed of it.”

“Her heritage?” Chloe asked.

“She was Russian.” Lex replied quietly.

“So what are you saying that Chelsea was Helen?” Chloe asked, confused.

“Ding ding ding! Give the girl a medal!” The man replied sarcastically. “Yes, Chlesea was Helen before he got to her.” He said, pointing to Lex.

“Wait a minute.” Chloe said, eyebrows pursed. “Helen isn’t a Russian name either.”

“You are correct Miss Sullivan. However, Helsveta is. Helen was a nickname. Or haven’t you heard of those?”

“Hels…” Lex started, eyes wide.

“And suddenly the light comes on.” The man said, closing the few short feet between them and pointing the gun into Lex’s face.

“I was sixteen.”

“I don’t give a damn if you were sixty-two! You ruined her life!” The man yelled, pushing the barrel into Lex’s forehead.

“Please don’t..” Chloe started.

“Didn’t I tell you to shut the fuck up?” He yelled again, rubbing his temple with his free hand as Chloe shrunk back against Lex. Lex had to fight to keep himself from lunging at the bastard and killing him himself. The only thing keeping him from trying was the gun pointed in Chloe’s face. One wrong move could cost her her life and that was a chance he wasn’t willing to take. No, he had to play into the asshole’s game. But at the same time, he couldn’t help the haunting feeling that had taken over him.

“This can’t be happening.” He said quietly, closing his eyes at the thought.

“Oh but it is. Honestly Alexander, I thought you were smarter than that. I guess that high IQ score really doesn’t mean much does it? You go to Russia for what? A mere six weeks? And in that short amount of time you manage to ruin someone’s life. That has to be a record.”

“What she was doing was illegal.”

“And you just took it upon yourself to be the hero and turn her over to the Russian authorities. What she was doing was harmless.” The man said.

“Harmless? She slept with my best friend, got pregnant, had him killed and sold the baby on the Soviet black market. How the hell do you perceive that as being harmless?” Lex asked, in a state of disbelief.

“She was being a good citizen. Russia’s president’s wife was never able to have children. Before she died, she told Helen to have many children and help those who couldn’t. She was doing her duty!” The man yelled. “But no, you just had to go and open your mouth and have her deported. She was banished like a rabid dog because of you!”

“So what was she supposed to do, come to the states and kill me?”

“That was the plan Sherlock, but you had her killed before she could. It wasn’t enough to ruin her life, you had to end it too.”

“I didn’t kill her, but I’m beginning to wonder if you did!” Lex replied, his voice getting louder by the minute.

“Me? No, I was trying to keep her alive. I was trying to help her start over, while you were setting your hooks into her even deeper. You had hundreds of opportunities to kill her, but it only took one. So what makes you think I would actually believe that you didn’t do it?” The man growled, grabbing Lex by the chin and slamming the back of his head into the side of the tractor. “Why? Why should I believe you wouldn’t want her dead?”

“She was my girlfriend!” Lex bellowed.

“SHE WAS MY SISTER!” The man yelled back, letting out an angry growl and squeezing the bridge of his nose as he turned away from them.

“What?” Lex asked, quietly.

“She was my sister.” The man replied, voice quavering. “And you killed her.” He said in a near whisper.

“I didn’t kill her. Yes, I was angry and had her deported for what she did, but I had no reason to kill her.” Lex said, pulling Chloe even closer than he thought possible. “I didn’t even know it was her.”

“No, I’m sure you didn’t.” The man said, turning back toward Lex. “Three plastic surgeons and two hundred and fifty thousand US dollars can do wonders for appearances. It wasn’t your hand that killed her Luthor. It was your presence. She came over here to do a job. She was supposed to kill you, to make you pay for what you did to her. But somehow…somehow you managed to make her fall for you instead. She became weak and starstruck. She just couldn’t seem to stop thinking about you, which is why she isn’t here now. She was so damn busy daydreaming about you that by the time she noticed the semi headed straight for her, it was too late to react rationally.” The man paused briefly, wiping the sweat from his forehead. “The other lane was clear. Did you know that? There was only one other car on that road, and it was behind her. But she never would have known because by the time she noticed, that damn truck was on her. He never even stopped to check on her. What is it they call that here? Hit and run? ”

“She was hit by the semi?” Lex asked, the pieces finally starting to come together.

“Oh, not just any semi, your semi.”

“James Reed.” Lex said quietly.

“Who?” Chloe asked.

“He was one of the truck drivers my dad employed. He was headed to Denver to drop off a shipment of fertilizer.”

“What happened?” Chloe asked.

“He never made it princess.” The man replied snidely.

“He wrapped the truck around a tree two miles from where they found Chelsea. Heart attack.” Lex looked up at the man pointing the gun at him. “You were in that other car weren’t you?”

“Helen had it in her mind that it was time you found out who her family was. She was supposed to ride with me but she decided she wanted to drive her new car. You know, the one you just bought her? Do you have any idea what it’s like watching someone die and not being able to do a damn thing to stop it? Do you have any idea what it’s like to watch a semi drive over the top of your sister and reliving it over and over again every time you fall asleep for four fucking years? Answer me damn it!” He yelled.

“No.” Lex whispered.

“No, you don’t. I swore to myself after that, that you would pay for what you did to her. You see, you have no idea what it feels like to die, but you’re about to find out.” Pulling the hammer back, the man aimed the gun at the middle of Lex’s chest.

Lex looked at Chloe. “I love you.” He whispered, just before turning back to face one of the people he had come to trust the most and preparing for the end.

“NOOOOO!” Chloe yelled, as the sound of shots being fired wrang out. Time seemed to come to an almost stand still as Lex waited for his last breath to be taken from him. This was it. He always figured he would die some old man shunned by everyone and living in a cabin in the middle of nowhere like Earnest Hemmingway. He never imagined one woman could ever love him, let alone two. He never imagined he’d be a father or build any kind of relationship with his own dad. He never imagined he would look at the Kent’s like a second family or that they would look at him the same way. He never imagined his life would amount to anything other than hostile takeovers and bad business deals. But now that he had only seconds left, he couldn’t imagine his life being any different than it had been over the past several weeks. As he waited for his life to be taken from him, he silently prayed that all the people that mattered to him would be able to move on and not have to worry about being shot at or chased. He prayed that Chloe and the baby would be safe and that she would be able to meet someone who would be good to them. He prayed that his child would grow up knowing that he or she was loved and that his or her dad would have loved to have been a part of their life. He had never been a religious person, but in that last moment all he could do was pray. And then time caught up with him.

“Get the fuck away from them you son of a bitch!” A big, burly man in black leather pants and a black shirt with the words Dip Me In Chocolate And Feed Me To The Lesbians written in bold white letters across the front yelled, jumping at the other man and knocking him to the ground.

Watching the two men fight for the gun, and seeing the direction it was pointed, Lex’s eyes got wide. “Shit!” He yelled as he pulled himself up from the ground as quickly as possible and threw his hand around Chloe’s waist pulling her along as he ran for cover as the shots ring out. Hearing the sound of metal hitting metal, Lex grabbed Chloe tighter and lunged through the doors of the barn. Landing on his back he rolled them over so he covered her as large chunks of what used to be the Kent family tractor flew through the air, barely missing their bodies.

“Lex! Lex man are you two alright?” He heard a familiar male voice ask him.

Lex looked down at Chloe, relieved to see her looking back up at him and appearing to be in one piece. Letting out a deep breath, he looked up at the man squatting next to them.

“We are now.” He said, moving to the side so Chloe could get up. “What happened out there Styles?”

“Well I don’t know who that asshole was, but you don’t have to worry ‘bout him anymore. He shoved me to the side just in time for the motherfuckin’ carburetor to to go flyin’ into him. Went clean through him.”

“Through him?” Chloe asked, a disgusted look on her face.

“Lets just say his innards are his outards.” Styles said, reaching his hands down to help Chloe and Lex up. “Be thankful ya didn’t see it sweetheart. It wasn’t pretty.” He said, nudging Chloe in the arm with his elbow.

“Trust me, I am.” She replied.

“Think he was on some kind of drugs.” Styles said.

“No he wasn’t.” Lex said, looking out the door at what was left of the man that just moments before tried to kill them.

“Then what’s this shit?” Styles asked, holding up a small bottle.

“Where’d you get that?” Lex asked, looking at what could possibly be their escape from hell.

“Dude dropped it before the tractor ripped his guts out.” He said, handing the bottle to Chloe.

“Is there enough?” Chloe asked.

“I hope so.” Lex replied, looking at what he hoped would be the end to the hell they’d gone through the past several weeks.

“Lex, your leg.” Chloe said, looking at the blood covering his pants.

“It’s fine. I just hit it on the tractor earlier.”

“Lex that’s what you said the last time and there was a bullet lodged in it. You need a doctor.”

“Right now my leg is the least of my concerns. It’ll be fine.” He said, reaching over and pulling her toward him.

“Stubborn, spoiled rotten, punk ass rich kid. The lady says you need a doctor, you’re gonna see a fuckin’ doctor and shut up about it!” Styles said, smiling at Chloe.

“Aren’t you the same person who told me that women were nothing but trouble and not to listen to a thing they said? Why the sudden change?”

“Some chicks ain’t so bad.”

“Who is she?” Lex asked skeptically.

“Who’s who?” Styles asked.

“Whoever the woman is that’s whipped you into submission. I’d like to meet her.”

Styles looked around as if it was a secret. “Name’s Lois.”

“Lois?” Chloe asked, eyes growing large.

“Lois Lane.” Styles said, a boyish grin on his face.

“Lois Lane?” Chloe asked, eyes bulging now.

“Does she always do that?” Styles asked Lex.

“Lois is Chloe’s cousin.”

“No shit?” Styles asked, the smile never leaving his face. “Small world hu?”

“Unfortunately.” Lex replied, looking at the man laying in the yard again.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

“We have to get above one of the smoke stacks.” Chloe told Lex as he piloted the LuthorCorp helicopter. “I really hope there’s enough.” She said quietly.

“So do I.” He replied, getting as close to the stack as possible. “Styles, take the controls.”

Styles and Lex traded seats as Lex leaned slightly out the door. “Can you reach it man?” Styles asked.

“Just a little closer.” Lex yelled over the sound of the blades. Styles carefully inched the helicopter closer to the target. Lex tried to reach but was still slightly off. “A little more.”

“You got it?” Styles yelled. Lex stretched his arm out as far as possible and turned the bottle over, letting the fluid pour down the tall concrete and brick tube.

“Got it!” He replied, sitting back up as Styles turned the helicopter back towards the Kent farm. “I just hope it works.”
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Sitting on the couch, with his elbows resting on his knees and his chin on his cupped fists, Lex closed his eyes and tried to think of anything other than the betrayal that was weighing so heavily on him. But it was no use. He had actually trusted him. That’s what bothered him the most. The man had spent years telling him that trust was wasted on fools and never to trust anyone. He should have listened to him. Maybe then this wouldn’t bother him as much as it did.

“Damn it!” He growled, frustration getting the best of him.

“Lex?” Lex looked up to see Clark and Lana standing in front of him.

“You look terrible.” Lana said.

“Thanks Lana.” Lex said sarcastically.

“I don’t really know what happened, but I feel like I should apologize.” Clark said.

“Don’t worry about it. I’m just glad you two are alright.” Lex said.

“I didn’t…I didn’t hurt you did I?” Clark asked, sitting next to Lex and pointing to his leg.

Lex looked at the blood staining his pants, memories of flying into the tractor going through his mind, and smiled at Clark. “Nah, just had a little run in with the tractor. It’s a little different from what I usually drive.” He joked, his smile quickly fading as he looked down at the floor.

“Hey where’s Chloe?” Clark asked.

“She went to take a bath. It’s been a pretty rough day.”

“Lex!” He looked up again to see Martha and Lionel rushing through the door. “The sheriff just came to the hospital and told us there was trouble here earlier.”

“It’s over.” He said.

“What happened? Are you and Chloe alright?”

Lex nodded, looking back down at the floor. “It was Malachi.”

“What?” Martha asked, shocked.

“The whole time we were going through this, I thought he was one of the few people we could trust. Makes you wonder how well you really know your friends.”

“I’m really sorry Lex.” Clark said. “Is there anything we can do?”

Lex shook his head. “I’m just glad it’s over.”

“So am I. Although I still feel like I should be apologizing for something.”

Lex grinned slightly. “You don’t have anything to apologize for Clark. It’s just nice to know that I do have some real friends out there.”

“We’re not friends Lex.” Martha said. “We’re family.”

“Thank you Mrs. Kent. That really means a lot to me.”
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Two weeks later…

Three days. Only three days until Christmas and for the first time in eighteen years it looked like Smallville might actually have a white one. Chloe was in full holiday spirits as she sat at the kitchen table in her house making up for lost time with her dad. Gabe had taken the news about Lex, Chloe and the baby surprisingly well, saying that he only wished he could remember them getting together. He had gained a whole new respect for Lex when he found out what all he and Chloe had gone through and knew that if they could make it through everything they did, and still want to be together as much as they did, then they’d probably make it through the long haul. For years he had wished he could find someone that could be the mother to Chloe that she needed. The kind of mother she’d found in Martha Kent. As much as he tried to hate the man that was responsible for everything they’d gone through, he couldn’t help but see all the good that had come from such a bad situation.

Lex walked onto the lot with one thing in mind. Buying a new car. Since all of his had been pulled out of the Republican River the day before, he had been walking everywhere. The Kents offered to lend him their truck, but he told them that as much as he appreciated it, he needed to be able to stand on his own feet again.

Walking through the rows of cars, he shook his head. This was the eighth car lot he had been to already, and although surrounded by Aston Martin’s and Ferrari’s and Lamborghini’s, the same kinds of cars he would have bought less than three months ago, he kept having the same feeling wash over him. Empty.

“Might I interest you in a 2006 Panoz Esperante? Or perhaps a 2007 Ferrari 550 Maranello?” A tall skinny man in a tan suit and cowboy hat asked with a cheesy smile.

Lex turned and looked around until he spotted something that caught his eye. “How much for that?”
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Three hours later, Lex and Chloe pulled up in front of the Kent house, hoping the night would go the way they wanted it to. Getting out of the vehicle, they reached for each other’s hand and intertwined their fingers as they walked toward the door.

“I just can’t believe someone actually bought it.” Clark said, pouring a glass of orange juice.

“Well Clark it’s been two years. Don’t you think it’s time someone did?”

“Well yeah it just seems strange after all this time you know.”

“Clark Kent and strange are three words that rarely go well together.”

Clark chuckled. “Someone bought the old Kramer farm.”

“That old run down place next door?” Lex asked, eyebrows raised.

“Yeah.”

“I thought they planned on tearing that place down.”

“Yeah so did I.”

“So what are you guys up to tonight?” Martha asked.

“Actually..” Chloe said. “We were hoping you guys would go Christmas tree shopping with us.

“I don’t think that’s such a great idea.” Jonathan quickly said. They had expected him to refuse, but were hoping they could change his mind.

“Well see it’s the first snow before Christmas and we were hoping…” She stopped and looked at Lex.

“We were hoping to start a new family tradition. Something we can continue as the baby gets older.”

“I still can’t get over the fact that you two are gonna be parents.” Clark smiled, looking between Lex and Chloe.

“Trust me Clark, neither can I.” Lex chuckled.

“Please Mr. Kent?” Chloe asked.

Lex looked at Jonathan, seeing the older man’s face start to soften. Hoping it was a sign that he was going to agree to go, Lex decided to take it one step farther. “It would really mean a lot to us.”

“Alright fine, but if the weather starts to get bad…”

“Then we’ll leave.” Chloe jumped in. “Thank you Mr. Kent.” She said, hugging the older man.

“Lex where’s your car?” Clark asked, looking out the door.

“In the driveway Clark.” Lex grinned.

“You can buy any car you want and you buy a truck that’s what? Twenty years old?”

“Well now Clark, you of all people know you can’t very well own a farm without a farm truck.” Lex grinned.

“You? No way! You bought the Kramer farm? What about the Manor?”

“Moved out last night. Never really did like the place much.”

“Well Lex you know we’ll having you as a neighbor, but what about LuthorCorp? It’s hard enough to run a farm as it is. There’s no way you could possibly run the farm and LuthorCorp by yourself.”

“Hope I’m not interrupting.” Lex turned to see Lionel standing at the door.

“Hey Mr. Luthor.” Clark said.

“Clark. Mr. and Mrs. Kent.” He nodded to them. “I see Lex here told you he bought the farm.”

“We were just trying to figure out how he was gonna be able to run it and the plant.” Clark replied, hopping up onto the counter.

“He won’t have to.” Lionel said.

Lex looked at the confused faces around him and grinned. “Dad bought me out. The crap factory just never really was for me.”

“Mr. Luthor, before all this started, you wanted to fire fifteen hundred people. Where are they going to find jobs?” Clark asked.

“You’ll notice Clark, that those fifteen hundred people are still employed.” Lionel answered.

“So you never really planned to fire them?”

“It was a test. I wanted to see if Lex would do as I said or stand up to me.”

“And?” Clark asked.

“And what Mr. Kent? He passed. What more do you want?” Lionel asked, a crooked grin on his face.

Lex and Chloe looked at each other briefly. “We have a quick errand to run before we go tree hunting. Can you meet us at Eugene’s in half an hour?” Chloe asked.

Jonathan still looked skeptical, but smiled. “We’ll be there.”

“That went a lot better than I had expected.” Chloe said as her and Lex walked out to the truck.

“Well I think your “it would mean a lot to us” was the deciding factor.”

“I just hope the rest of the plan goes as good as that did.”

“Trust me, so do I.” Lex replied, opening the truck door.

“Miss Sullivan, mind if I have a moment with my son?” Lionel asked, walking up behind them.

“Not at all Mr. Luthor. I’ll just wait in the truck.” She smiled.

“Something wrong dad?” Lex asked, following Lionel to the back of the truck.

“There are many things in my life I’m not proud of.” Lex looked at him, wondering where the conversation was going. “Most of those things I can’t change. However there is one thing that I can.”

“You feeling alright dad?” Lex asked.

“Damn it Lex would you just listen a minute? Look, I told you before how proud I am of you, and I meant it. But what I didn’t say, that I should have, is that I love you.” He looked at Lex who didn’t quite know how to take finally hearing the words he’d always longed for.

“I may not be the best father in the world, but you’re my son, and I love you.” Lionel finished. For a long moment, Lex didn’t say anything. He didn’t move, he didn’t blink, he didn’t respond at all. Never having come from an affectionate family, he didn’t know how to respond.

“Hug him already!” Chloe shouted from inside the truck.

Chuckling, Lex did just that. And for the first time in his life, it meant something. “I love you too dad.” He said, patting the older man on the shoulder.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

“I really hope we’re doing the right thing.” Chloe said, nervously.

“You did.” Gabe told her, as they all stood outside Eugene’s, waiting for the Kents, Lana, and Lionel to show up.

“Are you sure?” She asked.

“Yes.” He and Lex said at the same time. “Now stop worrying.” Lex said. “There they are.”

“It’s been eighteen years since we’ve been to this place. They better have good trees.” Jonathan asked, looking at Lex and Chloe. “Good evening Gabe.” He said, nodding his head toward Chloe’s dad.

“How are you Jonathan?” Gabe smiled.

“Good, thank you. Who’s your friend here?” He asked, looking at the young man who was standing with Gabe.

“Mr. Kent.” Chloe said. “This is Peter. Peter Parker.”

“It’s nice to meet you Peter.” Jonathan said, shaking the younger man’s hand.

Lex looked at Chloe then at Jonathan. “Mr. Kent, Peter’s your son.”

“What do you mean he’s my son?” Jonathan asked, trying to wrap his mind around the possibility.

“He’s Nell’s son.” Martha said, looking at her husband.

“You knew about this?” He asked her.

“I just found out this morning. We thought it might be nice if the two of you could share this together.” She said, referring to the trees.

“Mr. Kent, I’m not here to disrupt your life.”

“Disrupt my life?” Jonathan asked, shell shocked. “Do you have any idea how long I’ve been trying to find you?” He looked at Chloe. “How long have you known?”

“Just since yesterday actually. I sent an email to a friend of mine weeks ago trying to find a connection between Peter and Helen, which of course didn’t exist. But what I did find was a connection between Peter and a woman named Nell Parker. I almost didn’t look into it, but something kept telling me to check. Come to find out, Nell married a man named Steve Parker six and a half years ago. Peter, only being 12 at the time took Steve’s last name.”

“But how did you know that Peter was dad’s son?” Clark asked.

She really wasn’t looking forward to answering this one. “Swear you won’t be mad?” She asked Jonathan, who merely cocked an eyebrow. “I asked asked a friend of mine who works at the hospital lab to compare some of the blood they drew from you while you were in there to some of Peter’s that he let me take yesterday morning. It was an exact match.”

Grinning, Jonathan looked at Peter, then at Clark. His two boys were finally together.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Trees in the back of the truck, the group was finally getting ready to head back home. Their “quick trip” to the tree farm turned out to be a four-hour excursion where they all got to know Peter and catch talk about their plans for Christmas. This, being the first Christmas they would all be spending together as a group. They were just about to leave when Lex pulled Chloe to the side.

“Lex what’s wrong?”

Dropping to his knee, he looked up at the woman who was going to be the mother of his child and took her left hand in his. Chloe’s other hand flew up, covering her mouth as she tried not to cry.

“Chloe, I’m not a man who’s ever been what you could consider romantic. I’ve never written love poems or even sent flowers to a woman. We’ve been through hell the past couple months and through it all, you’re the one that kept me alive. You’re what kept me going. I don’t know where I’m going to be ten years from now or what my life is going to be like. But I know I love you and whatever my life brings, I want you in it. Will you marry me?”

Chloe choked back a sob that threatened to escape her throat as she nodded furiously. “Yes!”
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Three years later…

“I wanna go! Unkl Syles, why can’t I go?” Three-year old Lilli Marie whined as Styles lifted her onto his shoulders.

“Because shortnin’, the hospital doesn’t let anyone shorter than Mickey Mouse in the delivery room. They’re kinda bias that way.” He smiled, reaching up and tickling her sides.

“Top dat!” She giggled. “Wait, wait! I gotta go potty!” She squirmed.

“Whoa Nelly!” Styles said, lowering her to the ground. “Hurry now, I don’t do cleanin’ up pee.”

“Well you better get used to it mister, because I’ll be damned if I change diapers by myself!” Lois said as soon as little ears were out of the room.

“Nah, Lex can change ‘em. It is his son.” He said, plopping down on the couch.

“Joke all you want, but I’m telling you now, when your daughters finally decide to remove themselves from my uterus, you’re in charge of diaper duty!” Lois said, slowly sitting next to her husband. It would be another month before the twins were born and she felt like she was going to pop.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

“Aaaahhhhhh! Get it out!” Chloe screamed.

“Push!” The gray-haired doctor told her as he waited for the baby to be born.

“Aaaahhhhhhh! Lex Luthor I swear after this, you’re never getting that thing near me again!”

“If you don’t let up on my hand some I’m not sure it would work anyway.” He said, eyes watering from the feeling of his bones near shattering.

“Good! Serves you right!”

“Alright Mrs. Luthor, one more good push.”

“Shut the hell up and stop staring at my crotch! No wonder you took this job you pervert! Make yourself useful and push one of these out of your dick!” She yelled at the man, who merely chuckled.

“AAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!! I HATE YOU LEX!!!”

“And it’s a healthy baby boy!” The doctor announced, lifting the baby to one of the nurses, who took him over to clean him off.

“I’ll make sure to call my attorney in the morning.” Lex said, looking away from her.

“What for?” Chloe asked, out of breath.

“To handle the divorce.” He said, quietly.

“Oh shut up Luthor. You’re not getting away from me that easily.”

“But I though you hated me.”

“I do hate you. Man do I hate you. I hate how you always have to have the house clean, I hate how you make me breakfast in bed, I hate how you are with Lilli, I hate how you’re always bringing home stray animals, I hate how you refuse to go to bed until you make sure I’m cocooned into the mattress, and I absolutely hate how close you are with your father. Can you feel the hate?” She smiled.

Lex leaned over and kissed her on the lips before lifting his head slightly to look at her. “I love you too.”

The End

[hfce]

Oh my that was wonderful. I loved it and I love how they resolved everything and now have two babies. :wub: I will miss this story.


Hope ;)

[Kikina]

Lex proposing Chloe, our dreams came true ! :D :blinkkiss :D

[Skye]

Hadn't realized this story was over and done with. But what an awesome way to end it.

[Augustine86]

Great Fic! Sorry to see your other ones are still WIP, but I look forward to seeing them all complete!

[daria_103]

Great fic, I don't usually venture in to the angst section but this was great from start to finish so enjoyable!

[luthor&sullivan4eva]

Intresting begining

[ChlexOwnsAll_]

Just reread and still love this fic! <3

[malugargula]

Great fic

[Ami Rose]

Lol very cute story