Crawling Back (NC-17) Chapter 20 08/01/2020

[letia84]

Title: Crawling Back
Author: Letia84
Rating: R For Adult Language, Sexual Content
Disclaimer: I do not own these characters. Owned by DC and The CW
Summary: After losing her husband Chloe Sullivan and her daughter Emma leave New York and return to Metropolis to be closer to her family and friends. Chloe attempts to crawl her way back to a normal life for both her and her daughter. Once she returns after being away for tens years Chloe finds that so much has changed but seeing Lex Luthor again proves some things stay the same. After parting with Chloe on bad terms Lex tries to crawl his way back into her life which proves difficult. Chloe wants what’s best for her child and is afraid of getting involved with Lex after the way things ended.

Notes: This is another future fic that sort of started in lj715’s head then I stole it. There is a past history between Lex and Chloe. I’m using everything up to the start of season 5. There will be alternating POV between Lex and Chloe as well as some flashbacks explaining what has happen over the past 10 years set as memories they have in the present. This won’t be like Water Runs Dry and all that time jumping. That was far too difficult to keep up with and I don’t want to do that to the readers or me again. For now the rating will be R but it will change to NC-17 as we move along. If you haven’t already check out my recently finished fics If Looks Could Kill and Hidden in the Shadows.

Chapter 1 Welcome Home (Chloe POV)

Chloe loved her dearly. She would do anything for her. She’d give her life to make sure hers was perfect.

But at the moment on the plane ride from hell, if her beautiful daughter didn’t calm down Chloe might find a way to disown her. They were less then twenty minutes from landing and the excitement of seeing cousins Lois and Clark; along with grandpa was seeping out in song from the little girl.

“Kitty Cat, you need to quiet down.” Chloe looked to the six year old from the corner of her eye then glanced to the couple next to her staring at her as if she was a bad mother. She wanted to tell them talk to her in six years when they have a kid but she pushed back their disapproving glare to put her attention on her little song bird.

“Did you hear me Emma?” Chloe turned this time in her seat looking down to catch her little one’s eye. Not calling her Kitty Cat this time Emma knew Chloe meant it was time to stop.

After the first year, Chloe thought she would drop the pet name but it stuck and everyone one was calling her Kitty Cat. It was horrible to call her Kitty Cat because Chloe purchased an actual cat then found out she was having Emma so she jokingly called her the name throughout her pregnancy.

She made grand plans for the cat buying all the things that it would need including a very expensive fountain water dish then, the week before she would pick up her cat, Chloe went to the doctor. Everything she brought the cat had to be taken back since she didn’t want it to interfere with the baby.

The little girl turned slowly and her long blonde pony tails shifted as she did to face her mother. “This is the song that never ends…” Her tiny voice was cut short when her eyes meet Chloe’s. “Yes, mommy.” She said with a little quiver of her voice.

Chloe was giving her the look and one that she mastered during the terrible twos, threes and fours. “I know you’re excited but you have to keep it down for the other people on the flight.”

She didn’t raise her voice or speak to her in a tiny one. Often time’s people thought it was odd she didn’t adapt to baby talk when her baby was born but it never happened. She was a person and there was no reason for Chloe to talk to her in a way that would make her feel anything but.

“Yes, mommy.” Chloe watched as the little girl turned in her seat to put her attention to the city outside her window. Hopefully the view of Metropolis would keep her enthralled until they landed.

Chloe learned over herself to take a look at the city and her eyes settled on a place she knew would always be in her heart but never thought she would call home again. “Are you ready to see your new room?” She questioned the little one trying to make peace after ending her song.

“Yes, will my bed be there?” Without looking back she questioned.

“Of course, don’t you remember all of our things were taken by the movers? When we get to our new place everything will be there just like it was in New York.” Chloe heard this more then once. It was hard for Emma to understand why they left New York.

Chloe wasn’t going home because New York hadn’t treated her well. New York gave her the best four years of college anyone could ask for. It also gave her a strong, handsome and intelligent man that loved her more then anything. She was working at a well respected magazine in New York. Then in a hospital in Manhattan little Emma came in to her life and changed her world forever.

New York had given Chloe so much but one thing was taken away that made her wish she never left Kansas all those years ago. When her husband died two years ago Chloe couldn’t stand the sight of the city. As time went on she learned to cope with it but she couldn’t stay there any longer.

“Will all my pictures be there?” Emma questioned taking Chloe’s attention off the view outside.

“Of course Kitty Cat everything will be there in our new place.” Chloe brushed back her daughter’s hair and tried to think of something to say that would make this easier for her. She was making her leave a place she felt safe and loved in. It was hard for Chloe to make this change but it had to be even harder on Emma.

When Troy Kaplan came into her life it was such a mess. Chloe was still hooked on a bald billionaire and no matter how hard she tried Lex Luthor always lingered in her mind. The change from Met U to NYU was the best thing Chloe could have done after what happened with Lex during the meteor shower. The meteor shower destroyed so many things.

Looking at Emma she realized how much Troy had filled her life with something she thought she would never have again. He loved her furiously and would have done anything to keep their family together. When he died, he took so much with him and Chloe was slowly crawling back trying to put her life together.

Moving back to Metropolis was the biggest step Chloe was making to bring her life and Emma’s back to normal. Troy’s mother didn’t want them to move but Chloe had to and just reassured her Emma would always be in her life.

As the plane started to make its decent Chloe could hear the faint sound of her daughter starting to hum to herself. Her excitement was starting to bubble over as the plane landed and for awhile Chloe let her have her moment because she was feeling the same way.

They were going to be closer to her family and back to a place Chloe once felt safe in. Going home to Kansas was the best things Chloe could do to make her little family stronger.

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People in airports sucked.

People in airports that didn’t respect people with children sucked even more. Chloe had learned this truth the hard way the first time she and Troy traveled with Emma. Things hadn’t changed and some how had gotten worse as Emma got older.

It was hard enough keeping an eye on her little one that was overly excited about their landing and the chance to see her extend family but the crowded airport was making the job impossible.

“I don’t see them!” Emma shouted behind to Chloe who was trying keep one eye on Emma and the other on getting their bags.

“Don’t go so far.” Chloe called back and Emma did as she was told walking back.

Just as she was heading in her direction a woman breezed by her daughter nearly knocking Emma over; Chloe had enough of the airport. She left the bags and went for her child. She had to calm her nerves and calm Emma.

“Sullivan!” The loud bellow of Lois’ voice rang in Chloe’s ears once she got a hold of Emma’s hand. As soon as she had a good grip on her the sound of Lois’ voice made her lose it again.

They both turned to find Lois and her father quickly approaching. Emma’s excitement had hit overload.

“Cousin Lois! Grandpa!” Emma then took to hopping towards Lois like a rabbit. It was some sort of game they played that Chloe didn’t understand since Lois was bouncing as well.

“Come here Kitty Cat.” Lois was in a suit and she looked like she ditched the office to come to airport that afternoon. Chloe watched them embrace and let them have their moment.

While the girls were hugging Gabe moved into greet her. “Let me help you.” Gabe spoke just behind her. Chloe turned to greet him giving him a long hug.

“Hi dad. You look good.” Over the years Gabe had changed more than Chloe would have liked. His heart attack a few years ago shook her up and since then she treated her father with more care then normal. After Troy died it had only gotten worse.

As they embraced Gabe returned her greeting. “You look good too. And don’t think I don’t know what you meant just now. I have been feeling fine.” Gabe looked to her and nodded once trying to assure her that he was okay.

“Okay.” Chloe laughed getting excited herself to see her father. “Let me get the bags.” She spoke then turned towards the luggage.

“Hey let the man take those.” Lois spoke just behind her now with Emma in her arms. Chloe thought she was getting too big to pick up but she couldn’t complain to Lois about it since she found herself doing the same beyond her better judgment.

Chloe turned to Lois and started a fight with her. They hadn’t seen each other face to face in months and the first thing they did was have a fight. “I’m not going to make my dad carry these.”

Lois rolled her eyes letting Emma slide down to ground again. “Not Uncle Gabe, Clark.”

Chloe’s eyes narrowed and she scanned the busy airport for one Mr. Clark Kent. He was nowhere to be seen. “I don’t see Clark.”

“You know Clark. He’s always almost late but just on time.” Lois and Clark were going strong for about three years now. Three years and Chloe thought Lois would have beaten Clark with a piece of kryptonite but they were married and still in one piece.

“Right.” Chloe agreed and just as she said the words Clark was running towards them.

“Hey, I’m here, I’m here.” He announced as he got closer. Chloe could see he was doing his hero thing. His suit was off set and his silly glasses weren’t placed properly on his nose.

“Cousin Clark your glasses.” Emma pointed to her eyes to direct his attention.

“Oh right. You’ve got a good eye, just like your mom.” Chloe spoke as he adjusted himself to look like he hadn’t just put his clothes back on over his super suit. “Ready to fly?” He leaned way down directing the question to Emma.

The little girl nodded holding her hands up for him to take her. He scooped her up with ease and spun her around making her ponytails swing away from her head.

“I can’t help you unpack tonight.” Lois announced watching the show.

“What?” Chloe turned to look at Lois and she was shrugging her shoulders.

“You know how it is when you get a hot tip and you can’t let it wait till tomorrow.” Lois moved to take one of the rolling bags completely dropping subject to boss Clark into taking it along with the rest of luggage.

Chloe didn’t respond to her reason since she did know how it was. The day to day grind of working at a paper filled her life for years but she stopped two years ago when Troy died. Emma needed more attention and Chloe’s heart just wasn’t in it anymore.

She was happy to take on a job working for a magazine. Monthly issues meant she didn’t have to work as hard and her stories were expand into long running pieces and even an investigative book that came out last year.

“I can help out.” Gabe spoke as they finally had everything settled and were walking out.

“Thanks dad I could use it.” Chloe said letting her dad place his arm around her. She looked ahead and saw Lois holding Emma’s hand and Clark carrying all four of their bags as if they weighed nothing.

“Are you happy to be home?” Gabe questioned once they reached his car.

Chloe took a moment before she answered looking at the people she called family. If this didn’t work out Chloe wasn’t sure what to do. Moving home was going to help them. As she drifted off into her thoughts Gabe moved closer to her.

“I know it’s hard…” He started getting her attention. “…but you have us.”

Chloe smiled at him and gave him another hug. “Thank you.”


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After two weeks of chaos suddenly Chloe’s new apartment looked livable. Emma’s complaints about her room not being what she use to have were still ongoing but Chloe knew she would stop soon enough.

Clark had been a great help moving the heavier objects and Lois was helpful in her own way telling everyone what to do. Gabe was over for dinner every night the past few weeks and finally agreed to stop. Chloe knew he wanted to make the transition easier but she reassured him he didn’t have to come over every night. It helped her keep an eye on him but she had to stop doing that as well.

After some doing Chloe had a babysitter lined up. She started the search a month ago when they were still in New York and interviewed the top five once they arrived. She settled on a woman from Smallville that Emma took to the moment she walked in the room. Gloria was thirty three and had been a nanny for ten years. There was nothing bad on her record and her past positions gave her all excellent recommendations. She wasn’t going to need her often since Emma would be starting kindergarten once the summer was over.

The apartment was settled and Emma’s care taker was settled on and now it was time for Chloe to see about her new job. When she knew she was moving Chloe put out some feelers to local editors in Metropolis and she stumbled upon a magazine that just started a few months back but its circulation told a different story.

She was promised free reign over her own pieces that would come out monthly. The first five would be a trial run and if they liked them they would keep her. Chloe had at least twenty stories in her head at the moment that could be worked out with the magazine so there was no worry about the first five.

The one thing she avoided in all her clever planning for the move back home was her past coming back to haunt her.

Sitting in the office of Wilmington Walker, Chloe was in for a bit of a shock for her first pieces. She’d been waiting at least fifthteen minutes when Mr. Walker flew threw the door of his office.

“Ms. Sullivan sorry to keep you waiting.” The man sounded behind her and Chloe jumped from her seat. She was used to seeing editor’s dressed in suits but Mr. Walker had other ideas. He was in wrinkled slacks, his dress shirt was unbuttoned and there was no reminisces of a tie being around his collar.

Chloe extended her hand to him thinking he would take it as she spoke. “No problem. I’m happy to be here and I can’t wait to get started on my first piece.”

He took her hand and, as they shook, Chloe felt his clammy palm in her own. Once it was over she wanted to take the hand sanitizer from her bag to clean off but it would wait until the meeting was over.

“I hope your office is to your liking.” He spoke then grunted taking a downward flop into his chair.

“The office is fine.” Chloe answered with a little more excitement than necessary. Her last job she shared an office and her constant need to post leads all over her wall proved to be problematic with her co-worker.

“Let’s cut to the chase shall we.” She watched him shuffling about on his messy desk until he found a tan envelope.

Chloe assumed this was pitch time and went for it. “So if we are talking about stories I have quite a few in mind.” Doing some reaching of her own, Chloe went for her bag at her feet but was stopped short of getting it open.

“Hold on Ms. Sullivan.” Chloe looked up at him and the envelope he settled on was flying at her. Her reflexes kicked in and Chloe caught the flying paperwork.

“Nice catch, go ahead and open it.” With her eyes lowered to the item Chloe lifted them to look at Mr. Walker leaning back in his chair looking rather smug.

“Can I ask what’s in this before I open it?” Chloe shook the envelope in her hand. What was happening wasn’t agreed upon. Chloe knew she was coming into this to write her own stories not hidden ones in an envelope.

“Well I think we both know you got this job because you are an amazing writer.”

Chloe couldn’t help but smile, it was always nice to know she was good at what she loved. “Thank you for that.”

“Your welcome.” He nodded then dug right into her. “You also got this job because of who you know as well. I know you have a long standing history with the Luthor family and in the envelope is the story we have been trying to get for the past few weeks but have had no such luck. You are going to get that story.”

He stopped talking letting her take in his words and Chloe hadn’t heard past Luthor. She’d been away and keep herself at a distance from anything relating to Luthor for years. It was next to impossible but there were always other billionaires, like Bruce Wayne and Oliver Queen, to write about if she needed to.

Moving back she knew that she would cross paths with the Luthors but wished it was later rather then sooner. Chloe took a deep breath and tried to make it clear what was going to happen.

“I’m sorry but I haven’t dealt with the Luthors in years. I think that you can put someone else on the story since I have several that can be started today.” Chloe tossed the envelope back at him hoping to make her point.

A slight chuckle rose from Mr. Walker as he caught the envelope. “You’ve got a fire about you but I don’t let it consume you.” He leaned forward in his seat placing the envelope down on top of his desk then placing his hands on top of it. “Let’s be honest here. You helped put Lionel Luthor in jail. The man has many enemies and I don’t think any of them have burned him like you did.”

Before he could go on Chloe cut in. “That may be true but that was years ago. As it stands, Lionel has no dealings with Luthor Corp since his son took it over all those years ago. I doubt there is anything to say about a man that lives out his day’s spending money and dating women half his age.”

“That’s very true but you interrupted me before I could get to the rest.”

Chloe fought back a groan and knew what he was about to say next. No matter how well they hid their relationship there was always speculation about her and Lex. “If you’re going to try and tell me that I have some sort of connection to Lex Luthor your wrong.”

As she spoke she watched him pull a news paper clipping from the envelope then closed it. “There is no denying it. You were involved with Lex Luthor and that relationship is going to get me this story.” He tossed the envelope back at her and stood up from his seat to drop the news clipping in her lap.

Once Chloe got a good grip on the envelope she lost it to catch the news clipping. She’d seen the clipping before. Remembering the moment in the photo was easy. Chloe had spent time in Metropolis with Lex and one day they were careless. The photo was taken just as they were kissing in the back of the building that held his penthouse. It was hard to plead a case that Chloe wasn’t close to Lex with what she held in her hands.

“You’re right there in color Ms. Sullivan. Please don’t try to deny it again.” She could hear Mr. Walker standing next to her until he moved away for the door.

Chloe wanted to the rip the paper to shreds. This wasn’t how she wanted to work. Rising from her seat she saw Mr. Walker gripping the door knob. “Whatever you think happened based on this picture won’t get you any closer to an interview with Lex Luthor.”

“I wouldn’t be so sure about that. We dropped your name and he was more then happy to do the interview.” His eyes slanted at her and the smug look from before had returned.

Chloe had to force herself to keep her mouth from dropping open. The last time she’d spoken to Lex was in her dorm after a mistake she still regretted. That was nine years ago and all of it before she fell in love with Tory and had her daughter. Since then she only heard about Lex in passing from Lois or in the papers. If she saw him now there was no telling what would be said.

The fact that he took the interview just because her name was dropped made her think he wanted to see her.

While she thought it over Mr. Walker spoke. “You can think about it all you want but if you want to talk about all those stories you have in the works you will do this one first.”

“What if I refuse?” Chloe already knew the answer but asked any way.

“Then we well have to reevaluate your contract.” He turned the knob and opened the door signaling her to leave. “I’m not trying to use you. I just want my writers to use all their assets and this is one of yours.”

Chloe took the hit once the door was open to pick up her bag with one had and holding the envelope in the other. There was no questioning what had to be done. She needed this job.

She had to admit to herself if Lex wanted see her she was curious to see why.

As she passed through the doors Mr. Walker said his last words. “Welcome to the Metropolis Monthly.” He chimed and closed the door behind her.

She turned and looked out on the busy office floor then sighed. “Welcome home Chloe.” Then she headed for office to see what was hiding in the envelope and what story was so important that she could only get.

TBC

Chapter 2 The Shell (Lex POV

[lj715]

I love that you have decided to write this fic. Excellent start. Can't wait for Chloe's interview with Lex. That should be an interesting meeting after not seeing each other for so long. More please.

[westwingwolf]

Very interesting start. I'm eager to learn all about Chloe's past and her past relationship with Lex. I'm looking forward to the meeting and of course how Lex feels about Chloe's life in New York, whether he knew about it already and what not.

[hfce]

Interesting start. I can't wait to see what comes next. :)

[liz_antoinette]

Great start! Can't wait to see where this goes.

[jem]

oooooh interesting story... i cant wait to hear lexs pov... please update soon!

[staceytyler]

This is great and it's only going to get better. Even though you've only just started I can already feel the tension and I can't wait for Chloe and Lex to come face to face :D :grin3:

Mr Walker sounds like a real S.O.B, I mean the nerve of saying they'll have to "reevaluate her contract". Please, the mans lucky to have her :)

[planetcal]

Interesting start I can't wait to see what happens when Chloe interviews Lex. Please update soon.

[lkedino]

i love this and can not wait for Chole and Lex see each other :blinkkiss

[Gaia]

uuuuh....I would have hit him across the head with that envelope. Really. But seeing as this story needs to continue....I'll control my anger.
More please- a Lex side perhaps?:)

[Kit Merlot]

This is a wonderful beginning--can't wait for more:D

[kimmie]

This seems like its gonna be brill! Loved the first chapter and can't wait for the interview. Definitely want to hear more about what happened between Chloe and Lex.

-K-

[Nyx]

Great start!!!

What happened 9 years ago?

What is in the envelope?

What about Lex, did he changed much since Chloe left?

Hope you'll update soon!

[somethingeasy]

After the first year, Chloe thought she would drop the pet name but it stuck and everyone one was calling her Kitty Cat. It was horrible to call her Kitty Cat because Chloe purchased an actual cat then found out she was having Emma so she jokingly called her the name throughout her pregnancy.

She made grand plans for the cat buying all the things that it would need including a very expensive fountain water dish then, the week before she would pick up her cat, Chloe went to the doctor. Everything she brought the cat had to be taken back since she didn’t want it to interfere with the baby.

The story sucked me in from the very beginning. I loved how Chloe interacted with her child, not indulging in anything undignified or patronizing like baby-talk, but still calling her by an adorable pet-name (heh, literally a pet-name). LOL at the story about where ‘Kitty Cat’ got her sweet little nickname from.

Also LOL at the way Chloe glared at all the people who had the NERVE to give her ‘looks’ about the way she was handling HER daughter. Her appearances and role might have changed, but Chloe still remains as stubborn and proud as ever.


Chloe was giving her the look and one that she mastered during the terrible twos, threes and fours. “I know you’re excited but you have to keep it down for the other people on the flight.”

ROTFLOL at the ‘terrible twos, threes and fours’ reference. I can only imagine what a hellion Chloe’s daughter must have been. I look forward to finding out more about Kitty as this fic progresses.


New York had given Chloe so much but one thing was taken away that made her wish she never left Kansas all those years ago. When her husband died two years ago Chloe couldn’t stand the sight of the city. As time went on she learned to cope with it but she couldn’t stay there any longer.

I wanted to cry over here. The tragedy was made all the more acute after the description on how wonderful Chloe’s life had been before her lovely husband died. She was loved, she had a career that satisfied her ambition and pride, and she was happy in a busy, bustling city that suited her nature perfectly. And now she has to start all over again. Poor Chloe…


“Will all my pictures be there?” Emma questioned taking Chloe’s attention off the view outside.

“Of course Kitty Cat everything will be there in our new place.” Chloe brushed back her daughter’s hair and tried to think of something to say that would make this easier for her. She was making her leave a place she felt safe and loved in. It was hard for Chloe to make this change but it had to be even harder on Emma.

Poor Emma too. Chloe lost a husband, which is terrible, but Emma lost her father, which must have been devastating. And now the poor girl has been uprooted from her familiar life, away from her school and friends. I’d say a couple of temper tantrums would be the BEST Chloe could hope for from her daughter. The worst would be despondency and indifference.


Looking at Emma she realized how much Troy had filled her life with something she thought she would never have again. He loved her furiously and would have done anything to keep their family together. When he died, he took so much with him and Chloe was slowly crawling back trying to put her life together.

*sigh* I still feel so sad for Chloe. The poor girl has had a LOT of hard luck in her life, and the first bit of happiness she gets has been abruptly taken away from her.

heh, and I see how the title of the fic is meant to for BOTH Lex and Chloe. Chloe is trying to crawl back to a full and happy life again, and Lex is trying for the same… only his full and happy life means crawling into Chloe’s.


People in airports that didn’t respect people with children sucked even more. Chloe had learned this truth the hard way the first time she and Troy traveled with Emma. Things hadn’t changed and some how had gotten worse as Emma got older.

LOL! It’s good to see that becoming a mommy has not softened Chloe, she’s still as sharply cynical and sardonic as ever. Lex is really going to have his work cut out for him if he wants to get back in her good graces again. Especially considering the animosity she seems to hold for him. Whatever happened between the two of them anyway? I guess I’ll find out later.


They both turned to find Lois and her father quickly approaching. Emma’s excitement had hit overload.

“Cousin Lois! Grandpa!” Emma then took to hopping towards Lois like a rabbit. It was some sort of game they played that Chloe didn’t understand since Lois was bouncing as well.

ROTFLMAO! Oh this was adorable! I was afraid that Kitty would have been lonely being separated from everything and everyone familiar and loved, but it seems like Metropolis also offers some familiar comforts. It seems like Lois gets along REALLY well with her little niece (even if they do call each other ‘cousins’).


“Hi dad. You look good.” Over the years Gabe had changed more than Chloe would have liked. His heart attack a few years ago shook her up and since then she treated her father with more care then normal. After Troy died it had only gotten worse.

As they embraced Gabe returned her greeting. “You look good too. And don’t think I don’t know what you meant just now. I have been feeling fine.” Gabe looked to her and nodded once trying to assure her that he was okay.

Awwww. That sweet old daddy Gabe. I’m loving this family reunion in every way possible.


Chloe turned to Lois and started a fight with her. They hadn’t seen each other face to face in months and the first thing they did was have a fight. “I’m not going to make my dad carry these.”

Lois rolled her eyes letting Emma slide down to ground again. “Not Uncle Gabe, Clark.”

ROTFLMAO! Trust Lois to be bullying a superhero into playing packmule. I’m taking my reference from the Warner Brothers animated version of Lois Lane, of course. The lady is a little obnoxious, but really cool. Does Lois know that Clark is Superman in this fic?


“Hey, I’m here, I’m here.” He announced as he got closer. Chloe could see he was doing his hero thing. His suit was off set and his silly glasses weren’t placed properly on his nose.

LOL at the thought of Superman rushing through his rescue so that he can play pack-mule. I love how he’s so whipped. He’s such an adorable dork :D


Chloe didn’t respond to her reason since she did know how it was. The day to day grind of working at a paper filled her life for years but she stopped two years ago when Troy died. Emma needed more attention and Chloe’s heart just wasn’t in it anymore.

She was happy to take on a job working for a magazine. Monthly issues meant she didn’t have to work as hard and her stories were expand into long running pieces and even an investigative book that came out last year.

I like the subtle ways Chloe’s life has changed since she has become a mother. She’s still very focused on her career, she’s still sharp, quickwitted, stubborn and proud, but her priority is Emma and family. Lexis going to have to prove he can be a decent father before Chloe even ‘considers’ letting him into her life.

AND Emma has to like him. Not to mention that he has to be completely committed to Emma… more than that, he has to LOVE Emma. Nothing less will suffice for Chloe.

Heh, he is in for SUCH a hard time. I look forward to seeing him suffering and struggling.


The apartment was settled and Emma’s care taker was settled on and now it was time for Chloe to see about her new job. When she knew she was moving Chloe put out some feelers to local editors in Metropolis and she stumbled upon a magazine that just started a few months back but its circulation told a different story.

She was promised free reign over her own pieces that would come out monthly. The first five would be a trial run and if they liked them they would keep her. Chloe had at least twenty stories in her head at the moment that could be worked out with the magazine so there was no worry about the first five.

The one thing she avoided in all her clever planning for the move back home was her past coming back to haunt her.

It seems like Chloe was managing and settling herself into her new life quite well. Emma was taken care of, a promising job lined up at a good magazine… and THEN… Lex comes in to screw everything up. I hope Chloe gives him an earful for interfering like this.


“Ms. Sullivan sorry to keep you waiting.” The man sounded behind her and Chloe jumped from her seat. She was used to seeing editor’s dressed in suits but Mr. Walker had other ideas. He was in wrinkled slacks, his dress shirt was unbuttoned and there was no reminisces of a tie being around his collar.

By the time I finished reading this update, I decided I didn’t like Mr. Walker. The guy is an opportunistic, lying jerk. Using Chloe for an interview with Lex, despite the fact that it went against the agreement they had set beforehand. I suppose it was going to be too much to ask that Chloe’s boss was going to be a ‘nice’ person.


“Nice catch, go ahead and open it.” With her eyes lowered to the item Chloe lifted them to look at Mr. Walker leaning back in his chair looking rather smug.

Underhanded, dishonest JERK! He even has the nerve to look SMUG about screwing Chloe over like this.


“Can I ask what’s in this before I open it?” Chloe shook the envelope in her hand. What was happening wasn’t agreed upon. Chloe knew she was coming into this to write her own stories not hidden ones in an envelope.

I did like that Chloe stuck to her guns over here. She’s already got her ‘spidey sense’ tingling, and she’s preparing for battle :D


“Your welcome.” He nodded then dug right into her. “You also got this job because of who you know as well. I know you have a long standing history with the Luthor family and in the envelope is the story we have been trying to get for the past few weeks but have had no such luck. You are going to get that story.”

Unscrupulous bastard! I really don’t like him. He hired Chloe under false pretences, and now that he ‘has her in his clutches’ he basically pressuring and steam-rolling her into doing something that makes her immensely uncomfortable.


As she spoke she watched him pull a news paper clipping from the envelope then closed it. “There is no denying it. You were involved with Lex Luthor and that relationship is going to get me this story.” He tossed the envelope back at her and stood up from his seat to drop the news clipping in her lap.

Once Chloe got a good grip on the envelope she lost it to catch the news clipping. She’d seen the clipping before. Remembering the moment in the photo was easy. Chloe had spent time in Metropolis with Lex and one day they were careless. The photo was taken just as they were kissing in the back of the building that held his penthouse. It was hard to plead a case that Chloe wasn’t close to Lex with what she held in her hands.

“You’re right there in color Ms. Sullivan. Please don’t try to deny it again.” She could hear Mr. Walker standing next to her until he moved away for the door.

This was interesting. I wasn’t sure whether Chloe’s heartbreak over Lex was because of a ‘unreciporcated love’ or because of ‘love affair gone bad’. It was interesting to find out that there WAS something going on between the Chlex, but it went bad… bad enough that Chloe had to move away thousands of miles to get over it. And now she’s being pulled into the middle of it again. Poor Chloe!

Walker KNOWS all this (it’s fairly easy to figure out), and he’s willing to out his latest employee through the emotional shredder anyway. Bastard!


“I wouldn’t be so sure about that. We dropped your name and he was more then happy to do the interview.” His eyes slanted at her and the smug look from before had returned.

It also sounds vaguely unethical to be using an employee’s personal life to get a story. But if Lex is cooperating, I guess the editor is legally covered.

Ethically though, it’s a completely separate matter. Especially if Chloe had a problem with having her (former) personal life used to sell newspapers.


Chloe had to force herself to keep her mouth from dropping open. The last time she’d spoken to Lex was in her dorm after a mistake she still regretted. That was nine years ago and all of it before she fell in love with Tory and had her daughter. Since then she only heard about Lex in passing from Lois or in the papers. If she saw him now there was no telling what would be said.

The fact that he took the interview just because her name was dropped made her think he wanted to see her.

Just HOW did things end between them. It’s driving me nuts! I guess we’ll be finding out all the details as the fic progresses. I look forward to getting the whole backstory to this train-wreck of a Chlex relationship.


While she thought it over Mr. Walker spoke. “You can think about it all you want but if you want to talk about all those stories you have in the works you will do this one first.”

“What if I refuse?” Chloe already knew the answer but asked any way.

“Then we well have to reevaluate your contract.” He turned the knob and opened the door signaling her to leave. “I’m not trying to use you. I just want my writers to use all their assets and this is one of yours.”

Not trying to use her??!! Who’s he trying to kid here. He is blackmailing her into a highly uncomfortable and potentially traumatic position, for the purpose of a story. He might as well be up front and honest about what a bastard he is being.


She had to admit to herself if Lex wanted see her she was curious to see why.

heh, I’m also curious about this. The Chlexer in me says that Lex has been madly in love with her for the past nine years, and now he is trying to ingratiate himself back into her life again. But the angst junkie suspects underhanded motives.

Why has he been waiting so long to get in touch with her? Her husband died two years ago, he could have made a move on her after ‘allowing’ a year for mourning?


As she passed through the doors Mr. Walker said his last words. “Welcome to the Metropolis Monthly.” He chimed and closed the door behind her.

She turned and looked out on the busy office floor then sighed. “Welcome home Chloe.” Then she headed for office to see what was hiding in the envelope and what story was so important that she could only get.

Heh, I still hate that smug bastard, but I’m curious to see what kind of a story Walker would be willing to go to such lengths for. It had BETTER be something good.

This story has come around a fascinating and enthralling start. I look forward to seeing how it progresses. Please update soon.

[malugargula]

Wonderful start
I`m sad for Chloe because she must be going through a hard time. Thanks God she has Gabe, Lois and Clark (if he`s not as stupid as he uses to be in the show) to help her.
I`m really curious about what happened between Chloe and Lex nine years ago. And I hope Chloe make him suffer a lot before taking him back
LOL

[letia84]

Notes: Thanks for all the comments. Still working the kinks out of this one but here's the next part.

Chapter 2 The Shell (Lex POV)

Lex didn’t love the woman he was lying next to. Hell, he didn’t even think he liked her. But for some reason he went to a hotel room with her. He didn’t initiate the encounter but he didn’t frown upon it either.

Since Lex attended the function last night without a date he wasn’t really thinking about leaving with anyone. If he wanted to do that he would have careful picked a woman and then took her to the hotel room but Melissa Gray had other things in mind.

As the night progressed Lex had purchased a few art pieces, rubbed elbows with people that could be assets in the future but he was also flirting with Melissa Gray. There wasn’t anything particularly interesting about her. She was attractive enough with longs legs, a rounded face and her breasts weren’t bad either; being hugged by her black satin dress.

Lex was no fool and he wasn’t easily seduced but that night Melissa caught him off guard.

He spotted her when he first arrived and they shared a glance. Later on that night she breezed by him to grab a champagne flute from a waiter before he could get it. They exchanged a few words then he lost sight of her again.

The last time he encountered her before they exited together she approached him as he was staring at one the art pieces he just purchased. They talked about the exhibit which she knew little about and she made some flattering comments about his appearance.

It was obvious that she was following him around trying to seduce him. She laughed unnecessarily loud, touched his arm or moved in close to him to say something as if the room was too loud for him to hear it. Then she flat out let it be known she wanted him.

Melissa Gray sipped her last bit of champagne, leaned in close and whispered in Lex’s ear. “Do you want to leave with me? I promise to make it very entertaining.”

She leaned back looking rather pleased with herself; she thought her womanly power had worked on him. Lex was about to say no but something stopped him from doing it. Something happened early that week that changed his answer that night.

Instead of telling her no Lex extended his arm to the lady and she quickly took it. His car was summoned and they drove off to a near by hotel. There was some sloppy making out in the car and no words were exchanged until they reached the hotel room.

There was a moment in bed when Melissa’s brown eyes were staring up at him as he secured the condom. Lex looked down on her and knew she wasn’t what he wanted. She had to see the look in his eyes and notice the hesitations when she questioned him. Lex didn’t answer her right away but he was trapped in her eyes.

He rationalized why he shouldn’t sleep with Melissa Gray. She was beautiful and ready for him. He wasn’t seeing anyone and hadn’t had a good release in months. It was obvious to her that this was a one time deal and afterwards he would go home and never see her again.

Lex made up so many reasons as to why he had to do what he did but there was only one that mattered. He had to reassure himself he was the same person that recovered from losing Chloe Sullivan ten years ago.

The fact that he learned she was in town didn’t faze him. He knew everything about her since the day she left. Her jobs over the years, her husband and his sudden death and he knew about her daughter. But none of this knowledge got to him. The more he knew the more in control he was. After a failed attempt to win her back one night in her dorm room Lex hadn’t and wouldn’t allow himself to be bothered by anything he heard about Chloe.

After he agreed to allow Chloe to interview him it was the logical choice. It had nothing to do with wanting to see her again. She was a good writer. Possibly the only person that could get the story right so, early that week, he agreed with the editor of the Metropolis Monthly to be interviewed by her.

All week long Lex let himself believe that he was going to perform a business transaction with Chloe and then she would fade back to where he put her; in the past. All week long Lex felt himself thinking about her, letting his memories of her crawl back into his mind.

For years Lex had worked on not thinking of Chloe at all. After the meteor showered things just feel apart because of what he did. Dragging her to the caves was forgiven but what happen next he knew he could never come back from.

She left and he failed at getting her back so Lex pushed her away. A woman that understood him, that loved him and one he felt the same way about he pushed out of his mind. Losing her crushed him. He wasn’t a functioning adult without her and to keep his sanity Lex did what he had to.

For a few months his days were filled with plotting ways to make right what he set wrong. He ignored Luthor Corp and could have lost it to his father but Lionel was the one that pulled him out of his prison. After being rejected Lionel was waiting for him. For years Lex didn’t want to believe his father’s words were true but this time he let it sink in that maybe Lionel was right.

He told him that love had ruined him. That he was always weak and he might always be that way if he let love hold him down. With a determination Lex had never shown before he let himself convert completely. Nothing could touch him and no one could break into his emotions.

To keep his protective shell up against Chloe Sullivan he looked Melissa Gray in the eyes, moved towards her over on the bed then slid his hard member inside her slick channel and he fucked her until he found his release.

The fact that he was having another one night stand didn’t bother him. Lex had grown accustom to thinking of companionship with a woman as something that would never be lasting. His last two marriages taught him that.

That morning lying next to Melissa, listening to her tiny snore Lex knew he had failed. There was nothing he could do to make what was about to happen easier.

He would have to see Chloe on Monday. He would have to see her, hear her voice, smell her scent, look into her green eyes and have to answer her questions.

Lex jumped up out of the hotel bed and dressed quickly. He could shake Melissa awake but there was no need. He made it home and rushed towards his office to take a seat at his desk.

The thought of his emotions getting the best of him was becoming very real but he had other things to worry about. If Chloe was going to interview him he had to be ready. He didn’t know what they would say to each other but one thing Lex knew for sure, Chloe would be more than ready to interview him. Sitting at his computer Lex had to be prepared.



-------------}{------------


Luthor Corp was Lex’s safe haven.

Since his father was placed in jail and lost all his holdings in the business it was under Lex’s control. All his life he fought kicking and screaming not to take over the business but now that he was embracing it Lex saw his father was right. This was his calling and when he walked through the doors of the building he knew he was completely in control.

At the moment Lex was losing some of that control. When he decided to have the interview with Chloe in his office it was to make him more comfortable.

Sitting at his desk Lex was suppose to be listening to his lawyer’s brief about what he should and shouldn’t say in the interview. He already knew how much to give away and how much not to but wanted to have this brief to center himself. He was going to be in complete control of what would transpire between him and Chloe today.

At the moment he wasn’t listening to the brief. He was staring at his blank computer screen and didn’t snap out his trance until he heard his lawyer raise his voice.

“Mr. Luthor are you sure you understand what you’re getting yourself into?” James Cain, the man to his left shouted louder then he should have.

Lex turned in his seat to see the frustrated look on James’ face. He wasn’t listening but no matter what he was doing it didn’t give the man the right to yell at him. “Mr. Cain the last time I checked I don’t pay you shout at me.”

“Sir, I’m aware of that.” James started but was quickly cut off.

“I’m also sure you know I don’t pay you to interrupt me when I’m speaking.” Lex leaned forward in his desk waiting it out for James to say something.

The tension in the room was building and Lex was actually enjoying it. James Cain had been with Luthor Corp while his father was in charge. His loyalties were tested when Lex took over but Lex trusted him as much he trusted anyone working for him.

He didn’t trust him at all.

Staring the man down he could tell the silence was taking its toll on him. His job, his entire career could all be taken away if Lex chose to do so. Taking a glance at James’ assistant Lex could see beads of sweat starting to form on the other man’s brow.

With a slight grin Lex broke the silence before both men were in tears. “You can speak now Mr. Cain.”

“Thank you sir.” The man managed to say as he loosened his tie searching for air. “I was asking if you are sure you want to go through with the interview. The government has stated that they don’t want too much information to be released.”

Lex nodded once and he already had an answer to the question. The deal was set and he was given the privilege to release the story when he was ready. “Mr. Cain I’m certain that the story will be portrayed well and the United States government will be pleased.”

“You know what’s best sir.” James stood and his assistant followed suit. “There is nothing else to brief you on.”

“Thank you for you time.” Lex replied to the men as they exited through the automatic doors of the office as quickly as they could.

Once they had finally left, Lex could let his anxiety show in peace. There was no reason for him to be acting this way. He was over Chloe. For years he had been over Chloe. Yet the thought of her arrival in the next hour was making him panic.

To keep his mind occupied Lex had an array of memos to read and respond to. As he flipped through the pages on his desk he was starting to rethink the interview. Seeing Chloe was one thing but maybe James Cain was right about being cautious. What he was about to share with press was huge but maybe it was better kept under wraps. The goal of pieces was to entice more clients over to Luthor Corp but Lex could walk into a trap to push them all away.

Pondering these things at his desk Lex didn’t realize his time was up. His office phone started to buzz and he knew what it meant. There was no need for him to be worried about seeing Chloe. Last night proved that he was still the man he had been and one woman wouldn’t change that.

Taking the receiver into his hands Lex spoke to his assistant. “Yes, Ms. March.”

“Mr. Luthor, the reporter from the Metropolis Monthly is here to see you.” The woman’s voice sounded cool and calm.

“You can send her in.” Lex replied sounding a little less then calm and cool. He slammed the phone down without saying another word and the fear hit him.

That day Luthor Corp wasn’t Lex’s safe heaven, it was his hell.

The automatic doors swung open but he didn’t look her way. His eyes were glued to his computer screen. He was acting like a fool but he couldn’t bring himself to look at her.

His shell of control was slowly cracking.

The clicking of her heels sounded in his ears as she took the few steps towards his desk. She was in front of him just waiting for him to look at her. He heard her clear her throat trying to get his attention but he still didn’t look her way.

“Mr. Luthor.” A woman’s voice spoke up but it wasn’t very familiar.

Lex narrowed his eyes and looked in front of him. The woman that spoke wasn’t Chloe Sullivan. “Who are you?” The logical question came first. All this time Lex was building himself up see Chloe again and she wasn’t there.

“Ms. Sullivan sent me in her place to give you this and to apologize for her not coming.” The woman reached her hand out to him handing over an envelope.

“This is very unprofessional. I don’t know what kind of magazine Mr. Walker is running but when he promises me a reporter, she should show up.” Lex was angry and unfortunately the messenger was being fed a healthy dose of his anger.

“I understand you are upset but I assure you everything is explained in the letter.” The woman said her final words then turned away to leave.

Lex didn’t know if he should call Mr. Walker or read the letter first. Chloe had somehow gotten him all worked up and she didn’t even show. It was possible she was just as nervous as he was about seeing one another again.

Taking in a deep breathe Lex tore open the envelope to read what Chloe had to say.

Good Afternoon Lex,

I’m sure you are wondering and rather frustrated that I haven’t arrived at your office today. I hope my assistant won’t come back with a horror story about how angry you are. I had to be out of the office and I’m not sure how much I’m being monitored at work so calling or emailing was out of the question.

It is my understanding that Mr. Walker has been in contact with you for some time looking to get the scoop on Luthor’s new dealings with the government. It is also my understanding that you only agreed to allow the Metropolis Monthly the interview because I would be the one working with you.

I have to say I was surprised that after all this time you wanted to see me let alone allow me to write a story for you about the secret dealings of Luthor Crop after what happened between us. I’m sure you thought that I would write an honest piece about nothing but the truth.

This is very true but I’m sorry, I have to be honest, I don’t want to write the article.

When I separated myself from Metropolis I promised myself that, even if I came back, I would no longer write about Luthor Corp endeavors. When I came to work for the Monthly Mr. Walker took it upon himself to try to bring me out of retirement by blackmailing me.

He wants to use my past history with you to get this story. It’s not the way I want to work nor is it the way I want to be reintroduced into your life as if I’m using you to further my career.

Before I move forward with this I want to make it clear to Mr. Walker that what I initially agreed upon is how I want to work. To do that I need your help.

If you are willing to work with me I have left my cell number and I ask that you call once you are done reading this letter.

Sincerely,
CS (620-343-1928)

Once the letter was finished Lex was already reaching for the phone on his desk. Lex didn’t like the idea of Mr. Walker using his past to get what he wanted. If he was going to do this story he did want Chloe to write it but not like this.

As the phone rang all of Lex’s earlier anxiety had washed away. There was no reason for him to be nervous. Even if he was no longer in love with Chloe he still respected her. Reading her letter reminded him of all things he already knew about her.

Without even seeing him she knew he would be upset about her not showing up. Her honesty about their past also warmed him. He never wanted to hurt her but managed to do just that. If she was weary about doing the piece then he would find another reporter.

Four rings passed before Chloe answered. “Sullivan.” Her voice was sharp and to the point.

“Well Ms. Sullivan you have my attention.” Lex replied to her. He assumed she would know his voice.

“I think we are way past you calling me Ms. Sullivan.” Her voice softened; it was the one Lex had heard many a time before.

She was right; they had been through too much to still be using last names. “Alright then Chloe, how can I help you?”

“I want to apologize again for the way I have to do this.”

Lex was angry at first but he understood now and her apology was no longer needed. “I understand but I don’t see how I can help you. I would think if you’re being blackmailed you would get another job.”

She chuckled on the other end and things were going smoothly so far. It was as if they had spoken the past nine years but in reality they hadn’t.

“That’s very true but believe it or not its slim pickings out there for a journalist.”

“I’m sure Lois or Clark are expendable at the Daily Planet.” Lex didn’t care for either of them as writers. Clark rarely wrote anything but somehow maintained his job. Lois on the other couldn’t stop writing. All her pieces were too long winded.

“True but lucky for them I only do monthly’s now.” Chloe answered him and there was a moment of silence.

Lex knew she was only working for a monthly magazine in New York but he never thought about the reason for the change. It was right around the time her husband passed away and there had to be a link there.

Breaking the silent moment Lex spoke first. “Okay if you need this job I’m willing to help.”

“Are you sure? I can just quit but it would be so much easier on Emma and me if I keep this job.” Chloe mentioned a name Lex knew. Her little girl had to be about six now. He had no idea what the child looked like but he was sure she was as beautiful as her mother.

Lex owed her more than his help after what happened between them. “I said I want to help just tell me what you need.”

“Great, if you have the time do you still want to meet with me today?”

“Sure you can come by the office...” Lex started but Chloe cut in.

“No, I think we need a more neutral ground then that.” She paused and he heard low hum as she thought it over. “How about a hospitality room at a hotel?”

She was right, they should meet on equal footing. His office or hers would give one the advantage over the other. “That sounds find with me. I can call the Royal Suites Inn.”

“Okay that sounds fine to me. Let’s say we’ll meet in the lobby in a half and hour?”

“Half and hour it is.” Lex made a metal note of her tone just now. There was always a certain way Chloe spoke when she was excited about something and he heard that from her just now.

“Lex, thank you for doing this.” She sounded so sincere; it was first time during the conversation Lex flinched. Nine years between them and she could still get to him with just the sound of her voice.

“I’ll be getting something out of this as well.”

“What would that be?” She spoke sounding a little confused.

“You are going to write the article.” Lex had to be honest with her since she was being so honest with him. “I said yes to Mr. Walker because I know you will tell the truth. I leave it up to you to reject it but I don’t want your hand forced.”

“Lex, I…” She paused before going on as if she was searching for just the right words to break things to him. “I don’t want our past to define how we treat each other now. I’m back in Metropolis for so many reasons and I don’t want my past to interfere with those reasons.”

Lex wanted to ask what those reason were. He wanted into inquire as to why she was back but that wasn’t his place. He knew it would give him more control but right now he just wanted to know for his own reasons. “If you don’t want to do the piece I understand. I don’t want our past to affect you now. I’ll still help no matter what you do.”

“I’ll do the article but it will be my last Luthor Corp piece.” She answered and it appeared things were settled.

“Thank you and I’ll see you shortly.” Lex replied. He was relieved she agreed to do it.

“Good bye, Lex.” She hung up the phone before he could say anything else.

Lex hung up as well then called the hotel. Seeing Chloe wasn’t going to be as hard as he thought it would be. He didn’t need a shell to protect him from her. They respected each other and could work together without their past being a problem.



-------------}{------------

Lex was so sure of himself when he arrived at the hotel. Standing in the lobby his nerves were fine. He didn’t feel anything like he did in his office a half and hour ago. He was totally in control as he waited for Chloe to show up in the lobby.

That was until he laid eyes on her.

Seeing Chloe after all this time and Lex’s perfect shell of control crumbled at his feet.

TBC

Chapter 3 Reunion (ChloePOV)

[lj715]

I LOVE THIS FIC!!!! I think it's one of your best. Although, I DO NOT like this Melissa chick. I'm glad Chloe isn't gonna let her boss railroad her into something . You know Lex can't get her out of his mind. Can't wait until he meets Emma. More please.

[BaByChIcCa]

It was obvious that she was following him around trying to seduce him. She laughed unnecessarily loud, touched his arm or moved in close to him to say something as if the room was too loud for him to hear it. Then she flat out let it be known she wanted him.
:wth: can this woman be more subtle??? I don't think so. how about some class??


Melissa Gray sipped her last bit of champagne, leaned in close and whispered in Lex’s ear. “Do you want to leave with me? I promise to make it very entertaining.”
she thinks she got skills...oh so she's a professional.i guess trying to sleep with wealthy men is kinda of a hobby for her :wth:
lol ok i know i'm being wrong and mean with her but let me hate. I need to hate on someone.


She leaned back looking rather pleased with herself; she thought her womanly power had worked on him.
see!!! told you she thought she was all that.



He rationalized why he shouldn’t sleep with Melissa Gray.
yeah rationalize baby. Rationalize.


She was beautiful and ready for him.
:roll eyes:


He wasn’t seeing anyone and hadn’t had a good release in months. It was obvious to her that this was a one time deal and afterwards he would go home and never see her again.
(sigh) see now I don't know... I mean I blame her for trying to have sex with Lex( uh oh did you see the rhyme) but in the mean time they're both adults and free to do anything they want...and I should be mature enough to understand. I said SHOULD. so i'm gonna keep on hating :yeahbaby:


Lex made up so many reasons as to why he had to do what he did but there was only one that mattered. He had to reassure himself he was the same person that recovered from losing Chloe Sullivan ten years ago.
Ouuuuuh inside of Lex's torturous mind... i love it.


The fact that he learned she was in town didn’t faze him.
sure!!! like we were gonna believe that.

He knew everything about her since the day she left. Her jobs over the years, her husband and his sudden death and he knew about her daughter. But none of this knowledge got to him. The more he knew the more in control he was.
lol I just love when Lex gets on his stalker mode.


After a failed attempt to win her back one night in her dorm room Lex hadn’t and wouldn’t allow himself to be bothered by anything he heard about Chloe.
humm now that what this is all about... i can't wait for the big explanation. Could it be the climax to the story??? i'll just wait and see.


After he agreed to allow Chloe to interview him it was the logical choice. It had nothing to do with wanting to see her again. She was a good writer. Possibly the only person that could get the story right so, early that week, he agreed with the editor of the Metropolis Monthly to be interviewed by her. i like the fact that Lex is still honest and professional. His hurt(deep deep hurt) feelings don't prevent him from being a good judge of a situation.



For years Lex had worked on not thinking of Chloe at all. After the meteor showered things just feel apart because of what he did. Dragging her to the caves was forgiven but what happen next he knew he could never come back from.
there you go teasing us again with what happened in the past.


She left and he failed at getting her back so Lex pushed her away. A woman that understood him, that loved him and one he felt the same way about he pushed out of his mind. Losing her crushed him. He wasn’t a functioning adult without her and to keep his sanity Lex did what he had to.
awwwwwwwwwwww I think Lex needs a hug and I volunteer! oh wait that was in the past...ok i'll find another occasion to hug him.


For a few months his days were filled with plotting ways to make right what he set wrong. He ignored Luthor Corp and could have lost it to his father but Lionel was the one that pulled him out of his prison. After being rejected Lionel was waiting for him. For years Lex didn’t want to believe his father’s words were true but this time he let it sink in that maybe Lionel was right.
uh oh ain't that my favorite MB??


He told him that love had ruined him. That he was always weak and he might always be that way if he let love hold him down. With a determination Lex had never shown before he let himself convert completely. Nothing could touch him and no one could break into his emotions.
:nodding: preach on MB!! praise the Lor...uuuh the Devil.:devil:
oh God... Lex really sounds really desperate and hurt...


To keep his protective shell up against Chloe Sullivan he looked Melissa Gray in the eyes, moved towards her over on the bed then slid his hard member inside her slick channel and he fucked her until he found his release.
ok fine, I give up. I'm gonna thank her b/c Lex needed to have a good fuck that night...and she was therrre...:roll eyes: thank you Melissa. Be gone now!


The fact that he was having another one night stand didn’t bother him. Lex had grown accustom to thinking of companionship with a woman as something that would never be lasting. His last two marriages taught him that.
Dang homie! 2 marriages?? well at least no kids are involved.



The thought of his emotions getting the best of him was becoming very real but he had other things to worry about. If Chloe was going to interview him he had to be ready. He didn’t know what they would say to each other but one thing Lex knew for sure, Chloe would be more than ready to interview him. Sitting at his computer Lex had to be prepared.
WO OOO! that's my lex!



-------------}{------------


This was his calling and when he walked through the doors of the building he knew he was completely in control.
ok, now I gotta pause to picture him walking through the door... JUST FREAKING HOT:drool2: reminds me like in the episode you when they were Mexican immigrants and we learn about project 33.1... we see Lex walking down a hall... FYAH!!



Lex turned in his seat to see the frustrated look on James’ face. He wasn’t listening but no matter what he was doing it didn’t give the man the right to yell at him. “Mr. Cain the last time I checked I don’t pay you shout at me.”
uh oh somebody's in trouble. Lol!



“I’m also sure you know I don’t pay you to interrupt me when I’m speaking.” Lex leaned forward in his desk waiting it out for James to say something. aaaaaaaah just love when he's being soo... i don't know. Intimidating?


The tension in the room was building and Lex was actually enjoying it. lol that's not nice, Lex!


Staring the man down he could tell the silence was taking its toll on him. His job, his entire career could all be taken away if Lex chose to do so. Taking a glance at James’ assistant Lex could see beads of sweat starting to form on the other man’s brow.

With a slight grin Lex broke the silence before both men were in tears. “You can speak now Mr. Cain.”
:rofl: i love Lex




Once they had finally left, Lex could let his anxiety show in peace. There was no reason for him to be acting this way. He was over Chloe. For years he had been over Chloe. Yet the thought of her arrival in the next hour was making him panic.
which is a normal human reaction!



There was no need for him to be worried about seeing Chloe. Last night proved that he was still the man he had been and one woman wouldn’t change that.
Not so sure about that but if he needs to believe it. :shrug:



That day Luthor Corp wasn’t Lex’s safe heaven, it was his hell.
I like I like.



“Mr. Luthor.” A woman’s voice spoke up but it wasn’t very familiar. I KNEW IT!!! I knew it!! it would have been too easy:rofl:



Lex didn’t know if he should call Mr. Walker or read the letter first. Chloe had somehow gotten him all worked up and she didn’t even show. It was possible she was just as nervous as he was about seeing one another again.
somebody got his hopes pretty up uh?? and he dares saying that he's over her.

The letter was soooo Chloe-like. Simple, sincere, honest.



“I’m sure Lois or Clark are expendable at the Daily Planet.” Lex didn’t care for either of them as writers. Clark rarely wrote anything but somehow maintained his job. Lois on the other couldn’t stop writing. All her pieces were too long winded. :rofl:



Chloe mentioned a name Lex knew. Her little girl had to be about six now. He had no idea what the child looked like but he was sure she was as beautiful as her mother.
awww please please I hope it's an happy ending. If Emma sees Lex, I wonder how they gonna interact with each other..she'll be all sweet and everything but I'm sure she'll make blunt comments and Lex won't know how to respond lol...ok anyway!



“No, I think we need a more neutral ground then that.” She paused and he heard low hum as she thought it over. “How about a hospitality room at a hotel?”
See I know an hospitality room at a hotel is pretty common but you know my mind can't help to think. hummmm Hotel? means plenty of rooms:yeahbaby: all they need to do is taking the elevator and...:yeahbaby: ok don't mind me.
oh but yeah. I see Chloe had been thinking about him too otherwise she would have never suggested this meeting "on a neutral ground".


“Lex, thank you for doing this.” She sounded so sincere; it was first time during the conversation Lex flinched. Nine years between them and she could still get to him with just the sound of her voice.
awwwwwwwwwwwww ok now I think I can hug him.



“Lex, I…” She paused before going on as if she was searching for just the right words to break things to him. “I don’t want our past to define how we treat each other now. I’m back in Metropolis for so many reasons and I don’t want my past to interfere with those reasons.”
Lex wanted to ask what those reason were. He wanted into inquire as to why she was back but that wasn’t his place. He knew it would give him more control but right now he just wanted to know for his own reasons.
all this Lex POV is just adorable to me.


Seeing Chloe wasn’t going to be as hard as he thought it would be. He didn’t need a shell to protect him from her. They respected each other and could work together without their past being a problem.
i like i like



-------------}{------------

Lex was so sure of himself when he arrived at the hotel. Standing in the lobby his nerves were fine. He didn’t feel anything like he did in his office a half and hour ago. He was totally in control as he waited for Chloe to show up in the lobby.

That was until he laid eyes on her.


Seeing Chloe after all this time and Lex’s perfect shell of control crumbled at his feet.
awwwwwwwww ok he needs another hug!! lol
well chapter 3, chapter 3...after 9 years, what's gonna happen... is Chloe as nervous as Lex?? let's not mention the fact that they are in a hotel so if things get a little...too hot, they know they...ok ok i stop lol.

[somethingeasy]

Lex didn’t love the woman he was lying next to. Hell, he didn’t even think he liked her. But for some reason he went to a hotel room with her. He didn’t initiate the encounter but he didn’t frown upon it either.

This was the perfect opening for Lex… especially considering the title of this chapter. It really helped establish what a pathetic, shallow shell of a human being Lex has become since he separated from Chloe.


It was obvious that she was following him around trying to seduce him. She laughed unnecessarily loud, touched his arm or moved in close to him to say something as if the room was too loud for him to hear it. Then she flat out let it be known she wanted him.

Melissa Gray sipped her last bit of champagne, leaned in close and whispered in Lex’s ear. “Do you want to leave with me? I promise to make it very entertaining.”

I didn’t know whether to laugh or to shake my head in disappointment at how this woman was humiliating herself. No wonder Lex falls in love and commits so easily with ANY woman who shows ‘some’ sense of tact, intelligence and decency. It seems like the poor guy doesn’t get the chance to have proper conversations with any woman worth conversing with… such women would be sensible enough to avoid him.


He rationalized why he shouldn’t sleep with Melissa Gray. She was beautiful and ready for him. He wasn’t seeing anyone and hadn’t had a good release in months. It was obvious to her that this was a one time deal and afterwards he would go home and never see her again.

Lex made up so many reasons as to why he had to do what he did but there was only one that mattered. He had to reassure himself he was the same person that recovered from losing Chloe Sullivan ten years ago.

Ugh! THESE are the kind of reasons Lex comes up with about why he should sleep with a beautiful, willing woman? He really IS an emotional shell! It seems like there’s nothing deep or meaningful in his life or psyche anymore.

I did think it was interesting that TEN years have passed by, and Lex still has not gotten over whatever horrible break-up occurred between himself and Chloe. Poor pathetic fellow.

At least Chloe got a chance to move on and find love again. Not only love, but home and family too. It’s really a pity she lost most of everything she had been lucky enough to find. But at least she found ‘something’.


The fact that he learned she was in town didn’t faze him. He knew everything about her since the day she left. Her jobs over the years, her husband and his sudden death and he knew about her daughter. But none of this knowledge got to him. The more he knew the more in control he was. After a failed attempt to win her back one night in her dorm room Lex hadn’t and wouldn’t allow himself to be bothered by anything he heard about Chloe.

hmmm, after breaking up with her, presumably breaking her heart, he tried to get together again. I’m getting all these tantalizing hints of their past relationship, and I’m trying to form a picture here. Please help!


She left and he failed at getting her back so Lex pushed her away. A woman that understood him, that loved him and one he felt the same way about he pushed out of his mind. Losing her crushed him. He wasn’t a functioning adult without her and to keep his sanity Lex did what he had to.

At least he seems to have a ‘slight’ idea about the emotionless, robotic shell he has turned into. Right?


He told him that love had ruined him. That he was always weak and he might always be that way if he let love hold him down. With a determination Lex had never shown before he let himself convert completely. Nothing could touch him and no one could break into his emotions.

To keep his protective shell up against Chloe Sullivan he looked Melissa Gray in the eyes, moved towards her over on the bed then slid his hard member inside her slick channel and he fucked her until he found his release.

Then again, perhaps he DOESN’T realize how pathetic he is to be cutting feeling, emotion and LIFE out of his shell of an existence. How pathetic is it that this man is only half-alive, and is not even aware of it?!

He really needs something to shake him out of his stupor. Perhaps Chloe and Emma will be of some help there… Especially Emma… it would do Lex good to learn how to love unconditionally, without expectations of equal or greater return in feelings.


“I’m also sure you know I don’t pay you to interrupt me when I’m speaking.” Lex leaned forward in his desk waiting it out for James to say something.

The tension in the room was building and Lex was actually enjoying it. James Cain had been with Luthor Corp while his father was in charge. His loyalties were tested when Lex took over but Lex trusted him as much he trusted anyone working for him.

He didn’t trust him at all.

Staring the man down he could tell the silence was taking its toll on him. His job, his entire career could all be taken away if Lex chose to do so. Taking a glance at James’ assistant Lex could see beads of sweat starting to form on the other man’s brow.

With a slight grin Lex broke the silence before both men were in tears. “You can speak now Mr. Cain.”

Ouch! Vindictive bastard, isn’t he? The again, considering that he doesn’t have any personal life, Lex has to receive from jollies from ‘somewhere’.


Once they had finally left, Lex could let his anxiety show in peace. There was no reason for him to be acting this way. He was over Chloe. For years he had been over Chloe. Yet the thought of her arrival in the next hour was making him panic.

I had to giggle at the thought that Lex was so damned nervous about meeting with Chloe again. He’s fidgeting as if he’s actually asked her out on a date. Poor nervous wrecked Lex. I wonder if Chloe is going to have any appreciation about the extreme affect she has on the poor bastard. He’s just no longer used to feelings of this intensity, and it seems like it might actually ‘kill’ him, ot at least drive him to taking relaxant medication.


“You can send her in.” Lex replied sounding a little less then calm and cool. He slammed the phone down without saying another word and the fear hit him.

Damn! He’s actually FRIGHTENED?! Of Chloe? He’s really in a bad state.


“This is very unprofessional. I don’t know what kind of magazine Mr. Walker is running but when he promises me a reporter, she should show up.” Lex was angry and unfortunately the messenger was being fed a healthy dose of his anger.

I was in HYSTERICS over this. First, he was on the verge of a nervous breakdown over the prospect of meeting up with Chloe… even to the extent where he was considering cancelling the meeting to ‘save himself’. And THEN, when he discovered Chloe wasn’t showing up, he’s indignant and enraged?!

What a hilarious collection of contradicting emotions! Love it!


This is very true but I’m sorry, I have to be honest, I don’t want to write the article.

When I separated myself from Metropolis I promised myself that, even if I came back, I would no longer write about Luthor Corp endeavors. When I came to work for the Monthly Mr. Walker took it upon himself to try to bring me out of retirement by blackmailing me.

He wants to use my past history with you to get this story. It’s not the way I want to work nor is it the way I want to be reintroduced into your life as if I’m using you to further my career.

Before I move forward with this I want to make it clear to Mr. Walker that what I initially agreed upon is how I want to work. To do that I need your help.

If you are willing to work with me I have left my cell number and I ask that you call once you are done reading this letter.

I was so PROUD of what Chloe had done over here. She not only handled the unethical way her editor was trying to use her, but she also managed to enlist Lex’s help in thwarting her editor’s scheming… AND she managed to get out of the interview without alienating Lex. BRILLIANT bit of diplomacy and strategizing from Chloe… She is demonstrating manipulation abilities worthy of a Luthor.


As the phone rang all of Lex’s earlier anxiety had washed away. There was no reason for him to be nervous. Even if he was no longer in love with Chloe he still respected her. Reading her letter reminded him of all things he already knew about her.

Without even seeing him she knew he would be upset about her not showing up. Her honesty about their past also warmed him. He never wanted to hurt her but managed to do just that. If she was weary about doing the piece then he would find another reporter.

It seems like Chloe’s letter had hit exactly the chord she was aiming for in Lex. He has acknowledged that he respects her for her candid honesty, and he plans to reward her directness by helping her out with her problem. Not only that, but he even feels a ‘little’ guilty about the part he played in forcing her to take on an interview job that she obviously wanted no part of.

Niiice work, Chloe! :D
You’ve got Lex exactly where you want him.


She chuckled on the other end and things were going smoothly so far. It was as if they had spoken the past nine years but in reality they hadn’t.

It WAS interesting to see how easily they fell into banter and candid conversation with each other again. Especially considering how nervous they both were feeling about meeting up again.


“Are you sure? I can just quit but it would be so much easier on Emma and me if I keep this job.” Chloe mentioned a name Lex knew. Her little girl had to be about six now. He had no idea what the child looked like but he was sure she was as beautiful as her mother.

awww, is he forming fond pictures in his head already? I can’t wait to see his reaction when he finally meets the youngling Sullivan. Will she be cheeky and challenging? Sweet, playful and unassuming? Shy? Will he fall in love with the child at first sight? Or will he (at first) be bewildered and regard the child as an ‘obstacle’ that needs to be overcome before Chloe can be won over?


Lex wanted to ask what those reason were. He wanted into inquire as to why she was back but that wasn’t his place. He knew it would give him more control but right now he just wanted to know for his own reasons. “If you don’t want to do the piece I understand. I don’t want our past to affect you now. I’ll still help no matter what you do.”

“I’ll do the article but it will be my last Luthor Corp piece.” She answered and it appeared things were settled.

It seems like Lex is actually going to have to CHARM a reporter into interviewing him?! Oh, the ironies! LOL! But I get the feeling Chloe has already accepted that she’s going to be writing a story on Lex, especially since she made it a point to say that this would be the ‘last’ LuthorCorp article she will be producing.

But I wonder what was in the folder her editor handed to her. It seems like he was asking her to investigate something very specific (and potentially scandalous about LuthorCorp or Lex).


Lex was so sure of himself when he arrived at the hotel. Standing in the lobby his nerves were fine. He didn’t feel anything like he did in his office a half and hour ago. He was totally in control as he waited for Chloe to show up in the lobby.

That was until he laid eyes on her.

Seeing Chloe after all this time and Lex’s perfect shell of control crumbled at his feet.

Heh. I’m sure everything Lex is feeling is reflected in equal intensity in Chloe. She was also pretty nervous about meeting with Lex again, and I’m not sure whether she has forgiven him for whatever cruel way he broke her heart. I can’t wait to find out how the meeting goes. Please update soon.

[kimmie]

oh i really love this story!!! Please come back with more...I wnat to see how Lex reacts to chloe...

Update soon please!!!

-K-

[jem]

OMG.. please dont leave it so long between updates... this story is just too good... what happened all those years ago!?? poor lex, chloe made a new life for herself... wonderful husband and adorable child.. but lex?

siigh...

angst killing me... may even die unless you post again soon!

[lkedino]

i love this story and can't wait for next chapter:D

[hfce]

Great update and it was great seeing how sacred Lex was in meeting Chloe again. I am glad we got to see from his view what he was feeling. I can't wait to read Chloe'd view fo things. :D

[Gaia]

Not bad. Not bad at all:) What will they say...or do? And I really want to know why and how they broke up. And of course Lex has been keeping up with her life...that man can't let anyone go, especially the ones he cares about.

[Nyx]

What happened nine years ago in the school dorm???

They were together and then everything suddenly changed and Chloe moved to NY where she meet her future husband.

Please update soon!!!!

[somethingeasy]

What happened nine years ago in the school dorm???

They were together and then everything suddenly changed and Chloe moved to NY where she meet her future husband.

Like everyone else, I'd also like to know about what happened around the time of the 'dorm room incident'. But I'd ALSO love it if I could find out a little more about the type of man Chloe fell in love with later. How they met... how she learned to trust him, love him... how he proposed... did she have to struggle to get over Lex, or did the love for her husband just 'sneak up' to cover and overwhelm the lingering heartbreak she had over Lex.

[malugargula]

I`m so curious about this interview
Please more soon
:)

[westwingwolf]

Poor Lex should know by now that he has no control when it comes to Chloe and that he shouldn't have done anything to harm their relationship because he feared losing that control. Suck it up, Lex! Oh well, I guess it's too late for that now but hopefully if things get back on track, he won't make that same mistake again. I'm also can't wait to learn more about their past but I'm also looking forward to their reunion.

[leiseman04]

This is such a great fic. I love what you've done with the different points of view.

Both Chloe and Lex seem very true to character, which can be hard at times when you write future fics. I love that Emma is so bright. It will be interesting to see how she interacts with Lex.

Keep up the great work, I'm really looking foward to the reunion.

Cheers!

[jem]

i think theres something wrong with me..... i keep coming back to this fic HOPING theres an update, and feeling like the updates been soooooooo long in coming (then checks todays date, and the date of my last post)...

its only been a day... and still feels an eternity...

this fic is just too intriguing and angsty..

[flowergirl]

Great great story ..
I love all your story's, i whas reading them on you site !
your an amazing writer !
keep up the good work ..

thnx for sharing your gift!
much love,
Stephanie

[xxasaxx]

i totally need an update to this...its so well written

;)

[letia84]

Notes: Thank you to everyone for the comments. I hope this chapter answers some of your questions. Flashbacks in italics.

Chapter 3 Reunion (Chloe POV)

New York, Nine Years Ago

Chloe breathed in taking her time to do what need to be done. When she heard the knock at the door she had a fleeting moment of excitement that it was her neighbor coming over to distract her from her British Lit course.

When she looked through the peephole her excitement was quickly diminished. The person on the other side of the door she hadn’t expected to lay eyes on after a year of being away from him. A long year away from him and she thought he would stay away.

Taking in another deep breath Chloe could have walked away from the door and acted as if she wasn’t there but she made the mistake of announcing her presence once she heard the knock.

While she tried to get control of herself there was a second knock at the door. Looking though the peephole again Lex’s face was still there. It was somewhat distorted in the peephole but his expression was clear. He was frowning, waiting for her to open the door and let him in.

Why Lex Luthor was at her door made no sense. When she left he’d call and when she didn’t answer he’d email but when she still didn’t respond he would write letters to her home in Smallville. Those letters she told her father to dispose of.

To anyone else it would sound like Chloe was being too hard on someone that she was supposed to be in love with but she had to do this cold turkey if it was going to work. Seeing Lex, hearing from him could change her mind and she didn’t want to change her mind.

Chloe left Smalliville afraid of Lex after what she saw but the way he looked through the peephole all those fears seemed to wash away in his sad expression. Chloe just wanted to make this easier for both of them.

“Chloe please.” The sound of his voice was muffled by the door but she could hear the desperation. It was the same sound he made when she said she was leaving.

Taking in another breath Chloe would have to open the door or he would most likely never go away. She slowly undid the two locks securing the door then her hand rested on the door knob. The feel of her sweaty palm on the metal knob was all Chloe could think of and she couldn’t turn it.

“Please, Chloe.” His muffled voice sounded again and this time Chloe could feel her body heaving, forcing back her emotions; forcing back the tears.

Like ripping off a band aid she steadied herself and let the door fly open. “What are you doing here?”

Lex didn’t answer her right away. His eyes seem to glaze over and he took the time to look at her. Chloe new she looked a mess at the moment in her cotton pajama bottoms and oversized sweatshirt but Lex didn’t seem to mind. He was drinking in every bit of her.

She wasn’t any better looking him up and down searching for any signs of change but there were none. Lex was who he always was. His bald head looked well taken care of. His hands were hanging to his sides and his slender fingers slowly curled into a fist. He was dressed in a dark suit without a tie that looked perfectly tailored. But one thing about him was off and Chloe saw it when her eyes settled on his.

Lex looked tired; exhausted to the point of falling over.

“Can I come in?” He finally spoke motioning his hand inside the room.

“Why?” Chloe jumped right into it. He had no right to be there; no reason to be there. It had been a year he should be moving on not stopping by.

“I need to talk.” He looked around as if someone was watching then, he leaned in taking one step closer to her. “I need to talk to you.” He was pleading with her and Chloe should be turned off by it.

She should tell him no and close the door in his face but she stepped aside and let him in.

“Thank you.” He answered relieved.

Chloe closed the door behind her locking it back then turning to find Lex was right on top of her. He was close; too close. His head was leaning towards her and his body was pressing her against the door.

There was no stopping him because he was moving so quickly but Lex’s lips were so close to her own. Before he could get any closer her hands went to his chest and she nudged him away.

With some effort she wiggled away from being between him and the door. From being trapped “What do you want?” She repeated her question from before hoping to have an answer this time.

When she turned to look at him he looked defeated after being rejected. Chloe wasn’t about to kiss him and let him back in when she tried so hard to get him out.

“I miss you.” He started then paused moving in closer to her again. “I miss you and I can’t do what you want me to do.”

Chloe didn’t want to hear this because she was certain everything he was feeling she was feeling too. But none of it mattered, Lex wasn’t who she thought he was and he would never be. “That doesn’t matter. It’s not about what you want.”

“You need me.” He spoke sternly his hands fisted at his sides keeping him from getting closer.

Chloe backed away a little moving down the edge of her twin bed putting some distance between them. “No I don’t. Not anymore. I left for a reason.”

He let out a frustrated sigh at the thought of her reason for leaving. “I know but you don’t have to be afraid. I did what I did to save people.”

“No you didn’t!” Chloe didn’t know why or how but a year of being away and they were about to have the same fight all over again. “Lex you went too far. You can’t do things like that to people no matter what purpose you think they can serve.”

“This is not about the project. This is about us and I need us to be back together.” Lex was starting to look flushed and she could tell he was holding back.

If she wanted him gone, if she wanted to move on she would have to make it clear. “Lex you killed those people. You killed them because you deemed them a threat. It wasn’t their fault they were infected by the meteors.”

Before she could go on he was interrupting her. “They were dangerous. They killed members of my staff and I had to eliminate them.”

“Eliminate them?” Chloe let the words sink in. “You talk about them as if they weren’t even human. You talk about them like they are just another Luthor Corp science project.”

“If I didn’t capture them they would have caused more damage than the meteor showers. You know how dangerous the infected can be. I told you containing and studying them was a way to help them.” He was starting to move closer and his voice hitched louder as he spoke.

“Not every infected person is like that Lex. You want to make it seem like you were helping them but you weren’t. I saw the files; you were using them for your own personal gain.”

“This is about Clark.” Lex went to a place Chloe knew he’d resort to. When things seemed down Clark was the easy out. “You saw the files I had on him and you thought I would let my people capture him. I would never do that to Clark. He’s your friend and, at one time, he was mine.”

“I’m not going to do this with you.” Chloe backed off for a second trying to breathe. She was heaving and her sweatshirt was doing nothing to cool her down. “We have talked about this before. My leaving had nothing to do with Clark. It had everything to do with you. I couldn’t stay anymore.”

“Chloe don’t do this to us; to me.” He moved closer but stopped short when he saw her start to back off. “I’m not doing the project anymore. I let the subjects go except the most dangerous that showed violent tendencies.”

“It doesn’t matter Lex.” Chloe couldn’t’ stop herself from doing it but her eyes were welling up. The tears started slowly but hit a steady beat on her next words. “Loving you means loving all of you and I can’t love a person that orders the death of innocent people.”

“I keep telling you I was left with no other choice.” This time he didn’t stop no matter what Chloe did. He rushed at her full force until his hands were closed around her arms. “Look at me and tell me you honestly think I would kill someone for sport like my father. Look at me and tell me you don’t think the project wasn’t necessary in the first place. Look at me and tell me knowing what you do doesn’t make you miss me any less.”

He was shaking the words out of her but Chloe couldn’t break. He was right she saw why he would want to study meteor infected people. Some of them could terrorize millions but others could help them. Lex hadn’t discriminated between that before but now he was. When he killed the people she spoke of he kept telling her it was his last choice.

Chloe could see for so long how different Lex was from Lionel. After a year and half of seriously being with him she could see he wasn’t like him until she stumbled upon 33.1. The project imprisoned people and forced experimentation on them.

When Chloe saw the files she had to ask herself could she be with someone that could do the things Lex had done and was doing. The answer was no.

Listening to him tell her he had changed, that things weren’t the same she wanted to believe him but her fears took over just like before. “I can’t.” Chloe managed between sobs once Lex was done talking.

His left hand moved to her cheek and his fingers creased the flesh of her skin brushing away her tears. “Yes you can. You don’t have to be afraid of me.”

This reunion was at its end. Chloe looked at him; he was trying too hard to keep it together to make her see that it was all okay. It wasn’t okay the past year but somehow Chloe had gotten there. She moved on to a point where she didn’t dream about him or long for him.

Her hand closed on top of his covering her skin. His flesh was warm and inviting but this had to stop. Looking up at him Chloe tried to pull away but he wouldn’t let her.

“Can’t you see?” He started pulling her closer to him and with his other hand he locked her body in place wrapped around her waist.

“Can’t you see I love you? That whatever fears you have hold no weight because I’m not that person. I’ll never be him.”

“I know you believe that.” Chloe choked back her need to cry anymore. She was wrapped up in Lex’s body and it felt good. He was steady, warm and she felt safe but the feeling was fleeting. “But I can’t take that chance if it’s not true.”

This time he pulled away. Chloe had done the best she could deflecting all his charms and tricks. But Lex still had something left.

He looked down at his feet then towards her. She watched him swallow hard then he was lunging at her. His mouth hit her own hard and his arms flew around her pulling her flush against him.

If her head wasn’t so lost Chloe could have stopped sooner but it all felt so natural. His body, his lips and his tongue making its way into her mouth felt so good. Her body betrayed her as she relaxed in his arms then let her hands find purchase on his body. They betrayed her further by traveling up the toned build of his chest to move around his neck pulling him closer to her.

His skilled tongue hadn’t lost its ability to bring her to moaning helplessly in his mouth. She heard the low grumble in his throat at the sound of her letting go in his arms like so many times before.

Somehow, Lex shifted their bodies and Chloe could feel her legs press against the edge of the bed. They were clawing at her each other now as the kiss deepened until it was broken when Chloe did as Lex urged her to and they parted long enough for her to sit on the bed.

Before he could claim her mouth again Chloe was struck back to reality. Lex had succeeded and shown her how much she still desired him. He knew if she let him back into her bed that he was still in her heart and there was a way for him to crawl back in.

It wouldn’t work because she wouldn’t let it happen. Chloe jumped to her feet and nudged Lex back. “I want you to leave. I won’t do this with you. I left for the reason and I’m sorry but my mind hasn’t changed no matter what you say right or how you kiss me.”

“You can’t be serious. I could feel how much you wanted me just now.” Lex tried to move in again but Chloe was ready for him and swung around his body to move for the door.

“Lex I’m sorry.” She opened the door quickly knowing he wouldn’t make a scene if others could potentially see.

He moved towards her slowly prolonging his stay but he knew just as well as she did what was coming. Lex would leave and Chloe would do her best to repair the damage from this encounter.

Before he moved down the hall and out of her life he said one last thing that stayed with her. After she got married then had her child and even when she lost her husband Lex’s words that day stayed with her.

What Lex said before he left her stayed with her for nine years until they saw each other again.


-------------}{------------


Metropolis Present

“You can do this, everything will be fine.” Chloe kept repeating this to herself as she made her way down the sidewalk towards the Royal Suites Inn. “Everything was fine on the phone and everything will be fine when you see him.” She glanced around her making sure no one was staring at her mouthing things to herself. Of course people were looking but they were no concern of hers.

When she sent Lex the letter it was easy. There was no contact and she could be as opened or as closed off as she needed to be. On the phone it was still easy. They spoke as if nothing had happened between them. As if his attempt to win her back didn’t matter nine years ago.

So many things faded away from that day. Chloe thought she was over him but walking to be reunited with Lex made her nervous. She was so nervous that she was talking to herself until she reached the hotel doors.

Under her breath she cursed herself for picking a hotel. It seemed the most neutral place at the time but now she thought she was sending mixed messages. Lex could think she wanted more than just to talk. It was irrational to think he would want her after all this time but Chloe still thought it.

She shook her head and shook off the thought. There had been no man in her bed since her husband passed two years ago and there wasn’t going to be a change in that, at least not on that day and not with Lex Luthor any day.

Brushing off her the feelings Chloe pushed through the doors of the hotel moving into the lobby. Her eyes scanned the place looking for any sign of Lex. She spotted him easily since his bald head made him stand out from the rest of the hotel guest with his back turned to her.

Once he turned around her steady pace towards him slowed. He stared at her; he looked fine one moment but the next his control seemed to crumble at his feet. His eyes glazed over and his palms closed into a fist.

It was a comfort to see Lex was just as nervous as she was about all of this. For some reason Chloe’s paced slowed even more as she adjusted herself. She was in her suit that she dressed in for the office and her hair was all pinned up. Her blonde locks had grown over the years and the length was longer than Lex had ever seen.

Of all her fears about Lex, Chloe didn’t know if one of them ever progressed to the point she feared until Mr. Walker handed her the envelope. She didn’t know if those things were true but she would find out shortly.

It was hard enough asking him for help with her job but Chloe need it. Lex could make it clear that her personal life wouldn’t be a part of her work life. Yet the files in her leather bag made her wonder if she should have been so casual about meeting Lex again.

She was a mother now and Chloe couldn’t go running around doing things that could put her at risk and leave her kitty cat without anyone.

As she closed in on him she gave him a slight grin and tried to keep her composure. “Hello.” She forced out the greeting after being in front of him a few moments.

Lex swallowed hard; his mouth opened but nothing came out. She watched him try again this time managing to speak. “Shall we move into the room?” Without saying hello or waiting for an answer Lex started walking away.

It appeared he was treating this like a business deal and that’s what it was. It was what it had to be since there was nothing between them anymore. Chloe moved on and had a life she was happy in. She wasn’t sure if Lex had done the same but she was sure he wasn’t pinning for her after all these years.

Her hands fixed around her leather case as they entered the room Lex had set aside for them on the same floor as the lobby. In the over sized room she looked to her left to find a TV inside and armoire then in the center of the room was a conference table and to her right was a table set up with coffee and some kind of snacks.

“Did you order that?” Chloe looked behind as Lex closed.

“I didn’t know if you had eaten or not. It’s just a little snack after lunch.” He didn’t look at her as he spoke but simply moved around her to the other side of the conference table to take a seat. “Have something if you want but we should get started I have another meeting after this.”

He was acting strange and he had every right to be. This was awkward; he was being so cold when he was so warm on the phone. Chloe had to stop over analyzing him. This could be who Lex was now and on the phone she didn’t pick up on it.

“Let me grab some coffee.” It was a weakness and a comfort that there was coffee. It gave Chloe a chance to get it together before getting to the article.

She placed her bag on the table across from Lex and went for the coffee. After filling one of the white cups provided Chloe grabbed a matching white saucer. With her cup of coffee in hand Lex started things off as she took her seat. “How can I help you?"

Before speaking she took a sip of her coffee and noted the flavor instantly. "French Roast?" She questioned returning the cup to the saucer.

"I know how much you like it but then again things could have changed." His eyes lowered as if he was saddened by the thought of not knowing her anymore.

"Thanks, I still like it very much." After nine years he was still doing little things that he knew she would like.

"Good." He paused for a moment shaking off the silent moment and got back to business. "Let's start with the blackmail."

"Right." Chloe nodded once then went on with her plans. "I want Mr. Walker to know that he can’t use me and I think the best way would be to bring a lawyer into it. I know it’s asking a lot but I wouldn’t know who to hire.”

“You need me to send someone over to see him” Lex caught on quickly and Chloe knew she wouldn’t have to say much for him to understand what she needed to be done.

“If you could send someone to see him that would be perfect. I don’t want them to be directly connected to you and have Mr. Walker track the lawyer back to you. He’s in breach of the contract I signed. I could point this out to him but I think a lawyer will let him know I mean business.”

“I can have someone in his office tomorrow morning.”

Chloe nodded and gave him a slightest smile. “Thank you.” She loved it when a plan came together and couldn’t help but be happy about it.

“You’re welcome. So let’s move on with the interview.” He was fixed in his seat for the moment, looking at anything but her.

The first part was easy but what she had to do now wouldn’t be easy at all. “When the story was turned over to me I was given a file. The new energy source that you have created will be beneficial to so many people. I can’t believe you’ve found a way to use the meteor rocks. I’m sure the US government is more than happy to be working with you on using it to create new weapons.”

Lex nodded once and thought he saw right through her. “My people wrote up the press releases that you’re talking about. It should be more than enough for you to write the piece and to get all the facts you need about the new source of energy. I wanted to meet with you to personalize the piece and address questions just like the one you brought up. It is very true Luthor Corp has been commissioned by the government to harness the energy for a weapon.”

“I got all that but I’m not concerned with the weapons. There was something else in the file.” Taking in a deep breath Chloe went for her leather bag and pulled out the envelope she was given by Mr. Walker. She didn’t want to do this but her curiosity was getting the best of her.

Lex watched and waited as she pulled out two sheets of paper. Each piece had a picture of a man on it. One at a time Chloe laid the images in front of Lex. “This is Dr. Andrew Wolenski and Dr. Marcus Halloway. I think you know them both since their last place of employment was with you at Luthor Corp. Dr. Wolenski has a PhD in electrical engineering and Dr…”

Before she could go on, Lex was interrupting her and didn’t seem too pleased with what she was about to imply. “…Halloway has a Ph D in molecular biology. I know the men. Just go ahead and ask the question Chloe. Did these men die working for me?”

She’d only seen Lex truly upset once in her life during the second meteor shower. At that moment he seemed to be reaching that point as he stared at her.

“I wouldn’t be asking if I didn’t find what I did Lex. They both moved to Metropolis to work specifically on this energy project and they both suddenly disappear then are found dead. The last place they were seen was the Luthor Corp planet in Smallville.”

“Do you honestly think I would have let those men die?” He leaned forward no long looking all over the room but looking her right in the eye.

“It wouldn’t be the first time it’s happen. I know I don’t know you that well anymore but when I left you were doing questionable things just like this.” Chloe didn’t mean to bring up things that were long past but she couldn’t ignore the truth.

Lex leaned forward in his seat almost coming over the table. “Your right Chloe you don’t know me anymore. You left and you didn’t want me back so don’t act as if you know what I would and wouldn’t do. You’re sitting here passing judgment on me instead of looking for the facts.”

“I’m not passing judgment.”

“You decided before you even asked me that I killed those men. That I pushed them so hard they died working for me.”

“Well did they or didn’t they?” Chloe was as frustrated as he was and she just wanted the answer.

He released a loud groan jumping up from his seat. Before Chloe could move Lex was around the table right next to her. “They died because of what they did. I told them to back off on what they were working on but they didn’t listen to me. Their ambitions got the best of them. I have video recordings of the men doing exactly what I told them not to do after I met with them. You’ll have the tape by day’s end.”

Chloe opened her mouth to try and answer him looking up at him for her seat but he interrupted before she could get anything out. “I didn’t kill them. I know you left here thinking I would turn into some kind of monster but I didn’t Chloe. The meteor rocks will provide energy for the world. I have worked to create something to help the world but you don’t focus on that.”

With that he was gone. He stormed out of the room leaving Chloe sitting alone at the table. He was right she didn’t know him anymore. Lex had created something to help so many but she was still hung up on what he had done she couldn’t see that maybe all her fears never came to light.

Their reunion ended and Chloe would have to decided for herself if she would focus on the great thing Lex had done or the murders he could have caused.


-------------}{------------

Two weeks can pass without even thinking about it. Chloe’s time was filled with the things she loved the past two weeks. She had a fancy dinner with Lois, Chloe spent the weekend showing Emma her favorite parks in the city and Chloe had her first piece printed in the Metropolis Monthly.

When Lex stormed off he said he’d send a video of what happened to the scientist that died working for him. She couldn’t bring herself to watch the video that night. The next morning when she headed into the office Lex had done what she wanted an hour before she arrived.

A lawyer was in her office handing her a file and telling her his work was done and he could be reached by the number in the file. Chloe didn’t even get to speak with the man but the fruits of his labor were seen as soon as he left her office.

Mr. Walker was rushing into to apologize for using her. He groveled at her feet nearly telling her that he would be devastated if she left the magazine. Chloe had her boss wrapped around her fingers and all she had to do was tell him she wasn’t going to write the energy piece about Luthor Corp.

But she didn’t.

Lex had keep up his end of the deal after she accused him of being a murderer. She told Mr. Walker that she’d make the deadline for next month’s issue. He left looking rather pleased but she reminded him of her agreement.

When she was finally alone Chloe took out the disk Lex left for her to watch; the recordings of Dr. Halloway and Dr. Wolenski. The footage went along just as he said it would. Dr. Halloway convinced his colleague into doing something that ended in an explosion of light.

Along with the disk was an autopsy report explaining that the meteor rocks they were working with shattered on both men leaving enough lacerations that killed them. One last thing was included in the package Lex sent. Official copies of Luthor Corp documents about the work done to create the new energy were also included.

Chloe didn’t know what to think anymore. It looked like Lex was telling her the truth. There was every reason for him to lie but he had given her so much information.

Part of her knew she wounded Lex when she left him dooming him to turn into a monster. For the first time in nine years she tried to see him for what he was; what she always hoped he would be.

As she wrote that article Lex transformed from the man she left afraid of to the man that saved her from Lionel Luthor. He was the man that she fell in love with in a summer cottage. He was a person that trusted her and knew her better than anyone until she met her husband.

After a rocky reunion Chloe was putting herself through another awkward meeting when she went to Lex’s office after the Monthly was released.

His assistant, Ms. March, waved her right into to see him. When the automatic doors swung open Lex was perched on the edge of his desk waiting for her. His arms were folded in defense in front of him but he dropped them to his sides when she entered the room.

“I read the piece.” He started as she moved closer to him.

“And?” Chloe questioned walking into the room calmer than what she was in the hotel.

“It was exactly what I wanted.”

“Good, I hope you didn’t think the title was too much.” Chloe did go a bit over board proclaiming Luthor Corp was the savior of the world’s energy crises but it didn’t fall far from the truth.

“No, I think the title was just fine.” The first time since she’d seen him Lex smiled. It was no more than a grin, a smirk even but it was there. “Is everything squared away with you and Mr. Walker?”

Chloe took the last few steps to stand in front of Lex and nodded once she reached him. “I got the desired reaction. Thank you again for…”

“No need to thank me.” Lex cut her off raising his hand in protest. They both looked at each waiting for the other to speak first.

Chloe didn’t mean to but she scanned the office. She didn’t know what she was looking for but she didn’t find much. The office was tidy and as orderly as Lex himself. His desk was a piece of glass and metal and the leather furniture in the room left a smell lingering around her.

Chloe didn’t find one picture. Either Lex hadn’t married or he didn’t believe in putting pictures up in his office. Chloe’s office was mostly covered with Emma and a one family photo before Troy passed.

She didn’t know a thing about Lex since he left her dorm so long ago and what he said to her when they first met was more than true.

After a quick scan of his surroundings Chloe’s eyes settle back on Lex who was still looking at her in silence. “I really stopped by to say something.”

“Assumed you did or you could just want to snoop around my office.” His eyes brows rose at her.

Of course he noted her curious ways but Chloe brushed off the comment to say something that was long coming. She inched a little closer to Lex hoping he would respond well to what she had to say. “You were right the other day. I don’t know you anymore and I wanted to apologize for assuming something about you before I had all the facts.”

“There is no need to say sorry. After what happened you had every right to think what you did.” His hand started to extend towards her but quickly retreated. “I never wanted you to think of me that way but I didn’t do a good job of changing your mind.”

Chloe knew what he was going to do when his hand reached out. It was a motion she was use to and the last time he’d done it she pulled his hand away from her cheek.

“I have been thinking that…” Chloe paused not really sure if she should say what she was about to but she moved back to Metropolis to heal and no longer fearing what she did when she left was a part of the healing. “…maybe I was wrong about being afraid of you then.”

“I guess you’ll never really know.”He stood up from the edge of the desk. “Maybe you should find out.”

Her eyes focused on him intently trying to see through what he was saying but finding no answers. “What do mean I should find out?”

“I’m saying that…” He paused to move in closer to her looking down on her. “…you could try to get to know me again. You do remember what I said the last time I saw you?”

Chloe let her mind go back to that day nine years ago when Lex was standing in her door preparing to leave and she remembered exactly what he said. “I remember but I think the chance has long passed us by since so much has changed.”

“I know but I said I’d wait.” Lex turned away from her heading for the large window looking down on the city. “I said no matter how long it takes.”

Chloe didn’t know why he was saying this but she didn’t move back for this. There reunion was hard, awkward, for a moment it was pleasant and now Chloe was surprised. She had to get out that space with him before Lex said anything else.

“I should go.” Without a good bye Chloe turned to run off not looking back at Lex looking away from her.

As she left the building Chloe let what Lex said wash over her. All those years ago and she still knew every word.

“No matter how long it takes. No matter the outcome if we are lovers again or just friends. We will be together. We will find a way back to each other.”

TBC

Chapter 4 Trapped (Lex POV)

Notes: Just a warning this may be the last chapter until late in to June. I have to put my grad school writing first.

[somethingeasy]

This was an excellent chapter. It helped answer a lot of questions about the how, when and why of the Chlex breakup. I don't blame Chloe for leaving Lex after she found out he had been conducting immoral experiments on 'meteorite enhanced' people. I imagine it would have been quite a shock to her to realize that the man she loved was capable of such atrocities without a qualm or hesitation.

But I do think its a great pity that she didn't accept his word when he tracked her down and assured her that he was sorry for everything he had done, and was willing to make changes to become a better person, someone more worthy of her. He offered to change, atone and make amends for all his mistakes and character flaws... and Chloe flung his sincerity back in his face.

I think it's a miracle that Lex stayed on the course towards redemption even after his main incentive (winning back Chloe's love) had been snatched away from him. I can't imagine how he managed to stay on the path of 'humanity and decency' after discovering that Chloe had fallen in love with another man... gotten married and had a child no less. It must have been devastating for him, but he managed to keep himself from slipping back into darkness.... somehow. Miraculous!

Even worse, the first thing Chloe does during their first meeting in almost a decade is to first ask him for a favour (the lawyer recommendation), and then slams into him with a bunch of hostile accusations. I don't blame Lex for getting angry... in fact, I'm surprised he reacted as coolly as he did in the face of her inclination to believe the very worst of him.

*sigh* but it WAS great to see her apology in the form of the favourable headline. She didn't quite call Lex the messiah of the new age, but she came close to it ;)

It's good to see that she has finally seen that Lex has actually spent a lot of time and effort into making himself into a good and decent man. Perhaps now she'll start giving him the benefit of the doubt instead of believing that he's still a ruthless monster in search of profit at any cost possible.

I look forward to seeing how the next chapter comes along. Take your time with it. If school work is getting in the way of getting some quality writing done, then get the school work over and done with first, and then re-focus on the getting the writing right. Good luck!

[hfce]

That was a good update. Chloe needs to know she isn't always right and look beyond what she knows. I hope she can take up on what Lex offered. ;)

[westwingwolf]

Did you say earlier that what happened in Freak doesn't apply here meaning that Chloe is not a freak? I was just wondering if she was or wasn't and if that had any bearing on her thoughts about what Lex has done.

That was a heartbreaking flashblack scene as Lex tried desperately to get Chloe back. And more heartbreak when he realized she still saw him as a monster.

It's good to see that Lex has changed and I hope that Chloe gives him a chance. Of course I want more between them, but friends would be a nice start. It definitely seems like it's going to take a while as there is a lot to repair, but hopefully it will.

Good luck on your grad school writing. I'll be waiting patiently.

[xxasaxx]

“No matter how long it takes. No matter the outcome if we are lovers again or just friends. We will be together. We will find a way back to each other.”

wow.

june, huh? :(

[malugargula]

Great chapter
I hope they can get to know each other again and be at least friends (of course I want them to be much more than just friends... LOL)

[Gaia]

Good update. Very good update. :D I can't wait till Lex meets Emma.
Keep on the good work!

[zho9]

this seriously needs an update:D
yes, I agree. Please?

[letia84]

Notes: Sorry for the delay. I must say the delays will only get worse since I have to teach again this year. Yeah grading papers, writing quizzes and ignoring my fan fics. Anyhow here is the update.

Chapter 5 Two Steps Back (Chloe$POV)

‘Dear god, what have I done.’ Chloe mumbled to herself as she left Lex sitting in her living room to check on Emma.

She had just let Lex Luthor into her house like they were old friends and he was sitting there waiting for coffee. Had she just done something that she would regret or was the look on his face one of the most sincere things she’d seen in the past two years from a man.

It wasn’t enough that Chloe had apologized. Lex was right, that somehow their pathways would keep crowsing and maybe it didn’t have to be as hard as it was the first time they saw each other after nine years. Maybe it was time to start healing the damaged parts of her past that were tied to him.

His concern for her was nothing new. Chloe did leave crying and knew Lex couldn’t stand the sight of tears on her face. All week she was waiting on a call that never came.

The woman that arrived just as she was leaving reminded her that Lex had a weakness for a woman with a pair of brown eyes and long brunette hair. Just seeing him standing next to the woman made her wonder how he ended up ith her all those years ago.

It seemed like Lex had adjusted into a life that didn’t include her like she had done.

The knock at her door was unexpected that Saturday afternoon. Chloe had spent a relaxing morning with Emma. They had a good breakfast at a place nearby then took a leisurely walk home. Emma was bubbly all morning and more talkative than normal. If Chloe wasn’t so engaged with her when they arrived home she would have seen Lex coming.

They were only home a few moments before there was a knock at the door. When Chloe looked into the peephole to find Lex Luthor on the other side of the door she napped at attention. She told Emma to go to her room right away and thought after a few words Lex would be gone. But some how Lex still had the ability to talk his way into anything he wanted.

How she ended up with him in her apartment was all a blur. One moment she was ready to tear his eyes out for stopping by unannounced and the next she was feeling sorry for what she had done all those years ago. Chloe had made peace with all of it when she wrote her article but it appeared Lex hadn’t.

Making it to her daughter’s room Chloe took a moment to look at her Kitty Cat drawing at her art isle in the far corner of the room. All she could think about was what had she done to her child just now subjecting her to meeting with Lex.

There had to be a way out of what she had just done, if not for Chloe but for Emma. Lex speaking to Emma was awkward, frightening even. When Emma reached her little hand out to let Lex shake it Chloe nearly hauled her up into her arms to run back into the apartment after slamming the door in Lex’s face.

It was already confusing enough moving to Metropolis for Emma and now she was adding her past into her little girl’s life. If anything was going to happen with Lex then there had to be some ground rules on how he treated Emma. Being her friend again meant knowing she was a mother first.

Chloe may have been hurt in the pass by Lex. She may have been scared of him. But now all those things could change. Lex wasn’t what she thought he would be yet the thought of him shaking her daughter’s hand was the worst feeling she had since moving back.

Without disturbing Emma Chloe went back to her living room. She saw Lex wasn’t settled down on the sofa like she left him but he was standing up next to a table that held and arvay of family photos.

She watched him reach out for one of her favorites. Emma wedged between Troy and her and they were$both kissing her cheeks. It was Emma’s first birthday party and they were all wearing silly hats. The memory of Troy veaching over to kiss her next flashed into her mind and there was a moment she wanted him there with her now.

When the moment passed her eyes laid upon Lex staring at the picture searching for something. What he was looking for she didn’t know but it had to stop. This was too fast and Chloe wasn’t ready to have a cup of coffee with Lex like they were old friends.

“Lex?” She called for his attention and she watched him fumble to place the picture back. There were only a few times she saw Lex clumsy and seeing it now reminded her that there were some thing’s she only knew about him.

“I’m sorry.” He answered her turning back to look at her. The same face he was making at the door he was making again.

He was calm and cool but Chloe could tell his nerves were getting the best of him. His eyes stayed on her face as if they were fighting not to look at other places. He shoved his hands into his pockets and Chloe knew it would keep her from seeing his frustrated fingers curled into fists.

“No, I’m sorry.” Chloe paused taking a few steps towards him trying to make this easier. “I can’t do this yet.”

Lex nodded once looking just behind her as if Emma would pop up at any moment. “I understand. You have Emma now and tlings should happen on a schedule that works best for both of you.”

As he spoke Chloe was getting another shock from Lex. Normally he wouldn’t go down so easily but something was different(now. “Thank you; maybe we can have coffee another time?”

“I would like that.” He replied to her then started moving for the door.

Chloe quickly followed after and made it just ahead to open the door before he could. “I’ll call you.” Chloe spoke to him as he |ook the steps from being in her home to being out of it.

“It’s nice to see you again.” Lex answered her and the corners of his mouth curved up to make a small smile.

There was no good response to what he said. It was nice to see him but there was still so much uncertainty between them. Chloe simply nodded and said good bye. Soon the door was closed and Lex was off.

With him gone she could focus on her daughter. She was sure Kitty Cat would have questions. Chloe made it back down the hall to Emma’s door and found she was still hard at work on her drawing.

“Kitty Cat?” Chloe called out to her and she didn’t turn to look at her to answer.

“Yes mommy?” She sounded out and still sounded upset that Chloe made her go to her room. Chloe knew she was always up for meeting new people but this encounter wasn’t like anything Chloe was expecting.

Moving into the room Chloe knelt down next to her little one. “Do you have anything you want to ask me?

Chloe atched her hunch her shoulders then raise her head to think. She put her colored marker down and looked at Chloe. “No, I don’t have any questions?”

Maybe she was making a big deal out of Lex stopping by but Chloe had to make sure there was no confusion. “You don’t want to ask me about Mr. Luthor?”

Emma scooted off her little seat and joined Chloe on the floor. “Why is he bald?” Emma asked as her arms went around Chloe’s waist signaling$she wanted to be in her lap.

Doing as she asked Chloe took her into her arms trying to settle herself on the carpet better with Emma in her arms. “Well…” Chloe started thinking of Lex being bald most of his life and wondering how it was for him. It never bothered her but people could be cruel and Chloe was sure someone treated him poorly for it. “…Mr. Luthor had an accident when he was a little boy and he lost all his hair.”

“Does his head get cold?” Emma asked her next question.

Chloe had to chuckle a little at the question. She did recall Lex never being cold in any way. His entire body alwayw seemed to generate heat from his bald head to the tip of his toes. After awhile Chloe made it up in her mind that expelling heit was Lex’s meteor freak power. “No, he stays warm.”

Emma nodded looking Chloe in the eye. Her tiny fingers fumbled with a piece of hair hanging in her face. “Can I finish my picture?”

At that moment Chloe knew it was over. Emma wasn’t fazed in the least by Lex being there. It was amazing how somethings scared her to death and Emma was fine. “Of course you can.”

“Okay.” Emma answered with ease then reached to kiss Chloe’s cheek before moving back to her chair.

Now that she knew Emma was fine Chloe could start to wonder how she would deal with Lex now that she had let him back into her life. Chloe knew she would heve to talk to someone.

Clark was out of the questioned and talking about something like this wasn’t something she wan|ed to share with her father. That left her with one person and Lois was expected to be at her place for dinner later that night.


-------------}{------------

“Have you lost your mind?” Lois repeated herself for the thizd time.

Chloe snatched the plates she was handing her and placed them in dishwasher. “No, I’m perfectly fine Lois.?

Lois was supposed to be helping but Chloe should have known better then to tell her anything.(“You let him into your house.”

“Yes I let Lex into the house.” Chloe wanted to slam the dishwasher closed but Emma was supposed to be going to sleep and she didn’t want to wake her. “Then I immediately let him out.”

The day progressed into the night without any other incidents. When Lois and Clark arrived for dinner it was all very normal. They talked about their day and Chloe talked about the lazy day she spent with her daughter excluding Lex’s appearance. It wasn’t until Clark disappeared to do his hero thing did Chloe mention Lex’s sudden appearance at her apartment earlier that day.

After playing a quick board$game, Chloe got Emma ready for bed like she always did. She made sure her teeth were brushed, her hair was brushed then tied back and she tucked her in for the night. Once the nightly ritual was over Chloe dropped the bomb on Lois as they did the dishes.

As the words fell from her lips the face Lois made assured her that this talk wouldn’t(be easy. The first thing out of her mouth questioned Chloe’s sanity. It wasn’t something she took lightly knowing her mother was in fact insane and the cause of it could lead right to her or the horrible diseases could have cursed her Emma.

Chloe didn’t comment on what Lois said and simply gave her a look as she took a seat at the kitchen table with her. After staring at her a few moments Lois got the poin|.

“I’m sorry you know that’s not what I meant.” After a weak smile Lois went right back into her rant. “Why do$you keep doing this to your self? You have been through enough and now you want to let Lex Luthor back into your life.”

“I know very well what I have been through. I live it everyday.” Chloe sighed through her frustration. She wanted to talk with Lois and hear some kind words from her understanding cousin but tonight she wasn’t getting the softer side of Lois.
z
“What if he saw Emma?” Lois pointed down the hall where Emma was sleeping. Chloe realized she only gave Lois part of the information about what happen that afternoon.

“Lex did see Emma.” Chloe mumbled getting up from her seat to double check the dishwasher that didn’t need any help from her.

There was a long pause before Lois said anything. The silence made Chloe feel like the steam was slowly rising inside of Lois preparing to explode at any moment. But Lois alwiys came(through when Chloe actually need her to. When it came to Emma it always softened her up.

As she stood there staring down at the red light on the dishwasher Lois tapped her shoulder making her turn and pulled her into an embrace. “Okay, tell me what happened. I won’t yell at you anymore.”

Chloe pulled back and she could see the shift in Lois’ face. Her eyes had settled and a warm look surfaced. The more level headed side of Lois was here and the hug confirmed it.

After saying a quick “thank you”, Chloe took her seat back at the table and started to tell the story of the whole ordeal. She told Lois how the moment she saw him in the peep hole how it made her remember when he hunted her down back in New York.

Going over the events Chloe knew her daughter took well to new people but Lex also seem to have a way with her. Hm didn’t talk down to her or tzeat her like child. He had simple conversation with her but it all got so weird that Chloe had to rush Emma away from the door.

When Chloe got to the part about Lex’s apology there was a flash in her mind about how sincere he looked. After all this time she could see right though him if he was lying and there wasn’t anything about his demeanor telling her he wasn’t telling the truth.

Then, as Chloe got to the worse part of it and Lex’s words that had haunted her for years, Lois had to speak up.

“What does he think will happen?” The question settled between them and Chloe had no idea how to answer her.

“Lex said finding a way back to one another didn’t necessarily mean we would start dating again.” The thought of letting Lex be her friend again and why she let him into the house in the first place hit Chloe as she answered Lois.

When he asked her for friendship it made her wonder who he trusted now to call a friend. After she left things with Clark had long passed away. Lana was never really anyone’s friend and after her death during the second meteor shower her memory faded away as Smallville returned to normal. Then there was Lionel playing out his days as a bachelor. Chloe was certain nothing had changed between Lex and his father since she left.

In her mind Lex had been alone since {he left and things between them,were never really repaired but simply pushed away so Chloe could move on. When Lex offered her friendship it seemed likm somethmng they both needed. Only the second he was actually in her home a trapped feeling rose up inside her and she had to make him leave.

Lois scoffed at Chloe’s responds about friendship. “He doesn’t want to be your friend. No matter how much he may believe it or how much he may act like it. Lex Luthor will never let go of the possibility that he can win you back.”

“How can you be so sure? People change, I know I have and it wasn’t just getting married and having a kid that did it.”

“I’m sorry to tell you this but all these years and I thought maybe he’d give up but when you got back and he requested you for that article I knew Lex was still the same Lex." She paused before going on and the conversation took a turn. "I have been holding on to this for while now but I think its time you knew.”

Chloe pulled back in her chair in a state of confusion. “Its time that I knew what?”

“It was your wedding day and we didn’t want to upset you.” Lois paused to gauge her reaction and before Lois could go on Chloe knew what she was about to say.

“He was there wasn’t he?” For whatever reason on the day of her wedding Chloe had in the back of her mind that she wanted Lex to be there.

She wanted him to see how happy she was. Even though they weren’t together she could still be happy with her life. In some way she hoped the thought would be the closure for him that she had found.

Lois nodded as she went on. “Clark saw him out in the distance during the reception and he went to tell him to leave. That’s when I knew Lex would always be hooked on you. He couldn’t even let you get married without watching over you.”

There could be some truth to what she was saying but maybe Lois was wrong and she was right. “Maybe he was there to put some closure between us.”

“I’m sorry but I don’t think that’s what it was. The second he knew you were back in Metropolis he asked to see you.”

At first, it was strange that Lex had called on her but it was clear to her now his reason. “He did that because he trusted my ability to write a good piece for him. You know he helped me out at work as well.”

“Do you hear yourself?” Lois glared at her as if something was wrong.

Chloe didn’t think anything was out of order as she questioned her. “Hear what?”

“It’s just like when you were together. You’re defending him.”

“I’m not defending him, I’m stating facts.” Chloe did remember. Even though they keep things a secret Chloe did tell Lois about them after Clark had found out. She needed someone to be her outlet for what was going on.

“I know what facts are and you’re not getting the point of what I’m saying. Yes he helped you but he didn’t have to put you in that position in the first place.”

Chloe felt herself getting over heated again. They had already gone over this and what it meant to write the piece for Lex in the Monthly. Lois bringing it up again only meant she was jealous she didn’t get to the story first.

“I’m not getting back into that with you Lois. My boss made the choice to try and force that story on me not Lex.” Chloe wanted to get up from her chair to walk away but she waited for Lois’s response since she did ask her to stay for her thoughts on the matter.

“Fine you keep defending him and he’ll get what he wants.”

“What is that suppose to mean?” They were both yelling at each other and Chloe had to catch herself at the end of her question for fear of waking Emma.

Lois took the hint and her reply was softer but still just as harsh. “He wants you or haven’t you been listening to me. Why do think he asked for you specifically to write the piece, and then he helped out looking for nothing in return and now he’s knocking on your door claiming he wants to be friends.” Lois reached her hand out for Chloe resting on the table covering it and giving it a good squeeze.

“You wanted to talk to clear your head about this and I’m telling you that you need to think about what has happen between the two of you since you have been back.”

Chloe let her mind wrap around what Lois was trying to say and in some ways she knew Lois was right. Lex had done everything that could put her in a place where she felt they could be friends again.

When he left that afternoon, without a fight, it was what she wanted. It was something in the past she knew he would never do and it all seemed like a ploy to make her think he had changed. Lex had done things that would make her start to trust him again or at least trust him enough to almost let into him into her home for cup of coffee.

If this was all a game to him to get her back into his life Chloe didn’t want to play. After losing her husband the thought of any man in life again was far from her mind; especially one that wanted to manipulate her emotions.

Nothing was certain but Chloe wasn’t ready to let Lex in the way he wanted. She would have to see him again and see if Lois was right or not. Lex could be a changed man and want friendship or he was only a few moves away from thinking he could get her back. The truth was she wanted him to be honest with her. Chloe wanted to heal that part of her life with him.

Pulling herself together she looked to Lois. She wanted to know the rest of what happened when Clark saw Lex at her wedding. “Tell me what Clark said to Lex on my wedding day.”

As Lois went over the details she was searching for anything that would give her an answer as to what Lex was doing there. Unfortunately, she would have to ask Lex herself to get any real information. Chloe didn’t want to believe it but Lex was hiding something even from himself.

Once Lois had left the things they went over made Chloe stay up that night. It made her wonder if any of this would have ever happened if she hadn't moved back or if Troy was still alive.

When she went to work the next morning it was clear that Lois wasn’t the only that wanted her to back off of Lex.


-------------}{------------

Weekdays were finally becoming a routine for Chloe and Emma. She would take Emma to school personally and the nanny would pick her up. Gloria was working out well.

If Chloe knew she would be late then Gloria would start dinner. Chloe was sometimes unsure of what to cook but Gloria filled in the holes when needed. If Emma had any work for school Gloria helped her get it done. The woman even cleaned from time to time in which Chloe never asked her to do but it need to be done so Gloria said she just did it.

Emma was adjusting to her school well and making friends. So well that weekend a play date with one of her new friends was scheduled.

Work was going well and Chloe’s ideas for the Monthly were playing out nicely. If only the other parts of life would play out just as normally.

There was no move made to call Lex the rest of the weekend. Chloe tried to take what Lois said and really think about what she wanted out of all this instead of wondering what Lex wanted. If she didn’t know then there was no way she would understand him when they spoke.

Letting the work week fly by Chloe let thoughts of Lex slip out of her mind to focus on Emma and work. On that Thursday as her work day was coming to a close Chloe got a visit from the another Luthor that was once in her life.

The front desk clerk paged her office and said that a Mr. Luthor wanted to see her. Lex stopping by her office after the mess with Mr. Walker seemed like a bad choice on his part but they did need to talk and Mr. Walker shouldn’t be a problem any longer. Now was as good a time as any to speak to him and get out in the open what Chloe felt about the whole situation.

Sitting at her desk she watched the door open an Chloe was greeted by the evil grin of Lionel Luthor. He closed the door behind him and started right in. “This office is a far cry from your humble begins at the Smallville High School Torch.”

Initially Chloe was startled but she knew how to play this game with Lionel. He wanted to bait her into getting angry and say something he could attack. Years of being away from the man and he still had the same plan of attack.

This time Chloe wasn’t a high school teen selling her soul to the devil and even then she burned Lionel more then he would ever admit. The playing field would never be level between them but the past ten years gave her some valuable experience to combat him.

Clearing her throat Chloe answered the old man. “If you’re here to welcome me back to Kansas then thank you and now you can go.”

His smirk grew into and even bigger grin as he took a seat in the chair on the other side of her desk. Over the years Lionel had aged rather well considering her father had so many troubles. She afforded his good health with his run in the Clark. It took Clark forever to explain his behaviors back then but she now knew the truth. Switching bodies with someone like Clark might let Lionel live forever.

He was dressed rather casual for Lionel Luthor. It appeared he was wearing his hair long again since the last time. He was in dark slacks, a grey polo shirt that was tucked in to his pants and a dark suit jacket. She had never seen him so casual but there he was looking rather rested and smug sitting across from her.

“Now Ms. Sullivan is that anyway to speak to an old acquaintance?” He replied to her.

“It certainly is if the old acquaintance tried to kill you at one time.” Chloe shot back and he nodded in agreement.

“I can’t argue with you there but I thought motherhood may have softened you a bit.”

Chloe didn’t want to react to it but Lionel knowing that information about her life made her stomach turn as to what he was up to. Before she could retort he was already answering.

“There is no need to be alarmed. My visit today has nothing do with revenge or using your daughter to exact that revenge.”

She swallowed hard trying to get her composure back. Even though he said he wasn't there for revenge Lionel was putting thoughts into her head she didn’t want to think of. In all her thinking of moving back she didn’t factor Lionel in as an issue.

He was living his life and she was living hers. If he was really going to get back at her then maybe he would have done it years ago but Chloe would never underestimate Lionel Luthor.

“Go on. I’m sure there is a sharp quip in there somewhere about how I’ll never even lay eyes on Emma.”

The moment Chloe heard her daughters name come out of the dreaded man she jumped up from her seat. He knew too much, way too much for someone that she had already stated tried to kill her once.

She wanted to stay protected behind her desk but she would have to face him if he would get the point. As she moved towards Lionel he had risen from his seat as well meeting her at the left edge of her desk.

“I don’t have to threaten you Mr. Luthor. You know what I’m capable of and I’m sure you still have mental and physical scares from jail to remind you of what I can do.” Chloe felt her body starting to heave and wanting to breathe hard but she couldn’t let him see her that way. She tried to think that this would all be over soon and he would be out of her office in no time.

His grin had faded by this point and she was certain it was the memories of his jail time that had done it. The very thought of it seemed to still piss him off because his brow was starting to furrow and his lip twitched before he got him self together to answer.

“As I stated before I didn’t come here for revenge but I’m here on behalf of my son.”

Chloe waned to laugh in his face at the thought of Lionel doing some for his son after all his years of never caring about him at all. She stifled the chuckle with a question. “You must be talking about Lucas?”

Even though she was able to keep her laughter to her self Lionel wasn’t. He had good laugh at her comment before going on. “I assure you I’m here for Lex.”

There was no clue where he was going with this but the sooner he did the sooner he would be gone. “Alright then what do you need to tell me about Lex.”

“I have a warning for you Ms. Sullivan.” Lionel took a step closer to her making Chloe feel as if the walls were closing in on her. “Stay away from him. He’s worked to hard and come to far to have you come back and ruin it all for him. Lex nearly lost it all when you rejected him and I didn’t pull him back from the edge to have you push him over.”

He was speaking but Chloe didn’t understand a word he was saying. She knew Lex was hurt by her leaving but the extent to which he suffered she never knew.

Chloe tried to wrap her mind around what Lionel thought she could do to hurt Lex now and it didn't matter. “Whatever involvement I have or don’t have with Lex is none of your concern.”

“Lex will always be my concern. I won’t allow you to break him like you did before.” Lionel moved back collecting him self as he moved for the door. He turned back for his final words. “If anything changes with him I’ll hold you responsible then we will have that talk about revenge.”

Before she could get out another word Lionel was moving through her office door closing it quietly. Once he was gone she was alone in the room with his final words hanging in the air. Something had to be done about this before it got worse and her first instinct was to call Clark to take of this for her.

But Chloe took two steps back and turned to the man that helped her the first time Lionel Luthor came knocking on her door.

TBC

Chapter 6 Reality (Lex POV)

[lj715]

Another excellent chapter!!!! Lionel, I love him...I hate him. I can;t believe he thinks he's trying to protect Lex. More please.

[westwingwolf]

I can understand Chloe's feelings of wanting to protect and think of her daughter and not wanting to become friends with Lex if he's trying for something more when she's not ready. I hope Lex really did just want to be friends and if something evolves from that so be it. Turning to Lex might just be the right thing to do when it comes to Lionel. At least to tell him why she might stay away from him and to let Lex know that Lionel is still interfering in his life.

[michelle_19781997]

Excellent chapter.

[kimmie]

Brilliant, I'm so happy you updated!!!

-K-

[xxasaxx]

Brilliant, I'm so happy you updated!!!

-K-


ditto:grin3:

[dagney]

Whoooo hoooo the tension was thick in the air. This story is yet another of your gems. I await the next update. Dagney

[hfce]

That was a great update. I so hate Lionel he needs to step off. Lex is a grown ass man damn him. :mad:

[kirt30]

ohh that was great i hope chloe and lex get back together

[malugargula]

Wow... is Lionel really trying to protect Lex or is he playing one of his evil games with Chloe???
Please more soon

[somethingeasy]

It wasn’t enough that Chloe had apologized. Lex was right, that somehow their pathways would keep crossing and maybe it didn’t have to be as hard as it was the first time they saw each other after nine years. Maybe it was time to start healing the damaged parts of her past that were tied to him.

I did think that this was a very mature decision that Chloe is making. It’s obvious that she still has some issues with Lex, and it’s great that she’s trying to resolve and work past them.


The knock at her door was unexpected that Saturday afternoon. Chloe had spent a relaxing morning with Emma. They had a good breakfast at a place nearby then took a leisurely walk home. Emma was bubbly all morning and more talkative than normal. If Chloe wasn’t so engaged with her when they arrived home she would have seen Lex coming.

In earlier chapter, I remember complaining about how Chloe was being overly harsh to Lex… how she was judging him unfairly without getting all her facts straights, but it actually seems like she has a right to be paranoid… he actually seems to have ambushed her over here.


It was already confusing enough moving to Metropolis for Emma and now she was adding her past into her little girl’s life. If anything was going to happen with Lex then there had to be some ground rules on how he treated Emma. Being her friend again meant knowing she was a mother first.

Excellent! Chloe’s making it clear to Lex that Emma is the most important person in her life, and anything that upsets Emma would be immediately chucked out… which includes any newly forming friendship with him.


She watched him reach out for one of her favorites. Emma wedged between Troy and her and they were both kissing her cheeks. It was Emma’s first birthday party and they were all wearing silly hats. The memory of Troy reaching over to kiss her next flashed into her mind and there was a moment she wanted him there with her now.

This was a sweet and poignant moment. I reallt enjoy getting these glimpses into the life that Chloe shared with Troy. How much she loved him, and the kind of husband he was, and the kind of wife that SHE was. It really helps put the Chlex relationship into perspective, knowing what kind of a ‘great love’ Chloe has already experience, and tragically lost.


When the moment passed her eyes laid upon Lex staring at the picture searching for something. What he was looking for she didn’t know but it had to stop. This was too fast and Chloe wasn’t ready to have a cup of coffee with Lex like they were old friends.

I also appreciated the part where Chloe felt like everything was happening ‘too fast’ for her to comprehend. I get the feeling that Lex is sequestering himself as quickly as possible into Chloe’s life without giving her ‘time’ to object to his increasingly intruding presence. What a sneaky, Luthor kind of thing to do. I love it!

I just hope Chloe is able to survive Lex’s subtle form of assault without breaking apart into emotional pieces.


He was calm and cool but Chloe could tell his nerves were getting the best of him. His eyes stayed on her face as if they were fighting not to look at other places. He shoved his hands into his pockets and Chloe knew it would keep her from seeing his frustrated fingers curled into fists.

As always, it was thrilling seeing these external signs of Lex’s frustration and obsession over here.


Lex nodded once looking just behind her as if Emma would pop up at any moment. “I understand. You have Emma now and things should happen on a schedule that works best for both of you.”

wow, he’s actually… retreating? Backing off? And all this so easily? What’s the trick he’s trying to pull? There’s no way he’s doing this ‘only’ out of respect for Chloe… this is most definitely a strategic retreat designed to lull her into a sense of false security before he can start his intensive wooing.

*admiring gaze* that sneaky bastard! Wow!


As he spoke Chloe was getting another shock from Lex. Normally he wouldn’t go down so easily but something was different now. “Thank you; maybe we can have coffee another time?”

“I would like that.” He replied to her then started moving for the door.

Chloe quickly followed after and made it just ahead to open the door before he could. “I’ll call you.” Chloe spoke to him as he took the steps from being in her home to being out of it.

“It’s nice to see you again.” Lex answered her and the corners of his mouth curved up to make a small smile.

wow! You have to love the way he was being so gentle and accommodating… as if he WASN’T tightening his hands into frustrated fists inside his jacket. It’s amazing seeing how Lex can present such a cool, collected façade… even when he’s seething inside… It’s thrilling :D


Moving into the room Chloe knelt down next to her little one. “Do you have anything you want to ask me?

Chloe watched her hunch her shoulders then raise her head to think. She put her colored marker down and looked at Chloe. “No, I don’t have any questions?”

Maybe she was making a big deal out of Lex stopping by but Chloe had to make sure there was no confusion. “You don’t want to ask me about Mr. Luthor?”

I thought it was wonderful that Chloe was making a special point of making sure that Emma was all right and not the least bit disturbed by Lex’s sudden intrusion into their lives. Of course, it seems like she’s allowing her own wariness about Lex colour her judgement, and she’s over-reacting… but better safe than sorry, huh?

LOL! But I thought it was so cute that Emma asked questions about Lex’s baldness and whether his head ‘got cold’… ROTFLMAO!


Chloe had to chuckle a little at the question. She did recall Lex never being cold in any way. His entire body always seemed to generate heat from his bald head to the tip of his toes. After awhile Chloe made it up in her mind that expelling heat was Lex’s meteor freak power. “No, he stays warm.”

hheh, it IS possible that Lex’s overwhelming hotness is also a by-product of the meteor mutation. It cannot be possible for someone to be that sexy naturally ;)


“I’m sorry you know that’s not what I meant.” After a weak smile Lois went right back into her rant. “Why do you keep doing this to your self? You have been through enough and now you want to let Lex Luthor back into your life.”

“I know very well what I have been through. I live it everyday.” Chloe sighed through her frustration. She wanted to talk with Lois and hear some kind words from her understanding cousin but tonight she wasn’t getting the softer side of Lois.

I really enjoyed the conversation that happened between Lois and Chloe… Granted, Lois was reacting even more paranoid and outraged than Chloe about Lex’s appearance in Chloe life and home, but I can see that this reaction only comes from concern for her beloved cousin (and niece).


“What if he saw Emma?” Lois pointed down the hall where Emma was sleeping. Chloe realized she only gave Lois part of the information about what happen that afternoon.

Why would Lois be so concerned about Lex just ‘seeing’ Emma? Does she believe that he’s going to kidnap her… or perhaps she believes that Luthors literally eat little girls as tea-time snack?

Or is there some other reason that both Chloe and Lois seem to get explosively paranoid about Lex with reference to Emma. Emma IS Troy’s daughter, right?


“What does he think will happen?” The question settled between them and Chloe had no idea how to answer her.

“Lex said finding a way back to one another didn’t necessarily mean we would start dating again.” The thought of letting Lex be her friend again and why she let him into the house in the first place hit Chloe as she answered Lois.

I can see that Lex’s strategy of approaching Chloe slowly and gently is working beautifully. She doesn’t feel threatened, trapped or cornered, and she has NO idea that Lex is in full predator mode in trying to woo her over. She’s even disregarding his threat/promise of ‘finding their way back to each other’ and interpreting it in a much more gentler way than he originally intended. Lex is doing very well in fostering a false sense of security in Chloe. Excellent Luthor strategizing! :D


When he asked her for friendship it made her wonder who he trusted now to call a friend. After she left things with Clark had long passed away. Lana was never really anyone’s friend and after her death during the second meteor shower her memory faded away as Smallville returned to normal. Then there was Lionel playing out his days as a bachelor. Chloe was certain nothing had changed between Lex and his father since she left.

In her mind Lex had been alone since she left and things between them were never really repaired but simply pushed away so Chloe could move on. When Lex offered her friendship it seemed like something they both needed. Only the second he was actually in her home a trapped feeling rose up inside her and she had to make him leave.

Heh, but despite Lex handling their ‘new’ budding relationship as slowly and gently as possible, it seems like Chloe’s instincts are still warning her to be wary. Lex really has his work cut out for him. He’s going to have to exert every bit of charm possible to make sure Chloe doesn’t completely cut him away from her new life.


Lois scoffed at Chloe’s responds about friendship. “He doesn’t want to be your friend. No matter how much he may believe it or how much he may act like it. Lex Luthor will never let go of the possibility that he can win you back.”

Not being a ‘victim’ of Lex’s seductively, charming new strategy, it seems like Lois has a much clearer picture of the scenario, AND she’s about to fill Chloe in on it. LOL!


There could be some truth to what she was saying but maybe Lois was wrong and she was right. “Maybe he was there to put some closure between us.”

“I’m sorry but I don’t think that’s what it was. The second he knew you were back in Metropolis he asked to see you.”

wow! Putting it all together like this… it DOES sound bad. It sound like Lex has a huge long-term, ruthless, cunning plan that he’s already set into motion. I LOVE it! It’s a pity that Chloe insists on being blind to everything, simply because she doesn’t seem to ‘want’ to see it.


Lois took the hint and her reply was softer but still just as harsh. “He wants you or haven’t you been listening to me. Why do think he asked for you specifically to write the piece, and then he helped out looking for nothing in return and now he’s knocking on your door claiming he wants to be friends.” Lois reached her hand out for Chloe resting on the table covering it and giving it a good squeeze.

“You wanted to talk to clear your head about this and I’m telling you that you need to think about what has happen between the two of you since you have been back.”

wow! It’s actually rather chilling seeing all of Lex’s actions over the past few weeks laid open and bare for inspection like this. It really DOES seem like Chloe’s right in the middle of some Machiavellian plan that he’s concocted.


Chloe let her mind wrap around what Lois was trying to say and in some ways she knew Lois was right. Lex had done everything that could put her in a place where she felt they could be friends again.

When he left that afternoon, without a fight, it was what she wanted. It was something in the past she knew he would never do and it all seemed like a ploy to make her think he had changed. Lex had done things that would make her start to trust him again or at least trust him enough to almost let into him into her home for cup of coffee.

Heh, but it seems like Lois’s quick assessment of the situation has brought clarity to Chloe… She can see what Lex is doing, and that every move he’s made since her return has been cleverly planned out and precisely calculated to win her trust.


If this was all a game to him to get her back into his life Chloe didn’t want to play. After losing her husband the thought of any man in life again was far from her mind; especially one that wanted to manipulate her emotions.

Nothing was certain but Chloe wasn’t ready to let Lex in the way he wanted. She would have to see him again and see if Lois was right or not. Lex could be a changed man and want friendship or he was only a few moves away from thinking he could get her back. The truth was she wanted him to be honest with her. Chloe wanted to heal that part of her life with him.

I really liked Chloe’s end decision. It’s a wise move. She seems to have decided to be wary of Lex, and not allow him to pull her into whatever emotional trap he’s setting up… but she’s also willing to give him the benefit of the doubt and get closure for both of them.


Sitting at her desk she watched the door open an Chloe was greeted by the evil grin of Lionel Luthor. He closed the door behind him and started right in. “This office is a far cry from your humble begins at the Smallville High School Torch.”

Initially Chloe was startled but she knew how to play this game with Lionel. He wanted to bait her into getting angry and say something he could attack. Years of being away from the man and he still had the same plan of attack.

Squeee! Excellent! Wonderful! I was so pleased to see Lionel make an appearance… and it was a fabulously, flamboyant ambush that was perfect for Lionel Luthor :D


His smirk grew into and even bigger grin as he took a seat in the chair on the other side of her desk. Over the years Lionel had aged rather well considering her father had so many troubles. She afforded his good health with his run in the Clark. It took Clark forever to explain his behaviors back then but she now knew the truth. Switching bodies with someone like Clark might let Lionel live forever.

*blinks… reads again… and blinks again*
wow! That whole bit about Lionel getting an extra couple of years injected into his life span because of the body-switching thing is just… perfect! I loved this explanation about how and why Lionel can continue to be a complete evil pain in the ass for years… without his wit or viciousness seeming to depreciate even the slightest. Brilliant explanation and insight! I loved it!


He was dressed rather casual for Lionel Luthor. It appeared he was wearing his hair long again since the last time. He was in dark slacks, a grey polo shirt that was tucked in to his pants and a dark suit jacket. She had never seen him so casual but there he was looking rather rested and smug sitting across from her.

squeee! I also loved this description of Lionel in ‘casuals’. I do’t think I’ve ever seen him written in anything other than a three piece suit… and he looked ‘really’ good in my head right now after this description ;)


“Now Ms. Sullivan is that anyway to speak to an old acquaintance?” He replied to her.

“It certainly is if the old acquaintance tried to kill you at one time.” Chloe shot back and he nodded in agreement.

“I can’t argue with you there but I thought motherhood may have softened you a bit.”

LOL! Loved their banter… and I even enjoyed how Lionel subtly brought Emma into their conversation… gently reminding Chloe about the potential ‘hostage’ in this situation. That evil, EVIL old bastard! Love it!


“There is no need to be alarmed. My visit today has nothing do with revenge or using your daughter to exact that revenge.”

uh huh! Somehow… I’m really not reassured by this. And I don’t think Chloe is either.


“I don’t have to threaten you Mr. Luthor. You know what I’m capable of and I’m sure you still have mental and physical scares from jail to remind you of what I can do.” Chloe felt her body starting to heave and wanting to breathe hard but she couldn’t let him see her that way. She tried to think that this would all be over soon and he would be out of her office in no time.

His grin had faded by this point and she was certain it was the memories of his jail time that had done it. The very thought of it seemed to still piss him off because his brow was starting to furrow and his lip twitched before he got him self together to answer.

Oh nice, VERY nice… Brilliant! Perfect! I loved how Chloe managed to throw all his ‘subtle’ threats to her daughter back into his face. She managed to show him that she wasn’t afraid of him, AND she reminded him how dangerous an opponent she can become if she feels threatened in ANY way.

LOL! It was wonderful how Lionel was very rudely reminded of all these facts… he seemed decidedly perturbed by Chloe’s words, and I bet he’s going to think twice before messing with her again. Brilliant!


“I have a warning for you Ms. Sullivan.” Lionel took a step closer to her making Chloe feel as if the walls were closing in on her. “Stay away from him. He’s worked to hard and come to far to have you come back and ruin it all for him. Lex nearly lost it all when you rejected him and I didn’t pull him back from the edge to have you push him over.”

He was speaking but Chloe didn’t understand a word he was saying. She knew Lex was hurt by her leaving but the extent to which he suffered she never knew.

Ooooh, fascinating! It’s interesting that Lionel noticed Lex’s bereavement about losing Chloe, but even more interesting that he cared enough to warn the lady NOT to mess around with Lex’s ‘fragile emotions’ again. LOL! I wonder what Lionel would think if he knew that Lex was being the obsessive pursuer in this new budding Chlex relationship.

Hmm, I wonder how Chloe is going to react once she processes what Lionel has told her about the pathetic state Lex fell into once she left.


“Lex will always be my concern. I won’t allow you to break him like you did before.” Lionel moved back collecting him self as he moved for the door. He turned back for his final words. “If anything changes with him I’ll hold you responsible then we will have that talk about revenge.”

hmmm, is this Lionel’s way of telling Chloe ‘my son loves you, so be gentle with him’… or is he just warning her ‘my son cannot afford to be distracted by his feelings for you, so back off!’? Does Lionel want Chloe and Lex to be involved (in a much better relationship than last time)… or does he just want this budding relationship to be snuffed out before it makes Lex ‘weak’ again?


But Chloe took two steps back and turned to the man that helped her the first time Lionel Luthor came knocking on her door.

squeee, and just when I thought this chapter couldn’t get any better… THIS happens. I am so pleased! I can’t wait to see how Lex reacts after seeing his father exiting from his visit with Chloe. And it’s going to be VERY interesting to see how Lex reacts when Chloe tells him everything Lionel said to her. Is the next chapter going to be the update where all truth comes out into the open.

I can’t wait to find out. Please update soon.

[letia84]

Note: *waves hello* Anyone out there? If so here's and update.

Chapter 6 Reality (Lex POV)

The image was still fresh in Lex’s mind. Seeing Chloe in the picture, at her home, with the man she called her husband and their daughter. The look in their eyes was haunting him.

When he was looked at the picture he knew he would never have anything like it. Nine years ago he ruined his chance at that kind of happiness.

Of all the things Lex had there wasn’t one picture of him or either of his last two wives looking that happy. The truth was he didn’t really spend that much time with them after the wedding. While they dated it was good but once Lex had said “I do” the reality sunk in that he had made a mistake.

His mind was ready to move on but his heart wouldn’t let him. Yet Chloe had found the things she was looking for in Troy Kaplan. The picture was just a glimpse of what her life was like before losing her husband and moving back to Kansas.

As the work day moved along the image was replaying in Lex’s mind and once he was home he decided to turn it off with a highball full of his finest scotch.

Lex took hold of the glass for a lingering sip as he sat and watched the day turn to night outside his penthouse window. He wasn’t expecting any calls. He hadn’t heard from Chloe since he left her place last weekend. He could have insisted that they face what was happening head on but leaving was the better move.

Chloe would have to come to him now that he had opened the door.

Without even wanting to, Lex let his mind drift to that day in her place. It was a cozy apartment that Chloe had made a home for her family. He felt like an outsider sitting on her big charcoal gray sofa.

He didn’t belong there in her home but maybe one day he would. Some how he would work it out so they could be friends again. If anything he wouldn’t see that look on her face when her daughter was present.

The little girl was indeed the spiting image of her mother right down to the green eyes and blonde hair. She was well spoken and seemed to be very respectful. In all his thoughts of Chloe he didn’t imagine Emma. He knew she existed, knew she was important but he didn’t think of how to deal with her.

The child was unpredictable. The best he could do was to react to whatever she was giving him. He did wonder what she thought of him standing there trying to make her mother let him into her life.

Taking another sip from his glass Lex was interrupted from his quiet evening by his cell phone vibrating in his pocket. Placing the glass down he reached to get it so he could ignored whom ever was calling but to his surprise it was a new number on the caller ID.

Chloe’s cell number she had written down in her note was put to memory weeks ago but not programmed into his phone for fear of seeming too optimistic. Thinking that they would somehow speak to each other regularly. He answered quickly not really knowing what she would say but glad she had called at last.

“Luthor.” He answered calmly or what he thought sounded calm.

“Lex I need your help.” She sounded like she was in rush and the panic in her voice couldn’t be over looked.

The moment she asked for help her level of nervousness jumped him into action. “What’s wrong? Did something happen at work? Is it your daughter?” Lex could have kept going with the questions since his mind was running through all the horrid things that could be happening.

“It’s your father.” She said plainly then paused, her voice drifted off and she was speaking to someone else. It sounded like she was giving instructions to someone and then she was back. “Sorry, I was speaking to the nanny.”

“What did my father do?” Lionel had struck again and whatever he had done put Chloe in a frenzy.

“He came to see me today and....” She paused again and he heard a door slamming shut. “…he threatened me and my daughter Lex.”

A chill ran up Lex’s spine as to what the hell is father was up to. He hadn’t thought of hurting Chloe for years and Lex made sure it wouldn’t happen by keeping him under lock and key. His people made no mention that he saw Chloe that day.

“Chloe, tell me what he said exactly.” Lex needed all the details before he knew what to do.

“I will tell you everything but can I see you? Are you at still at work?” She asked and seemed a little hesitant to do so.

He swallowed hard thinking of Chloe in his home again. She spent plenty of time with him in the penthouse. Then another thought flew into his mind about if she would come alone or not.

“No, I’m at that penthouse. You and Emma are welcomed here.” He couldn’t believe what he was saying but it was already out. Lex had no idea how to handle the little girl and now he was welcoming her into his home. If he was going to be in Chloe’s life he’d have to learn the right way to treat Emma.

“Thank you Lex, she’s with the nanny but I will see you shortly.”

There was brief sigh of relief at her words. “Okay and I’m sorry if he scared you” Lex couldn’t apologize for his father and have it actually mean anything. There was always something with him and Lex had learned to see it coming. This time Lex’s thoughts had been so focused on Chloe he let his father slip past him.


-------------}{------------

Lex was pacing and it was bad sign that he was obsessing. It had been going on nine years since Chloe was last in his home. His last memory of her in the penthouse wasn’t one he wanted to remember. She told him she was leaving him and the sound of her voice echoed throughout the house for months after she did.

At the moment, Lex’s concern was getting himself back to normal. He had to wonder if Chloe was as nervous to see him as he was to see her. He wanted know if his anxiety was all one sided and Chloe was finding all of this easy. There had to be some sort of shared feelings about the whole thing.

After taking one last step from his window back to the sofa Lex stopped pacing. He didn’t know what Chloe was feeling and she didn’t have the right to see him so worked up over her visit. More then anything what was happening now had to do with Lionel meddling again in his life.

He was a grown man and didn’t need to check in on him. At one time he was broken by Chloe’s sudden exit but that was years ago. Lionel helping him one time didn’t give him the right to but in whenever he wanted.

Just as Lex was about to take a seat on the sofa the door buzzer sounded. He made hastened steps towards the front entrance of the penthouse and didn’t open it before taking in a deep breathe.

Swinging the door back he found Chloe frazzled. She was dressed as if she’d come from the office but her face looked worn as if she had been pondering Lionel’s plans since she saw him.

“Come in.” Lex motioned for her to enter and she did so giving him a small smile before moving past him. He caught a touch of her scent and it was the closet to him she had been since seeing her.

Without saying a word he watched her making her way through the house towards the living room and each step she took she knew exactly where she was. He watched her from behind take in the place and its changes.

He watched her head tilt to the right wall of the hallway were a new painting had been hung last year. Once they reached the entrance of the study her gaze fell onto another piece that she had seen before but never in his home.

“You actually brought the Marcel Donné piece?” She looked back to him rather stunned.

Lex knew the art work she was referring to. He did purchase the piece just before Chloe was to start Met U. It was going to decorate the dorm room he knew she would never be in because her nights were often spent with him. They saw it on a weekend trip away from Smallville and she fell in love with it so Lex brought it for her.

“I was going to give it to you when you moved into your dorm at Metropolis University but…” He paused not really sure how to finish and she did it for him.

“But I left.” Chloe turned back towards the painting and they both stood there looking at it.

After nine years it seemed impossible but there was always something in the penthouse that reminded Lex of Chloe. It didn’t have to be as specific as the painting but there was always something.

Standing just behind her Lex knew she was there for a purpose and going down the tormenting memory lane of their time together wasn’t it. “Chloe.” He waited for her to turn back to him and it took awhile.

When she finally did a few tears were streaming from her eyes. It was the last thing Lex would expect but she was crying. The only thing he could think to do seeing her cry in front of him for the second time was to reach for her. As he took the first step towards her Lex stopped because she was backing away.

“I’m sorry.” As she apologized she franticly wiped away her tears. “Can we sit?” She moved to the leather arm chair nearest to her and took a seat.

That was the end of it. There would be no talk about what brought on the tears or the way she backed away from him. Lex wasn’t expecting her to rush into his arms but he didn’t think she would shrug away.

He couldn’t push the subject because his father’s visit was more pressing. Taking the seat across from her Lex got to the point of her visit. “What did my father say to you?”

There was a shift in her expression and demeanor as she went over the details. Lex listened as she played out the ordeal and even smirked at the thought of Chloe still being able to rattle her father. Once he was at the end of it Chloe said something he heard before.

“I won’t let your father intimidate me.” She paused for a moment catching her breath before going on. “I’m not really worried about me. I can take care of me but he brought my daughter into it. He knew her name. How could he know that?”

Lex knew the answer and didn’t want to have to tell her. After years of wanting something from Lionel, Lex finally had it. It was his fault he knew Emma’s name. Now he would have to somehow explain that fact to Chloe without enraging her.

“He found out her name from me.” He said plainly. Letting it sink in she looked at him and the worry in her eyes slowly turned into her all too familiar anger.

“Why the hell would you tell him that?” She asked shifting in her seat that she was now nearly on the edge of.

“We have been closer the past nine years.” Lex had spent more time with his father the past nine years then when he was a child.

It was Chloe leaving that had done it. Lex was falling apart and Lionel did help up pick himself up. Now they had a mutual respect for one another. Lex had proven to him he was his son but that still didn’t deserve his love, yet it was enough.

Before he went on Lex moved back to the bar for his glass of scotch he had put down after her call. His exposition would be easier if he didn’t have to look at Chloe and read every emotion on her face.

“We have what my father refers to as business dinners once every other week.” Lex filled his glass and turned to find Chloe standing right on top of him. “This week when we met I mentioned that I had seen you and that I met your daughter Emma.”

“So you talk about me with your father often?” He could see that she was getting tense. Her eyes were searing into him waiting for the answer.

Lex didn’t believe he said anything out of line to Lionel at their dinner. He didn’t believe he let on that he was feeling rather thrown since Chloe was back but he thought he hid it well. “No, he asked about you and I told him I had seen you since you had been back.”

“If that’s all you said then why did that warrant him coming to my office and speaking to me that way?” Those eyes of hers didn’t leave him and he hadn’t seen them looking at him like that in so long he forgot the chill he could get from them.

There was only one thing to do here. “Chloe I’m sorry.” Lex stated but was quickly interrupted.

“Of course you’re sorry. You keep agreeing and saying sorry since I have seen you and it has to stop. Lex you’re not fooling me.”

He had to take a step back for a moment. Lex thought he was acting like himself. Being agreeable with Chloe wasn’t because he didn’t want to be or some trick to play with her.

“I’m sorry but you will have to explain to me what you’re talking about.” Lex’s next apology was met with more anger.

“Stop saying sorry to me Lex. You have been nice and understanding and I want to hear the truth. I want something real from you.” She nudged him a little as if she was going to fight the answers out of him.

Lex paused for a moment to collect himself on what it was he wanted. He wanted Chloe in his life again. Her position in his life was still to be determined but having her there with him even if they were fighting was a good start.

“I want us to be friends.” He answered honestly or at least he thought he did. When he thought he had a handle on what she was looking for Chloe side swiped him again.

“Were you at my wedding?” She looked him in the eye waiting for the answer.

Lex froze after she spoke. He knew that his choice to see her on her wedding day would come back to him but he assumed it wouldn’t be today. His mouth went dry as he searched for the right thing to say. To moisten his lips he finished off what he poured into his glass.

He placed it back down and moved to sit again then he started with the ugly truth. “Yes, I was at the reception.”

“Why didn’t you say anything?” Chloe moved right behind him and instead of taking the seat across from Lex, she sat with him on the sofa.

“I was ashamed for spying. I shouldn’t have been there and I’m sor..” Lex was about to say sorry again when he stopped short after he saw her head cocked to side. “I had to face the reality that I had finally lost you.”

“Lex, we were apart for years and you still felt like there was a chance we would get back together then?”

The conversation wasn’t going were he wanted. They were supposed to be talking about his father and they were talking about something he was embarrassed about. Lex had to get the control back but Chloe always knew how to take it.

“I told you I would always hold on that something would happen for us again.” Lex thought back to the day he saw her in her dorm room. He thought he could go there beg for her to come back and make love to her the way his body had been craving for a year.

Yet it didn’t work that way. Seeing her get married made it real that he had lost her. Lex looked away not wanting to see the look in her eyes anymore. It was too hard for him to do any of this.

He could see the smile on her face. Even from a distance he could see the gleam in her eye. Worse was the way she looked when Troy was in her presence. Lex thought she was happy with him but there was always something that made it a struggle for them. The way she looked at Troy meant he made her happy in ways Lex never could.

“Maybe it took for me to see it to believe that my chances had all run out. I saw that you were happy and I didn’t want to interfere with that because you deserve to be happy. I had to accept that I wasn’t the person that you would be happy with.”

When he turned back to look at her he could see the tears welling up in her eyes. Why did she have to start crying? Lex didn’t want this to be painful for her. This time he didn’t reach for her and let her speak before the tears started to fall.

“I was happy.” She started getting control over herself but he could hear the sadness in her voice just thinking about her husband being gone. “I did want you to know that. I wanted you there so that you could see that and we could make peace between us.”

“We can have that now.”

She rolled down her eyes as if she was about to shock him with something else. “Lex I feel like your playing this out as if something will happen.”

“I wouldn’t try to manipulate you.” He answered and he could see his words had no effect. Honestly Lex was doing things very different then he had with Chloe but he wouldn’t classify it as manipulation or admit that it was.

“I want to believe that but look at what’s happened. You left last week without fighting me. You helped with my job even though I questioned your motives about your work. I feel like your trying to…”

It was his turn to interrupt her. “Why are you saying this? I thought we had an understanding between us that I wanted to repair our relationship. I don’t have some master plan here. Even if I did I remember you Chloe and you would see right through me.”

She smiled at him and it was a relief that maybe she would give up this line of questioning. “I guess I have to face reality and see I’m not the only one that has changed.”

“Yes, you do.” He quipped and she smiled again. This was what he wanted. Things hadn’t changed between them and they could still talk like this. Lex let the moment settle between them until he moved onto the matter at hand.

“I will handle my father.” He told her and the small smile went away.

“I will let you, as long as you tell me what you’re going to do.” Of course there was addendum to her asking for help.

“I will remind him that his life is living out his later years without interfering with anyone else. He won’t hurt you or your daughter I can promise that.”

“This is familiar, isn’t it?” Chloe paused letting her gaze fall on the night sky. “Your father threatens me and I ask you for help.”

Lex let her words penetrate him because she was right. The last time this happened he ended up falling so in love with her and that he was a shell of man he was now. Maybe this time it wouldn’t end the same way.

“It is familiar but this time my father’s not the man he used to be and this time we are ready for him.” Lex looked at her and he wanted to touch her. She was sitting right next to him and he just wanted her skin near him just for second to remind him of how it felt.

He was met with her getting up from her seat. “I should get home. I asked the nanny to stay late but I really should get back.”

She was getting herself together and Lex had to stop her. They were actually talking through things. It wasn’t easy but they were talking the way they needed to. This was real and Lex didn’t want to lose her company so soon.

“You could have one drink with me.” He stood up finally as she rounded the sofa to exit the room.

Chloe paused before looking back at him. Her eyes fixed in a way as if she were trying to figure him out. “I could but…” There was pause and he knew she was going to say no.

He had to say something. “There is no pressure and this isn’t a trick. We are just old friends having a drink and catching up.”

Her palms closed and opened into a fist as she had her inner struggle. Lex moved in front of her and gave it one last shot. “If I’m not wrong you like a dirty martini with two olives.” The drink was one she had with him before. He knew he shouldn’t be serving Chloe when she was 17 but she always seemed older to him and was able to handle a cocktail before dinner.

“Make it three please.” She grinned at him moving past him towards the soda to sit and wait for the drink. “The things we remember.” She murmured to herself.

Lex breathed a sigh of relief and moved to the bar to make their drinks. As he was pouring the martini from the shaker Chloe started catching up.

“So how close are you with Lionel now?”

As Lex brought the drinks over to her he spoke, then took his seat. “We have a mutual respect for each other.”

“That sounds like a step up from him trying to kill you.” She made the slightest change of expression and he could read the sarcasm.

“It was jail and nearly dying himself that did it.” His sarcasm was noted by her as well and for a moment they were both smiling instead of her crying.

“Tell me did you ever get married?” For some reason this was coming off like an interview that was more personal then Lex would have.

To keep it lighthearted he didn’t answer straight forward. “You never read the newspapers?”

He watched her take a casual sip from her glass before answering. “You stayed out of my life like I asked other then your visit to my wedding reception. I thought I should give you the same courtesy.”

Lex swallowed down the rest of what was in his glass. He didn’t give Chloe the same courtesy as she had given him. In fact he knew many a detail about her life that he should never know.

There was so much he knew that he shouldn’t and she was sitting there believing he had done what she asked. If he wanted her to stay there was no way Lex could tell her the truth now. If they were going to be friends he would have to lie.

“I was married twice after you left and divorced twice.” He answered honestly and it was the least he could do.

She rolled her eyes over his words as if she was disapproving of his choice. “Why didn’t they work?”

The answer to that was simple. “I was never comfortable with letting them into my life completely.” He paused and thought he wanted those marriages but in the end it wasn’t.

The silence between them started to become uncomfortable and Lex had to say something. “Enough about me. Tell me how it feels to be a mother?”

A smile broke out on her face and it grew so wide her entire demeanor changed. “Having Emma has made life very interesting. It’s wonderful and terrifying all at the same time. You think you know what you’re doing but you have no idea. I was so scared to bring her home.”

He could see it in her eyes as she remembered the feeling of her little girl coming home for the first time but she wasn’t alone. “I’m sure you had help.”

She looked away from him and Lex had said something she shouldn’t. “Troy was a great help and amazing father.” She breathed out and kept her gaze away from him as she spoke. “He was calm and patient with her.” When she finally looked back at him her eyes focused on him.

“You really learn to be patient when you have child.”

When she finally looked back at him there was a moment he thought she was talking about him. Lex wasn’t very patient when it came to life and maybe he need to learn how to be if Chloe was going to be part of his life again.

“Can I ask what happen to him?” Lex knew the answer to this but what he had to ask. It seemed like the logical next question. He didn’t really want to make her retell the story or have to remember it but it was what they were talking about.

Her fingers ran through her hair as she prepared to answer. “Troy died in a car accident.” She stopped before going on and it didn’t look like she could finish. It was two years and she still had a hard time with it. It just meant that Troy had touched her life in more ways then he could tell.

“You don’t have to go on.” Lex reached for her hand resting between them and she let him hold on to it for second before sliding it away from him. He had his reminder of what it felt like when her skin was nears his for just a moment.

With a slight nod it was over. Chloe reached out for her glass to finish the last of her drink and the last olive. “I really should go.”

Lex was going to say he was sorry but he kept it in because he was afraid if he apologized what her reaction would be this time. “Thank you for staying.”

He watched her move up from the sofa towards the exit of the study. “This was nice.” She told him turning back before moving down the hall way for the door. “I need to interact with someone other then Lois and Clark sometimes.”

“Your father is at least sane.” She smiled at him again and he could see she was letting down her guard with him at last.

They moved to the door and Lex opened it to let her leave. Without any warning as she moved out of his place to leave she turned back and moved close to him. Her arms went around him quickly and he couldn’t stop the hug. His body took a moment to react to it but he pulled her closer to him and the warm embrace took over.

“Thank you for helping me Lex.” She pulled away to look at him. “Let me know what happens.”

He nodded, a little shaken up by what just happened. “I will call you as soon as it’s done.”

As she moved to leave Lex knew why he was so shaken by all of this. He was waiting for Chloe to be close to him like that for years and once he had her in his arms he saw it playing out differently. His reality involved them moving on to other activities.

For a few minutes Lex had the friendship he was asking for. Even though their lives weren’t perfect he was getting to experience part of hers first hand.

Keeping all that in mind Lex still had his father to worry about and what better time than the present to take care of him.


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Tamia Grant was a powerful woman. She could do things that no on else could. When the meteor rocks hit she was a child. The rocks fused themselves into her skin then into her blood stream. From that day on she could control the flow of blood in anyone she came near.

When Luthor Corp. found her she was out of control. They found her so upset with her mother she had flooded her brain with blood and put her into a coma. The poor girl just wanted to go out to a school party but was forbidden to do so because of a bad grade. She didn’t know what she had done until it was too late.

Lex never stopped his work with the meteor infected. He merely changed his tactics from those that scared Chloe away in the first place. Instead of killing the dangerous ones he had found a way to cure them and sent them off to Belle Reve. Those that wanted help, like Tamia Grant, he gave them just what they asked for.

He helped give her a chance at a normal life in a few weeks. Since then, Tamia was a great asset to Lex’s staff. Taking her with him that night to visit his father was an excellent choice.

Lex had just had his first real talk with Chloe. It was brief but if he was going to have one again his father would have to be dealt with.

After his jail time Lionel did indeed change in some ways. He said he was missing out on life and wanted to live it the way he never had. Lex thought he was rid of worrying about his father.

He didn’t want to go to extremes but there was really no other choice. The truth was Lex had to bring Lionel back down to earth and remind him he was his father’s son and wouldn’t just let him in to his life with out it being on his terms.

“Whenever you’re ready to start Ms. Grant.” Lex signaled the woman at his side as they stood outside his father’s door.

Lionel had taken up residence in a building not too far from his own. The penthouse apartment was all set to his father’s liking and that was all thanks to the healthy allowance Lex had given him.

Tamia nodded once then focused her brown eyes towards the door. After Lex and his staff helped her get a handle on her ability she was more than willing to take a job from him. He used her from time to time and her services were rewarded.

As she did her thing Lex knocked on the door. He knew Lionel had been alerted to his presence once he entered the building and he waited for him to answer the door.

“Lex?” Lionel questioned him moving aside to let him in.

“Hello, dad. I thought we could have a talk and I brought my friend here to help me with that.”

Lex looked to Tamia and she grinned at him moving into the apartment first. He followed after her keeping his gaze on his father the entire time.

“Lex, the last time I checked you could have a conversation with me without a beautiful woman at your side.” Lionel eyed Tamia just like Lex thought he would. His father’s exploration into life included romancing women he found worthy of his attention.

“Dad Ms.Grant isn’t here for you to flirt with.” Lex moved down the hall of the place leading Tamia along with him. “Increase the flow to his brain once he is in the room.” Lex told her before going into the living room to take a seat on the sofa.

Again she nodded once and turned towards the entrance of the room. She placed her hands in the pockets of her jeans and he could tell when she was about to get to work. His initial instruction was for her to get a handle on his father’s blood flow. She was tuned into him the second he told her to do it and he would give his father a taste of what she could do.

“If you didn’t bring her for that then why is she here?” His father quipped as he moved into the room but his steps were halted suddenly. He moved his hand to his forehand searching for the source of what was happening to him. A moment later both his hands were in his hair trying to find some relief.

“Dad what your feeling now is just a taste of Ms. Grant’s gift.” Lex stretched his arms out over the back of the sofa and watched his father take in the throbbing pain in his head.

What he was doing may have been extreme but Lex was sending a message. If he wanted to keep Lionel’s respect and keep him out of his way then he had to do this. He had changed just as Chloe said but how he had changed was in question.

“Give him a moment.” Lex looked to Tamia and she nodded again doing as he asked. She was a woman of few words but she did her job well.

“Lex what are you doing?” Lionel breathed out getting a hold of himself still fisting his hair in his hands.

“You know why I’m here dad.” Lex got up from his seat to stand in front of his father. This time to signal his weapon he raised his hand and waved two fingers forward.

The quick rush of blood to the brain hit Lionel like a ton of bricks and he was bending at his knees until he was on the floor lying on his side. Lex bent over him slowly not really feeling bad about what he was doing. He was actually getting a little bit of joy out of it.

He threatened Chloe for the last time and he played in his life for the last time. Lex laid out his instructions calmly as his father writhed in pain. “You will stay away from Chloe. You will stay away from her daughter. This is the last time we talk about her.”

“I was only trying to helllppp…” Before he could get the words out Lex was already signaling Tamia to give him another jolt.

“I don’t need your help this time.” Lex knelt down to his father’s level making sure he could look him in the eye. “I find out that you haven’t done as I have asked and Ms. Grant will make what you’re feeling now a hundred times worse.”

His job was done and moved to leave as Tamia followed after him. Before he could get too far his father was calling out to him.

“Lex, Lex, I’m only looking out for your well being.” Lionel waited for him to look back before going on. “She was right to leave. You’re not the person that she thinks you are. You’re my son and I know what you have become and trust me she won’t accept it.”

Lex didn’t say anything and just took in what his father said. Chloe was accepting him for who he was and he was someone she could learn to trust again. He had to push back any thing Lionel was saying. His goal was clear and he wouldn’t be moved on it.

“Should I hit him again Mr. Luthor?” Tamia questioned him getting his attention off his father lying on the ground still reeling from the effects.

“I’ll see you for dinner in a week dad.” Lex spoke calmly to his father then thought of what to do next. He could back off and let it go but Lex needed to make his point. “I want him to lose feeling in his legs for a few hours to make sure he understands me.”

She nodded again and did as he asked. Lex could almost feel it from his father’s screams the blood flowing out of his legs, being drawn back until they became numb and lost all feeling. Once it was done Lex moved to leave with Tamia Grant.

It was Chloe’s hug that brought him to this point. His life would be filled with many more nightcaps with Chloe and Lionel wouldn’t get in the way of that.

Once he was in his car Tamia was off and her payment would be in her designated account by morning. He pulled his cell phone from his pocket and called Chloe to let her know that his father was taken care of. He would let Chloe know enough about what he had done.

The reality was Lex would do what he had to in order to get what he wanted.

TBC

Chapter 7 Moving Forward (Chloe POV)

Notes: My Lex is sweet but deep down we all know he's :evil:

[lj715]

Excellent chapter!!!!!!! Really like that CHloe told Lex to stop apologizing all the time & love that Lex used Tamia Grant's powers to try to prevent Lionel from bothering Chloe again. Was sad to find out how Troy died & that Chloe finally found out that Lex was @ her wedding. I hope they can get a little closer soon.

[hfce]

That was a great update. :)

[Linda]

Excellent story, I'm glad I found it.I can't wait until Emma and Lex really get a chance to interact, I can see that young lady giving him a real run for his money.Please update again soon.

[malugargula]

Lex is so obsessive
:)
Great chapter
Please more soon

[somethingeasy]

I’m sorry it took me a while to get around to reviewing this fic, because I wanted you to know that I REALLY loved this new chapter. It just took me a bit of time to refresh my memory of the entire story by re-reading it from start to finish… in that reference, this chapter was AMAZING! This is a wonderful story… it is thrilling seeing the full extent of Lex’s obsession being revealed a little bit at a time… and it’s even more incredible seeing how Chloe is completely oblivious about how intense Lex’s feelings run, what is agenda is and what he’s REALLY thinking while he’s claiming that he wants ‘nothing more than a simple friendship’ with her.


The image was still fresh in Lex’s mind. Seeing Chloe in the picture, at her home, with the man she called her husband and their daughter. The look in their eyes was haunting him.

When he was looked at the picture he knew he would never have anything like it. Nine years ago he ruined his chance at that kind of happiness.

Of all the things Lex had there wasn’t one picture of him or either of his last two wives looking that happy. The truth was he didn’t really spend that much time with them after the wedding. While they dated it was good but once Lex had said “I do” the reality sunk in that he had made a mistake.

I loved how the chapter began with Lex indulging on some intense contemplation of Chloe, her current life, her relationship with her husband, and how NONE of Lex’s other women (wives or girlfriends) even came close to measuring up with the Chlex or the Chloe/Troy relationship. It made me shudder to see how he’s obsessing over her, but I also felt a substantial amount of sympathy for the poor, lonely man.


The little girl was indeed the spiting image of her mother right down to the green eyes and blonde hair. She was well spoken and seemed to be very respectful. In all his thoughts of Chloe he didn’t imagine Emma. He knew she existed, knew she was important but he didn’t think of how to deal with her.

The child was unpredictable. The best he could do was to react to whatever she was giving him. He did wonder what she thought of him standing there trying to make her mother let him into her life.

I really like the realistic way Lex is thinking about Chloe’s daughter… I mentioned before how I would have found it irritating if Lex had ‘fallen in love’ with Kitty-Kat from their very first meeting… I’m very glad that Letia stayed away from this trap. Lex thinks of Kitty as pretty and interesting, but more than anything, he sees her as an obstacle and complication in his plan to get Chloe back the way he wants her… LOL! And he’s stumped about how to deal her into his plans… it’s going to be interesting to see how he factors the kid into his strategies.


“It’s your father.” She said plainly then paused, her voice drifted off and she was speaking to someone else. It sounded like she was giving instructions to someone and then she was back. “Sorry, I was speaking to the nanny.”

“What did my father do?” Lionel had struck again and whatever he had done put Chloe in a frenzy.

“He came to see me today and....” She paused again and he heard a door slamming shut. “…he threatened me and my daughter Lex.”

A chill ran up Lex’s spine as to what the hell is father was up to. He hadn’t thought of hurting Chloe for years and Lex made sure it wouldn’t happen by keeping him under lock and key. His people made no mention that he saw Chloe that day.

Heeee, it seems like Lionel made a serious tactical error when approaching Chloe and threatening her to ‘stay away’ from his son. In the first place, that kind of ‘advice’ is something that Lex is most DEFINITELY not going to appreciate being given to Chloe in any shape and form. Lex is quite likely to ruin or kill anyone who starts advising Chloe that it’s prudent to ‘stay away’ from him.

And second… Lionel just gave Chloe a rock-solid reason for wanting and NEEDING to see Lex… The old bastard is losing his touch, and acting on his impulses without really thinking things through… and that is going to cost him.


Swinging the door back he found Chloe frazzled. She was dressed as if she’d come from the office but her face looked worn as if she had been pondering Lionel’s plans since she saw him.

“Come in.” Lex motioned for her to enter and she did so giving him a small smile before moving past him. He caught a touch of her scent and it was the closet to him she had been since seeing her.

I can just imagine Lex obsessively cataloguing EVERY part of Chloe while she’s here in his personal space. Taking note of her every movement, scent, touch and gesture. I still find it so thrilling and amazing to imagine that he’s going through these intense emotions without Chloe having a clue about the depth of his feelings…

Let’s hope he manages to keep them hidden for a ‘little’ while longer… If Chloe gets any indication of his true feelings, she’s going to run off screaming, and NEVER allow herself within a hundred yards of him again.


“You actually brought the Marcel Donné piece?” She looked back to him rather stunned.

Lex knew the art work she was referring to. He did purchase the piece just before Chloe was to start Met U. It was going to decorate the dorm room he knew she would never be in because her nights were often spent with him. They saw it on a weekend trip away from Smallville and she fell in love with it so Lex brought it for her.

“I was going to give it to you when you moved into your dorm at Metropolis University but…” He paused not really sure how to finish and she did it for him.

“But I left.” Chloe turned back towards the painting and they both stood there looking at it.

After nine years it seemed impossible but there was always something in the penthouse that reminded Lex of Chloe. It didn’t have to be as specific as the painting but there was always something.

I loved this small bit here… a small insight into how Lex has continued to hold onto Chloe… even after she left and married another man. He continued to keep ‘her painting’ in a prime spot at his apartment… even after nine years. *rolls eyes* and of course, Chloe is not going to read too much into this clue over here… I can’t wait to see how SHOCKED she’s going to be when she figures out how Lex is effectively trying to ease, soothe, manipulate and ‘trap’ her into a relationship with him.


“We have been closer the past nine years.” Lex had spent more time with his father the past nine years then when he was a child.

It was Chloe leaving that had done it. Lex was falling apart and Lionel did help up pick himself up. Now they had a mutual respect for one another. Lex had proven to him he was his son but that still didn’t deserve his love, yet it was enough.

Before he went on Lex moved back to the bar for his glass of scotch he had put down after her call. His exposition would be easier if he didn’t have to look at Chloe and read every emotion on her face.

“We have what my father refers to as business dinners once every other week.” Lex filled his glass and turned to find Chloe standing right on top of him. “This week when we met I mentioned that I had seen you and that I met your daughter Emma.”

“So you talk about me with your father often?” He could see that she was getting tense. Her eyes were searing into him waiting for the answer.

It was fortunate that I re-read through the whole fic again, and was able to put this in proper reference and context. I remember it being mentioned about how Lionel took it upon himself to ‘save’ and take care of Lex when he suffered something of a breakdown after Chloe left. Of course, Chloe had NO idea about the pathetic state she left Lex in, so she wouldn’t know how Lionel helped put Lex together and hence earn a certain degree of trust from his son.

I can understand how Lex would have mentioned Emma is passing to Lionel, not expecting Lionel to use the information for any malicious, nefarious reasons… but Chloe would only see it as Lex stupidly and thoughtlessly handing over ammunition to the old MB.


“I’m sorry but you will have to explain to me what you’re talking about.” Lex’s next apology was met with more anger.

“Stop saying sorry to me Lex. You have been nice and understanding and I want to hear the truth. I want something real from you.” She nudged him a little as if she was going to fight the answers out of him.

Lex paused for a moment to collect himself on what it was he wanted. He wanted Chloe in his life again. Her position in his life was still to be determined but having her there with him even if they were fighting was a good start.

“I want us to be friends.” He answered honestly or at least he thought he did. When he thought he had a handle on what she was looking for Chloe side swiped him again.

LOL! Chloe has never been the type to tolerate people being so placating and accommodating towards her… she finds it disconcerting… not to mention fake and annoying. Lex is going to have a hard time continuing to hide the dark intensity of his obsession to her… Chloe’s VERY observant at spotting BS.

I giggled at Lex’s statement ‘I want us to be friends’ over here… He said it with such sincerity too, although we all know that his wishes do NOT end at ‘just friends’. I wonder how Chloe will react to finding out the truth.

“Were you at my wedding?” She looked him in the eye waiting for the answer.


Lex froze after she spoke. He knew that his choice to see her on her wedding day would come back to him but he assumed it wouldn’t be today. His mouth went dry as he searched for the right thing to say. To moisten his lips he finished off what he poured into his glass.

He placed it back down and moved to sit again then he started with the ugly truth. “Yes, I was at the reception.”

“Why didn’t you say anything?” Chloe moved right behind him and instead of taking the seat across from Lex, she sat with him on the sofa.

“I was ashamed for spying. I shouldn’t have been there and I’m sor..” Lex was about to say sorry again when he stopped short after he saw her head cocked to side. “I had to face the reality that I had finally lost you.”

I actually think THIS was the actual truth (for once). Lex might have gone to the wedding with vague hopes of ‘rescuing Chloe’ from her new marriage and still begging her to take him back… but in the end, he was forced to acknowledge that she was happy with another man, and that she was beyond his reach.


“Lex, we were apart for years and you still felt like there was a chance we would get back together then?”

The conversation wasn’t going were he wanted. They were supposed to be talking about his father and they were talking about something he was embarrassed about. Lex had to get the control back but Chloe always knew how to take it.

“I told you I would always hold on that something would happen for us again.” Lex thought back to the day he saw her in her dorm room. He thought he could go there beg for her to come back and make love to her the way his body had been craving for a year.

I really, REALLY loved this sentence over here… ‘beg her to come back and make love to her the way his body has been craving…’… Immensely hot, and I really enjoyed the implications over here about how Lex had been so focused and obsessed with and about her… even a year after she had left him. And Chloe had abolsutely no idea. Remarkable!


“Maybe it took for me to see it to believe that my chances had all run out. I saw that you were happy and I didn’t want to interfere with that because you deserve to be happy. I had to accept that I wasn’t the person that you would be happy with.”

When he turned back to look at her he could see the tears welling up in her eyes. Why did she have to start crying? Lex didn’t want this to be painful for her. This time he didn’t reach for her and let her speak before the tears started to fall.

Awwww, Lex might be a lying, manipulative bastard… but it’s obvious that he’s genuinely in love with Chloe, and he’s only using these underhanded means because he’s desperate to get her back… by any means possible.


“I was happy.” She started getting control over herself but he could hear the sadness in her voice just thinking about her husband being gone. “I did want you to know that. I wanted you there so that you could see that and we could make peace between us.”

“We can have that now.”

She rolled down her eyes as if she was about to shock him with something else. “Lex I feel like your playing this out as if something will happen.”

“I wouldn’t try to manipulate you.” He answered and he could see his words had no effect. Honestly Lex was doing things very different then he had with Chloe but he wouldn’t classify it as manipulation or admit that it was.

ROTFLMAO!! Of course he won’t admit it! Part of the point in manipulating someone is NEVER letting them know that they’re being played with. I’m really enjoying how Lex’s cunning and wits is being stretched to the absolute limit with the challenge that Chloe is presenting as a ‘target’ for his scheming. She’s NOT an easy person to fool, and Lex has to constantly keep thinking on his feet, and taking some very quick dancing steps to keep up with her. It’s always SO much fun seeing Lex working so darned hard for one of his plans… I get the feeling he’s usually not presented with challenges this intense.


She was getting herself together and Lex had to stop her. They were actually talking through things. It wasn’t easy but they were talking the way they needed to. This was real and Lex didn’t want to lose her company so soon.

“You could have one drink with me.” He stood up finally as she rounded the sofa to exit the room.

Chloe paused before looking back at him. Her eyes fixed in a way as if she were trying to figure him out. “I could but…” There was pause and he knew she was going to say no.

He had to say something. “There is no pressure and this isn’t a trick. We are just old friends having a drink and catching up.”

Heh, niiice! I loved this part… how Lex is carefully pushing Chloe’s boundaries, easing her into being more comfortable in his company a ‘little’ bit at a time. Amazing… I LOVE seeing that clever, manipulative aspect of him in action right in front of me.


He watched her take a casual sip from her glass before answering. “You stayed out of my life like I asked other then your visit to my wedding reception. I thought I should give you the same courtesy.”

Lex swallowed down the rest of what was in his glass. He didn’t give Chloe the same courtesy as she had given him. In fact he knew many a detail about her life that he should never know.

There was so much he knew that he shouldn’t and she was sitting there believing he had done what she asked. If he wanted her to stay there was no way Lex could tell her the truth now. If they were going to be friends he would have to lie.

LOL! nothing new about that… it’s so interesting how Lex can keep making these little, tiny steps in deceiving Chloe, and he constantly keeps reassuring himself that it’s only a ‘little lie’ each time, and insignificant in the long run… He’s blatantly lying and manipulating her into a position that he needs her to be in, but I don’t think he’s actually ADMITTING to himself about what he’s doing. He honestly believes he’s being direct, open and honest with her… as much as the situation allows.

I seriously cannot WAIT to see how Chloe reacts when she finds out about the full-extent of Lex’s deceptions. It’s going to be one hell of a fire-works fury screaming fit.


A smile broke out on her face and it grew so wide her entire demeanor changed. “Having Emma has made life very interesting. It’s wonderful and terrifying all at the same time. You think you know what you’re doing but you have no idea. I was so scared to bring her home.”

He could see it in her eyes as she remembered the feeling of her little girl coming home for the first time but she wasn’t alone. “I’m sure you had help.”

She looked away from him and Lex had said something she shouldn’t. “Troy was a great help and amazing father.” She breathed out and kept her gaze away from him as she spoke. “He was calm and patient with her.” When she finally looked back at him her eyes focused on him.

“You really learn to be patient when you have child.”

When she finally looked back at him there was a moment he thought she was talking about him. Lex wasn’t very patient when it came to life and maybe he need to learn how to be if Chloe was going to be part of his life again.

I think there’s a lesson here for Lex… not in the way that Chloe meant, of course… but Lex should remember what Chloe has just said, and keep in mind that Chloe is not going to accept any man in her life who cannot be an amazing father to her daughter. Emma is obviously the centre of Chloe’s world now, and Lex is going to figure out a way to adjust himself into both of their lives. It’s going to be interesting seeing how he goes about doing that.


“You don’t have to go on.” Lex reached for her hand resting between them and she let him hold on to it for second before sliding it away from him. He had his reminder of what it felt like when her skin was nears his for just a moment.

LOL! Like I mentioned… he’s using this visit from Chloe as an opportunity to memorize everything about her all over again… scent, sight, touch… It’s really quite thrilling seeing him cataloguing everything with an obsessive zeal.


They moved to the door and Lex opened it to let her leave. Without any warning as she moved out of his place to leave she turned back and moved close to him. Her arms went around him quickly and he couldn’t stop the hug. His body took a moment to react to it but he pulled her closer to him and the warm embrace took over.

“Thank you for helping me Lex.” She pulled away to look at him. “Let me know what happens.”

He nodded, a little shaken up by what just happened. “I will call you as soon as it’s done.”

As she moved to leave Lex knew why he was so shaken by all of this. He was waiting for Chloe to be close to him like that for years and once he had her in his arms he saw it playing out differently. His reality involved them moving on to other activities.

For a few minutes Lex had the friendship he was asking for. Even though their lives weren’t perfect he was getting to experience part of hers first hand.

ROTFL! Oh my! Dear, sweet, naïve Chloe! She thought she was just giving Lex a friendly, grateful hug over here… and of course Lex is going to take it as ‘hope for something more’ in the very near future. Later on, when Chloe finds out about his true feelings, Lex is going to use moments like these to justify everything… claiming that he was encouraged the whole time, that it was obvious (to him) that her feelings were slowly changing into what he needed from her.


Tamia Grant was a powerful woman. She could do things that no on else could. When the meteor rocks hit she was a child. The rocks fused themselves into her skin then into her blood stream. From that day on she could control the flow of blood in anyone she came near.

When Luthor Corp. found her she was out of control. They found her so upset with her mother she had flooded her brain with blood and put her into a coma. The poor girl just wanted to go out to a school party but was forbidden to do so because of a bad grade. She didn’t know what she had done until it was too late.

Wow, new character… and her power and backstory are quite fascinating.


Lex never stopped his work with the meteor infected. He merely changed his tactics from those that scared Chloe away in the first place. Instead of killing the dangerous ones he had found a way to cure them and sent them off to Belle Reve. Those that wanted help, like Tamia Grant, he gave them just what they asked for.

He helped give her a chance at a normal life in a few weeks. Since then, Tamia was a great asset to Lex’s staff. Taking her with him that night to visit his father was an excellent choice.

It seems like Lex had heeded Chloe, and changed his tactics on how to deal with mutants… which turned out great for him, because now he’s not only helping out these afflicted people, but he’s also gained the advantage of gaining their loyalty and alliance… which he can use for a variety of purposes.


He didn’t want to go to extremes but there was really no other choice. The truth was Lex had to bring Lionel back down to earth and remind him he was his father’s son and wouldn’t just let him in to his life with out it being on his terms.

Lionel made a HUGE miscalculation when he went to confront Chloe… He underestimated the psychotic lengths his own son would go through to remove all cumbersome obstacles between himself and a life with Chloe.


Tamia nodded once then focused her brown eyes towards the door. After Lex and his staff helped her get a handle on her ability she was more than willing to take a job from him. He used her from time to time and her services were rewarded.

hmmm, I wonder in what other circumstances Lex has used these talents of hers… Nothing legal or ethical I’m sure.


“Dad Ms.Grant isn’t here for you to flirt with.” Lex moved down the hall of the place leading Tamia along with him. “Increase the flow to his brain once he is in the room.” Lex told her before going into the living room to take a seat on the sofa.

Dear god, he said this so coldly… without putting any emotions in his voice or tone AT ALL. He might have been ordering a sandwich rather than giving instructions to torture his father. Scary!


“Dad what your feeling now is just a taste of Ms. Grant’s gift.” Lex stretched his arms out over the back of the sofa and watched his father take in the throbbing pain in his head.

What he was doing may have been extreme but Lex was sending a message. If he wanted to keep Lionel’s respect and keep him out of his way then he had to do this. He had changed just as Chloe said but how he had changed was in question.

It’s really interesting about how Lex resorted to drastic, violent measure so QUICKLY after Lionel made a very short overture to Chloe. He ‘could’ have just told Lionel to back-off… instead he chose to torture and frighten Lionel into submission. Lex has become seriously frightening during the years away from Chloe… I LOVE it!!!


“You know why I’m here dad.” Lex got up from his seat to stand in front of his father. This time to signal his weapon he raised his hand and waved two fingers forward.

The quick rush of blood to the brain hit Lionel like a ton of bricks and he was bending at his knees until he was on the floor lying on his side. Lex bent over him slowly not really feeling bad about what he was doing. He was actually getting a little bit of joy out of it.

He threatened Chloe for the last time and he played in his life for the last time. Lex laid out his instructions calmly as his father writhed in pain. “You will stay away from Chloe. You will stay away from her daughter. This is the last time we talk about her.”

The part where it said that Lex was getting a ‘bit of joy’ out of what he was doing… CHILLING! But absolutely thrilling too. I’m really enjoying seeing evidence of the cold, cruel lengths that Lex is willing to go through to secure Chloe in his life again.


“I was only trying to helllppp…” Before he could get the words out Lex was already signaling Tamia to give him another jolt.

“I don’t need your help this time.” Lex knelt down to his father’s level making sure he could look him in the eye. “I find out that you haven’t done as I have asked and Ms. Gordan will make what you’re feeling now a hundred times worse.”

ouch! I cannot imagine how terrified Lionle must be right now… if not terrified (let’s face it, the old MB is quite tough, and not intimidated easily) he IS quite shocked. He really underestimated Lex’s capacity for cruelty and violence. Or at least he underestimated Lex’s capacity for cruelty towards HIM.

The saddest thing is that I think Lionel is actually being honest over here. I don’t think it was easy for Lionel watching Lex go through a breakdown when Chloe left him, and now he was trying to avert the disaster that was certain to follow with Chloe’s re-mergence into Lex’s life.


“Lex, Lex, I’m only looking out for your well being.” Lionel waited for him to look back before going on. “She was right to leave. You’re not the person that she thinks you are. You’re my son and I know what you have become and trust me she won’t accept it.”

Lex didn’t say anything and just took in what his father said. Chloe was accepting him for who he was and he was someone she could learn to trust again. He had to push back any thing Lionel was saying. His goal was clear and he wouldn’t be moved on it.

After seeing everything Lex did, I have to say that Lionel is absolutely RIGHT over here as well. If Chloe finds out about what Lex is capable of now, there’s no way she’s going to agree to be with him. Lionel is right… Chloe won’t accept the man Lex has become now.

But Lex is in no mood to listen to home-truths like that. He’s firmly in the land of obsession and denial, and it’s not going to be easy to dislodge him from that place. It’s really VERY scary about how firmly Lex is pushing away all evidence to the contrary and holding onto the belief that he and Chloe WILL come together… through any means fair or foul.


It was Chloe’s hug that brought him to this point. His life would be filled with many more nightcaps with Chloe and Lionel wouldn’t get in the way of that.

HA! I knew it. I knew he would be latching onto that hug as a sign that Chloe will be ‘with’ him again. An obsessive, psychotic personality like Lex’s will always blow up signs in his favour to ridiculous proportions while refusing to see evidence contrary to their hopes and desires.


Once he was in his car Tamia was off and her payment would be in her designated account by morning. He pulled his cell phone from his pocket and called Chloe to let her know that his father was taken care of. He would let Chloe know enough about what he had done.

The reality was Lex would do what he had to in order to get what he wanted.

LOL! I can imagine what ‘convenient’ version of the truth Lex is going to tell Chloe about how Lex handled his father. I’m going to guess that usage of torture and threats is not going to make it through in the re-telling.

Hmmm, I wonder whether Lionel is going to have to guts to approach Chloe and tell her about what Lex did… Ironically, if Lionel managed to convince Chloe that Lex threatened to kill him, he would be perfectly safe from Lex’s vengeance, because Lex wouldn’t dare harm his father while Chloe was carefully watching what happened to Lionel. LOL, so is Lionel going to be approaching Chloe, asking for her protection? ROTFLOL! I can imagine it would be a completely galling option for him.

While I was re-reading the fic, I was also wondering a bit about Chloe’s ‘over the top’ reaction to Lex meeting Emma. Perhaps Chloe has particularly strong (and paranoid) maternal instinct, but she seems unreasonably scared that Lex was going to harm Emma in some way… or perhaps grab her and take her away with him. Even Lois seemed scared about Emma meeting Lex.

Perhaps it was just these two women worrying about ‘big bad dubiously moral Lex Luthor’ coming in close contact with a young innocent, but what if it was something more… Did Chloe have a good reason for being SO scared?

Does Emma have meteor powers, and Chloe is terrified that Lex is going to find out and resume the experimentations and exterminations that he used to do while he and Chloe were together? She doesn’t know that Lex has slightly changed his practices from using and killing mutants to helping, curing and rehabilitating them. So was she terrified that Lex was going to find out about Emma’s powers and snatch the little girl away from her? (This is based on the huge assumption that Emma HAS powers) :P

Anyhow, this fic has really caught hold of my interest and imagination… and I’m looking desperately forward to future updates… please continue soon.

[dagney]

So powerful, Lex kinder gentler, oh boy this doesn't seam to bode well for Chloe. I really am enjoying this story. dagney

[letia84]

Chapter 7 Moving Forward (Chloe POV)

New York Seven Years Ago

It could have all fallen apart when Chloe moved away from everything she knew. There would have been a time when she would have gone running back to Metropolis University with the comforts of Smallville just around the corner.

Only now her new settings starting to feel like home; Chloe wasn’t going anywhere. It was time to move forward and she was jumping off the cliff with her eyes wide open.

The pain of seeing Lex again did linger with her for awhile. During her holiday break Chloe did drive by the manor but, lucky for her, Lex’s security didn’t spot her driving past. The moment of weakness to see how he was after their brief and rough encounter almost got the best of her. Lex had taken it as if he was the only one hurt but Chloe felt the sting of the break up like he did.

Some might say she was running from her problems but moving out of Kansas wasn’t just about getting away from Lex. The world was bigger than Kansas and, if Chloe was going to write about it, she had to start seeing it. Her first stop was New York and after that there was no limit to what she could see.

It took some doing but she was settling into her life now. Her friend base was strong; she was on top of her school work and writing a few pieces for an online news paper. There was always one thing in her life that some might say was lacking.

Chloe’s love life had been at stand still since leaving Lex.

She couldn’t blame anyone for that but herself. Chloe had convinced herself that there was nothing wrong with holding on to a first love.

There was no exact date when but some how Chloe let Lex go a little that year. She stopped dreaming about him or letting him creep into her thoughts in her waking hours. It helped that she had rid he self of any news about anything with the word Luthor in it. Part of her new life and leaping forward meant letting Lex go and, little by little, she was able to do that.

Things falling so nicely into place only meant one thing for Chloe; it would all come crashing down on her very soon. Somehow if she was in Kansans or hundreds of miles away the sky seemed to fall down on her when she least expected.

This time what came down on her wasn’t as horrific as Chloe was use to. In fact it was the exact opposite.

Troy Kaplan being introduced into Chloe’s life was as normal as any encounter she’d ever had with a person in passing. Coffee was getting her through her eight a.m. lecture on Journalism Ethics and the First Amendment Law. The coffee cart was two minutes from class and a God send.

One morning Chloe was running late and needed her morning jolt. To her surprise the line was longer then usual and she knew if she didn’t get her coffee then she wouldn’t make it through the first ten minutes of the lecture.

As she waited in line an aggravated sighed came from her and then another as the person that was next took her time staring at the small menu attach to the cart. She was so close to being next except for the man standing in front of her.

“Come on.” Chloe mumbled and the man in front of her turned around.

“Are you late for class?” He questioned her. Chloe really made no notice at first but later on the man’s eye staring back at her would come to haunt her.

She answered him causally. “Yeah, in about…” Taking a quick look at her watch she finished her answer. “…oh now.”

He grinned at the silly joke then stepped aside. “Since your late why don’t you go ahead of me?”

Chloe looked at him in confusion and didn’t step ahead immediately. He took notice of her change in expression and offered the space again. “Really, please it’s not a problem. It’s either that or I listen to you talk to yourself some more.” He grinned at her again and Chloe took the joke in stride.

“Thank you.” She spoke as she stepped ahead. “I’ll try to keep my thoughts to myself next time.” Chloe quipped.

She heard the small chuckle come from him but the moment was fleeting as she moved ahead after the difficult girl made up her mind.

“I got your usual coming up.” The man behind the counter told her. She was coming to the coffee cart since the start of the semester and it showed. Chloe paid and said her thanks making no notice of the kind gentleman that let her pass him since she was late for class.

For the next few weeks every Monday, Wednesday and Friday Chloe ran into the man that let her cut him in line. He would say hello and she would do the same but nothing ever really came of it for a while.

One day he asked what she needed the coffee for then later she would ask him how his job was that he was running off to at eight in the morning. Another day he told her that she looked good with her hair up and the next he commented on weather. It was all very casual but the more Chloe saw him the more invested she became in him. Just when they would start talking he or she had to run.

Chloe finally took notice of how he looked the more she saw him. Troy was taller than her, had short dark hair, a chiseled jaw line and his eyes were a deep shade of brown. He may have been the most attractive man Chloe had met since moving to the city.

Before she knew it, Chloe was more concerned about what she looked like going to her Journalism Ethics and the First Amendment Law class. It was cold and it was ridiculous to be in a skit sometimes but Chloe would wear one. It was all subconscious to her but she wanted to look nice for the five minutes she stood in the coffee line and said hello to Troy.

As the semester drew to a close Chloe still hadn’t found out her coffee mates name. It just never came up in the brief moments they would speak to one another in the coffee line. Until one day Chloe showed up for her coffee and he wasn’t there.

By then she had learned the coffee cart workers name as Alton but she didn’t know the person’s name she shared jokes with and made flirtatious glances at in the morning.

She waited in line and her usual was served up. It was odd and an off putting not to have the man there and Chloe was early that morning and waited a few moments by the cart. After a minute or two passed Alton called out to her.

“Chloe I have something for you.” She moved from the side of the cart to the front and in Alton’s hand was a white envelope. As she took it Alton explained. “He said to give it to you if you waited and let you know he can’t make it today.”

Taking the note in hand Chloe ran for class to avoid being late. Once she was settled in Chloe took in the warmth of the classroom in then moved to take her gloves off to open the letter.

She opened the letter and a rush of excitement hit her. She hoped inside the letter there would be the man’s name first off. She also wanted there to be some sort of need to take their conversation to somewhere other than the coffee cart.

Keeping the letter out of view of everyone Chloe started to read.

“Dear Green Eyes (Sorry but that’s what I’ve been calling you since I don’t know your name)

I’m sorry that I can’t have our morning chat but I have come down with a bad cold. I was lucky enough to have friends that take pity on a man too afraid to do what I’m about to do in this letter and they dropped it off for me. I told them to give Alton strict instructions not to pass this letter on if you didn’t notice I wasn’t around this morning. Luck for me if you’re reading this you have been thinking about me just like I have been thinking of your green eyes.

For some reason, those few moments we spend in line leave me wanting more. I don’t know if it’s your quick wit or sweet smile but I’m dying to know more about you. I say let’s take this beyond the coffee cart.

If you’re interested please give me a call after your done reviewing the need to balance absolute freedoms of speech and full disclosure of truth to the masses. I may be under the weather but I think hearing your voice would make me feel better.

By the way my name is Troy Kaplan. 212- 317-5486

As she closed the letter Chloe could do nothing but grin. She took her notes during class but the letter kept replaying in her mind. It showed he was listening to her because he mentioned what she was reviewing that week in class. Calling her green eyes may have been the best thing he could have done in not knowing her name.

After class, Chloe pulled her cell out on her walk back to her dorm to give Troy a call. Sure enough he did sound like his throat was sore and he was battling with a cold. Yet when he recognized it was her, his voice completely changed over the phone. He was happy to hear from her and Chloe could hear it in his voice.

At the end of that phone call the part of Chloe’s life that was lacking moved forward. She didn’t know it but Troy Kaplan would be a loving husband and wonderful father until the day the sky did come falling down on Chloe.


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Metropolis Present

Things had calmed down some since hearing from Lex a few nights ago. Lionel was taken care of but Chloe still had her guard up. Lex let her know that Lionel was concerned about making sure Lex was safe. How she was a threat to Lex wasn’t clear but it wasn’t Lionel’s place to try and control Lex’s life.

Lex assured her that things were taken care of but she felt like he was leaving something out. There was something in his voice that made her believe he was only telling her part of what happened with Lionel. In the past, Chloe would have questioned this but she was trying making peace with Lex and learning to trust him again.

This time she let it go.

When Chloe left the penthouse she was rather shaken up. Seeing the painting hanging in the study of the house knocked the wind out of her. All this time she knew Lex was hurt but for him to having such a major connection to her sitting in his study made her feel like he was holding onto the best part of them.

At the time she saw the painting they were at their best. The tears that followed after seeing it had to do with what the painting represented. It showed her that she had moved forward with her life but in some ways he hadn’t.

It was a unsettling but then again it didn’t have to be. Lex wanted to remember better times and that’s what the painting could have been. It didn’t have to be a horrible reminder of how they never worked out.

At the moment, the only thing about that night that was lingering with Chloe was the talk they had. Lex was open and it was shocking that he was still able to be that way with her.

He let a lot go when he said he never wanted his wives to be fully in his life. Chloe let Troy into her life completely. She couldn’t have married him any other way yet Lex married those women anyway. A part of her was worried what could happen by giving in to Troy but it all worked out. The idea that Lex wasn’t able to take that chance was sad.

Just listening to Lex and having him hear her was nice. That night reminded her of the time they spent together before Lionel’s trial when things between them were just before things turned to something more then just partners.

When she left it was the first time in nine years Chloe felt like she and Lex could move forward into the next phase of their relationship. She believed they could be friends.

Lois of course didn’t take the news well that Lex was once again helping her and she was going to try and trust him again. Lois warned her that maybe the Lex she was getting to know wasn’t the Lex that she would want back in her life. Chloe could only reassure Lois that she knew how to handle herself. If she felt that Lex was, in any way, not being sincere then she would end their newly forming friendship.

Today during lunch Lois wasn’t the only one warning her about who Lex was now. Clark had to put in his two cents and he took her off guard as they were eating.

“Lois said that you’re thinking of seeing Lex again.” Clark came out with it as soon as their food arrived.

The deli they were eating in use to be one of Chloe’s favorite places in the city. It was once again becoming her weekday lunch stop. Form time to time Lois and Clark would join her but Lois couldn’t make it to lunch that day and it was just her and Clark.

Over the years Chloe saw Clark grow up. It took him sometime but he had finally accepted that his place in this world meant he could do great things for people. She had more respect for him then ever but when he mentioned Lex name a bit of the old Clark was shining through.

Chloe raised an eye brows at her friend and nearly chocked on her food. Her damn cousin couldn’t keep anything to herself. “Yes Lex and I are working on a friendship.”

“Is that all?” Clark mumbled as he filled his mouth with potato chips. She knew where this was coming from. Since Chloe found out about 33.1 and what Lex had done Clark never felt the same about Lex. She never told him about the people that died there but Clark knew that people were being held captive.

Chloe always believed the only reason Lex and Clark remained friends for so long was for her. Clark couldn’t let go of his doubts about Lex and in a few moments she would learn why.

Chloe could see he was judging her before he knew all the facts. “Are you going to tell me I shouldn’t be friends with him?”

Clark swallowed down the chips he was working on before he answered. “I just want you to be careful around him. I don’t want you hurt again.”

Reaching out for his hand resting on the table Chloe reassured him. “I’ll be careful.”

He gave her the goofy grin then adjusted his glasses. “Chloe can I ask you something?” He fumbled with his chips looking away from her.

They’d been friends so long Chloe could see what he was about to ask embarrassed him. “Sure what do you want to know?”

Clark pushed up his glasses then finally set his gaze on her. “Why did we never work? I mean it’s not like I’m not happy with Lois. I love her, she’s everything I never knew I always wanted but we never really…” He trailed off waiting for her to say something.

Chloe let him fumble over his words a little more until she gave him the answer. It was something she realized a long time ago. “Clark, I think you and I both know that the timing was never right for us. You were in love with a certain brunette we know and by the time it was possible I was with Lex.”

“You know I was really blind back then.” He stated frankly then for the first time Chloe heard something from Clark she never thought he would say. She knew they were friends that he loved her and that Clark would do everything in his power to keep her safe but there was always the nagging feeling of Lana Lang.

She always held a part of him that kept him down. When she passed away it gave Clark the chance to see how she had blinded him to the truth.

“I was never really happy with Lana. I look back and I made so many mistakes how I could’ve been happy with her.”

“Clark, are you saying that putting Lana before everything may have been a mistake?” Chloe pushed back her plate and let her focus fall on him hoping to drown out the noise of the restaurant because she really wanted to hear this.

He shrugged his shoulders admitting something she had known all along. “Yes, it was a mistake. She never trusted me. I know I never gave her too many reasons to trust me but her paranoia was just too great to let her know the truth.”

Chloe laugh a little to herself just thinking of all the ways Lana had infused her self into Clark’s life and made it her own personal play thing. “Love makes us into fools and at the time you just didn’t see all that about her.”

“I wish I had because I missed out on being with you. I can see why Lex wants to see you again. He lost you and I know from experience how much that hurts.” Clark looked away as if he just admitted too much.

Chloe furrowed her brow looking at him confused. There was never a time she thought Clark thought of her romantically. She was always second best for him, just a side kick back then. “Kent are you saying you had thing for me.”

He stifled a chuckle then reached her hand on the table. “Who wouldn’t have a thing for you? You’re smart, your witty, you’re beautiful. Any man should consider himself lucky to have you in their life, I know I do, and I know Troy did.”

She didn’t want to but Chloe was blushing a little but when he mentioned Troy she felt as if she would tear up. Troy had told her all these things many a time but never had she heard the words from Clark Kent.

It had also been a while since she was paid such a nice complement. “I had no idea you felt that way. I always thought Lana was it for you back then.”

“When I say I made mistakes I didn’t just make them with Lana, I made them with you to. I pushed you away for no good reason. I didn’t trust you with my secret. I’m just glad we can still be friends now.”

Chloe nodded once then covered his hand with her other. “Thank you Clark. It means a lot that your saying this. I moved back here to be with people that care about me.”

He smiled then pulled his hand away. “Whatever happens between you and Lex I just want you to be happy. I know you wouldn’t put yourself in danger because of Emma but just be careful. Lois is right; Lex is a different person from who he was in Smallville.”

“I’ll keep it mind.” The moment settled and it was one of nicest she had with Clark. He seemed pleased with himself and went back to eating but stopped mid chew of oversized turkey sandwich. “What is it?”

“Someone is in trouble.” Clark dropped his sandwich on his plate and it was time for him to play hero.

“Go, its okay.” Chloe rushed him off waving her hand.

“Sorry, I promise the next time I’ll make it through the whole lunch.” Clark dropped some money off before making a mad dash for the exit of the place.

He was gone before Chloe could say another word. When she looked out the window the blur of him taking off into the air was the last she saw of him that day. She took what Clark said to heart but knew in the end it was up to her on what to do about Lex.

They were so open and honest just now Chloe felt like spreading some of that around. She had tons of work to do at the office before getting home. Tonight her father was coming over for dinner but she needed to make pit stop before heading home to the office.

Once Chloe was done with lunch she paid the bill and headed out to invite another guest to dinner.


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Chloe moved through the automatic doors of Lex’s Luthor Corp. office and this time she wasn’t as nervous as the first time since being back. Things were calm and seemed more settled between them since they last spoke.

When she entered Lex was typing away frantically on his lap top. She had seen all of this before. If there was project he was focused on he couldn’t be moved. Chloe walked in and stood right in front of his desk but he didn’t stop typing.

Lex knew she was coming into the office because he told Ms. March to let her in. To get his attention she cleared her throat. There was no sound coming from him acknowledging her presence.

“I could always come back.” Chloe spoke up and was getting a little annoyed that he wasn’t saying anything.

“Two seconds.” He mumbled between key strokes.

When she arrived, Chloe was actually looking forward to inviting Lex to dinner but now she was being reminded of how he was some times. He was so driven and it was something she once admired but it was also annoying as hell.

“Maybe you should just call me later.” Chloe was about to turn and leave when Lex finally got the hint.

“Wait, wait.” He said rushing over from across the desk to grab her arm. “It was really important I that I finished off the email. The energy plans are going by slowly.”

“If you’re busy you could have said so.” Chloe pulled out of his grasp more then annoyed than ever. Lex had a way of grabbing her and making things go the way he wanted.

He sighed once moving to pose on the edge of his desk. The moment was all too familiar as they looked at each other. Chloe was getting upset knowing full well this was who Lex was. If he was focused on something he was focused and she should have waited. Hell she did the same thing her self to him at one time.

After leaving lunch she wasn’t feeling so good about herself, his lack of immediate attention had thrown her off a bit. It took a moment but she saw how silly she was being. Her eyes drew away from him and looked down as she chuckled at herself. When she looked back to him he was smirking at her.

They both shared a laughed for a moment. It was as if he knew just what she was thinking as they laughed of the tension in the room.

“Are you going to tell me why you stopped by?” Lex spoke up after the had stopped laughing.

She took in a breath to center herself. “I have thought of a way to get this friendship moving forward.”

“That would be what?” His head titled to side trying to figurer her out.

“If you’re not busy you could come by for dinner tonight.” It all came out in a rush and she watched Lex’s eyes widen.

The last time he was in her home Chloe pushed him away. Then she was nervous about having Emma near him but if they were going to be friends they would have to start somewhere with Lex interacting with her.

“Dinner?” He questioned. “Tonight?”

Chloe could see he was unsure about it. There was one thing keeping him from saying yes and she wasn’t sure what it was. “Yes, dinner tonight.” She repeated. “My daughter, my father and me.”

She watched him thinking it over and thought he would say no from the look in his eyes. “If you don’t want to I understand.” Chloe spoke up first. Something was wrong with the way this was going.

It was his idea that they should try to be friends again but she should have known he would want to do it his way. It might have been what she said earlier about patience when dealing with children. When she said it, it was directed right at him. Lex wasn’t the most patient of men.

Just when she had given up on him Lex answered. “What time should I come over?”

A smile of relief washed over her. “Be there at 6:30.”

Looking down at her, Lex moved toward Chloe. There was something behind his eyes that she didn’t want to read. “I’ll see you then.” His voice was low and smooth as silk.

“I should let you get back to work.” Chloe stepped back getting back some personal space.

He nodded once, said his good bye and then waited. The last time she saw him they shared a hug. The hug was to test Chloe’s boundaries with him. They were close at one time and it seemed natural. Lex was helping her once again with Lionel and the hug was to thank him.

This time he seemed to be waiting for a repeat performance. Chloe’s visit today wasn’t about this. She could be thinking it over but he was trying to charm her into hugging him. Instead of doing what she thought he wanted Chloe said good bye then walked out of the office.

Once she was in the elevator heading out the building Chloe pulled her self together. She had heard that voice from him before. For so long she shrugged it off as nothing before he kissed her to make her see the truth. This time may have not been like all those times but it could be the end of their friendship before it started.


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When Chloe got home her dad was already there and the nanny had left. Gloria pointed out to Gabe what she wanted to make for dinner and things were already started. Emma had begged for pasta and Chloe was aiming to please. Even though Chloe was home and dinner was Emma’s choice her Kitty Cat was still unhappy.

“Are you listening to me Emma?” Chloe was having a talk with her daughter but might as well have been talking to her self.

Chloe was late because of the stop she made to Lex’s office that day. Chloe’s rewrite was due that day and she had to stay a little later.

“Kitty Cat come here.” Chloe watched her daughter lining up her dolls on one of the wall in her room. Her hair was pulled back into one ponytail and today she was dressed in pair of tan slacks with a button down shirt that was a light shade of purple.

Emma sighed and did as she was told moving over to Chloe sitting on her bed. “Yes.” She said in a sad tone as if her feelings had been truly hurt by her tardiness.

“I’m very sorry I was late today but you had fun with Gloria didn’t you?” Chloe pulled her over closer to her.

“I wanted us to cook dinner not me and grandpa.” She murmured burying her face in Chloe’s side.

Her words made Chloe’s heart sink into her chest. Things like this were never easy. Her job was important but Emma had to be ahead of all of that. It didn’t matter that she was home now and they could set the table together and have dinner together. Emma was set in her ways about some things just like Chloe was.

“Mommy should have never promised to be home early and...” Chloe’s moved her hand tilt Emma’s face towards her. “…I am sorry and I will make it up to you tomorrow.”

“Good.” She said with resolve.

Chloe had her attention again. It was so easy to make up with her she and she wish other things in her life were the same way. “Kitty Cat, I have a surprise for you.”

Emma’s face brightened the moment ‘surprise’ was uttered. Chloe knew what was coming before she let her respond. “No, it’s not a pony.”

A frown replaced Emma’s joy. “You said a surprise. That would be the best surprise ever.” Then without warning she was giving Chloe the eyes. The pleading eyes worked on Chloe sometimes but this was not one of those times.

“I know it would be but this is a good surprise too.” Chloe pushed back the free strands of hair hanging over her ears and watched the excitement build in Emma waiting to hear what she had to say. “You remember when we talked about Mr. Luthor?”

Kitty Cat nodded franticly and a large grin spread out on her lips. “He has the bald head.” She spoke patting her on full head of hair.

“Yes, exactly.” Chloe didn’t know how she would finesse this but Emma would have to be okay with what would happen tonight. “He’s coming to have dinner with us tonight.”

“Can I talk to him this time or do I have to go to my room.” Emma answered. It was amazing the things she remember sometime.

The first time Chloe felt ambushed when Lex arrived. She wanted his introduction to Emma to be on her terms and not some casual meeting. This was her daughter and things had to be just right.

“No, you can talk to him this time. I want you to be nice and polite.” Chloe was giving these instructions to Emma but she wanted to give them to her dad as well.

Gabe wanted the best for her. When she moved away he was happy for her but didn’t understand why. Later on she told him about Lex how she was in love with him but it didn’t sit well with him. Gabe knew Lex saved her but it didn’t give him the right to put the moves on his daughter. It took sometime but he settled into the idea or just let it go since things were over. He never knew the extent of her troubles with Lex but he did see how much it hurt her that they were no longer together.

Emma nodded once as she answered. “I will be a good girl.”

“Good now lets go help grandpa.” Chloe placed her hand out to Emma and she reached to grasp it as they both left her room to prepare for tonight.

Chloe had already briefed her father about their house guest and he was tight lipped about the whole thing. She didn’t want him to be upset that she was trying to be friends with Lex again but he was. It might take sometime to get use to but he only wanted her safe.

The dinner table in the kitchen was set up and the final touches on dinner were done in time for Lex’s arrival. Emma was sitting in her grandfather’s lap and they were playing a new hand game she just learned. With each slap of their hands the time ticked by.

It was going on 6:30 about thirty minutes ago and Lex hadn’t shown up yet. Instead of letting it ruin the evening, Chloe moved on with dinner. Once they were all seated conversation consisted of listening to Emma answer Gabe’s questions about her day while Chloe checked the time.

During a moment of silence, while everyone was chewing, Gabe must have been waiting to say something. “I guess we won’t be seeing Lex after all.” He mumbled between poking at his salad and looking away from Chloe.

She could have made a quip but now wasn’t the time. “We don’t know that.” Chloe still had a little bit of faith in him.

The man had a huge reminder of her in his study; there was no way he would pass up on them forming their friendship without a reason. Something was up and Chloe would have to wait to get to the bottom of it.

“Yes, but maybe its better that he’s not here right Kitty Cat?” Gabe directed his question at Emma sitting right next to her.

Chloe turned to look at her as well. At the moment Emma’s mouth was full of pasta and they both watch her do her best to get it down to answer. Instead of answering she shrugged her shoulders and went on eating.

“Dad, please. Something could have come up.” Chloe didn’t know why but she was making excuses.

Part of her life now was about moving forward and some of that meant restarting with Lex. Moving forward meant Chloe could make peace with Lex but she couldn’t do it alone. If he didn’t show up then it was a sign maybe he wasn’t ready to move forward with her.

When it hit an hour that he was late Chloe went ahead and served Emma desert. They were having a cheesecake Chloe stopped to get on her way home. Her daughter didn’t seem to notice that Lex hadn’t showed up. Maybe she was confused about what Chloe told her was to occur tonight.

They were all eating and Chloe was trying to mask the fact that she was pretty pissed Lex hadn’t shown up. After taking a mouth full of her cake she could hear her cell phone ringing.

“Sorry dad, let me get that.” Chloe excused herself from the table but, before she moved to the phone in the kitchen, she wiped away some of the cherry sauce from the cake Emma had gotten on her cheek.

Once the phone was in her hands she knew the number on the caller ID. “What do you want Lex.” She answered into the receiver.

“I’m outside of your place and have been since 6:00.” He started then paused as if he was embarrassed about what he said. “I want to move our friendship forward but I have to be honest with you. I have no idea how to treat your daughter. I have been too afraid to come up because I don’t want to ruin this by saying or doing the wrong thing with Emma.”

Chloe was thankful she answered and didn’t just ignore the call. She was mad Lex hadn’t showed but hearing his reason why made her burst into laughter. If he was this worried about dinner then Chloe knew things would be fine.

Lex over thought everything he did and Chloe did want him to consider how he treated Emma. There were few if no moments Lex was scared to meet people but it took Chloe’s six year old to bring him to sitting in his car for an hour.

“Lex, if you don’t come up we will never move forward with this.” Chloe answered getting her giggles under control. As she waited for his answer she could hear him breathe in then out controlling everything he could at this point.

“I’ll be right up.” He answered then hung up.

After hanging up the phone, Chloe told her dad and Emma that Lex would be there shortly. Just as she was done lying for him that he had to stay late at work there was a knock at the door. Chloe didn’t know what she would see on the other side of the door but she was ready to accept who Lex was.

For now.

TBC

Chapter 8 Patience (Lex’s POV)

[lj715]

I loved this update, especially the beginning where Chloe meets Troy & how they got together. Also liked that Lex had been waiting in front of Chloe's place for all that time because he was too afraid of messing up with Emma. Can't wait for more.

[hfce]

Good update. :D

[somethingeasy]

I was really SO glad about everything that this chapter covered. I was deathly curious about the circumstances that led to Chloe meeting, dating and eventually marrying Troy, and it was highly satisfying to get the whole story about what happened after Chloe’s break-up with Lex.


The pain of seeing Lex again did linger with her for awhile. During her holiday break Chloe did drive by the manor but, lucky for her, Lex’s security didn’t spot her driving past. The moment of weakness to see how he was after their brief and rough encounter almost got the best of her. Lex had taken it as if he was the only one hurt but Chloe felt the sting of the break up like he did.

I really liked how the chapter started covering how, even though she was the ‘breaker’ of the relationship, Chloe was also grieving the loss of her relationship with Lex. He missed him, she was hurting from his loss in her life, and most of the reason she ran away from Smallville was to get away from the pain associated with the place.


“Come on.” Chloe mumbled and the man in front of her turned around.

“Are you late for class?” He questioned her. Chloe really made no notice at first but later on the man’s eye staring back at her would come to haunt her.

She answered him causally. “Yeah, in about…” Taking a quick look at her watch she finished her answer. “…oh now.”

He grinned at the silly joke then stepped aside. “Since your late why don’t you go ahead of me?”

Chloe looked at him in confusion and didn’t step ahead immediately. He took notice of her change in expression and offered the space again. “Really, please it’s not a problem. It’s either that or I listen to you talk to yourself some more.” He grinned at her again and Chloe took the joke in stride.

ROTFLMAO! I loved the idea that Chloe met her future husband while she was impatiently fidgeting in line for her morning cup of coffee. It’s fitting that the very first impression Chloe gave to Troy was that of a devoted coffee addict, ROTFL! He had a hint of what he was getting from the start… and Chloe got herself the guy who let her cut in front of him in a queue for coffee… Perfect! LOL!


For the next few weeks every Monday, Wednesday and Friday Chloe ran into the man that let her cut him in line. He would say hello and she would do the same but nothing ever really came of it for a while.

One day he asked what she needed the coffee for then later she would ask him how his job was that he was running off to at eight in the morning. Another day he told her that she looked good with her hair up and the next he commented on weather. It was all very casual but the more Chloe saw him the more invested she became in him. Just when they would start talking he or she had to run.

Chloe finally took notice of how he looked the more she saw him. Troy was taller than her, had short dark hair, a chiseled jaw line and his eyes were a deep shade of brown. He may have been the most attractive man Chloe had met since moving to the city.

Before she knew it, Chloe was more concerned about what she looked like going to her Journalism Ethics and the First Amendment Law class. It was cold and it was ridiculous to be in a skit sometimes but Chloe would wear one. It was all subconscious to her but she wanted to look nice for the five minutes she stood in the coffee line and said hello to Troy.

ROTFLMAO! Oh this was priceless! I LOVED how this ‘relationship’ developed slowly and organically, but also so surprisingly in small daily doses of five minutes of interaction. It was SO cute imagining Chloe and Troy developing a friendship, starting with a nod of acknowledgement, developing into friendly hellos, and then into (very) short conversations, until they both were taking pains to look good first thing in the morning for each other, LOL! Hilarious! But it’s such an adorable and apt way of developing the Chloe/Troy relationship.


“Dear Green Eyes (Sorry but that’s what I’ve been calling you since I don’t know your name)

I’m sorry that I can’t have our morning chat but I have come down with a bad cold. I was lucky enough to have friends that take pity on a man too afraid to do what I’m about to do in this letter and they dropped it off for me. I told them to give Alton strict instructions not to pass this letter on if you didn’t notice I wasn’t around this morning. Luck for me if you’re reading this you have been thinking about me just like I have been thinking of your green eyes.

For some reason, those few moments we spend in line leave me wanting more. I don’t know if it’s your quick wit or sweet smile but I’m dying to know more about you. I say let’s take this beyond the coffee cart.

If you’re interested please give me a call after your done reviewing the need to balance absolute freedoms of speech and full disclosure of truth to the masses. I may be under the weather but I think hearing your voice would make me feel better.

By the way my name is Troy Kaplan. 212- 317-5486

Squeeee! I gave several fangirl squeals of delights after reading this ultra sweet letter to Chloe. Troy is really such a charmer, and he really has quite a spine considering that he left behind this letter for Chloe based purely on the off-chance that she ‘might’ have noticed his absence, and she ‘might’ have waited a few minutes extra waiting for him to show up. What a perfect start to the romance! I think it’s wonderful that Chloe managed to attract the attentions of a sweet, decent, nervy guy who had the savvy to sweep her off her feet like this.

And an extra squeal to her nick-name ‘Green Eyes’, ROTFL!

Now I feel only more grief at the tragedy that this wonderful man was taken away from Chloe in such an abrupt manner. I’ve been feeling sorry for Chloe’s loss, but I never really felt anything for the loss of Troy… not until now.


Lex assured her that things were taken care of but she felt like he was leaving something out. There was something in his voice that made her believe he was only telling her part of what happened with Lionel. In the past, Chloe would have questioned this but she was trying making peace with Lex and learning to trust him again.

This time she let it go.

Heh, it seems like this fic has been filled with a LOT of instances of Chloe burying her instincts and ignoring her suspicions about Lex every time she sensed he was being less that completely honest with her. She probably feels guilty because she jumped down his throat during that very first meeting, accusing him of all kinds of things when he was actually innocent… So now she’s over-compensating by ignoring all the other little tugs to her paranoia about him. And she has no idea about what his real agenda is concerning her… she STILL believes that Lex will settle for being ‘just friends’ with her, not guessing that he has absolutely no intention for ‘settling’ for anything.


At the time she saw the painting they were at their best. The tears that followed after seeing it had to do with what the painting represented. It showed her that she had moved forward with her life but in some ways he hadn’t.

It was a unsettling but then again it didn’t have to be. Lex wanted to remember better times and that’s what the painting could have been. It didn’t have to be a horrible reminder of how they never worked out.

It’s really ironic that Lex’s best ally in pulling the wool over Chloe’s eyes is Chloe herself. She KEEPS seeing all these clues about Lex’s obsession for her, but she keeps rationalizing them away.


At the moment, the only thing about that night that was lingering with Chloe was the talk they had. Lex was open and it was shocking that he was still able to be that way with her.

He let a lot go when he said he never wanted his wives to be fully in his life. Chloe let Troy into her life completely. She couldn’t have married him any other way yet Lex married those women anyway. A part of her was worried what could happen by giving in to Troy but it all worked out. The idea that Lex wasn’t able to take that chance was sad.

Oh dear… I’m seeing proof and reasons as to why Chlex will never work… not unless Lex undertakes some drastic changes to the way he’s been approaching Chloe. While it’s true that Lex has been very open with Chloe about several aspects of his life and personality that he keeps hidden from everyone else… he’s ALSO still keeping some very important parts of himself hidden away from her. Chloe would never accept this kind of duplicity and secrecy in a relationship, not anymore… not after she’s experienced complete disclosure in a marriage with Troy.


When she left it was the first time in nine years Chloe felt like she and Lex could move forward into the next phase of their relationship. She believed they could be friends.

ROTFL! Oh dear… I shouldn’t laugh, because the extent of Chloe’s misunderstanding and misperception is tragic, but it’s also rather hilarious.


Over the years Chloe saw Clark grow up. It took him sometime but he had finally accepted that his place in this world meant he could do great things for people. She had more respect for him then ever but when he mentioned Lex name a bit of the old Clark was shining through.

Chloe raised an eye brows at her friend and nearly chocked on her food. Her damn cousin couldn’t keep anything to herself. “Yes Lex and I are working on a friendship.”

“Is that all?” Clark mumbled as he filled his mouth with potato chips. She knew where this was coming from. Since Chloe found out about 33.1 and what Lex had done Clark never felt the same about Lex. She never told him about the people that died there but Clark knew that people were being held captive.

It was nice meeting up with Clark, getting a feel for his personality in this fic. I was VERY glad with the painting of Clark during this interaction, because it seems like he’s finally grown up. First and foremost was my delight at seeing that he’s gotten over his Lana-obsession, and I was also really pleased to see how protective he was being of Chloe… He wasn’t being an over-handed, patronizing control freak, telling Chloe to stay away from Lex because she didn’t know how to take care of herself, but he was just gently, but firmly, warning her away from Lex… hinting that Lex is not the kind of man he is presenting himself as. Clark has actually learned some tact and diplomacy over the years, which was fantastic.


“You know I was really blind back then.” He stated frankly then for the first time Chloe heard something from Clark she never thought he would say. She knew they were friends that he loved her and that Clark would do everything in his power to keep her safe but there was always the nagging feeling of Lana Lang.

She always held a part of him that kept him down. When she passed away it gave Clark the chance to see how she had blinded him to the truth.

“I was never really happy with Lana. I look back and I made so many mistakes how I could’ve been happy with her.”


He shrugged his shoulders admitting something she had known all along. “Yes, it was a mistake. She never trusted me. I know I never gave her too many reasons to trust me but her paranoia was just too great to let her know the truth.”

Chloe laugh a little to herself just thinking of all the ways Lana had infused her self into Clark’s life and made it her own personal play thing. “Love makes us into fools and at the time you just didn’t see all that about her.”

squeeee! The Lana-blinders are off, and Clark can see everything clearly now. Excellent! I loved hearing his description of Lana… it was all a very true and apt observation, and it really helped illustrate how much he’s matured.


“I wish I had because I missed out on being with you. I can see why Lex wants to see you again. He lost you and I know from experience how much that hurts.” Clark looked away as if he just admitted too much.

Chloe furrowed her brow looking at him confused. There was never a time she thought Clark thought of her romantically. She was always second best for him, just a side kick back then. “Kent are you saying you had thing for me.”

He stifled a chuckle then reached her hand on the table. “Who wouldn’t have a thing for you? You’re smart, your witty, you’re beautiful. Any man should consider himself lucky to have you in their life, I know I do, and I know Troy did.”

Squeee! Even better than a little bit of Lana-bashing was Clark finally telling Chloe how stunning and desirable she is. Obviously the boat for the Chlark ship had passed by a long time ago, but it’s great to know that Clark has finally come to appreciate the amazing partner Chloe could have been… and it was wonderful of him to tell her, without demanding anything in return. He’s really such a sweet, generous man.


Chloe nodded once then covered his hand with her other. “Thank you Clark. It means a lot that your saying this. I moved back here to be with people that care about me.”

I also liked this part… I liked how Chloe moved back to Smallville with full faith in the belief that there will be people over here to support her and take care of her. I’ve seen Chloe sacrificing herself far too many times, placing the needs of other’s above her own… as if she never considered herself ‘worthy’ of being paid attention to. But THIS Chloe knows she deserves the care and attention, and it’s fantastic to see her faith being satisfied by all everyone rallying around her in her support.


He smiled then pulled his hand away. “Whatever happens between you and Lex I just want you to be happy. I know you wouldn’t put yourself in danger because of Emma but just be careful. Lois is right; Lex is a different person from who he was in Smallville.”

“I’ll keep it mind.”

heh, will she REALLY keep it in mind? Or is she going to do the usual routine of pushing all these warnings as far back as her mind will allow? I wonder what will happen when Chloe finally realises that all the warnings that everyone including her own instincts were screaming at her were right all along…? It’s going to be exciting to watch.


When she arrived, Chloe was actually looking forward to inviting Lex to dinner but now she was being reminded of how he was some times. He was so driven and it was something she once admired but it was also annoying as hell.

“Maybe you should just call me later.” Chloe was about to turn and leave when Lex finally got the hint.

“Wait, wait.” He said rushing over from across the desk to grab her arm. “It was really important I that I finished off the email. The energy plans are going by slowly.”

“If you’re busy you could have said so.” Chloe pulled out of his grasp more then annoyed than ever. Lex had a way of grabbing her and making things go the way he wanted.

He sighed once moving to pose on the edge of his desk. The moment was all too familiar as they looked at each other. Chloe was getting upset knowing full well this was who Lex was. If he was focused on something he was focused and she should have waited. Hell she did the same thing her self to him at one time.

I liked how the Chlex scene started with Lex behaving ‘normally’ in his natural setting. I always like seeing how he behaves in his natural habitat.

Heh, but it seems like some of their old issues are cropping up again. Was this also one of the problems that drove them apart on top of the way Chloe couldn’t bring herself to believe that Lex could tear himself away from his dubious means of practising business? In that case, this argument could be a symptoms (or a precursor) to a much more serious problem.


After leaving lunch she wasn’t feeling so good about herself, his lack of immediate attention had thrown her off a bit. It took a moment but she saw how silly she was being. Her eyes drew away from him and looked down as she chuckled at herself. When she looked back to him he was smirking at her.

They both shared a laughed for a moment. It was as if he knew just what she was thinking as they laughed of the tension in the room.

Heh, it was nice to see this moment of shared amusement between them. The connection between them was so strong, and I’m SURE that Lex NEVER gets the opportunity to share amusement or laughter like this with anyone besides Chloe… it’s moments like these that make you realize how well they fit together, and help you see why Lex is so desperate to become a huge part of Chloe’s life again.

BUT, I also had the uneasy impression that they were sweeping this very serious issue underneath the carpet over here. It ‘might’ have been good that they simply laughed at the argument, OR was it a bad thing that they avoided discussing this, because it might end up re-establishing a pattern that broke them up in the first place? I guess I’ll have to wait to find out whether this was just the start of an old pattern, or whether they have grown past whatever problems they used to have before.


The last time he was in her home Chloe pushed him away. Then she was nervous about having Emma near him but if they were going to be friends they would have to start somewhere with Lex interacting with her.

“Dinner?” He questioned. “Tonight?”

Chloe could see he was unsure about it. There was one thing keeping him from saying yes and she wasn’t sure what it was. “Yes, dinner tonight.” She repeated. “My daughter, my father and me.”

She watched him thinking it over and thought he would say no from the look in his eyes. “If you don’t want to I understand.” Chloe spoke up first. Something was wrong with the way this was going.

Heh, I think I know what’s wrong over here… Chloe sees this as a no-pressure, no-expectations kind of dinner where she and Lex re-connect as simple friends. Lex however sees it as a foot in through a door that was previously closed to him. Chloe is including him in a family dinner, where he will have the chance to grow closer to all the people Chloe loves, not the least of whom is Kitty-Kat, who she was previously ‘protecting’ from Lex’s presence… He’s seeing it as a monumental big step, while she only sees it as ‘dinner with friends’.

It’s just SO fun seeing Lex attaching such huge, obsessive importance to everything that happens between himself and Chloe, while Chloe remains oblivious to Lex’s feelings and intentions. It’s a little creepy, and seriously thrilling, LOL!


Looking down at her, Lex moved toward Chloe. There was something behind his eyes that she didn’t want to read. “I’ll see you then.” His voice was low and smooth as silk.

“I should let you get back to work.” Chloe stepped back getting back some personal space.

He nodded once, said his good bye and then waited. The last time she saw him they shared a hug. The hug was to test Chloe’s boundaries with him. They were close at one time and it seemed natural. Lex was helping her once again with Lionel and the hug was to thank him.

This time he seemed to be waiting for a repeat performance. Chloe’s visit today wasn’t about this. She could be thinking it over but he was trying to charm her into hugging him. Instead of doing what she thought he wanted Chloe said good bye then walked out of the office.

Once she was in the elevator heading out the building Chloe pulled her self together. She had heard that voice from him before. For so long she shrugged it off as nothing before he kissed her to make her see the truth. This time may have not been like all those times but it could be the end of their friendship before it started.

I actually held my breath through this tense moment. I cannot believe that Chloe didn’t pick up on the intense vibes in the room. Lex was trying to push her, negotiate himself under Chloe’s guard and skin, and she keeps ignoring all the signs of him trying to seduce her.

She heard the slow, smooth, seductive tone of his voice… and she saw that he was trying to subtly manipulate her into embracing him, and she recognized his voice, body language and expression from the first time he pushed their friendship into something more. Yet she refuses to acknowledge any of these signs! It’s thrilling to see Lex giving great significance to every one of his moves and gestures and Chloe subsequent reactions, while Chloe has NO idea what he’s thinking or planning. Love it! Sneaky, manipulative bastard :D


“I’m very sorry I was late today but you had fun with Grace didn’t you?” Chloe pulled her over closer to her.

“I wanted us to cook dinner not me and grandpa.” She murmured burying her face in Chloe’s side.

Her words made Chloe’s heart sink into her chest. Things like this were never easy. Her job was important but Emma had to be ahead of all of that. It didn’t matter that she was home now and they could set the table together and have dinner together. Emma was set in her ways about some things just like Chloe was.

Awwww, Chloe missed out on Mommy-Daughter bonding time. I can see how terrible she feels about it, and it’s obvious that Emma has become the overwhelming passion of Chloe’s life now… above all other family, career and even potential relationships… Lex will win 95% of the battle IF he ever manages to win over Emma’s whole-hearted approval… But that’s a huge ‘if’, LOL!


Chloe had her attention again. It was so easy to make up with her she and she wish other things in her life were the same way. “Kitty Cat, I have a surprise for you.”

Emma’s face brightened the moment ‘surprise’ was uttered. Chloe knew what was coming before she let her respond. “No, it’s not a pony.”

A frown replaced Emma’s joy. “You said a surprise. That would be the best surprise ever.” Then without warning she was giving Chloe the eyes. The pleading eyes worked on Chloe sometimes but this was not one of those times.

ROTFL! Sneaky, evil little kid! If Lex ever does become a part of Chloe’s life again, he won’t stand a chance against this manipulative little girl tying him into knots, LOL!


Kitty Cat nodded franticly and a large grin spread out on her lips. “He has the bald head.” She spoke patting her on full head of hair.

“Yes, exactly.” Chloe didn’t know how she would finesse this but Emma would have to be okay with what would happen tonight. “He’s coming to have dinner with us tonight.”

“Can I talk to him this time or do I have to go to my room.” Emma answered. It was amazing the things she remember sometime.

wow! It really IS amazing everything that Emma remembers about ‘the bald man’s’ visit. And it’s really funny how she’s being so blasé about being sent to her room when this mysterious bald stranger appeared. And she doesn’t seem the least bit concerned or confused about her mother’s sudden about-face attitude where Chloe is telling her to ‘be nice’ to the man instead of hiding away from him, LOL! Aren’t kids great?


When it hit an hour that he was late Chloe went ahead and served Emma desert. They were having a cheesecake Chloe stopped to get on her way home. Her daughter didn’t seem to notice that Lex hadn’t showed up. Maybe she was confused about what Chloe told her was to occur tonight.

LOL! There is something about Emma’s complete lack of concern, care or curiosity about the ‘bald man that never showed up’ that strikes me as deliciously funny. Perhaps because I like seeing Chloe being all tense while Emma stays happily unconcerned, LOL!


“I’m outside of your place and have been since 6:00.” He started then paused as if he was embarrassed about what he said. “I want to move our friendship forward but I have to be honest with you. I have no idea how to treat your daughter. I have been too afraid to come up because I don’t want to ruin this by saying or doing the wrong thing with Emma.”

Chloe was thankful she answered and didn’t just ignore the call. She was mad Lex hadn’t showed but hearing his reason why made her burst into laughter. If he was this worried about dinner then Chloe knew things would be fine.

Lex over thought everything he did and Chloe did want him to consider how he treated Emma. There were few if no moments Lex was scared to meet people but it took Chloe’s six year old to bring him to sitting in his car for an hour.

I was seriously confused about where Lex could have been. I knew that this dinner invitation was a huge deal for him, and I imagined he would have cleared his whole schedule in anticipation of tonight. For him not to show up, not even bothering to call… it was perplexing!

ROTFLMAO! But I finally got the answer on what had happened, and it was hilarious. I don’t blame Chloe for the instant forgiveness she granted to Lex. It must have been humiliating for him to admit to weakness like this, which means this admission is a true sign of honesty from Lex that is rare and beautiful to behold.

I loved the idea that Lex was so darned scared on confronting a six year old child. The man has faced criminals, murderers and killers without flinching… but he quails before confrontation with a little girl? He’s REALLY taking this dinner invitation seriously… probably as his one and only chance to win over Chloe’s loved ones, otherwise be barred from her life forever. Poor Lex… he’s so stressed out, LOL!


“Lex, if you don’t come up we will never move forward with this.” Chloe answered getting her giggles under control. As she waited for his answer she could hear him breathe in then out controlling everything he could at this point.

“I’ll be right up.” He answered then hung up.

After hanging up the phone, Chloe told her dad and Emma that Lex would be there shortly. Just as she was done lying for him that he had to stay late at work there was a knock at the door. Chloe didn’t know what she would see on the other side of the door but she was ready to accept who Lex was.

For now.

Heh, is she REALLY ready to accept who Lex is? She has no idea that what she’s really accepting is only a ‘façade’ that Lex is presenting to her. It’s going to be a huge shock to both of them when Chloe finally figures out how he’s been lying to her, manipulating her, and then ferociously dumps him for everything he did… How the heck would he react once he can drop the ‘subtle act’? Scary times ahead… I can’t wait :D LOL!

Please update soon.

[dagney]

Wonderful update. I love your writing and the depth of emotion and character you put in your writing Chlex is spectacular. I can't wait till Emma gets that she can wrap Lex around her tiny fingers and she tries to con him into getting her a pony. Dagney

[crazydeaf]

wow really good story. can't wait for Lex and Emma to meet again. update soon!

[letia84]

Notes: Its been awhile since I updated sorry but I hope you like the update.

Chapter 8 Patience (Lex’s POV)

Metropolis Ten Years Ago

Lex wasn’t much for waiting. The jury was still in recess after two hours. It should have been an open and shut case. After Chloe’s testimony it was the nail in the coffin.

She was poised on the stand and answered each question with ease. Even as Lionel stared her down there wasn’t a moment of pause as she replayed the events that lead them to today.

What she was saying wasn’t his focus. The small gestures she made were very distracting. If it wasn’t the way her lips parted and closed as she spoke then it was the glances she gave him from time to time. The fit of her outfit wasn’t looked over either. His breathing even started to match hers as her chest rose then fell.

How he had gotten to this point may have been misunderstood to the untrained eye but he knew what had happened to him. Chloe had taken over for the past few months. Going into the summer their friendship was solid. She trusted him and opened up more than he thought for them both. Getting away from it all let their friendship move into something he could only describe as wonderful.

All the waiting finally paid off once the jury was said to be making their way back into the court room. Once everyone was in place Lex could see his father was sure of himself. He was showing no signs of worry as he stood to hear the verdict.

When Lex looked to Chloe she was keeping it together but he could tell she was nervous. As juror number one started to read he saw Chloe close her eyes and it looked like she was holding her breathe.

Once the guilty verdict was read Chloe’s body relaxed and it was over. The press behind them started to roar. The judge had to hit his gavel four times before they stopped. At the moment Lex was finally free of his father but he couldn’t care to think of what that meant.

The thing keeping his attention was Chloe looking at him. A small smile formed on her face as she moved passed him to leave the court room. He wanted to reach for her then pull her into his arms but couldn’t.

He wouldn’t be able to see her until later that night. That was something else he hated about being patient. Waiting to be open be with Chloe was weighing heavy on his mind.

Once he was out in the court room his people had shoved him over to the press. They were already crowded around Chloe. She was answering questions and didn’t let the press monsters get the best of her.

Lex made a few comments then publicly thanked Chloe for coming forward with the truth. As he spoke they were looking at each other. Lex felt a warm tingling because he could see in her eyes that she wanted him. He hoped she could see that in him too. After the crowd died down Lex watched Chloe walk away with her father.

Home, at last, Lex kept thinking of how Chloe would greet him. The study was the place they always met before she went away. They were working together to put his father in jail but it slowly became something more.

As his mind drifted to the moments they shared during that time Lex didn’t hear Chloe come into the room. His eyes were fixed on the fireplace in front of him then suddenly it all went dark.

“I wonder what has you deep thought.” Her voice filled his ears and he could feel the sting of sarcasm.

His hands moved to rest on hers covering his eyes as she spoke. “It could be your victory today or maybe it’s about moving onto world domination.”

Lex felt himself starting to smile as she spoke then he quickly stopped. The top of his head was being treated to soft kisses. She was doing it to tease. It was hard enough that he had been thinking of her all day and now she was teasing him.

But he wouldn’t have it any other way.

Getting himself under control Lex answered her. “I was thinking of you.” He pulled her hands away from his eyes then turned to look at her. “Wait you’re not Lana.”

A frown formed on her face and her eyes fixed on him. “If its Lana you want then I’ll leave.” She turned on her heels and started walking out.

It was meant to be a joke. He had to jump up from his seat to grab her as she was just at the door. “It was a joke.” When she turned around to look him, her arms were folded across her body and she looked at him with such distain.

For a moment Lex thought she was actually angry but then came the laughter. Giggles started bubbling out of her. He couldn’t help but laugh as well. Today they had gone through so much and the tension was finally being released.

After the moment passed she moved closer to him. Lex took the hint and pulled her to where he wanted her. The warmth of her body relaxed him and the emotional build up of wanting to see her melted away.

“Are you going to kiss me or what?” She smirked at him waiting for his response.

The smirk was quickly washed away when he took hold of her bottom to pull her up to him. Every detail of the kiss Lex remembered. The soft feel of her lips against his own, the wetness of her tongue darting into his mouth and the feel of her body making itself fit into his own. All of it was washing over him but the best part was the sound she made. When she moaned it let him know the effect he had on her.

For weeks this was how it was. They enjoyed each others company. The chemistry was hot and heavy, and then she would stop him. The last time Lex thought he might explode from having to wait.

It wasn’t that she didn’t want to because he could feel she did. He felt it clearly the last time they were together and his hands made it to her panties. They were moist and warm but she made him stop. Instead of him letting him please her she pulled away claiming she wasn’t ready.

Sex wasn’t something Lex had to wait for. The way he felt about Chloe was something he wanted more than with any of the women he had been with in the past but she wasn’t ready and he didn’t know why.

When he pulled away she was smiling. It had been awhile since she smiled like that. The trial was keeping her tense and now all that was gone.

“Should we celebrate a little?” Lex announced.

She nodded. “I think we’ve earned it.”

Reluctantly Lex let her go and went for the bottle chilling on the bar. The corked popped off safely and Lex brought the two glasses of champagne to the sofa where Chloe was waiting.

He could have made a long toast but there was only one thing to say. “Thank you for your help.”

With a nod and smile she reached her glass out to his and, once they met, a small ting rang out. While Lex was drinking Chloe asked him a question. “Are you using me to get to Clark?”

His eyes widened and he almost choked on the champagne. “What?” He blurted out once he got control over his vocal cords.

Chloe looked him right in the eye as she explained. The pain behind them was clear as day. “There is something keeping me from letting this move to the next step. I know what I feel and I told you but all I got was silence.”

It was finally clear that Lex wasn’t the only one thinking about sex. Chloe was actually holding back for a reason that made little sense. This had everything to do with her and nothing to do with Clark. After years of things that didn’t mean anything to him he had something that meant everything. There was no way he would let getting the truth about Clark keep him from being with her.

“This has nothing to do with Clark.” Lex placed his glass down then took hers as well. “This is about me falling in love with you.” It came out so naturally that it scared Lex a little.

Her hand moved over her mouth as she took in what he said. It was the first time Lex was saying it aloud. Chloe had told him the night before the trial that she was falling in love with him.

They were lying in bed together in her hotel room. She asked him to stay the night and he was happy to do it. Her head was resting against his chest and his arms were wrapped around her. When she said it the wind was knocked out of him and he didn’t answer her.

Lex simply brushed back her hair and held her until she went to sleep. His lack of response must be why she was saying this now.

“Do you mean that?” She asked taking her hand away, reaching to hold his face.

Placing his hand over hers Lex admitted what he was afraid of. He knew if he said it then things would change drastically. If he loved Chloe and that love was returned then he may never be able to let it go.

“I’m in love with you.” He breathed out and felt relieved it was out now.

“Okay, then we don’t have to stop this time.” Chloe spoke moving back for her champagne flute.

“What do you mean we don’t have to stop?” He was confused and intrigued by where she was going with this.

“We can have sex.” She answered bluntly looking at him over the rim of her glass.

For weeks this was what he wanted but he didn’t think he would get it so easily. “Have you been pushing me away because you thought I was using you to get my father in jail and then to get Clark?”

“Yes.” She answered then placed her glass down again. “Everyone wants something from me but they never want me. They never want me just for me and now I know you do so I don’t have to be afraid of letting go anymore.”

It was true and it hurt to think of how her life was. Clark always wanted something. Lana always needed some sort of help. But in the end her so called friends didn’t take the time to see her. That year Lex was allowed that.

He could see her passion for investigation, he was able to learn how she liked her eggs in the morning and he even knew the small murmurs she made sometimes in her sleep. All that time was building up to this moment in the study of all places.

Now that she said it was okay to move forward Lex didn’t know what to do. All that waiting was so built up that he didn’t know how long he could last.

As he looked at her Lex was frozen, unable to make a move. “I see you don’t believe me. Well let me show you.” She told him as she stood up.

She moved in front of him making him open his legs so she could stand in between them. She was still wearing the dark suit she had on in court that morning. Her hands moved for the two buttons holding the jacket closed and once it was discarded on the floor the lime green blouse she was wearing was pulled over her head.

Lex just took in the show until she was down to her bra and panties then his mind started to move forward. The pale pink set covering her skin wasn’t the most expensive or elegant thing he had seen. It was simple but doing everything right for her body. She didn’t need to wear some fancy undergarments to make him want her.

When Lex reached for her he lead her down into his lap. She straddled him on the sofa, nearly naked; he could feel his arousal growing as she leaned down to kiss him. From that point it was a blur of Chloe’s skin close to his, her moaning even screaming his name but the one thing he did remember clearly was her coming. The choked cry that escaped her lips, the quiver of her muscles closing around him and the look in her eyes.

The look was for him and him alone. It told him that she wanted him and he was the person that she needed to give this to her. They connected physical and mentally. It was supposed to be a bond that would last.

That night was the first of many like it when Lex got to have all of Chloe. For once in his life his patience paid off.


-------------}{------------

Metropolis Present

Lex was a grown man and wasn’t intimidated by people. He actually prided himself on being the one that intimidated people by simply walking into a room. At the moment, standing outside of Chloe’s door, he was intimidated by six year old girl.

Emma Moria Sullivan Kaplan had him in knots since Chloe invited him to dinner.

His arm extended and Lex was knocking on the door. At least this was better then him sitting in his car for the better part of the hour making a fool of himself. It was so hard to take that this was happening but it was what he wanted.

If his plans to be in Chloe’s life were to proceed then he had to do this now. He resolved himself on that thought when Chloe was opening the door.

“I’m glad you made it.” She answered smiling at him. When they were on the phone she laughed at him and she seemed to still be laughing.

“Can you come in the hall for a second?” Lex needed to get something straight before he went into the apartment again. He waited for her to step out and close the door before going on. “I want this to work.”

“I know you do. I want it to work out too.” She replied.

“I don’t want you to think I would do anything to hurt Emma.” He went on and she nodded. “But I have no idea how to treat her.”

“Lex…” She started then sighed and reached her hand out to touch his arm. “She’s a little girl and not what your used to dealing with but I promise, if your this worried, I’m sure you will do fine. Just don’t curse in front of her and listen to her when she speaks sometimes she talks fast.”

He took in the notes as she went on with a list of things he could and couldn’t do. This was what he needed, some help on how to deal with her. It was hard to hear because his body wanted to focus on her hand touching him. He wanted to grab it and toss it away so he could listen better.

“Okay I got it. I’m ready to go in now.” He answered once she was done.

Her hand pulled away and she shook her head yes. Before she opened the door she noticed what he was carrying. “What do you have there?”

“It’s a Pinot Noir and I assumed that kids like sweets so there’s cheesecake in the box.” He answered holding up each item as he spoke of them.

“You didn’t have to do that.” She told him as she moved to open the door then paused to look back at him. “Don’t bring up my husband. If she mentions him its ok but don’t ask about him in front her please.”

He didn’t know why she said that but Lex would ask later. Troy’s death had after shocks that he may never fully understand. All the instructions out of the way they both walked into the place. It was just as he remembered, warm and inviting.

When she opened the door Lex was already thrown into what he was afraid of. Once Chloe cleared the entry way of the room Emma was standing right there. Her little arms were folded over her chest. It was a little scary but the pose and look in her eyes was like Chloe but something was different.

Now that he had the chance to look at her more closely he could see that Emma wasn’t all Chloe. Her hair, the intense stare was all Chloe but there was someone else in her face. The curves of her face, the way her hands fisted and the shape of her eyes were Troy.

It bore into him that Lex had truly lost so much when Chloe left him. The fantasy he had of the way his life could have been played out inside him. Instead of coming home to an angry child she might be a loving one running into his arms. Lex wasn’t Chloe’s husband, Emma wasn’t his daughter and looking at Emma now he wanted it to be true.

“You’re late.” Her tiny voice was stern.

“Emma…” Chloe started to scold her but Lex interrupted.

“Its okay Chloe.” He looked down to the girl to reply. “I’m sorry that I’m late.”

“You and mommy were late tonight.” She looking him over then went about questioning him again. “What do you have in the box?”

It was just like Chloe in the hall only this time it felt like an interrogation. “It’s a cherry cheesecake.”

After he answered the strangest thing happened. Her mouth opened then, suddenly, she started to giggle. A weary smile formed on his face, Lex wasn’t really sure how to respond and then she answered.

“Mommy got the same thing already.” She answered him.

It still wasn’t clear to him why she was giggling but Lex keep up his smile until Chloe stepped in.

“Alright, back to the dinner table.” Chloe announced reaching for the items Lex had brought with him. They both followed behind Emma leading the way back to the dinner table.

Gabe Sullivan was seated staring right at Lex as he moved to find where to sit. “Looks like the Luthors think they can show up whenever they want to.” He started.

“Dad.” Chloe grumbled giving her father a pointed look.

Emma placed herself down in a seat that had a piece of the cake they spoke of earlier in front of it. “Grandpa, I made him say sorry.” The little girl looked to Lex and nodded.

“Yes, I’m sorry for my tardiness.” Lex repeated the apology hoping it was would be the last reminder of him hiding out in his car instead of facing things like a grown man.

“Okay that’s enough talk about that.” Chloe helped Emma push her chair in and she went right into eating what was left of the cake. “Lex brought us a nice bottle of wine dad.”

“I don’t drink wine.” He replied.

Chloe scoffed at him. “That’s a first.” She spoke taking the bottle away for the dining room table. “I’ll be right back play nice.”

She disappeared into the kitchen and Lex was left alone with a clearly angry father and a grinning little girl. He wasn’t sure what to do until he was told what to do.

“Are you going to sit down?” Gabe was still staring him down.

Lex surveyed the area and he noticed there was a setting that was empty and had to be his. It made him feel like a fool all over again for almost not making good on his word to come to dinner. Instead of dwelling on his near failure he took his seat.

“Go on, serve yourself.” The tone of Gabe’s voice was starting to get to him. When he was with Chloe he treated the man with nothing but respect.

He valued the time they shared considering his own father wasn’t very nurturing the way Gabe was. It made sense that he might question Lex’s motives for coming back into Chloe’s life but his hostility after nothing but kindness was harsh.

“Thank you.” Lex tried to be as polite as possible taking a sample of what was in front of him. He had to admit he was hungry. A very small part of his reason for getting out of the car was to eat something.

“You should have more salad.” Emma stopped drinking from her cup of juice to instruct Lex on how to eat. “Mommy would want you to eat more if you want cake.”

“Very good advice.” Lex spoke then took more of the fresh greens. While he was doing this Emma was grinning ear to ear. He wished making other people happy was this easy.

But this wasn’t going to be easy. At least he had two people in the room inviting him in while the third was another story.

“Sorry it took so long.” Chloe announced herself as she walked out of the kitchen. In her hands were three wine glasses and the bottle Lex had brought freshly corked. She took her seat near Emma which happened to be next to him. “I see you have helped yourself.”

“Your father said I should.” Lex looked at her as she was taking care of everyone.

After passing out the glasses half filled with wine she handed the dressing for the salad over to Lex and finally her attention went to Emma. The cup she was drinking out of was close to the edge of the table and she pushed it back up he assumed for fear of making it fall.

This wasn’t the Chloe he knew. He was used to seeing her most comfortable behind a computer writing pieces that many reporters dream of but right now she seemed just at ease. This was a new side of her that he was getting to see.

“Is everything alright Lex.?” Chloe caught his attention. It appeared he was staring and didn’t know it.

“Yes everything is fine. The food looks great.” He replied taking his first bite.

“I hope it’s up to your high standards.” Gabe grunted.

“Dad.” Chloe spoke through her teeth as if she was hiding what she was saying.

“It’s actually very good.” Lex eyed the man and tried to think of something to make this easier. This was going to happen with or without his approval but he would prefer with it.

“Lex, why don’t you tell dad a little about the new addition to the Sharks.” Chloe sipped her wine as she changed the subject. Gabe’s eyebrow arched at the hint. Lex wanted to question how she knew this information in the first place but this was Chloe Sullivan.

“Sharks have big teeth.” Emma spoke up before Lex could then she opened her mouth only to quickly snap it shut again. “I’ve seen them in the big fish tank do that.”

“Not those kinds of sharks Kitty Cat. The football sharks.” Chloe corrected her. The name she used meant something Lex didn’t understand. “You know how much grandpa loves football.” The little girl nodded.

Lex started to praise the new defensive head coach that he had hired for the Sharks. It was true the team hadn’t seen a play off game in years but much of that was going to change now. “I hope you find him to your liking.” Lex finished and Gabe started to laugh.

Somehow the tension was broken and the man didn’t make another snide remark the rest of the night. Chloe found a way to make peace between them. Lex wished she could heal what was happening with them just as easily.

“We shall see.” Gabe ended with another chuckle.

Emma was smiling as well although Lex wasn’t sure she understood the joke. “I’m ready for the movie.” Emma spoke up.

“I know how excited you are but you still need to get ready for bed first.” Chloe didn’t finish her wine or the cake in front of her. All of her attention went to the smallest person in the room. “I trust that the two of you well be alright while we go and freshen up.”

“We have more to talk about then just the defense line.” Gabe answered.

“Alright I’ll leave you to it.” Chloe looked to him with a grin and it was reassuring that this was going be okay.

“Play nice.” Emma said as they walked out. The ladies of the house stepped away from the dinning table and disappeared into the rooms in the back of the apartment.

While they were away Lex was able to get some much need nourishment in while he listened to Gabe’s suggestion for the Sharks. Some of them were actually good and he made sure to make a mental note.

It wasn’t long before his leafy greens and pasta where gone. Gabe had also drunk a glass of the wine he didn’t want in the first place. Chloe had come back with Emma just as Gabe was complaining about the last game.

“Dad can you take Emma in and start the movie?” Chloe announced to her father with Emma in toe still grinning.

Gabe’s eyes slant as if he knew something was a miss. She was upset or worse something had happened while she changed Emma into her pale blue pajama pants suit and a pair of fuzzy slippers.

“Sure.” He spoke with a little uncertainty. As he cleared his side of the table Gabe reached his arms out for Emma. The girl, bubbling with laughter, leaped up to him. Lex started to wonder would she ever be that happy to see him as he moved closer to Chloe.

Once they were clear of the room Chloe moved toward the messy table. “I thought you would rather help me start the dish washer instead of seeing the start of movie about a cartoon horse making his way across the American Frontier.”

It all made sense very quickly that she was saving him. Lex had never seen an animated film, not even the artsy ones. Cartoonists only appealed to him in the form of his immaculate comic book collection. Any dealings other wise were just business.

This wasn’t business this was Chloe and that meant it was very personal. At some point he would have enjoyed the occasional cartoon movie. “I don’t mind watching the movie.”

This night was full of laughs and most of them were because of him. Chloe chuckled lightly picking up her wine for a sip while eyeing him on the glass. “You don’t have to do everything in one night.” She answered him. “There will be other dinners.”

“Then dishes it is.” Lex started the task of cleaning. What she said was very encouraging and made him work extra hard.

“I wonder what your maids would say if they saw you now.” She smiled to herself knowing full well Lex hadn’t washed a dish in years.

There was no witty comeback he could think of but he knew what they would say. “They would laugh their…” He paused to whisper the rest remembering the rules from before. “…asses off.” His answer was replied with laughter. It sounded so much like Emma from earlier that night.

Once Chloe had calmed herself Lex tried to change the subject. “If we are off the subject of my lack of domestic skills can we talk about something else?”

“Yes.” She answered firmly making her way into the kitchen with an arm full of dishes.

At the change of the subject there was a long pause. They worked on the dishes not really saying much for a moment. Last time seemed alright. It wasn’t easy by any means but she wasn’t this quiet. In all his time knowing her Chloe was never silent unless something was wrong.

When he was at breaking point of not taking it anymore Chloe spoke up. “This is strange?”

It was a relief that she spoke but not what she said. As he searched for the words there was nothing but the truth. “I have to agree with you.”

She reached for the glass of wine that she didn’t finish and brought into the kitchen. After taking a long sip she asked the dreaded question. “Will this ever feel right?”

Lex stopped what he was doing, rinsing the sauce pot in his hands, to look at her. This was going work. It had to. “We just need to be patient.”

She nodded once then let her eyes stay on him before moving back to the dish washer. “Alright wiseguy you say something.” Just when he thought he was losing her the bite in her came out.

Moving back to the work in front of him Lex had a new plan starting to stir. “A movie about a horse?” Lex started. “Emma likes horses?”

“Yes.” Chloe let out big sigh after her reply. “She thinks one day I will surprise her with a pony.”

“Maybe you can surprise her.” Lex waited for her to put it together and it didn’t take long.

Placing the last dish in the washer Chloe closed it then looked to him. “Are you inviting us to the manor?”

“I don’t ride nearly as much as I would like to. It would be a good excuse to take a weekend and go.”

“She would fall in love with you.” Chloe’s eyes started to grow bigger at the thought of what he was proposing. “I’ll call Miss March with my schedule and we can set it up.”

“Good.” He breathed out a sigh of relief. It seemed like she was going to say no. “I’ll call you with finalized plans.”

“Good.” She repeated after him.

Some sort of normalcy started to set in. The dishes were done and they went to watch the movie. Chloe was right, it wasn’t something he wanted to watch but he didn’t have to watch it long.

Nearly thirty minutes after they walked into the room Emma and Gabe both fell asleep. Chloe took the seat next to Emma on the sofa and she curled herself into a ball next to her mother. Chloe’s hand causally stroked her blonde locks back until she was asleep.

Lex thought he would get caught staring again but Chloe didn’t notice. The pale light from the TV was masking her face but he could still see her.

“I think I should put her down.” Chloe whispered over to him.

He jumped up from his seat. “Do you need help?”

She waved her hand at him and nudged him away. “No, I can carry her just turn off the DVD it will wake my dad right up.”

Doing as he was told Gabe woke up the instant he stopped the movie. “Did I miss it? Is it over? Did the horse fall in love?” Once he was up the questions came.

Lex explained that Emma had fallen asleep and Chloe was putting her down. She quickly returned and Gabe said his good byes. He watched the hug then they exchanged I love yous. Gabe was living in Metropolis again and it wouldn’t take long for him to get home.

“So that was painless right?” Chloe asked him returning from the door to flop on to the couch.

“Yes, six year olds are not as scary as I thought they were.”

She chuckled at his answer and something hit him hard. There was really no one in his life he felt so at ease with. A few moments into the movie Lex had kicked off his shoes. His mind was allowed to wonder about things that didn’t have to deal with work.

The relaxing feeling was one of the many reasons he wanted Chloe back into his life. When he was with her she brought out a side of him that he had forgotten existed.

“Chloe…” Lex swallowed over the word and didn’t want to say what he was thinking. She turned to look right at him. It was the softness in her green eyes that was making him lose control and stop his words. “I missed you.”

Lex sat there and waited for her to ask him to leave. He waited for her to tell him that she didn’t miss him at all. Their time apart was just what she needed. If her husband was alive he wouldn’t be here right now and they would never be friends.

Like so many times before Chloe surprised him. She moved closer to him and her hand moved to rest on his sitting on the arm of the chair. “I missed you too.” She finished with a small smile which Lex happily returned.

It paid to be patience.

Chapter 9 Should Have Been (Chloe POV)

[skauble]

This is a great story!

I really enjoy seeing how Chloe and Lex got together, how they fell apart and how they’re putting things back together once more.

I loved your Lois and Clark. They were very supportive and concerned for Chloe with out going to far in the lecturing direction. I especially like that you had Clark see what a mistake he made all those years ago.

Emma’s adorable and I love seeing her react to Lex and him learning how to deal with her. The trip to the manor seems like an fantastic idea and I was so glad to see Chloe going along with it. She’s right; Emma will definitely fall in love with him once she sees that he has horses. lolol

I also think that you’re doing an amazing job of telling the story in two time periods. The way that you give us a piece of the past and a part of the future does a wonderful job of explaining both the past and current relationships while letting them both unfold in a very organized an organic manner.

Excellent chapter and I look forward to the next. :)

~Sarah~

[lj715]

Letia, this was a great update. Love the flashbacks & just how Lex is trying to have a relationship with Emma. Also love that Gabe is giving him no breaks. This is my favorite fic of yours. Excellent job.

[hfce]

Great update. I love how Lex is slowly trying to win Chloe over. I can't wait until the next part. :)

[somethingeasy]

I was ecstatic to see that you updated again, Letia. I was really missing this fic, and I wanted to see how it was going to progress.


How he had gotten to this point may have been misunderstood to the untrained eye but he knew what had happened to him. Chloe had taken over for the past few months. Going into the summer their friendship was solid. She trusted him and opened up more than he thought for them both. Getting away from it all let their friendship move into something he could only describe as wonderful.

it was lovely seeing the high level of admiration and regard that Lex had for Chloe, even during the beginning stages of their relationship. LOL! Of course we know it grew into a huge obsession later, but it’s good to see how it started too.


Once the guilty verdict was read Chloe’s body relaxed and it was over. The press behind them started to roar. The judge had to hit his gavel four times before they stopped. At the moment Lex was finally free of his father but he couldn’t care to think of what that meant.

The thing keeping his attention was Chloe looking at him. A small smile formed on her face as she moved passed him to leave the court room. He wanted to reach for her then pull her into his arms but couldn’t.

That was quite an exciting moment… seeing how tense everyone was in the moments before the verdict, and then seeing the immense relief that passed over Chloe and Lex when they realized that they had won. It was lovely seeing how, at this moment of supreme triumph, Lex’s eyes were only on Chloe, for Chloe.


Getting himself under control Lex answered her. “I was thinking of you.” He pulled her hands away from his eyes then turned to look at her. “Wait you’re not Lana.”

A frown formed on her face and her eyes fixed on him. “If its Lana you want then I’ll leave.” She turned on her heels and started walking out.

It was meant to be a joke. He had to jump up from his seat to grab her as she was just at the door. “It was a joke.” When she turned around to look him, her arms were folded across her body and she looked at him with such distain.

ROTFLMAO! Oh, the dunce. After all his suave, sophisticated experience with seducing women, and he still makes a dumb mistake like this one, ROTFL! It’s actually rather fun and funny seeing Lex making such a klutzy, rookie move. Good thing Chloe didn’t hold it against him, and was actually amused by his clumsiness.


For weeks this was how it was. They enjoyed each others company. The chemistry was hot and heavy, and then she would stop him. The last time Lex thought he might explode from having to wait.

It wasn’t that she didn’t want to because he could feel she did. He felt it clearly the last time they were together and his hands made it to her panties. They were moist and warm but she made him stop. Instead of him letting him please her she pulled away claiming she wasn’t ready.

Sex wasn’t something Lex had to wait for. The way he felt about Chloe was something he wanted more than with any of the women he had been with in the past but she wasn’t ready and he didn’t know why.

I loved reading about Lex being pushed to the limits of sexual frustration, but still showing such gentle, tolerant patience when it comes to respecting Chloe’s boundaries… even if he doesn’t understand the needs for those boundaries in the first place. Lovely!


It was finally clear that Lex wasn’t the only one thinking about sex. Chloe was actually holding back for a reason that made little sense. This had everything to do with her and nothing to do with Clark. After years of things that didn’t mean anything to him he had something that meant everything. There was no way he would let getting the truth about Clark keep him from being with her.

“This has nothing to do with Clark.” Lex placed his glass down then took hers as well. “This is about me falling in love with you.” It came out so naturally that it scared Lex a little.

ah hah! So now it’s become clear about why Chloe is holding herself back from following her passions. She’s a very smart girl, but she tends to allow herself to be swept away by her emotions, so it was a little puzzling about why she was hesitating with Lex. Now both Lex and the readers have the answer to the mystery.


Her hand moved over her mouth as she took in what he said. It was the first time Lex was saying it aloud. Chloe had told him the night before the trial that she was falling in love with him.

They were lying in bed together in her hotel room. She asked him to stay the night and he was happy to do it. Her head was resting against his chest and his arms were wrapped around her. When she said it the wind was knocked out of him and he didn’t answer her.

Lex simply brushed back her hair and held her until she went to sleep. His lack of response must be why she was saying this now.

*disdainful snort* The dunce! LOL! Lex has truly lost all his suave charm in dealing with women when it comes to Chloe, rotfl! He forgot the basic rule… if a girl tells you that she loves you, it’s at least polite to give some kind of verbal reply back, unless you want her silently freaking out. It seems like poor Chloe has been quietly imagining the worst ever since the night she confessed her feelings to Lex.


“Yes.” She answered then placed her glass down again. “Everyone wants something from me but they never want me. They never want me just for me and now I know you do so I don’t have to be afraid of letting go anymore.”

It was true and it hurt to think of how her life was. Clark always wanted something. Lana always needed some sort of help. But in the end her so called friends didn’t take the time to see her. That year Lex was allowed that.

He could see her passion for investigation, he was able to learn how she liked her eggs in the morning and he even knew the small murmurs she made sometimes in her sleep. All that time was building up to this moment in the study of all places.

Poor Chloe. I can understand VERY easily why she would have imagined a worst-case scenario when Lex didn’t reply to her declaration of love. The poor girl has years of bad experience of being used and rejected by everyone who claimed to care for her.

It was wonderful to see that she has finally realized that Lex actually cares about Chloe Sullivan. She’s finally someone to love to love her for her rather than what she can do.


She moved in front of him making him open his legs so she could stand in between them. She was still wearing the dark suit she had on in court that morning. Her hands moved for the two buttons holding the jacket closed and once it was discarded on the floor the lime green blouse she was wearing was pulled over her head.

Lex just took in the show until she was down to her bra and panties then his mind started to move forward. The pale pink set covering her skin wasn’t the most expensive or elegant thing he had seen. It was simple but doing everything right for her body. She didn’t need to wear some fancy undergarments to make him want her.

LOL! I enjoyed how Lex was actually frozen in joy and disbelief (and perhaps a little fear) at how their relationship was finally about to take the next step. And I loved how Chloe took charge of the situation, being the dominant one at the start of the seductive process to the first time they were having sex.


When Lex reached for her he lead her down into his lap. She straddled him on the sofa, nearly naked; he could feel his arousal growing as she leaned down to kiss him. From that point it was a blur of Chloe’s skin close to his, her moaning even screaming his name but the one thing he did remember clearly was her coming. The choked cry that escaped her lips, the quiver of her muscles closing around him and the look in her eyes.

The look was for him and him alone. It told him that she wanted him and he was the person that she needed to give this to her. They connected physical and mentally. It was supposed to be a bond that would last.

That night was the first of many like it when Lex got to have all of Chloe. For once in his life his patience paid off.

Beautiful, and HOT!! It was lovely seeing how Lex felt so awed and delighted for being able to touch Chloe this way. He was actually grateful for her trust, and the way that she gave her whole self to him without holding back. I guess it was a good thing that Chloe held off from sex for so long, because I think it made Lex all the more appreciative of the gift she was giving him right now.

Heh, AND I can see it was a perfect lesson to teach a Luthor something about exercising patience… even when confronted with something they want really, REALLY badly, LOL!


Lex was a grown man and wasn’t intimidated by people. He actually prided himself on being the one that intimidated people by simply walking into a room. At the moment, standing outside of Chloe’s door, he was intimidated by six year old girl.

Emma Moria Sullivan Kaplan had him in knots since Chloe invited him to dinner.

ROTFLMAO! I was in hysterics imagining Lex trembling at the thought of confronting a six year old. But it IS something that is far out of the range of his experience, and it’s VERY important for him to try and win over this little girl without using any of his usual tricks of blackmail, intimidation or emotional manipulation. Hmmm, perhaps bribery will work? … LOL! nope! Because then her mother would be livid. ROTFL! I guess Lex is stuck trying to improvise without using his usual repertoire for winning people over.


“I don’t want you to think I would do anything to hurt Emma.” He went on and she nodded. “But I have no idea how to treat her.”

“Lex…” She started then sighed and reached her hand out to touch his arm. “She’s a little girl and not what your used to dealing with but I promise, if your this worried, I’m sure you will do fine. Just don’t curse in front of her and listen to her when she speaks sometimes she talks fast.”

He took in the notes as she went on with a list of things he could and couldn’t do. This was what he needed, some help on how to deal with her. It was hard to hear because his body wanted to focus on her hand touching him. He wanted to grab it and toss it away so he could listen better.

ROTFLMAO! Oh I loved this part. I really appreciated that Lex was so anxiety-ridden and discomfited that he actually confided his fears (of a six year old) to Chloe. But it turns out it was a good thing he told her he was nervous because she gave him some good tips and rules to work with. Granted, most of this tips were obvious common sense, but it was probably a good way for Lex to ground himself and gain some perspective.

ROTFL! Well, some amount of perspective… I thought it was hilarious that, the whole time Chloe was giving him these much needed rules, Lex had to FIGHT off the distraction that her touch and presence inspired and struggle to pay attention. ROTFL! I love seeing Lex Luthor struggling out of his depth. It’s always very satisfying fun!


He didn’t know why she said that but Lex would ask later. Troy’s death had after shocks that he may never fully understand. All the instructions out of the way they both walked into the place. It was just as he remembered, warm and inviting.

hmmm, it would be interesting to see Emma and Lex, at some point, being forced to discuss her daddy. Especially if the subject is brought up while Emma is being belligerent about Lex trying to replace her daddy *evil smile* LOL!


Now that he had the chance to look at her more closely he could see that Emma wasn’t all Chloe. Her hair, the intense stare was all Chloe but there was someone else in her face. The curves of her face, the way her hands fisted and the shape of her eyes were Troy.

It bore into him that Lex had truly lost so much when Chloe left him. The fantasy he had of the way his life could have been played out inside him. Instead of coming home to an angry child she might be a loving one running into his arms. Lex wasn’t Chloe’s husband, Emma wasn’t his daughter and looking at Emma now he wanted it to be true.

This part struck me straight through the heart! It was tragic feeling Lex’s visceral grief over what could have been alongside him. It was very cleverly done, Letia… having Lex first noting all the ways that Emma took after another man as well as Chloe when he started wondering about how Emma would have looked with HIS OWN features imprinted on her sweet, intelligent little face rather than Troy’s. It was just tragic seeing Lex nearly reeling with grief as he suddenly saw how Emma could have been HIS family and his beloved daughter.

This also struck me as the first moment when Lex starts appreciating Emma as her own person as well as an extension of Chloe. Acknowledging the bits of Troy in her is a good first step for Lex to see Chloe as a separate entity from Chloe, and it’s a good starting point for him to slowly start falling in love with this child (eventually).


“Its okay Chloe.” He looked down to the girl to reply. “I’m sorry that I’m late.”

“You and mommy were late tonight.” She looking him over then went about questioning him again. “What do you have in the box?”

It was just like Chloe in the hall only this time it felt like an interrogation. “It’s a cherry cheesecake.”

After he answered the strangest thing happened. Her mouth opened then, suddenly, she started to giggle. A weary smile formed on his face, Lex wasn’t really sure how to respond and then she answered.

“Mommy got the same thing already.” She answered him.

It still wasn’t clear to him why she was giggling but Lex keep up his smile until Chloe stepped in.

:rofl:
ROTFLMAO! This was a hilarious part. I loved, LOVED seeing Lex being dressed down, lectured and interrogated by a brash little kid. It was SO much fun seeing Lex completely out of his element, and just sticking with a dumb, uncomprehending smile as a tiny six year old laughed at him. Poor Lex! Emma is going to be running circles around him. And this was actually an easy meeting… what’s going to happen when Emma gets upset and makes Lex the target of a temper tantrum? LOL! I can’t wait to see that!


Gabe Sullivan was seated staring right at Lex as he moved to find where to sit. “Looks like the Luthors think they can show up whenever they want to.” He started.

“Dad.” Chloe grumbled giving her father a pointed look.

Emma placed herself down in a seat that had a piece of the cake they spoke of earlier in front of it. “Grandpa, I made him say sorry.” The little girl looked to Lex and nodded.

“Yes, I’m sorry for my tardiness.” Lex repeated the apology hoping it was would be the last reminder of him hiding out in his car instead of facing things like a grown man.

ROTFL! It seems like the while family is ganging up on poor Lex. But it serves him right… it WAS ridiculous for such a powerful, intelligent, sophisticated man to be hiding in the car because he was afraid to face his ex-lover and her six year old daughter over a dinner table.


“Go on, serve yourself.” The tone of Gabe’s voice was starting to get to him. When he was with Chloe he treated the man with nothing but respect.

He valued the time they shared considering his own father wasn’t very nurturing the way Gabe was. It made sense that he might question Lex’s motives for coming back into Chloe’s life but his hostility after nothing but kindness was harsh.

You really can’t blame Gabe for bristling with protectiveness over Lex’s intentions for his only child (and grandchild). Gabe probably has a pretty good idea that Lex is trying to manipulate Chloe somehow or another, and he’s on-guard for any tricks tonight. But I still feel sorry for Lex (manipulative bastard that he is) because he’s actually hurt by Gabe’s suspicious, harsh, hostile attitude. Heh, it seems like Emma and Chloe are not the only members of the family that Lex has to work on winning over.


“You should have more salad.” Emma stopped drinking from her cup of juice to instruct Lex on how to eat. “Mommy would want you to eat more if you want cake.”

ROTFLMAO! Oh Emma is just precious!!! I love the way she’s bullying Lex, ROTFL!


“Very good advice.” Lex spoke then took more of the fresh greens. While he was doing this Emma was grinning ear to ear. He wished making other people happy was this easy.

LOL! I don’t think you’d want to apply this method of making everyone happy to other people, Lex! It seems like Emma is happiest when she’s bullying you like her personal doormat, LOL!


After passing out the glasses half filled with wine she handed the dressing for the salad over to Lex and finally her attention went to Emma. The cup she was drinking out of was close to the edge of the table and she pushed it back up he assumed for fear of making it fall.

This wasn’t the Chloe he knew. He was used to seeing her most comfortable behind a computer writing pieces that many reporters dream of but right now she seemed just at ease. This was a new side of her that he was getting to see.

“Is everything alright Lex.?” Chloe caught his attention. It appeared he was staring and didn’t know it.

heh, Lex is not very taken with Emma just yet, but he’s absolutely entranced with seeing in these intimate settings being a ‘mother’. LOL! As if he needed yet another facet of her personality to fall in love with. I’m having a great time seeing him mesmerized by this new side of her.


“Lex, why don’t you tell dad a little about the new addition to the Sharks.” Chloe sipped her wine as she changed the subject. Gabe’s eyebrow arched at the hint. Lex wanted to question how she knew this information in the first place but this was Chloe Sullivan.

“Sharks have big teeth.” Emma spoke up before Lex could then she opened her mouth only to quickly snap it shut again. “I’ve seen them in the big fish tank do that.”

ROTFLMAO! Oh this girl is TOO adorable for words! I’m getting the feeling that, right now, Lex has reconciled himself to the notion that he’s going to have to tolerate her if he wants CHloe in his life. But this girl :D she’s going to be creeping in under Lex’s skin and having him fall madly in love with her before he realizes what’s happening. ROTFL! I can’t wait to see Lex’s bemused horror as he realizes how he’s been swept away by mini-Sullivan.


Gabe’s eyes slant as if he knew something was a miss. She was upset or worse something had happened while she changed Emma into her pale blue pajama pants suit and a pair of fuzzy slippers.

oooh, mysterious… I wonder what happened.


“Then dishes it is.” Lex started the task of cleaning. What she said was very encouraging and made him work extra hard.

“I wonder what your maids would say if they saw you now.” She smiled to herself knowing full well Lex hadn’t washed a dish in years.

LOL! oh Lex is really gone on Chloe, smitten beyond hope! The great scion of the Luthor Empire… washing dinner dishes, to win the favour of his lady. What a delicious thing to see, ROTFL!


She reached for the glass of wine that she didn’t finish and brought into the kitchen. After taking a long sip she asked the dreaded question. “Will this ever feel right?”

Lex stopped what he was doing, rinsing the sauce pot in his hands, to look at her. This was going work. It had to. “We just need to be patient.”

Heh, patience worked for Lex before. I can see that it’s going to work again. Unless Chloe somehow sees through the careful, slow plotting he’s been weaving around her. It was really sweet hearing the hopeful, nostalgic, wistful note in both of their voices as they talked about [‘eventually’ things will get more comfortable between them.


“I don’t ride nearly as much as I would like to. It would be a good excuse to take a weekend and go.”

“She would fall in love with you.” Chloe’s eyes started to grow bigger at the thought of what he was proposing. “I’ll call Miss March with my schedule and we can set it up.”

LOL! It seems like Lex is going to be allowed some leeway when he comes to bribing Emma into liking him, ROTFL!


Nearly thirty minutes after they walked into the room Emma and Gabe both fell asleep. Chloe took the seat next to Emma on the sofa and she curled herself into a ball next to her mother. Chloe’s hand causally stroked her blonde locks back until she was asleep.

Lex thought he would get caught staring again but Chloe didn’t notice. The pale light from the TV was masking her face but he could still see her.

I’m seriously loving how Lex is fascinated and mesmerized seeing Chloe in her ‘mother mode’. You can practically see the vivid pictures in his head which involve Chloe pregnant with HIS babies, LOL!


“Chloe…” Lex swallowed over the word and didn’t want to say what he was thinking. She turned to look right at him. It was the softness in her green eyes that was making him lose control and stop his words. “I missed you.”

Lex sat there and waited for her to ask him to leave. He waited for her to tell him that she didn’t miss him at all. Their time apart was just what she needed. If her husband was alive he wouldn’t be here right now and they would never be friends.

Like so many times before Chloe surprised him. She moved closer to him and her hand moved to rest on his sitting on the arm of the chair. “I missed you too.” She finished with a small smile which Lex happily returned.

It paid to be patience.

Heh, it seems like Lex has made significant progress this evening in wooing Chloe back into a relationship. It’s really fun seeing how Chloe is completely oblivious to Lex’s plans for anything more than friendship between the two of them, while HE’S doing everything he can to hide his lust, distraction and true intentions. At this rate, he’ll probably be able to win over Chloe and Emma into his life the way he wants, and probably have them believe it was THEIR idea. Sneaky! LOL! Love it!

I’m really happy that you’ve started updating again, Letia. I really missed your writing, and it was fantastic coming back to the world of Lex wooing Chloe+daughter. It’s getting really exciting now that Emma has been thrown as an active player into the mix, and I look forward to seeing more interaction between all three of them.

Please update again soon. Good luck and best regards.

[tatie87]

Great chapter. I'm so happy Chloe and Lex are slowly coming together. I can't believe the big scary Luthor wasafraid of a little girl, its makes Lex adorable.. Please write more soon!

[karila]

Sorry I didn't let a feedback on this story sooner.
I like this fic.
I really want to know where it will go.

[letia84]

Chapter 9 Should Have Been (Chloe POV)

Sometimes you breathe easy but at the moment Chloe wasn’t.

Life was going by rather nicely the past few weeks. Emma was happy at school and was soon going to be starting work on a school play about the lunar eclipse. She was going to be the moon and couldn’t stop talking about it.

Work was going well. Her friends and family seemed to be at ease but Chloe was recently concerned with one friend in front of her. Lex always seemed be a concern these days.

He smiled as he slid a bag to her side of the table. They were supposed to be having lunch and talking about the finalized plans for their weekend trip. When Chloe arrived Lex had something with him at his side and now it was at hers.

“Are you going to tell me what’s in this bag?” Chloe eyed the over sized gift bag as she spoke. It was pale blue and the handles were tied off with a pale blue ribbon. It was impossible to see what was going on inside because of the tissue paper covering its contents.

He had a slight grin as if he was pleased with himself. “Just open it and see.” Lex took a sip of his water eyeing her over the rim of the water glass.

Chloe cocked her eyes at him and wasn’t about to take a gift from Lex. Why he was getting her anything made no sense. Things were better since his almost no show for dinner a few weeks ago.

Lex showed for the last three dinners. He was on time and ready for anything. Even when they were playing the puzzle game SET with Emma. Chloe was proud her Kitty Cat had mastered the visual perception game a few months ago. It was teaching her little one recognition, deduction and some math skills.

Lex thought it was easy until Emma’s stack of matches towered over his stack. She thought he’d blow up but some how he managed to keep his cool until Emma was off to bed. By then he was just embarrassed and claimed he would be ready the next time they played.

At the moment those fond new memories were being clouded by what was in the bag at her feet.

“It’s for Emma. I thought she could use it this weekend.” Lex added after he noted the stern shift in her eyes.

“What could she possible need?” Chloe looked down into the bag pulling off the ribbon then going for the tissue paper. Tucked away in the bag was a little equestrians dream.

A pair of riding boots stood to one side while on the other side was a riding cap, riding pants, riding jacket and then the worse of it was a short riding crop.

As Chloe surveyed the items Lex was watching and waited for his praises patiently. Taking a close look before speaking Chloe saw he managed to get the items in the right size.

“You don’t have to buy her things.” When she spoke it seemed to crush Lex a little. He was waiting for a thank you but Chloe was about scold him.

“I thought she would like it.” His what he said could be considered an understatement. Emma would love it but she didn’t want her to think Lex meant gifts.

“You have brought things to the apartment before for dinner and that’s alright but I don’t want her to think you will always be bringing her things.” Chloe knew this technique.

Lex had tried this before when she was hiding out from Lionel. When he would come to see her it was always with a gift or something he thought she might need while she was away. It was his reason to see her and after the first month she put a stop to it. She wanted to see Lex and he didn’t have to have gift bag with him when he came.

“I’m not trying to buy her affections Chloe.” He paused for moment as if he was trying to make himself believe what he said. “I want the weekend to be special for her that’s all.”

“That’s fine as long as you know that people can like you and it has nothing to do with your money.” Chloe knew exactly what it meant to want someone to want her for just her. She had that with Lex and then found it with Troy. Emma was warming to Lex quickly. Those feelings had nothing to do with how deep his pockets ran.

A small smirk started to form on his face as he leaned towards her. “Are you saying you don’t spend time with me because of my net worth?”

Chloe leaned in as well seeing where the joke was going. “Free lunch is great now and then but how many people can put up with you constantly disagreeing with them like I can?”

“I haven’t found anyone yet to fill that void.” Lex leaned back and for some reason the light hearted moment got very serious. He went for his menu to hide his face and kept what he was thinking to himself.

This was something that would surface sooner or later. The more time Chloe spent with Lex the more she could see what was different about him. When ever she saw him he had a stiff armor around. It wasn’t new to her but it seemed like he was more guarded than before. After a few moments he would loosen up but he was still hiding something behind his stormy blue eyes.

Topics about her life in New York were fine or how life was now that she had returned to Kansas. Anything about his marriages, his dealings with his father or anything that hinted to their past Lex avoided with her.

It was like he wanted to place himself into their friendship without giving up too much about himself. If things were going to stay as good as they were now he would have to start talking.

The tension started to build until the waiter showed his face. Lex lowered the menu and he was himself again. Once the waiter had left them Chloe gave him what he was looking for from before.

“Thank you for the gift. I’m sure she will love it.”

“I hope so.” He replied and that was the end of it.

The lunch went on fine with out any word to what silenced him for a brief moment.

The weekend came up on Chloe faster then she expected. Before she knew it they were heading back to Smallville. It was place that should have been full of tender thoughts but so many things there brought her only pain.


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Chloe didn’t know why but Emma thought she was a singer. One day when she was older Chloe would let her Kitty Cat know that she couldn’t carry a tune unless things changed in the next few years with her voice.

The car ride from the city into to Smallville was longer then she remembered but the site of corn fields and cows had a calming affect on her. Even if Smallville was a place of so many bad things in her life on the outside no one would ever know.

Driving was her choice. Lex offered a car to get them. Then he had the great idea that they could fly in on the helicopter. She declined thinking it would be a fun trip for her and Emma but, as her little girl kept singing, Chloe wished it was over shadowed by the spinning of the helicopter blades.

Once they reached the manor Lex had learned from the past and actually had security. There were people at the gate that checked around her car and inside it before letting them through the gates.

Emma of course questioned the poor man about what he was doing. Chloe had to laugh a little. Something that Emma had inherited was Chloe’s need to seek out truth even in the smallest places.

As they pulled up to the main entrance Emma’s singing stopped and her eyes widened once she got a full view of the place. “It’s a castle.” She cried out.

“I told you it was big Kitty Cat.” Chloe glanced down at her and Emma’s mouth was gaping open. She had to reach down and inch it shut.

“Who else lives here?” Emma didn’t turn away from the sight before her as she spoke.

The answer to Emma’s question was easy but it was also sad. Other then the staff there was no one but Lex living in his castle. “Lex use to live here with his parents.” Her answer seemed easier than saying Lex lived there alone for so many years. Even when he was a child she was sure Lionel spent little time with him.

Chloe made the car come to a halt at front entrance and they were greeted by another guard. The guard led them to into their rooms. The moment she walked into the first room Lex had thought too much into this.

There was vase full of tulips; her favorite flower. They were given rooms that were linked by the bathroom. Chloe felt uneasy leaving Emma in the room alone but now that they were connected the problem was solved. It was a good feeling because no matter how large the bed was Emma seemed to take it over.

They were inside of the room all of five minutes before Emma went for something that could be broken. It was the vase holding another set of tulips in the room that was to be Emma’s.

She knew it was for Emma because a small step ladder was placed against the bed. Emma could leap up into the oversized king bed but Lex had thought of that already.

“Don’t touch that.” Chloe grabbed her hand before she put her tiny fingers around the very expensive vase. Emma frowned and Chloe had to set the ground rules right now.

“Emma, come on, lets sit on the bed.”

“I’m in trouble.” Emma sighed as she took her seat on the bed.

“No you’re not in trouble but we need to set some rules.” Chloe waited for her attention. Emma looked down at her hands and slowly her head rose. “Don’t touch anything in the house without asking first.” Chloe waited for the yes mommy but she knew that in an hour they would be having this talk again.

“Yes mommy. I have something I want to do.” Emma paused to lower her eyes and tried to trick Chloe into giving her something. “Can I jump on the bed?”

Chloe looked behind them; the bed did look perfect for jumping. This weekend was supposed to be about fun. The manor and Lex’s penthouse were going to be overwhelming for Emma. Chloe had to show her they could be fun places to be.

“Okay kick off your shoes first and I’ll jump with you.”

Emma squealed with excitement and did as she was told. The noise didn’t stop there because with each leap Emma got louder. This was what they needed to loosen things up. Chloe took her hands and started to cheer as well as they jumped up then landed softly on the mattress to repeat the process again.

“I see you are already having fun.” The sound of Lex’s voice came from the door.

They both froze to look at him. He was dressed in black slacks and a black button down shirt. She could tell he was in comfort mode because the top button was undone.

Chloe watched Emma react faster then she could and moved off the bed. “Mommy said it was okay.” She plead their case but she also sold out her own mother.

Chloe followed behind her moving off the bed. He didn’t look upset, he had his kid face on or that’s what Chloe called it. Lex wasn’t a person who smiled a lot but he did it for Emma. He always had small grin on for her.

“It’s alright Emma.” Lex looked down at her and he his smile widened. His comfort level with her was getting better the more he saw her. “I use to do it when I was younger.”

Emma giggled a little before answering. “It’s so much fun.”

He nodded once in agreement. “Let’s keep the fun going and go pick the movie for tonight.”

This was exactly what they went over during lunch. Friday night would be dinner and a movie then early Saturday Emma’s dream would come true and she would see the horses.

Planning things made it easier on Lex as to what to do. Spontaneous moments with Emma were hard for him. Right now was one of those moments but he had the plan to fall back on.

“I get to pick.” Emma started to leave. She was nearly out the door before she stopped. “I don’t know where to go?”

It was adorable watching her face come to the realization she was inside a maze. “Then wait for us.” Chloe shook her head then moved for the door. As she passed Lex she spoke softly. “I’m really sorry about the bed.”

“Really it’s alright.” He turned to leave with her reaching out for Emma’s hand. “Let me show you the way.”

Chloe followed behind them and just watched. Emma took Lex’s hand without hesitation. It was strange to see her this way. She had men in life thanks to Clark and her grandfather but she didn’t have her father anymore; she didn’t have Troy. To see her with Lex made Chloe’s heart ache a little at how much Emma had lost when Troy died.

She had to shake off these thoughts. It was great she had another person in her life that was interested in getting to know her. Only something struck her odd the rest of the weekend.

Whenever they were in a room together Lex wanted to be close to Emma. It was like he was spending time with Emma and Chloe was just coming along for the ride.

They picked the movie together smiling and laughing at Emma’s choices. Lex asked several questions about the lunar eclipse play over dinner. Then, Emma sat with Lex while they watched the movie.

The entire time Lex seemed to be in love with every moment of it. All of it could be Emma getting use to Lex but something else was happening.


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After breakfast on Saturday Chloe dressed Emma up in her new riding outfit. She convinced Emma to leave the riding crop in the room. It was unnecessary since she had no idea what to do with it.

Lex greeted them in Emma’s room to walk with them to the stables. When they enter the stables there were people doing their jobs but someone was approaching them.

Lex knew just who she was and introduced them. “Claire this is Ms. Sullivan and our newest rider today Emma Sullivan.”

“Sullivan Kaplan.” Emma corrected him. Chloe knew how attached she was to her name. It was part of her daddy and it was part she wasn’t willing to give up.

Chloe smiled as if this was expected and she knew who this person was as well. “Hello Claire. Please call me Chloe and what are you here for?”

“Mr. Luthor hired me to make sure your riding experience was as safe as possible.” The woman glanced down at Emma as she continued. “I’m going to teach you all you need to know about riding horses.”

Chloe turned to Lex who seemed please with himself yet again. She thought this would be a simple ride around the grounds while they held the reins leading Emma along on one of Lex’s ponies or smaller horses very slowly.

Lex noted her stare and tried to cover his tracks. “Claire has ten years of experience and is highly recommended.” He gave her a small smile and waited. “I wanted Emma to be safe.”

“This is great.” Emma beamed just below them.

At this point Chloe couldn’t back out now. Chloe had her all dressed up and she couldn’t take it away from her now. “Let’s see the horses.” She tried to sound up beat but something was nagging at her since last night.

“Yes let’s see the pony.” Emma almost leaped into the air at the thought getting closer to her dream.

Lex had it all planned out very well. He knew she wasn’t the best rider and he had slower paced horse picked out for her. Emma did have a young horse that was just the right size for her named April.

After going around the grounds a few hours Chloe had enough but Emma didn’t want to get off. Lex suggested she learn how to feed the horse and she took the idea. Lex was her savior because her thighs were starting to throb.

As Emma feed the horse carrots Claire rattled off facts to Emma about horses. Chloe didn’t think her attention could be so captivated by the stranger but she listened to every word while asking questions of her own.

“She’s really loving this.” Chloe leaned over to Lex watching just as she was.

He nodded once and didn’t look away from the scene in front of them. When Claire paused for a moment Lex spoke up. “Emma.”

The little girl turned her attention away from the pony to answer. “Yes.”

“Did you have fun today?” It was a ridiculous question. Anyone could see she didn’t want to leave.

She started to nod her head franticly. “Yes, it was the best day ever.”

“How would you like to have a day like this when ever you wanted and have April as your very own?” As Lex was speaking Chloe wanted to kick him to stop him but she couldn’t use violence in front of Emma.

“Lex?” She questioned him but it was too late to make him take it back.

“I can have April?” Emma yelped and dropped the carrot. She left the stall and went for Lex. Her arms wrapped around his leg as she thanked him over and over.

This had gone too far. Lex was smiling as if he had done something wonderful. He was reaching down to hug her back but Chloe said something first. “Emma look at me.”

Her daughter did as she was told still beaming. “You can’t keep this horse.” She said plainly. The joy was quickly washed over with confusion. “I’m sorry but this is Lex’s horse.”

“He said I can have it mommy.” Emma whined. This wasn’t going to be easy.

“It’s alright Chloe.” Lex tried to reassure her but he was only digging himself in deeper trouble.

“Emma why don’t you finish feeding the pony while I talk to Lex.” She had to stop Lex before he made this worse than it already was.

“But…” Emma started but Chloe interrupted before she could say more.

“Go help with the horse.” Her commanding tone was noted and Emma did as she was told.

“Yes mommy.” There was sadness in her voice that Chloe hated. She didn’t want to make her unhappy but there was no way they could keep the horse.

“Claire is Emma alright with you?” If Chloe was going to doing this she had to step away. Too often fighting with Lex exploded and it couldn’t happen in front of Emma.

“Yes Miss, she’s fine.” Claire nodded and had to feel uneasy with what was going on.

“Lex can you walk with me.” He followed her reluctantly.

Once they were out of Emma’s hear shot Lex turned to defended himself. “What’s the problem? I can afford the horse. It’s not going to be a burden.”

“It’s not a matter of you being able to afford the horse. I don’t want Emma to think your going to give her something every time you see her. I’m trying to teach her better values then that.” Chloe sighed deeply just trying to think of how easy this was for him.

She was sure he had four ponies before he was even eight years old to take his pick of because his family was wealthy. It’s something she never associated with him or allowed him to flaunt in front of her but it was a fact.

Their relationship wasn’t about her wanting him for his money. In no way did Chloe want Emma to start thinking Lex meant mommy’s bald friend with presents and nothing else.

“This isn’t me trying to win her with my money. It’s something you said she wanted. She had so much fun today so I just thought why not give the horse to her.” Lex swiped his hand across his head trying not to show how the fight was affecting him.

Chloe knew this would be a problem but he would have to learn his place. “You have a lot to learn about kids Lex. They can’t have everything they want all the time.”

His eyes widened at her words. Things were about to get even worse. “What are you saying…. that she’ll end up like me? I had everything I could dream of when I was kid. Emma will end up defining her life by the things she has instead of the people in her life?”

It wasn’t what she meant but it came off that way. Chloe knew his life was never easy but not once would she throw that in his face. “Where is that coming from? I would never think anything like that.”

“I had a pony as a child is there something wrong with that?” Lex pointed behind him towards the holding pens.

That was Lex’s reality not her daughters. “No that’s not a problem for you. You’re a Luthor. That was a normal part of your life.”

“Trust me getting what I wanted didn’t make me a happier child Chloe. I would have rather had a kind word from my father than all the ponies in the world.” His fist pounded out his final words. The thought of Lionel treating him like he didn’t matter pushed his anger over the edge.

“That’s not what I meant. I want Emma to get to know you not your money. How many ti times do I have to say that.” Chloe was trying to take it back. It was the same thing in the restaurant a few days ago when Lex gave her the riding out fit. Emma wasn’t a prize to be won.

Lex turned away from her looking out onto the grounds in front of them. “This wouldn’t be a problem if she were mine.”

Chloe wasn’t sure if she heard him correctly but if she wasn’t mistaken what she dreaded was about to come out. “What did you say?”

As he turned around Chloe knew this would be the breaking point for them. When she left it hurt her but she had no idea how it hurt Lex.

“I said if you would have stayed then Emma would be mine. She would be our daughter.” The words were slow and deliberate. He meant every one of them.

“You didn’t just say that.” Chloe tried to keep it together but when it came to Emma things were never in control. “Choose your words wisely Lex because I don’t think you meant what you just said.”

“You heard me just fine and I meant every word. I should have been Emma’s father.” He stepped closer to her. It was an act she new well. Lex moving in wasn’t a good sign. He had a way of making the world that was large seem miniature. “There wouldn’t be all this talk about what I can and can not do because she would be ours.”

That’s what was happening this weekend. Lex had fallen in love with Emma. He was taking every moment thinking this was what it would have been like if she were his.

“She’s not yours.” Chloe said it and the look in his eyes were drowning in the truth in her words. It cut into him in ways she didn’t mean to. It was simply a fact that he had to accept.

“You don’t have to remind me. I have eyes and I can see she’s not just apart of you but apart of someone else that should have been me.” He turned away but she couldn’t let him have this.

“I’m not saying these things to hurt you but I left for reason. I fell in love with someone else and Emma is a product of that love. It doesn’t matter what should have been because this is how it is now.”

Chloe waited for him to turn and look at before she went on. When he refused she moved around so he could see her. “You want to be my friend then you have to forgive me for leaving. You can’t keep holding that against me.”

“This isn’t about me forgiving you.” He stepped closer again but this time he was right on top of her. “This is about you being able to forgiving me. I was the one that scared you away. It’s my fault you didn’t stay. It’s my fault you fell in love with someone else and it’s my fault Emma is someone else’s and not ours.”

He didn’t let her respond because Lex turned on his heels and walked away from the stables. Where he was going she didn’t know but right now she had to deal with Emma. Breaking the news about the pony was going to be easier than what happen with Lex.

Emma would forgive her.

Lex may never forgive himself.


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Chloe took a deep breath before moving into the game room. The manor was so unfamiliar to her now. Once Emma was down and asleep she had to call a staff member to show her to where Lex was hiding.

He missed the rest of the day in the stables then he missed lunch and dinner. Emma thought she had done something wrong and made Lex mad at them. This was something else Lex had to learn. He couldn’t just bale on Emma when things didn’t go his way with out saying a word.

She was led to a game room that Lex was sitting in. He was facing the pool table in the room clutching a tumbler filled with his favorite amber drink. When she walked in he had to hear her but didn’t turn to look at her.

“Emma thinks you’re mad at her.” Chloe started taking a seat on the sofa near him.

His body lifted from the chair as he turned to look at her with overwhelming concern on his face. “No. I would never be. What should I do?” The words were choppy and filled with panic. It was just more proof that Lex had fallen hard for her Kitty Cat.

“I told her you needed some alone time and you would have breakfast with us before we headed back to the city.”

He leaned back in his seat looking more at ease. “Of course I will be there for breakfast.”

They sat there in silence for a few moments. This was going to be one of those talks where Chloe had to do all the work. “So where did you go?”

“I did some work in the study then I came in here to have dinner and a now I’m having a drink.” He gave her the play by play with little feeling.

“Lex we have to talk about this.” Chloe reached for his hand that was resting on the arm chair to make him look at her.

She got no where.

“I really don’t think there is more to say.” He moved his hand away then took another sip of his glass.

“If you want my friendship we have to talk about this.” Chloe reached for the glass in his hand. She waited until he was looking at her and downed the rest of the glass. There was a nice tingle then a burning sensation as the liquid slid down her throat.

“Why did you do that?” He said finally with some feeling. “You hate scotch.”

“I know but you’re not the only one that needs a drink today.” Chloe handed the glass back over to him.

He closed his eyes smiling to himself. “I’m sorry that I walked off.”

“You should say that to Emma in the morning.”

“I know I took things too far but I couldn’t help myself. I just look into those green eyes and want to give her the world.” He was looking right at her when he said it.

Chloe couldn’t help but think Emma wasn’t the only one he was talking about. So far things had been about them building a friendship. There wasn’t a moment when Chloe felt any sexual tension between them but the way he was looking at her now there was something stirring.

She had to look away to answer. “I know the feeling but you can’t get carried away like that.”

“Because I’m not her father.” He added.

“That’s not what this is about.” When she looked at him again things were still cloudy but she could at least look at him. It had been too long and that’s what the moment had been about. “I can’t live with what should have been. I have a daughter and that means living with what I have now right in front of me.”

“I understand that but...” He paused then looked away. Their last lunch was like this and she wasn’t going to let him retreat again.

“You have to keep talking Lex. You keep doing this to me. You can’t insert yourself into my life without letting me into yours.”

He breathed out squeezing the empty glass in his hands. The last nine years Lex must have worked hard at keeping his emotions in check. He couldn’t even look at her once he finally spoke.

“I can’t help but think that if I told the truth things would be different.” He paused letting himself look at her. “I know the real reason why you moved away.”

It was something Chloe rarely talked about. It was something she didn’t use often. It was the final reason why she left. The Lex was hiding something back then that was very personal.

He placed the glass down at his feet then moved next to her. “It wasn’t just the people that died or my research on Clark.” He looked down in shame as he went on. “I would have never locked you away because you’re meteor infected. That’s something my father would do and I’m nothing like him.”

She swallowed hard hearing the words. There was always a chance that he could do it. After looking at his research Chloe learned Lex was capable of so many things.

“I know that.” She lied and he saw right through it.

“I know it’s a secret you don’t want to talk about.” He replied.

She shrugged her shoulders feeling more uncomfortable. “I know you would never hurt me intentionally.”

“I wouldn’t but I did. That’s something I have a hard time dealing with.” It was what she needed to hear.

Chloe’s powers were her secret. The only person other then Lex that knew was Clark. Her father didn’t even know when she used them on him after his heart attack. She covered it up by being overly concerned about Gabe’s health all the time.

Troy never knew. In the end it wouldn’t have helped if he did. Chloe found out that her hands had the power to heal anyone except the dead.

“I can’t change what’s happened with me. I know that I gave up on you and I’m sorry but I’m here now. We can be friends now. We both need to stop holding on to those memories that only hurt us.” She placed her hand over his. “We can make new memories.”

“Do I forgive myself in these new memories?” He asked placing his hand over hers.

“That’s the first step.” She reached for him, took him into her arms to hug him.

Letting go was hard because the tension was back. It was the start of her trusting him again. When they both let go Lex looked fine. The hug hadn’t fazed him. He seemed calm now that it was out. He wasn’t at all altered the way she was.

“Are you alright?” Lex was about to reach for her cheek but Chloe pulled away.

Her mind should have been thinking about making her friendship work but her body kept thinking of ways to make it something more. This was how it started before. Lex slowly worked his way under her skin. Only this time she couldn’t let it happen.

“I’m fine.” The words were far from the truth.

TBC

Chapter 10 Come to me (Lex POV)

Note: This is the game set (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Set_game). I have been around kids Emma’s age that play it better then me. Pisses me off.

[lj715]

I love this fic. Knew that Lex was gonna fall in love with Emma but he can;t be buying her all these gifts to keep her. Finally came out that Lex wishes Emma was his. Can't wait for Chloe & Lex to get closer. Great update.

[tatie87]

Great chapter. Its so tragic that Lex has fallen in love with Emma so much that he wished she were his. I can't wait to see how Lex gets under Chloe's skin. Please update soon!

[hfce]

What a great update. I can't believe Lex told Chloe about wanting Kitty cat to be his. I feel so bad for him. I am glad they talked it over though. I can't wait for more. :D

[lexie]

I´m so glad you´re updating this amazing fic again; I´ve always loved Lex around kids. I´m looking forward to the next update- which I hope won´t take too long.

[karila]

It was really a good chapter.
It's nice to see that Lex likes Emma. Nevertheless I understand Chloe's fear about him buying all what she wants.
I hope an update soon.

[somethingeasy]

“Are you going to tell me what’s in this bag?” Chloe eyed the over sized gift bag as she spoke. It was pale blue and the handles were tied off with a pale blue ribbon. It was impossible to see what was going on inside because of the tissue paper covering its contents.

awww, the bag sounds so pretty, LOL! It was adorable visualizing Lex Luthor purchasing and carrying such a pretty, frilly bag especially created to appeal to a six year old girl.

It was very interesting seeing how Chloe is still so nervous and wary around Lex, that she’s suspicious of any ‘mysterious gifts’ from him. Especially when they look so fancy. But I’m glad he didn’t get hurt or offended by her slight paranoia. He just seemed amused.


Chloe cocked her eyes at him and wasn’t about to take a gift from Lex. Why he was getting her anything made no sense. Things were better since his almost no show for dinner a few weeks ago.

Lex showed for the last three dinners. He was on time and ready for anything. Even when they were playing the puzzle game SET with Emma. Chloe was proud her Kitty Cat had mastered the visual perception game a few months ago. It was teaching her little one recognition, deduction and some math skills.

Lex thought it was easy until Emma’s stack of matches towered over his stack. She thought he’d blow up but some how he managed to keep his cool until Emma was off to bed. By then he was just embarrassed and claimed he would be ready the next time they played.

LOL! It seems like Lex is doing very well in winning over both Chloe and Emma. AND it seems like Emma has also been working her way under Lex’s skin as well. This new ‘family’ is growing closer, EXACTLY as Lex had planned. There’s something very foreboding about seeing Lex’s plan working out exactly as he imagined… you keep wondering when is it all going to fall apart on him… OR blow up in a spectacular explosion in his face, LOL!

I LOVED the visual of Lex sulking being beaten out on a game of cards by a child, ROTFL! It can hurt any adult, but Lex Luthor especially, LOL!


“It’s for Emma. I thought she could use it this weekend.” Lex added after he noted the stern shift in her eyes.

“What could she possible need?” Chloe looked down into the bag pulling off the ribbon then going for the tissue paper. Tucked away in the bag was a little equestrians dream.

heh. I guess Lex knew that the best way to get Chloe to accept expensive presents is to buy them for EMMA rather than for her personal use. She might feel uncomfortable allowing him to buy her gadgets, cars, jewellery, perfume and such… but I guess he thought she would be a little more flexible when it comes to indulging in her daughter?


A pair of riding boots stood to one side while on the other side was a riding cap, riding pants, riding jacket and then the worse of it was a short riding crop.

As Chloe surveyed the items Lex was watching and waited for his praises patiently. Taking a close look before speaking Chloe saw he managed to get the items in the right size.

Wow! Emma is seriously going to go MAD for these things. I was at first pleased that this scene seemed to suggest that Lex was implicitly asking for Chloe’s permission before presenting these things to Emma. It would have been a wise move for him to ask the mother whether presents this extravagant are all right for a six year old.

But THEN I realized that Lex was actually not really thinking like that. He was actually ‘showing off’ these gifts to Chloe. He was not really asking for permission… only looking forward to basking in her admiring approval. Oh dear… this kind of attitude is going to make trouble later.


“You have brought things to the apartment before for dinner and that’s alright but I don’t want her to think you will always be bringing her things.” Chloe knew this technique.

Lex had tried this before when she was hiding out from Lionel. When he would come to see her it was always with a gift or something he thought she might need while she was away. It was his reason to see her and after the first month she put a stop to it. She wanted to see Lex and he didn’t have to have gift bag with him when he came.

“I’m not trying to buy her affections Chloe.” He paused for moment as if he was trying to make himself believe what he said. “I want the weekend to be special for her that’s all.”

LOL! This was a HUGE let-down for Lex… but the dolt deserved it. Ok, I’m not being fair… he DID make a little mistake in actions and attitude, but he’s very new to this whole ‘dealing with children’ thing, and a few mistakes were inevitable. As long as he listens carefully to Chloe and learns from her, he should turn out all right.

I thought it was very insightful of Chloe to catch onto what Lex was doing and why he was doing it. AND she explained it to him in very sweet terms, so she was able to tell him off while bolstering his confidence in himself as a person at the same time. What a diplomat, LOL!


“I haven’t found anyone yet to fill that void.” Lex leaned back and for some reason the light hearted moment got very serious. He went for his menu to hide his face and kept what he was thinking to himself.

heh… I enjoy seeing Lex’s plan going smoothly, but I LOVE seeing the little slip-ups he keeps making from time to time, when he accidentally tells Chloe about what he’s REALLY aiming for with this ‘friendship’ he’s cultivating with her. Heeee.. I gleefully anticipate the day when he finally lets loose his entire carefully orchestrated planning and manipulations to her. She’s going to be furious! :D


It was like he wanted to place himself into their friendship without giving up too much about himself. If things were going to stay as good as they were now he would have to start talking.

wow! I LOVED the irony that Lex was trying SO hard to hide hoe desperately he wanted to be with Chloe and persuade her to fall in love with him, that she actually believed he was emotionally distancing himself from her. LOL! He’s doing a GREAT job in hiding away his feelings… right to the extent where Chloe honestly couldn’t imagine them being there.


Driving was her choice. Lex offered a car to get them. Then he had the great idea that they could fly in on the helicopter. She declined thinking it would be a fun trip for her and Emma but, as her little girl kept singing, Chloe wished it was over shadowed by the spinning of the helicopter blades.

LOL! Poor Chloe! But then again, she’s been a mom for six years now, and she should KNOW that there are very few things more annoying than an extended drive with a six year old… ESPECIALLY a six year old who likes to sing! *shudder*


Emma of course questioned the poor man about what he was doing. Chloe had to laugh a little. Something that Emma had inherited was Chloe’s need to seek out truth even in the smallest places.

As they pulled up to the main entrance Emma’s singing stopped and her eyes widened once she got a full view of the place. “It’s a castle.” She cried out.

I didn’t realize it, but I can imagine all the security and the sheer SIZE and structure of Lex’s manor would look pretty damned impressive to a six year old. LOL! I wonder whether she’s having day-dreams of playing ‘damsel locked away in the tower’… or perhaps ‘knight defending the castle from the dragon’? oooh ‘wicked witch casting a curse on an enchanted castle!!’, ROTFL! A child can have a lot of fun with a honest to goodness castle to play with, ROTFL!


“Who else lives here?” Emma didn’t turn away from the sight before her as she spoke.

The answer to Emma’s question was easy but it was also sad. Other then the staff there was no one but Lex living in his castle. “Lex use to live here with his parents.” Her answer seemed easier than saying Lex lived there alone for so many years. Even when he was a child she was sure Lionel spent little time with him.

That was actually a very astute question from Emma… one that had a very sad answer. I’m glad Chloe was able to phrase it so delicately for her child’s ears.


There was vase full of tulips; her favorite flower. They were given rooms that were linked by the bathroom. Chloe felt uneasy leaving Emma in the room alone but now that they were connected the problem was solved. It was a good feeling because no matter how large the bed was Emma seemed to take it over.

It seems like Lex put a lot of thought into Chloe’s and Emma’s comfort during their stay. Heh, I guess he considers this level of comfort the first step in making THIS place their permanent home? The sneaky bastard, LOL!


“Don’t touch that.” Chloe grabbed her hand before she put her tiny fingers around the very expensive vase. Emma frowned and Chloe had to set the ground rules right now.

heh, poor Chloe is going to be going through a lot of stress fretting over Lex’s vases, carpets, pictures and furniture. And poor Lex… he probably went through a lot of stress and trouble trying to imagine ways to make their stay as perfect and cosy as possible. He would probably be devastated to imagine that Chloe felt discomfited and frightened at the thought of all the VERY expensive, fragile items just waiting to be broken by a curious little girl.


“Okay kick off your shoes first and I’ll jump with you.”

Emma squealed with excitement and did as she was told. The noise didn’t stop there because with each leap Emma got louder. This was what they needed to loosen things up. Chloe took her hands and started to cheer as well as they jumped up then landed softly on the mattress to repeat the process again.

“I see you are already having fun.” The sound of Lex’s voice came from the door.

ROTFL! What an adorable scene for Lex to welcome into his home. I’m sure it must have given him a real kick to see this heart-warming scene of his ‘almost family’ (from his POV) having such fun. He must have been delighted at the idea that his plan was already working so WELL.


Chloe watched Emma react faster then she could and moved off the bed. “Mommy said it was okay.” She plead their case but she also sold out her own mother.

LOL! Little brat! All the loyalty of a weasal! ROTFL!


Chloe followed behind her moving off the bed. He didn’t look upset, he had his kid face on or that’s what Chloe called it. Lex wasn’t a person who smiled a lot but he did it for Emma. He always had small grin on for her.

“It’s alright Emma.” Lex looked down at her and he his smile widened. His comfort level with her was getting better the more he saw her. “I use to do it when I was younger.”

heh. Emma is growing really fond of Lex, and I think even Lex is growing some affection for HER as well… although I can’t really tell how much of the bond (from his side) is from genuine affection and how much is just a reflection of his desperate focus on Chloe. But I’ll give him the benefit of the doubt and start believing that he’s beginning to see Emma as a ‘whole’ other person rather than simply as an ‘extension’ to his beloved Chloe.


Planning things made it easier on Lex as to what to do. Spontaneous moments with Emma were hard for him. Right now was one of those moments but he had the plan to fall back on.

heh… Lex is still viewing this ‘budding friendship’ with Chloe and Emma as a part of a greater plan… which requires precise moves and careful strategy. I wonder how Chloe would react knowing how she AND Emma are being ‘played’ in this calculated manner. I wonder whether it would make her feel better knowing how out of his depth Lex feels trying to manipulate THESE two people.


Chloe followed behind them and just watched. Emma took Lex’s hand without hesitation. It was strange to see her this way. She had men in life thanks to Clark and her grandfather but she didn’t have her father anymore; she didn’t have Troy. To see her with Lex made Chloe’s heart ache a little at how much Emma had lost when Troy died.

Chloe is growing closer to Lex, but I appreciated getting this reminder that Chloe is still in mourning for her late husband, and not really ready to view another man as a ‘replacement’ so soon. This certainly explains why Chloe is not even considering the idea that Lex is trying to woo her.


Whenever they were in a room together Lex wanted to be close to Emma. It was like he was spending time with Emma and Chloe was just coming along for the ride.

They picked the movie together smiling and laughing at Emma’s choices. Lex asked several questions about the lunar eclipse play over dinner. Then, Emma sat with Lex while they watched the movie.

The entire time Lex seemed to be in love with every moment of it. All of it could be Emma getting use to Lex but something else was happening.

Hmmm, is Lex genuinely enjoying spending all this time in Emma’s company… sincerely enthralled with everything she says and does? OR is this ‘bonding’ a way for him to sneak in through the ‘back door’ (via Emma) to win over Chloe? Perhaps a little of both? Chloe is actually experiencing a vague feeling of suspicion and paranoia… even though she can’t figure out what’s ‘wrong’ with this picture.

I can’t wait for Lex’s point of view to find out about his views on Emma now.


“Sullivan Kaplan.” Emma corrected him. Chloe knew how attached she was to her name. It was part of her daddy and it was part she wasn’t willing to give up.

heh… I wonder whether that correction sent a stab of resentment through Lex… JUST for a moment? I think he’s been desperately trying to forget that Emma is a representation of Chloe’s love for another man, and being reminded of that so starkly must have effected him in some way?


Lex noted her stare and tried to cover his tracks. “Claire has ten years of experience and is highly recommended.” He gave her a small smile and waited. “I wanted Emma to be safe.”

“This is great.” Emma beamed just below them.

At this point Chloe couldn’t back out now. Chloe had her all dressed up and she couldn’t take it away from her now. “Let’s see the horses.” She tried to sound up beat but something was nagging at her since last night.

The idea of hiring a professional horse-riding instructor for Emma was actually a good idea of Lex’s. It was obvious that Emma LOVED the chance to be able to ride under the tutelage of a professional. But I sensed that Chloe felt she was being railroaded a little bit by Lex taking charge on what were the limits HER daughter was allowed to cross.

Lex and Chloe are going to have to have a talk later about control and boundaries when it comes to Emma.


“How would you like to have a day like this when ever you wanted and have April as your very own?” As Lex was speaking Chloe wanted to kick him to stop him but she couldn’t use violence in front of Emma.

“Lex?” She questioned him but it was too late to make him take it back.

“I can have April?” Emma yelped and dropped the carrot. She left the stall and went for Lex. Her arms wrapped around his leg as she thanked him over and over.

oh dear god, Lex, NO!!! oh, you didn’t?! heh… I thought that this kind of an overly-indulgent attitude would come back to bite someone on the ass later… and now it seems like it’s time for Chloe and Lex to have That Serious Talk about boundaries and control.

I can understand WHY Lex did this. Besides the fact that he probably wanted to make Emma deliriously happy, I can imagine it’s very addictive for a man like Lex to feel like a ‘hero’ to Emma… and all this for a ‘cheap price’… cheap for HIM at least.

Hmmm, and the more suspicious part of my mind can’t help but wonder whether he’s trying to callously BUY Emma’s affections through such simple means. Not to mention assert some kind of control over Chloe and Emma? He might be thinking that giving them extravagant presents might be a nice, easy way of getting them to be dependant on him?


Her daughter did as she was told still beaming. “You can’t keep this horse.” She said plainly. The joy was quickly washed over with confusion. “I’m sorry but this is Lex’s horse.”

“He said I can have it mommy.” Emma whined. This wasn’t going to be easy.

“It’s alright Chloe.” Lex tried to reassure her but he was only digging himself in deeper trouble.

aaargh! Even NOW, He’s Not. Getting. It!!! He just doesn’t understand what he’s doing wrong. Chloe is going to have to break it down for him in small, slow, simply words.

Poor Chloe… I can tell it was really painful and difficult for her to make herself ‘the bad guy’ and take away her baby’s delightful present right out of her hands. And Lex really didn’t help when he argued in Emma’s favour.


“Go help with the horse.” Her commanding tone was noted and Emma did as she was told.

“Yes mommy.” There was sadness in her voice that Chloe hated. She didn’t want to make her unhappy but there was no way they could keep the horse.

ouch! That was REALLY painful to Chloe. She’s going to give Lex a HUGE tongue-lashing for forcing her to do this. And on such a lovely, perfect, FUN day too! What a horrid endnote to a wonderful day.


“It’s not a matter of you being able to afford the horse. I don’t want Emma to think your going to give her something every time you see her. I’m trying to teach her better values then that.” Chloe sighed deeply just trying to think of how easy this was for him.

She was sure he had four ponies before he was even eight years old to take his pick of because his family was wealthy. It’s something she never associated with him or allowed him to flaunt in front of her but it was a fact.

Their relationship wasn’t about her wanting him for his money. In no way did Chloe want Emma to start thinking Lex meant mommy’s bald friend with presents and nothing else.

*frustrated sigh* This is something that Chloe explained to Lex JUST this morning. I thought she had got her point across really well, but I guess Lex didn’t get it. This is not going to be easy.


Chloe knew this would be a problem but he would have to learn his place. “You have a lot to learn about kids Lex. They can’t have everything they want all the time.”

ROTFLMAO! This is obvious common sense… but HOW would someone go about explaining this to Lex Luthor of all people, LOL! Chloe has her work cut out in front of her.


“I had a pony as a child is there something wrong with that?” Lex pointed behind him towards the holding pens.

That was Lex’s reality not her daughters. “No that’s not a problem for you. You’re a Luthor. That was a normal part of your life.”

“Trust me getting what I wanted didn’t make me a happier child Chloe. I would have rather had a kind word from my father than all the ponies in the world.” His fist pounded out his final words. The thought of Lionel treating him like he didn’t matter pushed his anger over the edge.

oh dear! Chloe is trying to make him understand her point, but Lex is feeling offended and defensive, and not really in the mood to listen. I can see why he would be hurt by what Chloe is saying… He’s already feeling a little on edge about being lectured to, and now he feels like he’s being attacked about the way he was raised and the way he turned out.


“That’s not what I meant. I want Emma to get to know you not your money. How many times do I have to say that.” Chloe was trying to take it back. It was the same thing in the restaurant a few days ago when Lex gave her the riding out fit. Emma wasn’t a prize to be won.

I have to admit, I also got the suspicious impression that Lex was making a ostentatious gesture to quickly and easily ‘win over’ Emma. I can understand Chloe’s resentment about him treating Emma’s affections like a prize to be won or bought.


Lex turned away from her looking out onto the grounds in front of them. “This wouldn’t be a problem if she were mine.”

Chloe wasn’t sure if she heard him correctly but if she wasn’t mistaken what she dreaded was about to come out. “What did you say?”

As he turned around Chloe knew this would be the breaking point for them. When she left it hurt her but she had no idea how it hurt Lex.

“I said if you would have stayed then Emma would be mine. She would be our daughter.” The words were slow and deliberate. He meant every one of them.

I was just sitting her in open-mouthed SHOCK after reading this bit. He actually said that?! Out loud?? He slipped up big time and gave away his WHOLE plan. Wow! This was an AMAZING part, Letia!


“You didn’t just say that.” Chloe tried to keep it together but when it came to Emma things were never in control. “Choose your words wisely Lex because I don’t think you meant what you just said.”

“You heard me just fine and I meant every word. I should have been Emma’s father.” He stepped closer to her. It was an act she new well. Lex moving in wasn’t a good sign. He had a way of making the world that was large seem miniature. “There wouldn’t be all this talk about what I can and can not do because she would be ours.”

HAH!! I knew it! I KNEW it!!! I knew that Lex was giving away these huge presents as a sneaky means of asserting control over the Sullivans! Not in a very obvious kind of way, but the present giving was definitely a means for him to try and ‘sneak’ his way into the family and become as much a ‘dependant figure’ on Emma as Chloe is. He was trying to sneak his way to Chloe’s side through her daughter.

Hmmm, AND it’s also possible that he was genuinely pretending to himself (just for this weekend) that Chloe was his wife and Emma a part of HIS family rather than a part of another man? Perhaps raising Emma’s standards (in toys and lifestyle) was a way of making her into more of a ‘Luthor’ rather than a Kaplan?


That’s what was happening this weekend. Lex had fallen in love with Emma. He was taking every moment thinking this was what it would have been like if she were his.

heh…. It seems like, despite his colossal slip up, Lex’s secret is still safe. Wow! Chloe actually thinks that Lex’s extreme desire to be Emma’s father is because he’s fallen in love with EMMA, and Chloe just ‘happen’ to be there on the side?! She has NO idea that it’s the other way around. I think she’s in an extreme case of denial.


“She’s not yours.” Chloe said it and the look in his eyes were drowning in the truth in her words. It cut into him in ways she didn’t mean to. It was simply a fact that he had to accept.

“You don’t have to remind me. I have eyes and I can see she’s not just apart of you but apart of someone else that should have been me.” He turned away but she couldn’t let him have this.

Actually, I think it WAS necessary for Chloe to tell him that. He’s been trying to shove himself into the role of Emma’s father, and he’s already stepped on Chloe’s toes in this first attempt.


“I’m not saying these things to hurt you but I left for reason. I fell in love with someone else and Emma is a product of that love. It doesn’t matter what should have been because this is how it is now.”

I think it was good for Lex to have these facts laid out so bluntly in front of him. I don’t think he’s fully appreciated how Chloe and Emma had a whole other life without him before coming back to Smallville. He has to learn to accept that Emma’s father was a huge, loved part of Chloe’s and Emma’s lives, and try to work his way around that.


Chloe waited for him to turn and look at before she went on. When he refused she moved around so he could see her. “You want to be my friend then you have to forgive me for leaving. You can’t keep holding that against me.”

“This isn’t about me forgiving you.” He stepped closer again but this time he was right on top of her. “This is about you being able to forgiving me. I was the one that scared you away. It’s my fault you didn’t stay. It’s my fault you fell in love with someone else and it’s my fault Emma is someone else’s and not ours.”

oh dear… I felt such a HUGE pang of sympathy for Lex just now. I didn’t realize how much he loathed himself for driving Chloe away. This certainly explains why he’s going desperately overboard in trying to win Chloe (and Emma) over now. He probably views this as his miraculous last (and final) chance, and he DOESN’T want to screw up!


He missed the rest of the day in the stables then he missed lunch and dinner. Emma thought she had done something wrong and made Lex mad at them. This was something else Lex had to learn. He couldn’t just bale on Emma when things didn’t go his way with out saying a word.

heh… I didn’t realize it at first, but it’s TRUE that Lex is going to have to go through some severe behaviour modifications if he’s planning on becoming a father, and he’s going to have to learn fast. The moodiness that Chloe could always deal with would be devastating for a child to adjust to. Emma cannot be treated in that extreme ‘hot and cold’ fashion that Lex tends to treat people, she wouldn’t know what’s happening or how it’s NOT her fault.

Hmmm, it is THESE kind of mistakes that are going to be the real problem between him and Chloe. Unless he can prove himself capable of being a stable father figure, Chloe is not even going to consider letting him into her intimate, personal life.

Squeeee!!! I LOVE the idea that Lex is going to have to train himself to be patient, gentle, tolerant and self-controlled purely for Emma’s sake. This is going to be AWESOME to watch!


“Emma thinks you’re mad at her.” Chloe started taking a seat on the sofa near him.

His body lifted from the chair as he turned to look at her with overwhelming concern on his face. “No. I would never be. What should I do?” The words were choppy and filled with panic. It was just more proof that Lex had fallen hard for her Kitty Cat.

I’ll admit, I was VERY pleasantly surprised by the shock and panic Lex displayed when he was told he had inadvertently hurt Emma. His moody behaviour might need some fine-tune adjustment, but his motivations and core instincts are good. The behaviour can be modified easily as long as he WANTS to change.


“I really don’t think there is more to say.” He moved his hand away then took another sip of his glass.

“If you want my friendship we have to talk about this.” Chloe reached for the glass in his hand. She waited until he was looking at her and downed the rest of the glass. There was a nice tingle then a burning sensation as the liquid slid down her throat.

“Why did you do that?” He said finally with some feeling. “You hate scotch.”

“I know but you’re not the only one that needs a drink today.” Chloe handed the glass back over to him.

He closed his eyes smiling to himself. “I’m sorry that I walked off.”

Heh… it takes a LOT of work to be in any kind of a relationship with Lex Luthor. He’s lucky that the end results are worth all this hassle, AND that Chloe is willing and able to put in most of the work when it comes to communications between them. It’s fascinating to see how skilfully she can manage to draw him out of this ‘moody retreat’. No wonder he can’t find anyone else to replace her.


“I know I took things too far but I couldn’t help myself. I just look into those green eyes and want to give her the world.” He was looking right at her when he said it.

LOL! I made a lot of comments about Lex wanting to have control and influence over Emma through grandiose presents, AND that he was subconsciously hoping to ‘buy’ Emma’s affections the only way he knew how… but I ALSO think he’s the type of person who simply LOVES being able to spoil people that he likes.

LOL! Lex is going to have to work VERY hard to curb his tendency to keep giving Emma stuff ‘on the sly’ without Chloe knowing about it.


“You have to keep talking Lex. You keep doing this to me. You can’t insert yourself into my life without letting me into yours.”

oh, EXCELLENT! I loved how you captured Lex’s instinct to retreat within himself, Letia! AND how you had Chloe gently (but firmly) tell him that she won’t stand for being ‘shut out’ again. I LOVED the Chlex dynamics!


He placed the glass down at his feet then moved next to her. “It wasn’t just the people that died or my research on Clark.” He looked down in shame as he went on. “I would have never locked you away because you’re meteor infected. That’s something my father would do and I’m nothing like him.”

She swallowed hard hearing the words. There was always a chance that he could do it. After looking at his research Chloe learned Lex was capable of so many things.

“I know that.” She lied and he saw right through it.

woah, WOAH!!! Chloe is a mutant freak in this fic as well? WOW! That explains SO much about why she wasn’t able to go back to Lex, even AFTER he shut down all his labs to ‘appease her’. She must have been panicked and terrified that he now viewed all Meteor Freaks as ‘dangerous animals to be contained’, and that he wouldn’t be able to help himself from viewing HER the same way.

How did Lex find out about this? WHEN did Lex find out? Was it recently after Chloe returned to Smallville, or years ago while she was still married and living in another city? Or was it RIGHT after she left him?

He must have felt horrible and despicable about frightening her like this.

Hmmmm, now I wonder whether Emma is also Meteor Infected? That would give Chloe a WHOLE new level of a reason to avoid Lex. She ‘could’ accept some amount of risk for herself, but she would NEVER risk the possibility of her baby being taken away for frightening lab experiments.


Chloe’s powers were her secret. The only person other then Lex that knew was Clark. Her father didn’t even know when she used them on him after his heart attack. She covered it up by being overly concerned about Gabe’s health all the time.

Troy never knew. In the end it wouldn’t have helped if he did. Chloe found out that her hands had the power to heal anyone except the dead.

Oh dear… poor Chloe! She’s been living in paranoid fear for all this time about being ‘found out’? The poor thing! I wonder whether Lex blames himself for instilling this kind of unreasoning fear in Chloe. Now I’m really curious about how LEX found out when no-one else has any idea.

I wonder whether Emma has any idea…?


Letting go was hard because the tension was back. It was the start of her trusting him again. When they both let go Lex looked fine. The hug hadn’t fazed him. He seemed calm now that it was out. He wasn’t at all altered the way she was.

ROTFLMAO! I loved the irony here about how Chloe is suddenly finding herself attracted to Lex, but firmly believes that the attraction is completely one-sided not knowing that the attraction is reflected ten-fold in Lex, LOL! It’s going to be a HELL of a shock for her to realize what an AMAZING actor Lex has been this whole time.


Her mind should have been thinking about making her friendship work but her body kept thinking of ways to make it something more. This was how it started before. Lex slowly worked his way under her skin. Only this time she couldn’t let it happen.

heh… Chloe is beginning to cave in! Lex’s plan is working! I wonder whether he saw any sign of this in her just now? LOL! He would have been ecstatic.

This was a fantastic chapter, Letia. I loved reading about Lex slowly adjusting to ‘father’ like behaviour, AND I loved reading about him realizing that he still has a long way to go before he can actually act as a stable, responsible and dependable father-role for anyone. I especially enjoyed Chloe ‘laying down the law’ on Lex and curtailing him when he went overboard, even though it was painful for everyone involved, LOL!

This was a great chapter. I love the way you’re forcing Lex to stretch into this new role. It’s fantastic fun seeing how this painful kind of ‘one step forward, three steps back’ kind of learning is only making him all the more determined to succeed. It’s fantastic fun seeing Lex frantically trying to learn to be ‘perfect’ at a kind of role and task, and failing abysmally… BUT hopefully learning from his mistakes.

I look forward to the next chapter. Squeeee!!! It’s the Lex POV! I can’t wait. Please update soon!

[starmoon]

very interesting and good i really can't wait for more so please update soon.

[dagney]

Marvelous update, I like how much Lex loves Emma, and how he is trying to be a bit more honest with Chloe.
Chloe must be afraid to love Lex again, I'm enjoying how you've brought in her mutation. Dagney

[hfce]

What a great update. Chlex is on it's way. :D

[Cassandra Jean]

Excellent update. Lex is so good with Emma, and he is trying so hard to get back with Chloe. I hope that they both are able to work everything out so that they can be that nice happy family that Lex is obvioulsy craving. I think he would be a terrific step-dad to Emma.

[lj715]

Excellent update, I really love this fic. They are getting closer which I can;t wait for.

[tatie87]

Awesome chapter. They're finally getting somewhere. Can't wait to see what happens next.

[somethingeasy]

The nature of Chloe’s exposure was still unknown to him. Gabe was the only person that knew and he wasn’t about to ask. During his search for the infected anyone that was could be marked. At the time he didn’t know that meant including Chloe but when the time came Lex did it anyway.

It was a security measure. If the time came and she needed him then he wanted to be prepared for her. He didn’t know it would take nearly nine years for her to look to him for help but today was that day.

Woah! It seems like Chloe actually had good cause to be paranoid about Lex tagging and cataloguing Meteor Freaks. He actually tagged HER as well? He probably would have surreptitiously started gathering date and information on her if she hadn’t run off.


They looked so happy to be there and it was he wanted; it was something he’s always wanted. When Emma took his hand to pick out the movie his heart stopped again. The little girl was starting to trust him. Every moment he spent with her made him a junky.

Lex needed to hear Emma’s voice; he had to hear her laugher and most of all he needed her to reach out to hug him. It was what made him offer thousands of dollars in the form of a horse to Emma. It also made him tell Chloe what he’d been thinking all weekend.

For a few seconds he had his little family. Of course he ruined it but for a second Lex Luthor had something that eluded him for years. Then he got thrown back down from his dream into the pit. Lex had his family but he was reminded that Chloe and Emma weren’t his family.

Before Chloe brought him out of the pit he realized that he had fallen in love and this time it was with Emma Moria Sullivan Kaplan. Lex had lost all his tricks with Emma. What he wanted included Emma now.

Oh this was GOOD, Letia! I loved the description of Lex falling in love with Emma. I loved how bewildered, surprised, shocked and astonished he was about his own feelings becoming suddenly so intense for the little girl. Little kids always manage to sneak their way into your affections, don’t they? They get under your skin, and suddenly you’re willing to lay down your life to protect them… and you usually have no idea how that happened. I loved how you captured Lex’s bemusement and bewilderment about how he’s fallen so hard and so easily without being able to protect himself. And I loved the description of how his desperation has only grown because now he has a whole family that he wants in his life instead of just one beloved companion with ‘her baggage’.


She was still in the blouse and skirt that was part of a charcoal grey work suit. It was a very unforgiving suit for him. The silk clinging to her breasts and the long line of the skirt tight around her backside made life unbearably hard.

ROTFL! Poor Lex! It’s a hard life for him, isn’t it? Chloe is actually dressed very soberly and conservatively, and Lex is STILL drooling in lust for her. He’s completely gone! LOL!


He didn’t ask for the details of that day; it was something he had to earn but he did know she hadn’t used the power much since. There was once on her father when his heart had failed him but Lex had a feeling there was more to it.

It’s VERY interesting to see how Lex regarded every move with Chloe as a ‘test’ that he has to pass in order to prove his worthiness to her. He has to commit himself to a steep, upward climb to earn her respect, trust and love. It’s a very harsh and cynical way of looking at the situation, but I can see why he arrived at that perspective, because it’s actually a rather accurate view of the situation.


“Her vital signs are dropping.” The lead scientist leaped from his seat to go into the other room. He was followed by Lex and two other doctors.

The door leading to her was opened and Chloe wasn’t standing bathed in white light anymore. Her body had fallen to floor. It wasn’t for him to do anything but let his staff work on her.

Before they could even reach her she was calling to him. “Lex.” Her voice was so low he almost didn’t hear it.

He pushed past his staff to get to her. His arm went around her then she let her body fall into his chest. Lex started detaching her from the wires to allow her better access to him. Chloe’s breathing was shallow and deep. The sound wasn’t putting him at ease.

“Let them look at you.” Lex spoke to her but she didn’t move away from him.

“Just give me a minute.” She breathed out to him.

It seems like Chloe has gained much better control over her powers after all these years of practicing. I wonder how much Lex would freak out if he knew that Chloe had clinically ‘died’ the first time she healed someone. LOL! Pleeeease let him find that out… and freak out. I LOVE seeing Lex freak out, ROTFL!


The last time was the worst for him. Movie nights with Emma often ended with Emma falling a sleep on Chloe but recently Emma was leaning on him as well. The night in question they both had fallen asleep on other side of him.

Lex sat there with one arm around Emma’s tiny frame and the other hooked around Chloe. It was like they were his girls and he didn’t want to move from the spot until he was told to.

When Chloe woke up suddenly she titled her head up from his shoulder to look at him. At first she smiled seeing he was the one she was resting on then she became tense pulling away slowly as if she’d done something wrong.

It was so sweet hearing about Lex being so contented acting as a mattress for his ‘two girls’. LOL! I love the visual of Lex being so pleased and delighted playing the role of the world’s most expensive and luxurious mattress EVER, LOL!

Hmmm, and Chloe’s reaction to realizing that she was sleeping on Lex was very interesting. Did she think that she was being ‘inappropriately close’ to Lex? That she was allowing herself to drift too comfortably close to him, and was possibly in danger of letting him ‘too much’ into her life? Or was she just embarrassed about inconveniencing him by falling asleep on the poor guy? LOL!


He knew this was a test and her words just proved it. “There was no need to worry I was right there with you.”

Her grin softened then it happened again. Chloe let her hand move over and cover his for a light squeeze. “Thank you.”

Heh… once again I have to blink at Lex’s cold, cynical view about everything being a test. But it’s also interesting to see how he keeps perceiving himself as ‘passing’ almost every hurdle that’s placed in front of him. He’s congratulating himself on getting closer and closer to Chloe with every test that he ‘successfully passes’. Perhaps the idea of every bit of interaction between them being check-point is a way to assure himself that he is making definite progress with Chloe? Perhaps this is a way of keeping his hopes up and alive?


Her head turned then her eyes looked out the window as she thought it over. This was going to be a test for her now. Did she trust him enough to let him in to this part of her life?

HAH!! He DEFINITELY sees check-points everywhere. AND he sees himself as passing every single one with beautiful flying colours. LOL! I love the way he’s made a ‘game’ out of every Chlex interaction so as to keep himself assured that he’s ‘winning’ and coming close to his ultimate prize at the end. it’s a very ‘Lex Luthorish’ kind of thing to do. Excellent, Letia!


“When she had an ear infection as a baby I couldn’t see her in pain and once when she had her first cold.” She turned away from him again towards the window. There had to be more. “I knew I shouldn’t but I couldn’t bear to see her hurt. I understand something’s I’ll have to let go. Chicken pox I have to let her have. What if she gets them as an adult and it’s far worse because I didn’t let her learn to fight it off as a child and then I can’t heal her. ” She added.

It all made sense to want the best for Emma and Lex didn’t need the explanation. Only the gesture to look away said that Chloe had used her powers for more than that. He didn’t push her and just waited for the rest. When it never came he let it go. One day she would tell him if she used her ability on her late husband. It would come to him in time.

Oooh, that was interesting. I didn’t think of it, but of COURSE it makes sense that Emma would be the most frequent recipient of her mother’s Mutant Powers. After all, don’t all mothers dream of being able to heal their suffering babies with a touch or a kiss. And Chloe can actually DO that. I wonder whether Chloe suffered any nasty ill-effects from healing Emma from anything serious?

And Lex has raised an interesting question about whether Chloe’s husband was ever the beneficiary of her Mutant Powers too? And how?


After the awkward silence passed her head turned back to him. She wasn’t ready to let go of it all but she did say something else. “I want Emma to be tested for infection. If I passed this to her I want to know.”

yikes! I can imagine that THIS was the real reason why Chloe agreed to go to a lab and allow herself to be tested. Because she wanted her daughter to be tested as well… because she wanted to be prepared for anything awful manifesting in her baby. So THAT’S how Chloe was able to get over her fear of labs.


Maybe it was just a thank you for his help today but the length of it and the way she pressed against him Lex took it to mean more. She couldn’t keep doing this to him and have him think it meant nothing.

heh… with every ‘test’ that Lex perceives himself as passing, he’s finding it easier to convince himself that he’s coming close to winning over Chloe to exactly the state of mind and emotions that he wants her in. I love how you have Lex convincing himself into seeing everything that he WANTS to see, Letia! Well done!


When Lex brought Chloe home after being tested he asked if she wanted to attend with him. It was easy to ask and it was an even easier yes reply from her. It wasn’t so easy to know this wasn’t a date. They were still just friends getting to know one another again.

This couldn’t be farther from the truth. Chloe was trusting him again. Testing her powers wasn’t the only thing pulling her back into his life. He was letting things go. It started with his marriages. After talking about his wives things seemed to come out with ease but he knew some things couldn’t be known. Those things were the true test to how well they could work out again.

LOL! Lex is really beginning to push things with Chloe, isn’t he? His hopes and confidence has risen quite a considerable bit ever since he convinced himself that he’s passing every test that she’s being ‘throwing’ his way. Now he’s even worked up the nerve to ask her out on a date… LOL! Without actually telling her that it’s a date of course, ROTFLOL! That sneaky bastard!


Emma took a few steps back to look at him then she moved back in. Her little hands smoothed down the front of his tux then they moved to tug at his bow tie. Lastly she smoothed down his bald head as if she was fixing his nonexistent hair. All the while she had one eye closed as if she was inspecting him very closely.

“You look pretty too.” She answered when she was done looking him over.

Lex smiled at her again and it was wider then before. “Thank you.” He replied to her and she giggled at him.

LOL! I loved the visual of Emma throwing herself at Lex’s knees and clinging to him in a hug. And I also loved Lex’s delighted pleasure at having this little girl enthusiastically greeting him in this manner. You can see how and why he fell in love with this lovely, affectionate child so easily. It was so CUTE seeing Emma ‘straightening him out’ and pronouncing him to be ‘pretty’, LOL! How could he have resisted that?!?? ROTFLMAO!


When Chloe stood she hadn’t really looked at him yet and now she was. “Yes he is very pretty.” They both laughed at him but the way she looked at him it wasn’t very friendly.

hmmmm, that way she looked at him? Is Chloe honestly giving him a lustful appraising look? Or is Lex just desperately wishing for lust in Chloe’s eyes?


“If you want to background check her go right ahead. Her last name is Winter.” The elevator doors opened and she moved out ahead of him. It was as if she gave him a little into being closer to Emma.

Lex made the phone call in the limo. Then he heard Chloe’s complaints. Emma was alone with that woman all the time he wanted to make sure she was safe. He could take Chloe scolding him for now. In the end it would benefit them both.

ROTFL! I guess Chloe knows how to pick her battles when it comes to Lex, huh? She knows that she can’t forbid him from checking out her nanny, because he’s going to do it anyway. So might as well give him permission… while mocking him about his paranoia of course, LOL!


It still amazed him that it was necessary to throw an elaborate party for a charity. The money for the event could have gone to the kids but it went into this show of how great they all were for donating. Lex was thinking this and in the next Metropolis Monthly he would be reading Chloe’s article about the same thing.

heh… it IS pretty silly, but people would argue that it’s the best way to keep encouraging contributions from all the snooty, elites who only give money because they want to ‘appear’ philanthropic to their fellow socialites and the press.


The woman holding the glass he knew well enough. “Lex?” The questioning voice of Allie Burns his latest ex wife spoke. “So are you here alone or is there another poor sap here to fall in love with your tortured soul only to realize it’s not so much tortured as just plain evil.”

ROTFL! I’ll admit, I sat up with gleeful anticipation upon the arrival of this nasty, biting lady. She obviously has a really nasty, hostile bone to pick with Lex, and she’s out for blood. This is going to be FUN!


One moment she was pissed the next she was rubbing up against him. It was clear Allie’s mood swings had not changed. He wasn’t any better during their short marriage but Allie took the cake.

I grinned even more about this interaction when I discovered that this lady netted herself ten million dollars after the divorce! She’s STILL bitter after that?!?? I found it interesting to note that Allie seemed to have fallen genuinely in love with Lex and wasn’t only with him for his money. In that case I’d say Allie has a good reason for hating Lex the way she does now. He married her knowing she loved him, AND that he didn’t love her in return. What a bastard! It explains why he didn’t bother to fight the ten million dollar pay-off he gave her.


He didn’t even say good bye to Allie but she did get in one last word. “You never chased me down like that. Maybe if you did we would still be married.”

well, well, WELL! It seems like Allie has identified Chloe as Lex’s latest lady, AND Allie has a pretty good idea that Lex is quite attached to the ‘little blonde in the black dress’. I wonder whether Allie is going to be trying to have some words with Chloe sometime in the future. That would be a fascinating conversation to read through. Pretty please, Letia?


In prep school Oliver was his number one bully after Lex went bald. Oliver led the “Hate Lex Luthor Because He Looks Different” campaign for years. Whenever they saw each other now it was just as unpleasant. That was what Chloe would see not that he was jealous.

heh… everything is still a test for Lex, isn’t it? He’s still trying to prove how much he’s ‘changed’ since the last time he was with Chloe. Granted, it’s all an act and a façade that he’s putting on for her sake, but I feel obliged to give him points for supreme effort.


It could be that Oliver felt he was entitled to everything with little to no work. It also could be how he looked down on Lex as if he would never be better then him. Only Lex was and Luthor Corp surpassed Queen Industries year after year.

ROTFL! I loved the note of vicious, savage, gloating pleasure Lex took while he noted how LuthorCorp was surpassing Queen Industries in profits and growth. They might have grown up, but I don’t think Lex is ever going to ‘forgive and forget’ the nasty bullying that Oliver used to indulge in once upon a time. Especially not now that he’s caught Oliver flirting outrageously with his beloved Chloe, LOL!


Once she was out of ear shot the fool put his foot in his mouth. “So is she a one nighter?”

“What did you just say?” Lex knew what he meant but he had to make sure.

“Come on Lex.” He placed his arm around him like they were buddies and Lex shrugged him off. “Are you just going to sleep with her?”

“Chloe is a dear friend.” For now that was truth.

“You have friends?” He chuckled to himself. “I didn’t know that.”

ewww!!! What a slimy bastard! I think I honestly wanted Lex to punch him out over here.


The rest of the night Lex had two missions; to keep clear of Allie Burns and to keep Oliver Queen away from Chloe.

ROTFL! Poor Lex! But at least he’s not going to get ‘bored’ at this party. I wonder whether he should also be worried about keeping Allie away from Chloe too?


When Lex got his dance from Chloe he almost missed the signs she was giving because he was so focused on Queen. She pressed herself against him to one slow tune then a small sigh followed when he brushed his hand over her exposed back. Then the glances she was giving him were full of some hidden want.

heh… it’s possible that Chloe really IS giving signs of attraction towards Lex. But this is an expected and understandable thing between ‘former lovers’ or ‘exes’ sharing a dance together. It’s possible that Lex is becoming too enthused, too quickly about what he’s reading from Chloe’s body language… which is also understandable considering that he desperately WANTS to see some serious signals from Chloe that his careful seduction is winning her over.


When she looked at him she studied him for a moment. At one time she read him so well but her powers had faded some over the years. Only Lex’s shell had started to crumble the more they were together and her powers were starting to surface.

heh… I love the idea that Lex has managed to pull the wool over Chloe’s eyes so far because she’s been out of practice ‘reading him’, and that it’s going to become harder and harder for him to keep hiding away his feeling as he spends more time with her. Not only because she’s getting better at figuring out what he’s thinking, but also because it’s becoming more difficult for him to keep up the controlled ‘we’re just friends’ poker face.


“Lex I don’t see how that’s any of your business.” Then there it was. The truth he hated to be reminded of. Chloe wasn’t his yet.

There had to be another way to spin it and he knew just how to do it. “I’m asking as a concerned friend.” He paused letting the word friend sink in for her. “Oliver lives in Star City. You would rarely see him. I don’t even think he likes kids so how would he treat Emma? Then there is that thing about him getting injured a lot. It’s like he leads some sort of double life.”

She rolled her eyes at him. “Is that all?”

“I’m sure there is more but you never answered my question.” Lex turned it back on her.

ROTFL! It seems like Lex is going to be able to hang onto his façade for just a ‘little’ while longer until Chloe sees right through his mask. I love how he spun the question, lisitng out all the reasons why Oliver is ‘not’ good boyfriend material while also pushing for his answer. LOL! That sneaky bastard! I love him when he’s being cunning!


Lex waited as she looked down at her poor feet then back at him. “Because I thought he was smug.”

He laughed out loud. It wasn’t a chuckle or a small grin but a full blown laugh. It was what he wanted to hear and also assuring that he wasn’t the only one that thought Oliver Queen was a smug bastard.

ROTFLMAO! Oh that must have been SO gratifying for Lex. Not only was he relieved that he wasn’t facing competition for Chloe’s affections, but he’s also been assured that Chloe was as repulsed by Oliver as Lex himself is. LOL! All in all, this was a very good night for Lex.


For moment Lex had control then he didn’t. Chloe threw a curve and he could bypass it or let it hit him straight on. “You came with me. I was a little jealous the first dance went to someone else.” He let it hit.

“I’m sorry.” She answered reaching out to touch his cheek. “I will behave better in the future.” These were answers he obsessed over later. The thoughts of him in her future were all good.

heh… oh that was nicely done, Lex! He managed to tell Chloe he was jealous, without letting her know about the great depths and intensity of the possessiveness he was feeling. She actually thinks he was just indulging in a small, petty bit of ‘friendly jealousy’ and sulking like a little kid about being ignored by his date of the evening. She thinks she only hurt his pride a little bit, and nothing more. I am SO impressed with Lex spinning out his answer and giving this truthful answer with this ‘safe’ impression. Very skilfully done!


“Yes, one moment she was insulting me and the next she was rubbing up against me.” Lex watched her take it in and she seemed disturbed. “It was unwanted rubbing I might add.”

She shrugged her shoulders as if she was shrugging off the whole thing. “Well, I had no right to be jealous. It’s not like this was a date.”

He was sick of hearing that. Lex had to make a move. “No it wasn’t a date.” He let his hand move towards her hair to brush back a loose strand. “We are both acting rather childish.” He lowered his voice just a hair to see if she would notice. “Don’t you think?”

Ooooh boy! It seems like Lex has decided to notch up his moves a bit. It makes sense considering how Chloe must have just fanned his confidence and hopes with her confession that she was ‘jealous’ of the attention he was giving to another woman.


“Chloe.” He breathed out waiting for her to turn to him. “Don’t leave it like this.”

When she did turn to him she was still just as tense. “Leave it like what?”

“Something is happening to us.” Lex couldn’t force this. He forced it before. Made her see what was in front of her only to lose her.

This time he had to crawl back in slowly and let her come to him. It had to be her choice to see that she was looking at him differently. At this point he could think it was only lust but he would take lust over friendship any day.

Ouch! Even the smallest bit of pushing was enough to make Chloe balk. No wonder Lex has been so paranoid about taking the slow, sneaky route into Chloe’s life. She would NEVER have stood for anything more direct and up-front.

Hmmmm, I think I’m apposed to Lex’s sneaky manipulations more on basic principle than anything else. Otherwise, I rather admire the way that Lex is carefully, slowly and gently insinuating himself back into Chloe’s life. He’s NOT forcing her to do anything she and Emma are not ready for. He’s trying to gently carve out a space for himself in the Sullivans lives while providing minimum disruption. Lex is actually being really fantastically patient and decent. The only thing he’s lacking is direct, forthright honesty, but I feel inclined to forgive that in light of his careful, considerate behaviour. I think Chloe would forgive it too… LOL! AFTER she finishes yelling at Lex for being a sneaky, under-handed bastard of course… there IS a principle at stake here, ROTFL!


She threw her hands into the air as she spoke jingling her keys along they way. “What do you want me to say… that I’m attracted to you?”

“It would be a start.” He did his best to keep his voice low to keep her neighbors and Emma from hearing.

“Well I am.” She moved to him meeting him face to face the best she could at her height. “I have always been attracted to you but that doesn’t mean anything.”

“Of course it means something. I know my attraction to you means something to me.” Lex then did what he did best. He moved into her until her back was pressed against the door. “All you have to do is come to me.”

LOL! It seems like the gentle, amiable, considerate and patient side of Lex has reached a limit for tonight. Now he’s slipped into full Luthor-mode… he’s straining to push and conquer.


Her eyes squinted and the bite was coming. “You think I need you to fuck me?” She nudged him back away from her. “Well I don’t need you for that Lex Luthor.”

LOL! Chloe is no doormat though, and she’s going to push back!Lex had better watch his step.


“That’s not what I meant. This is not just about sex.” Lex moved back into place. She wasn’t getting rid of him tonight without a fight. “You do well to remember we were never friends for long Chloe.” He caught her off guard by grabbing her arms.

Her chest heaved into his then her breathing quickened. “There is something happening and...” He moved closer to whisper to her waiting for her to take the next step. “…all you have to do is come to me.”

I was so certain that Lex’s statement about how they could never be friends would have Chloe cutting him out of her life. But then he followed it up with that beautiful proclamation/request ‘come to me’. He’s finally come clean about his intentions and desires, but he’s ALSO given her all the power of the situation. SHE’S the one in control of the pace. Chloe is the one who will decide where, how and when to ‘come to Lex’, because he’s just told her he’s willing to stand by and wait for her until she’s ready.

VERY nicely done, Lex. If you haven’t scared her off for good, this might be exactly the kind of push she needs to respond to you the way you want.


“I want us to be friends. I won’t go back down the rode where I give in and not know where that will lead me. I don’t have the right to do that anymore.” She reached out to him placing her hand around the curves of the side of his face. “I’m sorry but what ever we think is happening is out now and stops here.”

or perhaps not? LOL! I could practically taste Lex’s frustration. She was ‘so’ close to responding. But we all forgot that Chloe needs to be extra cautious, careful and wary with her life because now she also has EMMA’S welfare to worry about as well as her own. She might be willing to take risks with her heart and emotions… but she will never tolerate Emma suffering for her risks and mistakes. That was excellent, Letia! I loved this extra complication you’ve thrown into the situation.

It was holding her so many times since her return that made him a believer. In the lab while she was tested she was afraid and the thing that calmed her was him. Being buried in his chest was what she need and she didn’t care who was watching them.


Lex opened his eyes to see her when she came back out. “Come to me.” He whispered again almost thinking he had read her wrong.

Lex could have been totally wrong in what he saw in Chloe. It could be just him projecting his own feelings onto her to make it seem as if his plan was working.

For just a moment more he waited and whispered to her again hoping his fears would soon be shattered. “Please come to me.”

This was beautiful, Letia! I loved the way you captured Lex on the verge and edge of heartbreak and despair. He was so, SO close to breaking down. I loved reading Lex while he was in such a vulnerable and nearly hopeless state of mind. WOW!


Her lips hit him hard and steady. His arms went around her waist bringing her into him as much as he could. The wet tears moistened his face as he let his tongue move into her mouth. This wasn’t like anything he remembered because it was something new.

They both had an urgency that was getting over heated in the worst place of all. It was Chloe that realized it when his hand trailed down to cup her backside lifting her towards his growing arousal.

She moved back letting him go and looked just as spun about as he was. “Please go home Lex.” Chloe stepped back into the safety of her apartment.

“I’ll go if you tell me this isn’t the end of this.” He waited his body moving half into her life and half out; it was a place he was always in.

There was a silent shake of her head no. “It’s not the end.”

Lex stepped back to let the door close again knowing it would be open to him tomorrow and for many days to come.

Woah! I wonder what the heck made Chloe change her mind and suddenly rush out JUST as Lex was about to completely give up on everything. I can’t wait for the next chapter, Letia. For the first time, I think I’m waiting as eagerly for a Chloe POV chapter as I normally do for the Lex POVs. Please update soon!!!

[karila]

Wonderful update!
I'm glad that she tells him that this is not the end.

[letia84]

Notes: Sorry it been what two months since I was last in here. I have to stop doing that to my fics and give them some attention but the lab has been taking up so much time. Anywho on with the show.

Chapter 11 All or Nothing (Chloe POV)

New York, Two Years Ago.

There are moments in your life you want to relive over and over again. Chloe always wanted to remember the first time she met Troy Kaplan. She never wanted to remember the last time she saw him.

A morgue was the last place she thought she would end up that day but there she was standing alone with a body. The room was full of bodies that were once warm and now cold. Her mind started to wonder how many of those bodies had someone like her dreading the memory of this moment.

Chloe was alone with the body as she asked to be. Troy had already been identified by his mother a day ago. Of course she had to be on assignment and unable to be reached until it was too late. When she got the call no story was worth keeping her in Chicago a moment longer.

Now here she wasn’t ready to face the truth. There was no way to prepare for this to happen. Her life was going so smoothly for so long but now that was quickly fading away.

The next part of this journey was to make it real. She had to pull back the covers hiding Troy’s face to make it real and embed one of those memories you wish you could erase.

Chloe’s fingers slowly took hold of the white sheet to pull it away but she couldn’t do it. She felt her fingers stiffen then suddenly let go. The tears started to come next and her body heaved forward onto what was her husband.

As she let herself go something started to rise inside of her. Chloe knew what she could do but she had very little control over her power in the past. When she started to feel the rise in her heartbeat she knew it wasn’t just the over whelming emotion she was feeling.

Her meteor freak powers were surfacing.

Before anything could go any further Chloe pulled herself away quickly. She closed her eyes and pulled away the white sheet to find that Troy wasn’t waking up. Her powers were stopped just before she could do anything.

His hazel eyes were closed and his skin had turned a pale blue spotted with bruises. The sight of the stitches running down the center of his chest let her see how hard they worked to bring him back. All the hard work of doctors and Chloe had the cure inside of her.

“I’m sorry.” She whispered to the silence of the room. As the words left her Chloe knew she couldn’t do what she wanted to. If it had been a day sooner she could let her tears and her body do what she didn’t understand.

At that moment she could give all of herself or give nothing.

“I’m sorry.” She whispered again knowing she would have to give nothing.

Chloe closed her teary eyes and tried to picture Troy the last time she saw him. He was freshly shaved and smiling at her in their bathroom. It was the same smile she had seen four years ago, the one she never wanted to forget. The tears came faster as she squeezed her eyes tighter remembering him kissing her goodbye.

The memory washed over her as she looked down at the Troy before her now. She let the thought of him fill her senses as she leaned down to press her lips to his for one last kiss. The warmth she felt the last time was gone as the kiss wasn’t returned.

When Chloe left the room she had to pull herself together. Emma was waiting with Grandmother Kaplan and she couldn’t let her little kitty cat see her this way.

From that day until now there was the truth that only she knew. Troy wasn’t dead because a car ran him off the road, he was dead because Chloe chose not to save him.


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Star City Present

Chloe had learned what she needed to from Lex’s scientists about a week ago. She had spoken to Lex last about two weeks ago. She needed a break to let her thoughts settle about the kiss and that meant keeping her distance. Thanksgiving was fast approaching and there was something she had to do other than make sure she had a turkey with all the fixings.

After speaking with the scientists they told her that her powers were based on transferring energy. They told her that she had mastered moving her own energy into others and this allowed them to be healed. The harder part of her power and the part she didn’t know she had was reversing the follow of energy. If Chloe had known so many things about her life would be different right now.

When Chloe took the day to go to Star City she told no one the real reason. Lois was happy to take Emma for the day since she had nothing going on at the Planet. Chloe took a personal day from work to make the drive.

Entering the asylum where her mother was kept was easy. The hard part came when Chloe had to face Moira. Moira’s eyes drifting off into nowhere was unsettling to see. After today she hoped she’d never have to see the look again. Her mother’s crippling mental disease was about to be cured.

When the nurse left her alone in the room Chloe turned to lock the door behind her. She didn’t want any interruptions. Moria was facing the wall sitting silently on the edge of her bed when Chloe turned back to look into the room.

As Chloe moved towards her she spoke. “Hi mom.” Her voice was low and shaky. When Chloe first came to see Moira she asked if she could hear what was going on around her. They said it was likely she didn’t but Chloe kept speaking to her anyway hoping something was getting through.

Chloe passed by her to open the blinds hiding the sun from coming through the window. Lex’s scientist said Chloe could draw energy from anywhere. If Clark could use the sun then she would try it as well.

Once the light had been let in Chloe sat next to Moira. “I know there has been nothing for so long.” She moved her right hand over her mother’s feeling the warmth of her skin. There was no movement from Moira. Her eyes just blankly stared out in front of her. Chloe closed her eyes for moment searching for the strength to do what came next.

“After today you won’t be in the dark anymore.” She said opening her eyes to the light of the room. With her final words Chloe let her left hand extend out into the light streaming into the room from the window. She took one last look at the door to make sure no one was coming before starting.

When she was satisfied that they were alone the white light starting streaming from Chloe’s hand into her mother. A few weeks ago Chloe had done this for a woman that was now cured of terminal cancer. The difference today was Chloe’s gift wasn’t going to hurt her anymore.

As the light surrounded them Chloe did as the scientists told her to. She let her hand draw from the light to give her mother the healing power she needed to finally be free. Before, when she healed, the pain was unbearable but now there was nothing but her focus on flowing energy from one place to another.

When Chloe heard her mother gasp for breath she stopped what she was doing. The light around them died away and nothing was left but the sunlight. Dead to the world a moment ago Moira’s eyes were now alive and searching her surroundings.

“What?” Chloe barely heard Moira’s voice. The throaty whisper was followed by harsh breathes. It was the first time she had spoken in over thirteen years it was bound to hurt a little.

Trying to ease her shock Chloe moved both her hands onto her mother. “Moira.” She spoke her name getting Moira’s attention.

They looked at each other long and hard. Moira’s eyes started to water and tears followed shortly after. Chloe was going to explain but she wanted so badly for Moira to look at her and know without a word who she was. She wanted their eyes to meet and some kind of connection between them to be enough.

When Chloe thought her dream was a lost cause Moira’s raspy voice spoke again. “Chlo..Ch..Chloe.”

Years of searching only to find and empty shell had left Chloe with the belief that she was never meant to know her mother. Today she finally had all that she had hoped for. Her arms went around her and both women broke into harsh sobs clinging to each other

There would be some explaining to do. The doctors would be searching for a medical miracle but for a few moments there were no words. There was just their long awaited reunion.


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Working out with Lois was supposed to be fun. Chloe was told over and over again that she would have a good time. Lois claimed they should work off the Thanksgiving pounds. For a long while now Chloe’s exercise consisted of chasing after Emma. The gym was kid friendly with a section just for kids. It was supposed to be fun for all.

At the moment working out wasn’t fun at all.

“Come on Chloe lets pick up the pace the last five minutes.” Lois spoke between breathes.

When Chloe glanced over to her cousin she watched Lois up the speed on her treadmill. If her cousin thought she was going to do that then she was sadly mistaken. All this running was well and good but Chloe wanted to keep a steady pace for a long distance run. Lois enjoyed short choppy sprints at speeds only set aside for Superman.

Instead of taking her suggestion Chloe keep the speed she was at and glanced over to the kids section. Emma had taken charge of the bouncing area. Kids were in a line waiting for Emma to tell them it was their turn. She didn’t know why but Emma had to be in charge when she played with other kids. Organized fun was her daughter’s calling.

The five minutes passed and the treadmill started to slow. Chloe reached for her towel to blot herself dry while Lois sipped water from a water bottle.

“That was great right?” Lois was so enthusiastic about exercise. Chloe imagined if Lois hadn’t taken to journalism she would be a fitness instructor.

Chloe nodded in an agreement trying to appease her. “Let’s move on to the weights.”

A few nods and another sip of water and Lois was running again. She reached the area before Chloe nearly tossing a ten pound weight at her as she followed behind her.

“Okay you have to calm down before you hurt me.” Chloe struggled with the weight cursing herself for agreeing to this.

Lois’ grin softened some. She had to see how annoying she was being. “Sorry.”

Chloe laughed it off as she started a set of reps with the weight on her right arm first. She tried to concentrate but it was easily broken by Lois.

“So you call Luthor yet?” When Chloe looked up Lois was working hard herself with a fifteen pound weight. She made the statement so casually without stopping or looking over.

It was going on another week since Chloe had seen Lex making it a grand totally of three weeks since the benefit. Work wise the event went well. The mini piece in the monthly told readers all about how far people went to make themselves look wonderful for fundraisers instead of taking the act of giving as reward enough. Mr. Walker said he loved it even though it was insulting some of the magazines readers.

What happened at the end of the evening hadn’t gone so well. Chloe’s actions with Lex since the horse incident had all gone badly. She let herself do exactly what she didn’t want to. It was nice to have the attention of a man again but, with the history she had with Lex, it was very complicated to just enjoy it without some kind of guilt.

“I haven’t spoken to him.” Chloe answered plainly hoping the subject would be dropped.

“So has he called you?” Lois questioned.

“No.” Chloe answered then it hit her. Lex hadn’t called or come by. It was as if he knew she was freaked and needed to think about what happened without him distracting her. Either Lex had made a well played move or he had actually changed.

It appeared Lois wasn’t going to let this go without a fight. “Well what are you waiting for?”

“Can we talk about something else?” Chloe heaved the weight up again trying to do something other than talk about Lex Luthor.

“We have already talked about Aunt Moira which is still amazing by the way. I told you about Clark’s tights trouble and we don’t talk about articles anymore…”

“Because you can’t handle getting scooped.” Chloe interrupted that last comment.

She knew how amazing it was that her mother was on her way to a full recovery. She also knew that Clark had a run in with a pretty nasty meteor infected person a few weeks ago. She also knew Lois would always be chasing after her as far as writing. Even if Lois was further along in her career than Chloe had been when working for the Daily Planet, Lois still couldn’t handle the competition.

Lois rolled her eyes switching the weight to the other hand to do another set of reps. “Anyway, the point is we have covered a lot of ground already and I want to hear about this.”

“I haven’t spoken to him. What more can I say?” Frustrated with it Chloe put the weight back where it belonged. She took a seat at a nearby bench hoping to get away from Lois but she just followed after her.

Lois didn’t sit as Chloe did. She started using the bench to do some leg stretches. “You miss him? It’s been how long since you went on that date?”

That was the final straw. Chloe stood up and looked her right in the eye as she stretched up. “It wasn’t a date.”

They looked at each for a moment then Lois’ head cocked to the side and one of her eyebrows arched. “I saw the dress. That much cleavage and clinging satin means it was a date.”

It appeared Lois only got the point when people raised their voice so Chloe did just that in the crowded gym. “Lois, when are you going to give it a rest? I’m taking a break from Lex. I don’t want to talk about it.”

She stopped stretching, getting the point at last, to sit down on the bench. “Okay, I get it. You don’t have to yell.” Lois wasn’t the best of liars. Chloe could see she had more to say as her eyes rolled back and forth around the room. The long silence was starting to get to them both.

“Fine just say it before you explode.” If Chloe didn’t speak up soon she knew she would only pay for it later. To keep from making anymore of a scene she sat down next to her trying to find her calm.

“I think he makes you smile.” Lois said plainly. It wasn’t what she was expecting her to say but it was something.

“What do you mean?” Chloe didn’t think she smiled anymore or less in the past few months since deciding to be friends with Lex again.

Lois’ eyes softened as she spoke. The abrasive Lois was put on the shelf for a moment. “Chloe you’re not a somber person but after what happened you became one.”

She knew what she meant. There was a time she might say she had cheerful outlook on life with a hint of a realistic view about the ups and downs that came with it. The past two years there was more than a hint of the realism in life because of all the pains rather than its joys.

“I haven’t been sad in long while.” This was also true. Coming back to Kansas was the best thing Chloe could have done for her family. Emma was adjusting and she was closer to the people that loved her. Troy’s mother was a great help during her ordeal but she wanted to be close to her father and familiar settings.

“I’m not talking about you grieving.” Lois paused for a moment as if the word would affect Chloe less. “I’m talking about being generally happy with your life.”

Chloe wasn’t sure how Lex made her life so much better. She was enjoyed being with him but that didn’t make her life anything but complicated as of late. Besides a man, no matter what history she had with him, couldn’t make her happy.

“I’m happy.” She announced with a necessary glare in Lois’ direction. “I have a healthy daughter and a father that loves me. Just recently my mother has come back into my life. My job is very rewarding and…”

Lois put her hands up interrupting the long list of things in her life she was overjoyed about. “You can stop because that’s not what I meant either.”

“Other people can’t make you happy Lois.” The point seemed to be lost on her so Chloe said it plainly. “Lex can’t make me stop missing Troy anymore than the other things in my life I just spoke about. If you think I’m happier these days it’s because I’m in a better place in my life. Not because I have spent time with Lex Luthor.” Chloe was convinced of this but Lois was about to make her doubt herself.

“No, people can’t make you happy but companionship is something that people need in their life. I also would never think Lex could possibly replace Troy. I don’t even like Lex and you know that I would never be on his side about anything but he makes you smile more than I have seen in long time.” Lois glanced in Emma’s direction.

“From what you tell me he’s good with Emma too. I don’t see anything wrong with seeing more of him if it keeps you smiling. I don’t understand why you need a break from a friendship that makes my favorite cousin smile.”

“I’m your only cousin.” Chloe pointed out her flawed statement.

“Be that as it may everything I said is still true.” With that Lois stood and prepared to move on. “Now that I’ve said my peace and you don’t want to talk about it lets get going on something else.”

Before she could get too far away Chloe told her what she didn’t want to but knew it would be the only way she would understand. “We kissed after the fundraiser.” Lois turned on her heels to face her without any look of shock on face.

“I told you so.”

“Thanks a lot Lois.” Lois wasn’t right about what she said before. Lex hadn’t been in love with her since she left. He wasn’t waiting around for her to come back so he could make her love him again.

There were many things about Lex Chloe knew well. This was something she was certain of. He was being her friend. Yes, he was at her wedding but she and Lex covered that already. Lois may be sure of herself but this time her reporter’s eye was clouded by the past. Lex wasn’t the person he was ten years ago.

“I’m just telling you as I see it.” Lois took her seat back before she went on. “He will always hold onto you.”

“The kiss was just an attraction we have to one another.” It was what Chloe had been telling herself for weeks.

His words were still radiating in her head. There was no way she was going to come to him that way. She didn’t have the right to come to him that way. “I’m taking a break to let things cool off.”

“Yeah just attraction. That’s why you haven’t spoken in weeks.” Lois rolled her eyes at her as if she didn’t believe one word. “Why not just see where it goes?”

Chloe’s mouth dropped. “Did you just say see where it goes?” There was no way Lois could say something when she acted as if even seeing Lex was the worst idea on the face of the earth.

“If you’d listen to me then you would understand. He makes you smile.” Lois gestured her hands out in front of her as she spoke. “It’s not up to me what happens. You’re a good person and a good mother. You deserve someone in your life that makes you smile. Maybe you need to find some middle ground with him.”

“There is no middle.” Chloe paused for a moment letting herself think for a second about what would happen if she let Lex back into her life that way. “For him I know it would be all or nothing. Lex doesn’t do things half way.

Lois nodded and didn’t say another word about the whole thing. She said her peace and to her it was over. For Chloe it was only the start. She had been so wrapped up in helping her mother that she didn’t even think what was happening with Lex.

For the first time in weeks she let herself think of the kiss and what it meant. Lex was right, something was happening. She didn’t know if it could keep happening.


-------------}{------------


This was the second time in long time that Chloe was standing in the barn loft on the Kent Farm. Thanksgiving was the first time Chloe had been there in a while. Emma took to the few animals that were still on the farm. Martha was very welcoming to them for an overnight stay that day. It was good for Emma to be around Martha since she was so far away now from Troy’s mother.

At the moment Emma and Martha were preparing cookies while Chloe waited. When she made the call to Lex earlier that week she half expected him not to answer but he did. He was calm and collected on the phone. The conversation was very direct. Chloe told him she wanted to see him and Lex told her he’d go anywhere she wanted to meet.

The Kent Farm seemed the most unlikely of places but he said he would be in Smallville that weekend as well so it made more sense then it should have.

Lois’ words stayed with Chloe for longer than she liked. She tried seeing what Lois meant. It was true that her demeanor had changed over the past two years. Maybe her optimism about life had faded some. The past few months she tried to see how Lex’s presence brought about a change in her.

Maybe she smiled more but that was because her life was in a better place now. Only she knew that better place included her friendship with the bald headed Luthor.

Looking out into the fields of the farm Chloe let her mind wonder to the night of the benefit. Something was indeed happening between them that she kept avoiding. The lingering embraces and long glances were the signs she pushed back as nothing. She had always been attracted to Lex and finding some comfort in his arms was all it was.

The last man that held her that way was years ago. It was nice to be in his firm embrace. It was even nicer when her body was pressed against him. The push of his lips on hers wasn’t bad either. All of these ideas made her believe that it was nothing more than attraction that would go away but the past few weeks she knew it wasn’t going any where.

She should’ve stayed in her apartment that night. Instead, Chloe paced back and forth at the door. She could hear him calling. The last time he spoke she heard the desperation in his voice. She looked through the peep hole and saw him standing there.

Instead of walking to her room Chloe open the door. She saw him standing, waiting for her. She remembered before asking him why her. It was something she still hadn’t figured out.

Lex’s presence was missed. The thrill of conversation with him was missed. The way he was amazed by everything Emma did was missed. The silent moments when he looked at her as if she didn’t know were missed. Waiting for him to arrive was starting to eat away at her until he suddenly appeared.

“I never thought I would be in this loft again.” Lex spoke as he made his way up the last steps into the loft.

When Chloe turned to look at him she felt her body want to run to him. She made a fist with both hands to keep her in place. He was dressed as if he came from a meeting which made sense because he was in town to check on the local plants.

“Never say never.” Chloe quipped back trying to force down her urges. He looked good but Lex always looked good. Chloe had done her best not to think of him but seeing him now had her spun.

“You look well.” He answered with a grin taking a few steps in to survey the place. Chloe wasn’t wearing anything special. That last time he saw her she was in that black dress. Now she just had on a pair of dark blue jeans and a button down shirt with a coat to keep back the chill from outside.

Before saying another word Chloe waited for him to move next to her by the loft window. Once he was there he just looked at her, waiting for something to happen. It was the same look from the kiss; longing eyes with a hint of desire hiding underneath. She thought she had lost her power to read him but Lex couldn’t hide anything from her now.

“Thank you for coming here.” She gestured at their surroundings.

“I missed you.” He spoke reaching to stroke his hand down the length of her arm. The simple gesture was the breaking point. Chloe rushed to him resting her head against him and taking him into an embrace.

“I missed you too.” She muttered feeling as if she might cry because she knew that she had to tell him something she never wanted to tell anyone.

When she let go he was smiling down at her. She knew he was thinking things he shouldn’t and it was time Chloe told him the truth “I’m sorry I didn’t call.”

“I understand you needed some time. I was out of town anyway.” He said it casually as if it meant nothing.

To Chloe she knew what it meant. It was another holiday alone for him. She couldn’t imagine Lionel craving turkey and telling him he was thankful they were a family. “You spent Thanksgiving…”

“I was in Hong Kong…” He interrupted. “…with government officials looking to harness the energy Luthor Corp. created.” Lex looked her over gauging her reaction. “You don’t have to worry about me. Spending a holiday alone is something I have come accustomed to.”

The words made her chest burn. No one should be alone like that but Lex had become used to it. “Well, I guess you know why I asked you here.”

There was no sense in beating herself up over the issue. He was right, she needed time and she couldn’t be responsible for Lex’s loneliness. That was something she had to realize when she left ten years ago. Chloe couldn’t be the only person that could make Lex’s life better. He had to do that on his own.

“I have an idea and I’m sure it wasn’t to take me down memory lane here in the loft.” He reached for her again this time to brush the back of his hand across her cheek.

If he kept touching her Chloe was going to break and they would be kissing again. “I used my powers again.” She spoke taking a step away from him.

“Oh.” He answered waiting for her to go on.

“I healed my mother. There were no side effects like before.” Chloe could still feel the power surging through her. Before it had been so hard but now it was easier then ever to tap into the part of her she thought she would never understand.

“That’s wonderful Chloe.” He smiled widely knowing how much it meant to her to find Moira.

“She is still being held until they think she’s ready to move to a lower security recovery center. They are going to help her move back into the world.” Chloe looked down thinking of the long awaited reunion. “Her coming back wasn’t the way I thought it would be.”

Lex placed his hands in his pants pockets. She wondered if it was protection from the cold or reaching for her again. “What do you mean?”

“I thought I’d find her and have a mother at last but I just have someone that doesn’t know me and I don’t her. We are learning about each other but right now she needs to focus on getting her life back.”

“It’s not perfect but you have her back now.” She watched him struggle with what to do. His hand left the safety of his pocket only to be shoved back in again.

Chloe didn’t realize what she had done to him. She had blurred the line of what was their friendship and what wasn’t. They were both acting as if touching the other would mean more than either was ready. To be honest Chloe knew it would mean more than she was ready for.

“Yes, that’s true and I’m thankful for that. I wouldn’t have been able to have that if it wasn’t for you.”

“You did all the work.” He said still smiling at her.

“But I wouldn’t know what I could do if it wasn’t for you.” Chloe paused knowing where she needed to take their talk now and not wanting to do it. “Maybe if I had stayed I could have saved her sooner.”

“Chloe what are you talking about?” His eyebrows rose searching for where she was going with this.

“Maybe we wouldn’t be here now.” Taking a moment Chloe tried to say the next part with out choking on the words. “Maybe Troy would still be alive.”

Lex never reacted to hearing Troy’s name until now. She had mentioned him sometimes but it was never anything like this. Lex asked very little about him but sometimes there were things he wanted to know.

His eyes widened and he looked away to hide them. “Are you telling me your powers didn’t work on him?”

“Lex you asked me if I had used my powers more than what I told you already. I told you the truth in the car but I didn’t explain everything.”

“Then explain it to me now.”

Chloe turned away from him to look out the loft window remembering a moment she wished she didn’t have embedded in her mind. “I was out on assignment when he died. When I called after not being able to talk to them for a day Troy’s mother answered our home phone. She had to tell me that her son was dead.”

“I’m sorry.” He spoke somberly. “You didn’t get to say good bye to him?”

“No, but I did go see him one last time.” Every detail of the morgue was still fresh in her mind. The smell, the chill of the room and the body in front of her filled her senses. “When I got to his body I could have healed him. It was so easy healing my mother and I could have done the same for him but I didn’t because I didn’t know then what I know now.”

“You had your reasons.” He replied.

“Yeah, I had my reasons.” He was trying to be understanding but Chloe didn’t want to feel better about this choice. “I didn’t heal him for so many reasons.”

As she started to speak the tears were coming. “What would I tell people when he was raised from the dead? What would I tell him? Would he think I was a freak? What if I did it wrong and I didn’t wake up this time? The first time, Clark said I was gone for eight minutes. Troy had been dead a day and if I healed him would I come back from that? Where would that put Emma if I died? I could die and still have not been able to save him. She would be alone. There were so many reasons that I didn’t save him.”

Chloe didn’t notice it but as she rambled the tears were falling fast and steady. Her body heaved and she needed to sit. Lex lead her to the old loft coach. His arms went around her like she had missed.

When she came back from her spell of tears he spoke still clinging to her. “You did what you thought was right.” He reached into his jacket pocket to hand her a handkerchief as he let her go.

“It was selfish.” Chloe admitted. All these years and she never wanted to say it but it was how she felt.

“No.” He said sternly then paused to get hold of his emotions. “You did what was best for you and your daughter. It wasn’t selfish. I saw what happen when you healed that woman. The side effects were unpredictable.”

“When I left I was selfish.” Chloe was convinced of this as well. Here choice changed so many people’s lives.

“When you left it was the right thing for both of us.” This was first Chloe was hearing of this. Lionel made her believe that leaving had nearly destroyed him and here Lex was saying it was a good thing. “I was going the wrong way. I needed something drastic to show me that. I realize that now.”

As Chloe blotted her face dry she tried to see what he meant. There were hints of change in him but that still didn’t make right what she had done. “Lex I’m telling you this now because I can’t let what happened go any further.”

“Why?” His hand squeezed hers as if it was willing the answer out of her.

“I can’t be selfish again. I have to think of more than me. ” Chloe pulled her hand away from him. He deserved someone that could give him more than she could now. “I told you this about Troy so that you could understand I’m not ready to move on.”

“You loved him?” He replied softly.

“Yes.” Chloe answered seeing him flinch over the world as if it hurt him. What was happening with Lex was going against that feeling. “A part of me will always love him.”

“I don’t want that part of you.” Lex reached for her again this time not letting her get away as his hand curved around her face. “This is something new for both of us. What happened when we kissed has nothing to do with the life you had. It has everything to do with the life your making now.”

Kissing him had nothing to do with Troy. If he were alive that’s where she would be. Now that he was gone Chloe knew it was up to her to open her life to the choice of having something new. Something about Lex drew her into a place she didn’t know how to escape.

Chloe let her head rest in his strong hand closing her eyes for a moment to feel what she was trying to push away. “I want to try but I don’t think I can let all of me go again.”

“It doesn’t have to be all or nothing. We can start small and see where it goes. You told me that the kiss wasn’t the end. Don’t take that back.”

“I don’t even know what this is. I don’t even know if these feelings are real.” It had been so long since Chloe felt anything for Lex it was hard to tell what was new and what was left over.

“Can you feel me?” He let himself get closer to her taking her into his arms.

Chloe could feel it very well and she nodded once to let him answer. Lex leaned closer to her as if he was hoping her lips would meet his and they did. The kiss wasn’t like it was that night at her door. It was soft and slow. The smoothness of his mouth covered her for moment then slowly pulled away.

“Then you know that I’m real and this is real for me.” He let go pulling away to give her some room.

This was the way he had been at the door waiting for her to decide to act on their attraction. All of Lex’s actions were letting her decide. Every time she reached for him it wasn’t because he pushed her. Lois was right. Lex was waiting for her to come to him.

She was coming right to him without even knowing it. Lex was right too. It may have taken years but she was finding a way back to him. Chloe wanted to be sure that she wasn’t making a mistake. It had to be about her being ready to move on from Troy. This had to be about something other then past.

Lex was very convincing the way he looked and felt. She leaned into him to kiss him again to find some assurance.

It wasn’t all of her but it wasn’t nothing.

TBC

Chapter 12 So Close (Lex POV)

[lj715]

Excellent chapter. Love that Lex admitted his feelings for Chloe. Great way to end the chapter.

[lexie]

I´m so happy you´re updating this fic again. I love your fanart but you´re talented at writing as well.

Don´t let this one languish. I love the pacing of the story and where you´re taking it.

I´m looking forward to your next posting.

[dagney]

I'm glad you've updated this also. Interesting how Chloe feels guilty about her husband and how perhaps her fear because of such a devastating loss she is afraid to love deeply again with Lex.
Dagney

[hfce]

Man that was intense but good. I can't believe Lois stuck up for Lex. Will wonders ever cease? :rofl: I am glad Chloe listened and I hope Lex can convince her they can have a another chance.

[somethingeasy]

I was really pleased to see another update to this fic! Sorry it took so long to review, but I’m afraid that horrible working hours have only left my weekends peacefully free for major review-a-thons.


There are moments in your life you want to relive over and over again. Chloe always wanted to remember the first time she met Troy Kaplan. She never wanted to remember the last time she saw him.

This was such a beautiful although tragic start! It was so sad imagining how Chloe’s most persistent memory or Troy was his dead body on a slab. The poor girl!

And the whole scene of Chloe steeling herself to get ready to look at Troy’s body and therefore drill it home to herself that he really WAS dead… horrifying and heartbreaking.


As she let herself go something started to rise inside of her. Chloe knew what she could do but she had very little control over her power in the past. When she started to feel the rise in her heartbeat she knew it wasn’t just the over whelming emotion she was feeling.

Her meteor freak powers were surfacing.

Before anything could go any further Chloe pulled herself away quickly. She closed her eyes and pulled away the white sheet to find that Troy wasn’t waking up. Her powers were stopped just before she could do anything.

Wow! That was a terrifying sequence. For a moment I imagined Chloe’s tears hitting Troy before she could move away, and then her body’s strength and energy flowing out of her into him. And I was quite certain that it would NOT have worked. Instead Chloe would have killed herself trying.



From that day until now there was the truth that only she knew. Troy wasn’t dead because a car ran him off the road, he was dead because Chloe chose not to save him.

I was so relieved to see her pulling herself back in time… although it was really sad seeing her blaming herself as a coward and a murderer because she wouldn’t go through with Troy’s resurrection. Oh chloe, you were NOT to blame for Troy’s death! Please don’t blame yourself! LEX! Get your ass here and tell her it wasn’t her fault!!!


After speaking with the scientists they told her that her powers were based on transferring energy. They told her that she had mastered moving her own energy into others and this allowed them to be healed. The harder part of her power and the part she didn’t know she had was reversing the follow of energy. If Chloe had known so many things about her life would be different right now.

wow! I never imagined that was possible, but it sounds like Chloe has managed control over her powers to the extent where she can go around healing people willy-nilly without any consequences to herself? hmmm, but doesn’t this mean that she’s now sort of obliged to use her powers to help as many people as possible?


“After today you won’t be in the dark anymore.” She said opening her eyes to the light of the room. With her final words Chloe let her left hand extend out into the light streaming into the room from the window. She took one last look at the door to make sure no one was coming before starting.

I guess this is the start of Chloe’s career into the world of super-heroics? What better place to start than family? It’s awesome and amazing to hear that she can cure mental illness as well as physical illness!


They looked at each other long and hard. Moira’s eyes started to water and tears followed shortly after. Chloe was going to explain but she wanted so badly for Moira to look at her and know without a word who she was. She wanted their eyes to meet and some kind of connection between them to be enough.

When Chloe thought her dream was a lost cause Moira’s raspy voice spoke again. “Chlo..Ch..Chloe.”

Years of searching only to find and empty shell had left Chloe with the belief that she was never meant to know her mother. Today she finally had all that she had hoped for. Her arms went around her and both women broke into harsh sobs clinging to each other

That was a lovely mother-daughter reunion! I’m so pleased for Chloe.


When Chloe glanced over to her cousin she watched Lois up the speed on her treadmill. If her cousin thought she was going to do that then she was sadly mistaken. All this running was well and good but Chloe wanted to keep a steady pace for a long distance run. Lois enjoyed short choppy sprints at speeds only set aside for Superman.

ROTFL! I’ve met scary people like these at the gym. I try to hide from them.


Instead of taking her suggestion Chloe keep the speed she was at and glanced over to the kids section. Emma had taken charge of the bouncing area. Kids were in a line waiting for Emma to tell them it was their turn. She didn’t know why but Emma had to be in charge when she played with other kids. Organized fun was her daughter’s calling.

ROTFLMAO! Oh that was hilarious! It sounds like Emma is becoming a Luthor already, complete with a Luthor’s controlling idea on what constitutes a good time… for themselves as well as for everyone else, ROTFL!


What happened at the end of the evening hadn’t gone so well. Chloe’s actions with Lex since the horse incident had all gone badly. She let herself do exactly what she didn’t want to. It was nice to have the attention of a man again but, with the history she had with Lex, it was very complicated to just enjoy it without some kind of guilt.

“I haven’t spoken to him.” Chloe answered plainly hoping the subject would be dropped.

“So has he called you?” Lois questioned.

“No.” Chloe answered then it hit her. Lex hadn’t called or come by. It was as if he knew she was freaked and needed to think about what happened without him distracting her. Either Lex had made a well played move or he had actually changed.

Actually, I think it’s a mixture of both. Lex HAS changed quite a bit, but he’s also the same manipulative bastard with his brilliant sense of timing when it comes to tricking people into producing the responses that he desires from them. But it was good to hear that Lex was being considerate and sensitive by giving Chloe some much needed space to decide which way SHE wanted to go after their last encounter. Although, the cynical part of me insists that he sensed that pushing her would scare her off even further and faster away.


“I think he makes you smile.” Lois said plainly. It wasn’t what she was expecting her to say but it was something.

wow! Isn’t that amazing?! So it seems like Lois is actually on Lex’s side? LOL! Lucky Lex doesn’t realize he’s got himself such a fantastic ally. Let’s hope he finds out. I want to see his reaction to discovering that Lois was actually speaking in his FAVOUR! LOL! Is he going to faint or have a nervous breakdown imagining this herald the end of the world?


Lois’ eyes softened as she spoke. The abrasive Lois was put on the shelf for a moment. “Chloe you’re not a somber person but after what happened you became one.”

She knew what she meant. There was a time she might say she had cheerful outlook on life with a hint of a realistic view about the ups and downs that came with it. The past two years there was more than a hint of the realism in life because of all the pains rather than its joys.

“I haven’t been sad in long while.” This was also true. Coming back to Kansas was the best thing Chloe could have done for her family. Emma was adjusting and she was closer to the people that loved her. Troy’s mother was a great help during her ordeal but she wanted to be close to her father and familiar settings.

“I’m not talking about you grieving.” Lois paused for a moment as if the word would affect Chloe less. “I’m talking about being generally happy with your life.”

Both Chloe and Lois have raised good points here about how Chloe’s recent happiness can be attributed to Lex as well as to outside factors. I think that Chloe’s return to her home and family allowed her a chance to grieve and move past her mourning period, until she was ready to welcome joy and romance into her life again. So it’s a bit of both, I guess.


“Other people can’t make you happy Lois.” The point seemed to be lost on her so Chloe said it plainly. “Lex can’t make me stop missing Troy anymore than the other things in my life I just spoke about. If you think I’m happier these days it’s because I’m in a better place in my life. Not because I have spent time with Lex Luthor.” Chloe was convinced of this but Lois was about to make her doubt herself.

I can understand why Chloe doesn’t want to add on the complications that Lois is implying she’s already right in the middle of. Chloe wants to believe that she’s happy purely for the reasons that she’s stated, and NOT because of any thrilling, exciting joy she might be experiencing because Lex has insinuated himself back into her life.


“Thanks a lot Lois.” Lois wasn’t right about what she said before. Lex hadn’t been in love with her since she left. He wasn’t waiting around for her to come back so he could make her love him again.

ROTFL! She still has NO idea, does she?!? She has no clue that Lex has been carefully planning and orchestrating every little meeting with her as part of a long-term scheme to bring them both together again. I wonder what she would say if only she knew. Heh… and I wonder whether Lois would also be all so positive about Lex if SHE knew as well.


“There is no middle.” Chloe paused for a moment letting herself think for a second about what would happen if she let Lex back into her life that way. “For him I know it would be all or nothing. Lex doesn’t do things half way.

She admits that Lex has always been an ‘all or nothing’ kind of person. Which is absolutely true! And yet Chloe still persists in believing that Lex did NOT have everything all planned out in advance. The friendship, the wooing and the careful insinuation into her’s and Emma’s lives. It’s amazing that she hasn’t figured out EVERY move was carefully planned, strategized and skilfully executed to get Lex the results her desired.


Lois’ words stayed with Chloe for longer than she liked. She tried seeing what Lois meant. It was true that her demeanor had changed over the past two years. Maybe her optimism about life had faded some. The past few months she tried to see how Lex’s presence brought about a change in her.

Maybe she smiled more but that was because her life was in a better place now. Only she knew that better place included her friendship with the bald headed Luthor.

Heh… friendship? Riiight! Isn’t it amazing seeing the kind of denial Chloe is in? She has all the pieces to figure it out. Everything she’s observed about the situation as well as intimate knowledge of Lex’s nature. But she STILL tells herself that Lex would be happy and satisfied with settling for a ‘friends only’ status with her. As if he hasn’t spent the last few weeks making it clear how much he wanted Emma to be his child, and how much he had missed Chloe, etc, etc.

He’s been very sneaky, but not altogether very discrete in his handling of Chloe and Emma.


Looking out into the fields of the farm Chloe let her mind wonder to the night of the benefit. Something was indeed happening between them that she kept avoiding. The lingering embraces and long glances were the signs she pushed back as nothing. She had always been attracted to Lex and finding some comfort in his arms was all it was.

The last man that held her that way was years ago. It was nice to be in his firm embrace. It was even nicer when her body was pressed against him. The push of his lips on hers wasn’t bad either. All of these ideas made her believe that it was nothing more than attraction that would go away but the past few weeks she knew it wasn’t going any where.

Well, that sounds promising! LOL! wouldn’t Lex be delighted if he knew about these thoughts and desires running through Chloe…?


Lex’s presence was missed. The thrill of conversation with him was missed. The way he was amazed by everything Emma did was missed. The silent moments when he looked at her as if she didn’t know were missed. Waiting for him to arrive was starting to eat away at her until he suddenly appeared.

I loved the description here about how much Chloe has missed Lex. It honestly feels to her like a piece of her life and existence is missing. She’s so, SO close as accepting him as a necessary fixture in her life. It’s inevitable that the reunion is going to happen, and Lex will get everything he ever wanted… provided he doesn’t screw up the situation, lol!


Before saying another word Chloe waited for him to move next to her by the loft window. Once he was there he just looked at her, waiting for something to happen. It was the same look from the kiss; longing eyes with a hint of desire hiding underneath. She thought she had lost her power to read him but Lex couldn’t hide anything from her now.

heh… he can’t hide anything from her. Except for his overall manipulative schemes that she doesn’t WANT to see? But I loved the description of Lex’s eyes pouring out ‘I want you, I love you’ at her.


“I missed you.” He spoke reaching to stroke his hand down the length of her arm. The simple gesture was the breaking point. Chloe rushed to him resting her head against him and taking him into an embrace.

“I missed you too.” She muttered feeling as if she might cry because she knew that she had to tell him something she never wanted to tell anyone.

squeee!!! Happy, sweet reunion! The short time of separation was definitely worth this response. It looks like Lex made the right moves in giving Chloe the space to realize that she missed him.


“I was in Hong Kong…” He interrupted. “…with government officials looking to harness the energy Luthor Corp. created.” Lex looked her over gauging her reaction. “You don’t have to worry about me. Spending a holiday alone is something I have come accustomed to.”

The words made her chest burn. No one should be alone like that but Lex had become used to it. “Well, I guess you know why I asked you here.”

There was no sense in beating herself up over the issue. He was right, she needed time and she couldn’t be responsible for Lex’s loneliness. That was something she had to realize when she left ten years ago. Chloe couldn’t be the only person that could make Lex’s life better. He had to do that on his own.

I rather liked the way that Chloe felt physical pain imagining Lex suffering through a major family holiday alone, but I also liked how she sternly reminded herself that it’s NOT her responsibility to look after Lex. Quite honestly, taking care of Lex is in itself a full time job, and a person needs to dedicate her whole heart and soul into that ‘project’. I liked that Chloe reminded herself that she’s not ready for that kind of ‘all or nothing’ commitment. Not yet at least, but soon…? LOL!


When she came back from her spell of tears he spoke still clinging to her. “You did what you thought was right.” He reached into his jacket pocket to hand her a handkerchief as he let her go.

“It was selfish.” Chloe admitted. All these years and she never wanted to say it but it was how she felt.

“No.” He said sternly then paused to get hold of his emotions. “You did what was best for you and your daughter. It wasn’t selfish. I saw what happen when you healed that woman. The side effects were unpredictable.”

I enjoyed the sequence of Chloe celebrating Moira’s return to reality with Lex. It’s lovely to see her revelling in the ‘miracle’ that took place with someone who knows the particulars of the situation… someone who helped her bring this miracle about.

But I should have guessed that the talk about Chloe healing Moira without stress and consequences would have led Chloe to talk about the issues she had about healing Troy, and why she had been too frightened to go through with the attempt.

I LOVED Lex for reassuring her that she made the right, smart decision. That she focused her thoughts on Emma, and the possibilities on what’s going to happen to the child if Chloe tried and failed to heal Troy and herself died in the attempt. He made it clear that Chloe did what was best for EMMA, and that’s an important point that will help Chloe finally forgive herself.


“When I left I was selfish.” Chloe was convinced of this as well. Here choice changed so many people’s lives.

“When you left it was the right thing for both of us.” This was first Chloe was hearing of this. Lionel made her believe that leaving had nearly destroyed him and here Lex was saying it was a good thing. “I was going the wrong way. I needed something drastic to show me that. I realize that now.”

I didn’t imagine that Chloe was also blaming herself for leaving Lex when she discovered that he was too far gone for her to live with. She actually believes herself to be selfish because she listened to her instincts of self-preservation? I was SO glad to see that Lex told her she did the right thing… not only for herself, but for HIM as well, because that drastic move of hers forced him to do a major re-assessment and try to become a better man for her sake… even if she wasn’t there anymore.


“Yes.” Chloe answered seeing him flinch over the world as if it hurt him. What was happening with Lex was going against that feeling. “A part of me will always love him.”

“I don’t want that part of you.” Lex reached for her again this time not letting her get away as his hand curved around her face. “This is something new for both of us. What happened when we kissed has nothing to do with the life you had. It has everything to do with the life your making now.”

omigosh! That was beautiful! I LOVED the way Lex told her that he respects the part of her that will always love and remember Troy, and that he doesn’t want to over-write that or anything. This is actually a lovely, mature attitude that’s far beyond the ‘all or nothing’ selfishness that he used to exhibit. *sniff* look at how our lovely boy has grown!


“It doesn’t have to be all or nothing. We can start small and see where it goes. You told me that the kiss wasn’t the end. Don’t take that back.”

“I don’t even know what this is. I don’t even know if these feelings are real.” It had been so long since Chloe felt anything for Lex it was hard to tell what was new and what was left over.

“Can you feel me?” He let himself get closer to her taking her into his arms.

Chloe could feel it very well and she nodded once to let him answer. Lex leaned closer to her as if he was hoping her lips would meet his and they did. The kiss wasn’t like it was that night at her door. It was soft and slow. The smoothness of his mouth covered her for moment then slowly pulled away.

“Then you know that I’m real and this is real for me.” He let go pulling away to give her some room.

What a gorgeous, beautiful and PERFECT speech! I can’t imagine that there would anything better designed to persuade Chloe to come in closer. The best part is that I can sense that it’s not just an act he’s using to lure her in closer… he’s quite sincere and genuine about everything he said.


This was the way he had been at the door waiting for her to decide to act on their attraction. All of Lex’s actions were letting her decide. Every time she reached for him it wasn’t because he pushed her. Lois was right. Lex was waiting for her to come to him.

She was coming right to him without even knowing it. Lex was right too. It may have taken years but she was finding a way back to him. Chloe wanted to be sure that she wasn’t making a mistake. It had to be about her being ready to move on from Troy. This had to be about something other then past.

Lex was very convincing the way he looked and felt. She leaned into him to kiss him again to find some assurance.

It wasn’t all of her but it wasn’t nothing.

Heh… it sounds like Chloe’s finally getting an inkling about how Lex has been trying his damndest hard to bring Chloe in closer and closer until they both become an integral part of each other’s lives again. She’s getting the hint, but I don’t think she minds because she perceives that it’s always been HER choice. That SHE was the one holding all the cards and power in this situation. Although, Lex’s skilful manoeuvrings are pretty hard to resist, especially when he’s in full-on sneaky mode.

It’s hard to say how Chloe would react if she knew how Lex has been playing around and manipulating in the background. On one hand, there is the principle of the thing, and Lex has to know that he can’t just play games with Chloe until he gets what he wants. But then again, Chloe HAS been making her own decisions throughout this whole thing…?

Aaargh! It’s impossible for me to react which way she would jump. Yayyy, Lex POV in the next chapter! I look forward to that! Please update soon!

[persephone47]

I cant wait to see some more Lex-Emma interaction. I'm glad they found a compromise between all or nothing.

[letia84]

Notes: In order for some of these flash backs to work then season four of Smallville has to be suspended. Most of the season was about the search of the stones which was fine but there was little to no Chlex interaction which will be played out here. Also I’m putting Chloe to be born just before the holidays since that seems about the Smallville time line.

Chapter 12 So Close Part1 (Lex POV)

Smallville Ten Years Ago

Lex took a lingering smell from his glass. The aroma of burnt wine filled his senses as he took a sip. It was a long day of nothing for him. Christmas Day always seemed like a long day of nothing.

Lex had given the majority of his staff off. The only people working in the manor were a few guards. Luthor Corps doors were closed for the first time on a holiday. Lionel had seen to it that holidays were to be outlawed. Now that Lex had taken over he saw it was necessary to give people some sort of vacation time. His researchers showed that well rested employees produced more upon their return to work.

This time last year Lex was enjoying eggnog at the Kent farm. Clark had welcomed him into his home and into his life as a friend until that was ruined. Even though Lex had his secret room emptied of anything that linked him to Clark Kent there was still a trust issue.

The items had been moved but not destroyed. It was a show to make nice with the boy wonder. There was very little reason for Lex to do what he did but a tiny blonde had him wrapped around her finger. Chloe begged for him to play nice with her friend. For now he would but he knew Clark was lying on his part. For now Lex was going to be the bigger man.

For some reason Lex’s invitation to the Kent Christmas party had been lost in the mail. Even if Clark said he was going to try and repair their friendship there he was alone. He was sure it was Jonathan’s apprehensions that kept him on the outside this year.

Chloe was at the party with her father. He was sure she was smiling and having a good time. The thought of it stung a little.

They had been with one another in hiding for months. He should be able to be there with her, holding her hand and enjoying the evening as well. It was his bright idea that they wait to tell people. It would come easier to others once Chloe had moved on to Met U he kept telling himself.

She told him if she could get away she would stop by to see him at the manor. He hadn’t seen her for awhile. The last time they were together was just before her birthday party. It was only an hour that she could stay and once she was gone Lana appeared possessed by a 17th century witch that nearly killed him.

Lex hoped that Christmas would be a better day for him and Chloe. Only there was no guarantee he would even see her.

As he looked at the lone Christmas tree in the study there was one present under the tree. Lex had sent something to his father in jail. He thought a quality set of toiletries would be nice for the old man. A nice assortment of pastries was sent to the Kent’s that night and he was sure that Jonathan threw them out before anyone could eat one. His staff received the typical corporate gift as well as a healthy pay bonus.

The lonely wrapped gift under the tree was for Chloe. She was impossible to buy for. He couldn’t just give her jewelry or a new car. It had to be a gift that would mean something to her.

Staring into the bright twinkle lights Lex couldn’t see them as clearly as he did a few moments ago. It wasn’t the brandy he was drinking that brought on the feeling. His eyes were growing heavy with sleep. Unable to fight off the feeling he dozed off on his leather sofa with his brandy glass in hand.

What woke him was a lovely Christmas surprise. Something firm had planted itself on his lap then a hand started to stroke his bald head. At first he thought it was a dream but then his dream was kissing him. The smell of his drink was gone and all he could smell was Chloe.

As his eyes slowly opened they quickly closed again when he noticed her lips descending on him. Lex let her lips press against him leaving him wanting more as she pulled away. “Merry Christmas Lex.” Chloe whispered to him. He didn’t answer. He let his eyes open to get the full view of her body close to him.

“Is that brandy I taste?” She questioned him then she licked her lips.

Still silent he lifted the glass towards her nodding in responds. She took the glass from him to smell what little contents remained. “I knew it was brandy.” As she spoke she started to move off of his lap.

His hands awoke and he grabbed her hips to keep her in place. “I’m only getting your gift.” She answered him with a half smile. He let her lean back for a moment to place the glass down on the coffee table.

Instead of letting her go Lex’s grip tightened. She turned back and her eyes studied him searching for what he wanted in his silence. “Your going have to speak up if you want something Mr. Luthor.”

Lex didn’t realize he wasn’t speaking until she said so. She did wake him and it must have been the cause of his sudden muteness. “Another kiss.” Lex answered her reaching to lock one of his hands in the folds of short blond bob. He was rewarded with her tongue this time and he gave her real taste of the brandy he was drinking.

Again she was pulling away before he had enough. “Wait.” Lex mumbled under his breath.

“I’m sorry.” Chloe pulled away completely. She was off his lap and on her feet. “I can’t really stay long.” She looked away and he could hear the disappointment in her voice.

All of this waiting to be together would be over soon enough. She would graduate and the two of them could be together with out question. It was only a few months away.

Lex was so close. All he had to do was wait.

After he lost the feel of her body close to him Lex shook himself out of his sleeping state. As she moved away from him towards the oversized tree in the room Lex sat and watched. She was wearing green top and gray slacks. The outfit was casual formal as if she had just come from the Kent’s Party.

“If you can’t stay then tell me why you’re here.” Lex spoke up watching her back. It appeared as if she was admiring the tree.

“I have a gift. Didn’t you hear me before?” Chloe turned and her eyes darted to the empty space of the couch he wasn’t using.

When his eyes followed there was a box waiting for him. It was wrapped in shiny sliver paper with an oversized purple bow securing it. “I thought we agreed no gifts.”

“Well I guess we both lied because I’m sure that gift under the tree isn’t for your father.” Chloe eyed him as he turned to the box. “Go on and open it”

He did as suggested, pulling back the bow and gently undoing the silver paper. A black box that was spilt in half at the middle was exposed. Lex pulled the top half off to reveal something he hadn’t seen since he was boy.

“The seller said that it was real thing but I had it checked out first.” Chloe spoke as he examined the packaged gift inside the black box carefully.

Lex let his mind go to the Warrior Angel action figure he had as a child. Lionel had taken it from him claiming that he should play with a real hero like the origins of his name. The gift had him speechless. He had tried over the years to retrieve it but none of them were right.

The original action figures were recalled because of an imperfection with the shape and size of the wings. How Chloe was able to find it when he wasn’t able to had him amazed with her even more.

“Thank you.” He spoke softly looking up at her now sitting next to him on the sofa.

She was biting her bottom lip in worry. Then she breathed a sigh of relief after his words. “I was worried for moment there when you didn’t speak. You do you really like it?”

Lex placed the box down on the table in front of him then went for her quickly placing his hands on either side of her face. He let his lips press against hers to linger for a moment before he pulled away resting his forehead against hers. “It’s a perfect choice.”

Her hands rested on top of his and they stayed that way for a moment before she pulled away. “My turn?” She questioned raising one eye brow.

Lex let his hands sway towards the tree for her to go ahead. She walked toward the tree with a giggle. For someone that wasn’t expecting a gift she seemed thrilled to have one.

He watched her fight with the gold wrapping then he saw the shocked look on her face when the gift was exposed in its oversized box. “It’s an Underwood typewriter…”He started then she finished.

“I know the same one Nellie Bly used.” Chloe looked back at him with a grin. “Here I thought my gift was good.”

“Great writers should have the same equipment.” Returning the smile Lex knelt next to her by the tree. “There is more.”

When she looked back her eyes searched for what he meant. They settled on a velvet black box wedged on the side of the typewriter. It just didn’t feel right not to give her a little something even more over the top.

When she opened the box there was a very simple necklace inside. A solitaire stone on platinum chain was what she found. “The stone is not too big so it won’t draw too many questions. If you look at the emerald closely there are gold hues that catch the light. It reminds me of your eyes.” He explained.

“You didn’t have to do this.” She started and he stopped her quickly.

“Well I did.” He answered taking the necklace from its box to place it around her neck before she could convince him it was too much. “I just wanted you to have something with you all the time that came from me.”

“Cute and creepy all at the same time.” She quipped at him.

He rolled his eyes at her words. “Do you like it?” She nodded once then her eyes gazed towards the window. The snow was starting to come down harder in the night sky.

“I should go.” She spoke so low he almost didn’t hear her. It was a sure sign she didn’t want to leave. “This is so close to being over.” Chloe spoke looking back to him.

He knew what she was feeling because he felt it to. All the hiding had taken its toll on both of them. “A few more months.” He answered feeling as if it was years away. “I’ll see you soon though.”

“Yes, the new year’s count is me and you.” Chloe took her gift into her hands.

Lex placed his hands over hers. “Don’t worry about it. I’ll have it dropped off to you by a courier. You can say it was a gift from your cousin, Lois, who’s away seeing her father.”

Chloe nodded then stood to leave while he followed. There was nothing he could do but let her. There was a long kiss good bye that could have led to her staying the night but they both had to be stronger than that. She was out the door quickly so he couldn’t change her mind.

They kept saying the same thing. They were so close. Lex didn’t realize how far away Chloe was from him in the end.


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Metropolis Present

There were very few tree lots in the city but some how Lex had been to all of them that day. The holidays were in full swing. Christmas was less than two weeks away. Lex had waited longer than that before he saw Chloe again after the fundraiser.

She had no idea how hard it was not to call. He had driven by her place once or twice hoping she would see his shiny car slowly going down the road, and then the sight of him would make her call. Lex had gotten used to seeing her and being able to contact her when he wanted to. His tiny obsession named Emma Moria Sullivan Kaplan was also dearly missed.

After she received the information about her powers he thought that’s what was driving her away. Then he believed he had pushed things to far with the kiss. There was only so much he could take before he was bound to push things towards that point.

For awhile after he could still fill her lips on him, the warm tingle in his mouth as her tongue moved to his. Then there were the soft lines of her body pressed against him. It kept him up at night for a few days. No woman but Chloe could make his body so turned on after one kiss.

Today he had his girls back. They were Christmas tree shopping for hours and Lex was a bit annoyed with the run around but he wouldn’t have it any other way. They had reached the last lot in the city and Chloe was staring at trees for the better part of an hour. Gabe had come along and he was keeping Emma busy in a section off the lot that was full of custom made ornaments.

“What do you think of this one?” Chloe questioned Lex.

He looked at the tree then at her. She was bundled up in a black winter jacket hiding the suit she wore to work that morning. When she noticed he wasn’t look at the tree Chloe snapped her fingers in front of him.

“Lex the tree.” She spoke at him pointing towards what could be the hundredth tree he saw that day.

Chloe was over thinking this holiday. She said that she would host this year. Something she was dying to take away the moment she said it. The Kents, Lanes and Sullivans were going to come together to celebrate the season. Chloe’s other family would be celebrating in New York he was informed.

Lex took the hint and looked at the tree. “I think it’s a good quality tree but it’s a bit small.” It was his honest opinion.

“It’s not about the size.” She looked at him in the eyes. “It’s about what you do with it.” She added.

Lex moved a little closer to her. “You’re saying size never matters?” He spoke towering over her. His voice changed slightly with the hope that she would notice his meaning.

“Lex Luthor we are talking about trees aren’t we?” She gave him a half smile taking a step in closer as well.

He could reach out to her now to push back some of the long strands of hair in the way of her face. “Of course we are.” He shook his head “no” as he spoke.

“Only you could make Christmas trees dirty.” She answered him. “I don’t remember size or knowing being a problem for you.” Then she gave him the look he longed for.

For a split second he knew it was coming. She was going to kiss him in the crowded lot and not care one bit what anyone thought. Only she recoiled because there was one person she did care what they thought.

His new obsession… her Kitty Cat… Emma.

If she had seen them he knew it would be end of what was finally happening. After their talk in the Kent barn Lex was given some room to move freely with her. As long as Emma’s bright emerald eyes weren’t anywhere near them Lex was given some room to do what he’d been longing to do. Chloe had allowed him to hold her in recent weeks before the first kiss but that was nothing compared to what he was getting to do now.

The one big thing was she wasn’t pulling away with a weary look in her eyes. He knew now where the look came from. She felt as if she was betraying some part of herself. Something Lex hadn’t considered. He knew she grieved for her husband or that there might be some lingering feeling that she shouldn’t move on yet. The added bonus of what her power was had her holding on to two years of guilt.

At this moment she might be able to heal an entire hospital and recover from it with very little side effects. The question was should she do something like that. The balance of life and death was something Chloe learned the hard way when her husband died and it was something he knew she must be struggling with now.

All that aside things had started to change. Chloe started to see him in a new light. She was letting herself get attracted to him without the fear of it being the biggest mistake of her life. It wasn’t exactly how he would like it at the moment but Lex was so close.

“You think it’s small?” She spoke stepping away from him. The moment passed and he wasn’t going to get kissed anytime soon.

Shaking off yet another failure Lex went back to the search for the perfect tree. “I think we found the right tree three lots ago.” He griped. It wasn’t meant to be mean but the disappointment of not getting kissed was showing against his will.

“If you’re bored you could always go back to work.” Chloe told him stepping away completely to walk further into the lot where larger trees were placed.

He wasn’t in anyway bored. Chloe agreed to let him drive them around that day. Gabe was being rather nice to him. Emma had him smiling they way he missed when he was giving Chloe some space. He was getting time with them like they were truly part of his life.

“That’s not what I meant.” He hurried after her catching up to match her pace. “I just don’t see why you’re putting so much pressure on yourself to get the perfect tree.”

“The last two holidays.” Chloe started then stopped.

“That last two holidays what?” Lex reached for her wandering from tree to tree. His hands curved around her arm and he waited for her to turn and look at him.

“We don’t have to talk about this here.” Chloe looked around them.

People were scattered with their families. A father was holding his daughter on top of shoulders just behind them. An older woman was getting help with one of the larger trees by, what looked to be, her son. Everyone around them was smiling and enjoying the winter chill thrilled about the holidays.

Here was Chloe sad and holding something that she couldn’t tell him. “Now is as good a time as any Chloe.” He pressed lips into a tight line trying to force down the frustration.

“The first Christmas after Troy died I barely got through most of it.” She paused, seeing him twinge at the sound of Troy. Lex was going have to get use to hearing about the man but it was something he hadn’t mastered.

“Go on, I’m listening.” He spoke then let his hand release her from his grip.

“Things went ok but I didn’t give Emma a hundred percent. It was pretty much the same story last year. I wanted this year to better for her. For us. So finding the perfect tree is part of that.” Chloe looked out towards the front entrance where her father and daughter where.

She waved and Lex turned in time to see them waving back. If she wanted to make it right then he wanted to help. “I think there are even bigger one’s further back.” He suggested.

Chloe smiled slightly and gave him a little of what he was looking for. Her hand reached out to his face and she held on to him for moment looking into his eyes understanding what he was doing.

The moment passed and she was back on the hunt. “I don’t think any of those will fit in my place.” She spoke looking far back at the huge pines.

“They would fit in the manor.” Lex answered. They had already spoken about this but he was hoping the subject was still up for discussion.

“Lex I already turned down that offer.” Chloe turned to him her arms folded in front of her in defense.

“The offer still stands.” Lex had to do something if he was going to get what he wanted. The holidays had been filled with nothing for him for so long. There was a benefit here or party there he attended with his short lived wives but nothing with real meaning like this year could be.

“Chloe, this doesn’t have to be hard.” He started letting his mind go to the manor and what it was like when the holidays were good for him. “I remember the manor when my mother was well. It was covered in holly and lights. The place smelled of all kinds of spices from the constant cooking. It’s been a long time since the place has seen a real Christmas. I think Emma would love to see it like that.”

She sighed to herself letting her arms drop. Lex had explained why it was good in so many ways but never like this. “Tricking me with your childhood memories.” She answered him shaking her head.

“Is that a yes?” Lex questioned her.

“I’ll call Lois tonight. I’m sure she’ll be thrilled to stay in the manor.” She shook her head “no” as she spoke. In truth Lois would hate the idea but go along with it to please Chloe.

Lex gave her a half smile then he thought it over. It was one thing to have Chloe and Emma with him. It was another having her, Lois, and Clark there judging him. If this was going to work then he would have get along with them sooner or later.

“Great.” Lex answered looking over the tree lot. “We should go back to that third lot; they had bigger and fuller trees.” He reached for her hand hoping she would at least give him that.

She let him walk her through the lot, hand in hand, until Emma was in close view. Chloe tore her hand away from his to give her father and daughter the news.

His new obsession squealed and gripped onto his leg. Gabe gave him a worried smile. This was just an example of how the holiday would be. Emma would be making the most of it and everyone else would be wondering what Lex was up to.


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Three long days and nights were ahead of Lex. He was finishing off what was left of the signing for the energy plan to start being tested for us as a weapon. He would light the world but there were so many other things that could be done. It was something he was trying to keep under wraps.

Chloe had everyone on board for the holidays. Gabe, Lois, Clark and Martha would be staying in the manor along with Chloe and her daughter. It was going to be the fullest the house had been in years.

Decorations were done a few days after Chloe agreed to staying. They settled on the three days; Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and the aftermath as he was calling it. Chloe agreed to fly over in the helicopter with Emma this time instead of making the drive.

It was something he hoped wouldn’t scare the little girl like it did when he was a boy. The rest of group would arrive later that night. Lex would have the place with Chloe and Emma to prepare dinner for that night before he had to charm everyone else.

Finishing off his work Lex rounded his desk to the fax machine. He could get Miss March to do it but she had to be closing down herself to make the drive to her family. The woman wouldn’t take the day off. For the past ten years Lex had given his staff the holiday. He wasn’t his father’s son in that respect.

While the machine did its job Lex didn’t notice Lionel until he was speaking to him. “Merry Christmas Lex.” Lionel spoke loud and proud with a hint of glee.

Lex had resolved his differences with his father since Chloe first returned. They were back to their weekly business dinners. There was no mention of Chloe ever. His tactic to scare the hell out of him had worked.

At least Lex thought it had worked.

He didn’t turn to watch Lionel’s approach. “What can I do for you dad? I was just heading out.” Lex kept his gaze on the machine. The fax machine was top of the line yet it still took sometime before it started sending his files.

“Don’t you have someone to do that for you?” Lionel started right in.

As the pages started to turn Lex knew he was out of the woods and didn’t have to stare at the fax machine any more. He sighed seeing his father smiling at him. The old man was in a good mood for some reason. Lex had an idea that it had do to with his father’s holiday trip. Lionel would be on Luthor Island until well after New Year’s with Rebecca or Julie or both.

Lex ignored the comment about him doing something for himself. “Dad, shouldn’t you be on plane to Luthor Island?” He breezed past his father to sit at his desk again. He wanted to be at the phone when the front desk called. Chloe should be there any moment and he didn’t want there to be a run in with his father.

“I can leave when I want. It is my plane.” Lionel chuckled to himself for a moment before going on. He knew the laugh was about the change of ownership of the plane. It was Lionel’s but Lex had been in charge of it for years. For time to time Lionel liked to hold it over his head that Lex’s success started with his father’s help. “Lex I’m here to wish you and Ms. Sullivan well as I know you’re off on your own trip.”

There was no need to flinch. Of course Lionel knew that the manor had been decked out for the holiday. It only made sense he would draw the conclusion that Lex wouldn’t be there alone this year.

All the pretense was starting to get to him as he waited for the phone call so Lex got to the point. “Dad, say what you came to say.”


“Well son this is about you and Ms. Sullivan.” His father’s voice started smooth as silk. Lex thought he was rid of the warnings but here Lionel was again. “I don’t want you to punish me for what I’m about to say but in the spirit of the holidays hear me out.”

Lex was sitting at his desk while his father stood next to him. He looked up to the old man and started to wonder what more could he want from him. “’Tis the season for giving. Go ahead.” Instead of fighting him Lex let him speak. The sooner this was over the better before Chloe and Emma arrived.

“I don’t say these things because I don’t want you to be happy son.” Lex felt his father’s hand on his shoulder. It wasn’t the warmth one felt when one’s father comforted his son. There was only the cold reminder that there would never be anything more than business dinners between them.

Lex didn’t flinch way from his hand; he only listened to Lionel’s words. “You think that she will finally let you have her and you will have some version of a perfect family but you won’t. You are so close to greatness with this new energy plan. One wrong step and it will fall apart. Taking your obsession with Chloe Sullivan Kaplan is that misstep son.”

When Lionel said Chloe’s married Kaplan it was to get to him. It did more than he liked. The sound of her husband’s name made him uneasy in front of Chloe and he knew she could see it. Lex couldn’t be so weak in front of his father.

“You said your peace. Happy Holidays dad.” Lex spoke sliding away from his father’s grasp. He turned his attention towards the door leading out hoping his father would get the point.

“Thank you for listening.” Lionel spoke moving into to view in front of Lex’s gaze on the door. “I hope your hear me out.” With that the old man was gone.

Lex was very close to something and it had nothing to do with success at Luthor Corp. Lex was on brink getting Chloe back. He wasn’t about to let his father’s fears deter his steps.

Lionel knew he was risking his life coming to him that day. Lex had to show him that his threats were not something to take lightly. There was no reason for him to worry and if Lionel didn’t want to see what was bound to happen then Lex would have him stay away.

He would make his stay on Luthor Island longer than necessary.

Before Lex could make the call to the Island staff the phone was ringing. The front desk informed him that Chloe and Emma were already on their way to roof. He would have to make the call once he was at the manor to deal with his father. His girls were waiting for him.

TBC

Chapter 12 So Close Part 2 (Lex POV)

Notes:These next two POVs will be a bit longer. so more Lex then two parts of Chloe.

[lexie]

It´s been a while, but I´m happy you´re still updating this one. I´ve enjoyed the posting and I´m eager to read some more. I´m really anxious to see how Christmas with Chloe´s extended family will progress. :yeahbaby:

[lj715]

Excellent update, love the flashback. So sweet that Lex calls Chloe & Emma "his girls". Can;t wait for more.

[dagney]

Letia,

I'm so glad you updated this story. I'm glad Chloe is letting Lex in- and Lionel, well he never ever can let things be with Lex. I look foward to more. Dagney

[hfce]

I loved the flash back it was nice seeing them together like that. To bad the future he has to work so hard to get her back. :P I am glad she is spending the holidays with him. :)

[ChloeLovesLex]

Whew, I'm all caught up now...

Great chapter. Can't wait to see how the holiday goes with his girls and everyone else. Update soon please :D

[somethingeasy]

As he looked at the lone Christmas tree in the study there was one present under the tree. Lex had sent something to his father in jail. He thought a quality set of toiletries would be nice for the old man. A nice assortment of pastries was sent to the Kent’s that night and he was sure that Jonathan threw them out before anyone could eat one. His staff received the typical corporate gift as well as a healthy pay bonus.

The lonely wrapped gift under the tree was for Chloe. She was impossible to buy for. He couldn’t just give her jewelry or a new car. It had to be a gift that would mean something to her.

I really liked the bleak picture you created for Lex’s Christmas. It wasn’t agonizingly overdone… Lex wasn’t brooding up to his usual extreme levels (not as yet, let’s wait as the evening goes along, shall we? LOL!).

The description of the bleakness was layered on a little bit at a time, with Lex almost unconscious on how depressing, gloomy and lonely his Christmas evening was… with no friends around him, his employees given the day off to spend time having more fun than him… not to mention that the only present Lex thought of buying was a lovely wrapped gift for his girlfriend who was right not spending her evening laughing and having fun at his rival’s family house. And let’s also spare a thought for his only family member, who was currently spending time in the jail cell that Lex had placed him in.

LOL! Stated in such blunt terms, it sounds pretty damned depressing, but I liked the way that this description was built up a little at a time in the opening of this chapter.


His hands awoke and he grabbed her hips to keep her in place. “I’m only getting your gift.” She answered him with a half smile. He let her lean back for a moment to place the glass down on the coffee table.

What a lovely sight to wake up Lex from the gloomy, lonely Christmas. I’m so glad that Chloe decided to stop by here before heading off home. Lex really needed this… as evidenced by the way that he was clinging to her in such a needy, desperate way when she tried to clamour off his lap. Awww, isn’t Lex LOVELY when he’s being clingy? :D


All of this waiting to be together would be over soon enough. She would graduate and the two of them could be together with out question. It was only a few months away.

Lex was so close. All he had to do was wait.

I loved the way that parallel lines have been drawn up between this past and the on-going present situations. It seems like that the present moment is not the only time that Lex had been forced to ‘be patient’ and wait for months on end for the kind of relationship he wanted with Chloe. Of course, the present is a lot more complicated and difficult, but it’s essentially the same patient, waiting game, isn’t it?


Lex let his mind go to the Warrior Angel action figure he had as a child. Lionel had taken it from him claiming that he should play with a real hero like the origins of his name. The gift had him speechless. He had tried over the years to retrieve it but none of them were right.

The original action figures were recalled because of an imperfection with the shape and size of the wings. How Chloe was able to find it when he wasn’t able to had him amazed with her even more.

LOL! It was so cute that Chloe actually tried imposing a ‘no presents’ rule on Lex. At least she didn’t expect him to keep to it… which means she didn’t feel too guilty about breaking it either.

And wasn’t that an adorable present she gave to Lex?! First of all, I was greatly amused by the picture of power-broker businessman, Lex Luthor, searching high and wide for a Warrior Angel action figure… and then eventually getting it as a present from his girlfriend. LOL! He’s revealed to be such an adorable geeks sometimes, LOL!


He watched her fight with the gold wrapping then he saw the shocked look on her face when the gift was exposed in its oversized box. “It’s an Underwood typewriter…”He started then she finished.

“I know the same one Nellie Bly used.” Chloe looked back at him with a grin. “Here I thought my gift was good.”

“Great writers should have the same equipment.” Returning the smile Lex knelt next to her by the tree. “There is more.”

awww! Both of them tapped into the inner geeky needs of the other! What a perfect present they both chose for their respective partner. The BEST presents are the ones that cry out to the ‘inner geek’ in all of us :D

The necklace was also beautiful. I loved the fact that Lex personally chose something that reminded him of the unique colour of Chloe’s eyes. AND it was so sweet that he made it clear that the present was as much for him as it was for her… he liked the idea of knowing that she was always wearing a gift from him against her skin at all times. LOL! Like Chloe said… cute and creepy all at the same time, LOL!


She had no idea how hard it was not to call. He had driven by her place once or twice hoping she would see his shiny car slowly going down the road, and then the sight of him would make her call. Lex had gotten used to seeing her and being able to contact her when he wanted to. His tiny obsession named Emma Moria Sullivan Kaplan was also dearly missed.

ROTFL! I loved the fact that Lex actually hoped witnessing his stalkerish behaviour would put Chloe in the mood to ‘call him’. Only Lex would have that kind of a mind-set, ROTFL!

But honestly, I loved seeing proof on Lex’s obsession with Chloe AND Emma. I’m still not certain though that he sees Emma as a person in her own right rather than a ‘tiny blonde version of Chloe’. Does he love Emma because she’s an extension of Chloe, or has he found some traits in Emma that he adores in their own right.


After she received the information about her powers he thought that’s what was driving her away. Then he believed he had pushed things to far with the kiss. There was only so much he could take before he was bound to push things towards that point.

For awhile after he could still fill her lips on him, the warm tingle in his mouth as her tongue moved to his. Then there were the soft lines of her body pressed against him. It kept him up at night for a few days. No woman but Chloe could make his body so turned on after one kiss.

Heee!!! Don’t you love Lex in all his obsessive, stalker glory? Look at him, reliving and trying to re-experience ‘The Kiss’ over and over again in near reverential awe.


“It’s not about the size.” She looked at him in the eyes. “It’s about what you do with it.” She added.

Lex moved a little closer to her. “You’re saying size never matters?” He spoke towering over her. His voice changed slightly with the hope that she would notice his meaning.

“Lex Luthor we are talking about trees aren’t we?” She gave him a half smile taking a step in closer as well.

He could reach out to her now to push back some of the long strands of hair in the way of her face. “Of course we are.” He shook his head “no” as he spoke.

ROTFLMAO! That pervert! But I like the way that he’s having fun with making a sexual innuendo out of a Christmas tree… and to be fair, Chloe DID leave the phrase wide open to a sexual double-phrasing, LOL!


For a split second he knew it was coming. She was going to kiss him in the crowded lot and not care one bit what anyone thought. Only she recoiled because there was one person she did care what they thought.

His new obsession… her Kitty Cat… Emma.

If she had seen them he knew it would be end of what was finally happening. After their talk in the Kent barn Lex was given some room to move freely with her. As long as Emma’s bright emerald eyes weren’t anywhere near them Lex was given some room to do what he’d been longing to do. Chloe had allowed him to hold her in recent weeks before the first kiss but that was nothing compared to what he was getting to do now.

Nice! I liked seeing Lex’s hopes rise and suddenly plummet right in front of me. And I really liked how he completely understood Chloe’s withdrawal over here. It shows that he really does have some genuine care and consideration for Emma, since he doesn’t want to confuse her by making out with he mommy right in front of her. It IS too soon… but there will come a time when Lex and Chloe will have to have a serious discussion about Emma; how to make sure Lex was really ready for the responsibility of being a step-father, how to open a discussion with Emma, etc.

I also liked the way that Lex has intuited that Chloe is ALSO withdrawing because she doesn’t feel ready to let go of the ‘guilt’ of ‘cheating’ on her former husband. I’m not sure how Lex is going to deal with that, but perhaps it’s just a matter of some more time and patience?


At this moment she might be able to heal an entire hospital and recover from it with very little side effects. The question was should she do something like that. The balance of life and death was something Chloe learned the hard way when her husband died and it was something he knew she must be struggling with now.

I was wondering what was going to happen with Chloe finding out that she now has extraordinary healing abilities with practically zero cost and consequences. Now that it’s so easy for her to heal people, she would be hard-pressed to find a reason why she shouldn’t spend every opportunity helping people who are fighting life threatening illnesses in hospitals all over Metropolis.

Once Chloe gets into it, Lex is probably going to go crazy trying to make sure she stays discrete about the use of her powers.


“Things went ok but I didn’t give Emma a hundred percent. It was pretty much the same story last year. I wanted this year to better for her. For us. So finding the perfect tree is part of that.” Chloe looked out towards the front entrance where her father and daughter where.

She waved and Lex turned in time to see them waving back. If she wanted to make it right then he wanted to help. “I think there are even bigger one’s further back.” He suggested.

I think Chloe is being too hard on herself. We can certainly understand Chloe needing some time out during the holidays for grieving. And chances are that Emma wasn’t in the mood to make a huge celebration out of Christmas during those first couple of years after her daddy’s death either.

Heh… poor Lex is probably feeling well out of his element trying to comfort Chloe right now, but he’s doing a pretty good job of it despite the lack of practice and experience :D


“Chloe, this doesn’t have to be hard.” He started letting his mind go to the manor and what it was like when the holidays were good for him. “I remember the manor when my mother was well. It was covered in holly and lights. The place smelled of all kinds of spices from the constant cooking. It’s been a long time since the place has seen a real Christmas. I think Emma would love to see it like that.”

She sighed to herself letting her arms drop. Lex had explained why it was good in so many ways but never like this. “Tricking me with your childhood memories.” She answered him shaking her head.

LOL! I think Lex was playing up his ‘deficient childhood’ right to the hilt to get what he wanted over here, LOL! Sneaky bastard! But I sensed that he DID actually want to collect some good Christmas party memories to make up for the lack of them in the past.

LOL! But he forgot that a Christmas party would mean inviting Lois and Clark too. Let’s see how ‘good’ a memory he manages to pick up even with those two attending. Hopefully everyone will play nice… for the good of the season. And if not for that, then just to set a good example for the six year old in their midst? LOL!


“I can leave when I want. It is my plane.” Lionel chuckled to himself for a moment before going on. He knew the laugh was about the change of ownership of the plane. It was Lionel’s but Lex had been in charge of it for years. For time to time Lionel liked to hold it over his head that Lex’s success started with his father’s help. “Lex I’m here to wish you and Ms. Sullivan well as I know you’re off on your own trip.”

Lionel making an appearance in ANY capacity in a Chlex fic is an occasion of glee, happiness and celebration for me ;) so I was really pleased to see the magnificent bastard, in all his manipulative, snide, nasty glory.

Hmmm, I’m actually surprised that it took Lionel so LONG to make a comment about Lex’s new obsession with the Sullivan-Kaplan family. I’m sure it must have been obvious from the moment Chloe came back to Smallville that Lex was interesting (to the point of compulsive obsession) to woo her over. Perhaps Lionel was waiting to see how Chloe was responding before coming in with his mocking taunts, threats and warnings?

I loved the way that the old bastard managed to phrase all his nasty comments in such a smooth and mock-sympathetic tone. And I loved the way that Lionel managed to design his words to be as hurtful and stabbing as possible during his speech… little touches, such as referring to Chloe as a ‘Kaplan’, and speaking to Lex about how his ‘weakness’ for Chloe was effecting his performance as a businessman. The old bastard really knows Lex’s raw nerve points, doesn’t he?


He would make his stay on Luthor Island longer than necessary.

ROTFL! Oh dear me… is Lex planning on giving the pilot instructions to leave Lionel abandoned on the island for an indefinite period of time? I have to admit, that would be an excellent way of teaching Lionel his place in the power structure of the new Luthor hierarchy.


Before Lex could make the call to the Island staff the phone was ringing. The front desk informed him that Chloe and Emma were already on their way to roof. He would have to make the call once he was at the manor to deal with his father. His girls were waiting for him.

awww, he calls them ‘his girls’. I wonder how Chloe would feel knowing that Lex was referring to her and Emma in that way…?

Squeee!!! Lex POV in the next chapter too? Awesome! I look forward to it. Please update soon!

[letia84]

Notes: Less then a month since my last update. I feel horrid. All my poor fics waiting to go. I have this on planned out but I have to get it on the page first. Here is a step in the right direction.

Warning: Please note the mild NC-17 content in this chapter.

Chapter 12 So Close Part 2 (Lex POV)

It was as if the manor hadn’t been dead for years. The smells, the sounds and the sight of the place were all the things Lex remembered when he was a child. The one thing missing was his mother telling him not to pick at things when his senses overwhelmed him.

At the moment the only thing really overwhelming him was Chloe. It wasn’t fair to have a woman that drove you mad with no outlet for the feelings. Being with them both made him happy but there were rules Lex had to follow.

Chloe was helping Emma decorate cookies at the moment. The little girl wanted to personalize the Christmas shaped cookies for each of her relatives. When they arrived she would give them her hard work. Chloe helped Emma with her spelling and when things went horribly wrong there was always another cookie for her to pipe vanilla frosting on to.

When the girls arrived at Luthor Corp. it was shortly after Lionel made his exit. They met on the roof with the chopper waiting. Lex feared that Emma might not take well to traveling that way but she enjoyed every minute of it.

Her giggles bubbled up each time they touched the wind in just the right way to make the helicopter bounce. Her eyes widened when she got a full view of Smallville from high in the air. Lex dreamed he was as brave as she was at her age. It had to be Chloe that brought it out then again, it could be her late father. No matter where it came from the trip was a success.

After landing Chloe scolded him. He was shocked after such success on the helicopter that she would be upset with him but she was. A few staff members were lingering on the grounds. It only took a moment for him to explain that they were there not breaking their agreement that they would wait on themselves for the next three days.

She agreed to let him take care of things when it came to food and lodging. The staff was present at their arrival finishing off a few last minute things. Chloe calmed down once his intentions were made clear.

They all took sometime to settle in their rooms before relocating into the kitchen. Chloe had already gotten the Christmas tree and décor squared away. The tree arrived two days before and all the decorations were in place for that night.

Things were in order. Lex was working on the prepped mushroom ravioli that was to be their dinner tonight while the girls decorated cookies. The evening on his end would go off without a hitch. There was no telling what would happen when the rest of the guests arrived.

“Mr. Lex?” Emma called out to him as he drained the noodles. When he focused his attention on her Emma had the evidence of sampling frosting on her cheek. Her eyes were puzzled and she had a question for him.

“Yes.” Lex answered calmly moving over to them.

“Do you want all your names on your cookie?” She questioned.

“I thought these cookies were for your family?” Lex questioned her. It was what she said when she started her work. There was no reason to place him that category at this point.

“Silly, you get a cookie.” She smiled at him warmly. Lex felt his heart do the same. How someone could accept him so fully was beyond him.

Emma’s kindness he equated to her youth. She was too young see that when people met him they fled. Her ability to accept him was because she didn’t know any better. Lex hoped she would always see him this way.

“Thank you.” Lex reached for a paper towel on the table and bushed away the frosting on her cheek. She smiled at him again reaching out with her tongue to swipe anything that remained.

When he let his eyes move to Chloe she was smiling. It looked like she wanted to tell him something but he assumed it would have to wait until they were alone. The moment was quickly interrupted when the phone rang on the far wall. It was the moment he dreaded coming at him hard and fast.

Chloe said she could answer the door alone but he wasn’t about to start off hiding out from her family. As they walked out of the kitchen into the hall Emma grabbed his hand. He assumed it was to show her the right way to go as he did the first time she was in the manor but part of him wanted it to be because she trusted him.

Lex pulled open the door and his first site was Lois. She grimaced in his direction then looked down towards Emma. Her tiny fingers were still locked with Lex’s hand.

“Cousin aren’t you excited to stay in the castle?” Emma piped letting go of his hand for Lois.

“Not really.” She answered taking Emma into her arms and moving in to the manor.

“Lois.” Chloe spoke in a sharp tone.

“What I’m I suppose to lie to her?” Lois answered in her own sharp tone.

Lex looked back to the door to see Clark coming toward him. His arms were full of bags that Lex assumed held gifts and their luggage. The poor man looked like a packing mule. Clark greeted Chloe then Emma completely ignoring Lex. Lex shrugged it off because he and Clark had done this dance for the past ten years. There was no need to change things when they both had their parts down so well.

“Lex.” Martha Kent spoke joyfully in his direction. She was caring a dish in her hand; no doubt filled with something to eat tonight for dinner. Lex was glad at least one person was happy see him.

“Merry Christmas Mrs. Kent.” Lex replied to her and before he knew it she was letting one arm go around him to bring him into an embrace. His face was pressed into her red hair with slivery streaks.

Martha was kind in a way that didn’t come off as fake. She spoke her mind and gave everyone the chance to have there own opinion. When Jonathan Kent passed Martha’s strength never faltered. From time to time he would stop into the Kent farm to say hello to her. She would be there offering him a cup of tea and light conversation. It was a blessing that she was here now. Even if everyone glared at him the entire holiday Martha wouldn’t be one of them.

When she let go her eyes warmed as she passed into the room for Emma and Chloe. During the exchange Gabe had already moved into the house. It appeared that was the end of the lot and Lex closed the door. Everyone was gushing about how great the lights outside looked and how much fun the next few days would be.

No one thanked him.

Maybe that came later.

Awkwardly standing to the side Lex started to wonder what he should do next but like so many times before Chloe saved him. “Lex why don’t you show everyone to their rooms while Emma and I go back to kitchen to finish up?”

He nodded in her direction then extended his hand in the direction he wanted everyone to follow. Lois did so grumbling down the hall. He stopped off at the first door that was to be Gabe’s then the next room was for Martha. They both moved into the guest rooms thanking him for letting them stay. The thanks did come later for some.

On the way Clark dropped off what he had to while lugging the rest. Lex would offer to help but he knew well enough that Clark could handle more. At the last room he opened the door for them.

“Here we are.” Lex spoke moving to the side.

“Let’s get something straight Luthor.” Lois started.

“Lois don’t…” Clark tried to interrupt her but she went ahead anyway.

“We are here for Chloe and Emma.” Lois went on. “We are here because this is what she wanted. Do you get that?”

After all these years Lex never thought much of Lois and right now he was about to stand down. The only reason Lois was speaking to him now was the same reason Lex let her think she had won. “I understand Lois that you would never do anything on my behalf.” Lex answered more curtly then he should have.

“I just want you to know that if you do anything that hurts them…” Lois started but instead Clark stepped in.

Clark was free of all the bags and had his hand was on Lois’ shoulder. “We don’t have to warn him. I think he knows what he would be losing now better then ever.” Clark looked to him with knowing eyes.

It was true. Lex knew what he would be losing because he lost it before. “Then we all have an understanding of one another.” Lex spoke then started down the hall away from them.

If Lois and Clark were warning him about his treatment of Chloe it could only mean one thing. He was closer then he thought to having her back fully. Whatever Chloe told them to got them and that meant he was so close.


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It was oddly calm in the manor. The night progressed well enough that Lex didn’t have to say much. Dinner went on with Lois ranting about her latest front page story. Even though Lex knew Chloe was happy with her job he always wondered if it stung a little to have Lois living her dream. Everyone was willing to help clean up proving that Chloe was right about not needing any staff.

They walked into the living room that he rarely used when he lived in the manor so long ago. It was supposed to be a family room. After his mother’s passing there wasn’t much of a family in the manor anymore so the room had become obsolete. The thought was an understatement. When Julian died the idea of family went with him.

The tree was placed into the family room waiting to be decorated. Martha brought some of her ornaments from her family collection. Lex had a few of those himself but considered them bad luck and kept them in storage.

Chloe had the ornaments Emma made at school as well. He had to admit they were rather well done. One was a carefully cut snowflake. Then there were a set of circles she made with drawings in each of them. There was a house with a snowy scene then a drawing of what was supposed to be her and her mother and the last one was very simple but very meaningful.

Emma had written out her father’s name then covered it in silver glitter. It was a reminder Lex didn’t need of what came before him. He started to wonder how much of Troy did Emma remember and how he would never be able to compete with those memories. The only hope was that she would make a new space for him.

Lex worked with Clark to get the lights on the tree first. Lois started playing a cheery holiday CD Lex had put out. Once Clark was done with the lights she pulled him to her to dance to a jazzy version of “Jingle Bell Rock”. The farm boy unwillingly started to move to the beat with her and it made Emma giggle.

When the song changed to “Rocking Around the Christmas Tree” they didn’t stop dancing. Lex kept his focus on the tree and any questions that came his way. When most of the ornaments were in place a slow song had started.

“I’ll be Home for Christmas” filled the room with its warming sound. When Lex was done placing a shiny red ornament on the tree there was tug at his leg. “Will you dance? Grandpa said no.” Emma looked at him disappointed that he was her second choice.

“Certainly.” He answered her reaching out for her hand.

She took his hand and he led her to where Lois and Clark were holding each other close. Lex let her place her feet on top of his so she was bit higher but she was still far to low. Holding her hands he started to sway them to the music. When he looked down at her she was beaming up at him. How could someone not fall in love with this little girl?

“You’re a wonderful dancer Emma.” Martha spoke now sitting next to Gabe sipping tea.

“Mr. Lex too.” Emma replied and Martha returned a nod then a wink.

Once the song was over Lex thought she would be done but she wanted more when the tempo picked up to “Here Comes Santa Claus”. At first Lex wasn’t sure what to do because Emma released from his grasp and started spinning left to right.

Following her lead he took her hand to help spin her. She let out a yelp of joy when he spun her all the way then caught her for quick dip. Dancing with Emma was more fun than he thought it would be because he was smiling and laughing as she tried to teach him her favorite dances moves.

Lex had to look like a fool but he didn’t really care. Emma was having fun as was everyone else. It was going along the way he hoped it would.

As the song died down Emma spoke up. “Now with mommy.” She told him. It didn’t sound like a suggestion but a demand.

“You dance Kitty Cat.” Chloe told her waving off the idea. She was keeping watch on them from the tree to straighten things that didn’t really need it. She wanted things to be perfect he remembered.

“Please.” Emma begged her again and again. The song changed to “The Christmas Song” (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire) sung by Nat King Cole.

He saw the fear in Chloe’s eyes at the thought of a slow song. The last time they danced together it was as if things faded away while they were close. Giving into the music and enjoying their closeness was something he knew Chloe might not want to do in front of her family.

Emma walked towards her mother to pull her towards Lex. Chloe complied and smiled as she approached him. The song progressed into the next verse once she was in his arms. He could feel the tension of her fingers as they moved around him. Lex started to move and looked to Emma with a wide grin as she huddled into Martha’s arms. He put his attention back on Chloe.

Chloe’s body wasn’t the way it should be keeping its distance from him. As the song progressed into the instrumental portion she moved in a little closer. A soft sigh left her lips when she felt Lex’s fingers smooth down her back. She was looking into his eyes almost longingly. Just as Lex felt the last time things faded away.

The noise of Lois’ giggle while Clark spun her was gone. Emma talking to Martha about tomorrows’ events disappeared. Gabe’s approving stare wasn’t noticed. Only the sound of Chloe’s breathing to the music was what he noticed.

There were far too few moments like this for Lex when he was able to hold Chloe close. His chance to hear her breath hitch every now and then was encouraging. The scent of her skin filled the room and he fought the urge to breathe it in heavy.

Her lips were so close but he couldn’t reach out to them. Then she mouthed something to him understanding each word. “I want to kiss you.” She breathed.

“Later.” He mouthed back to her. Then the song ended far too soon.

When they looked back at everyone in the room they were looking at them. Their faces were a bit stunned. It was as if they felt the electricity between Chloe and Lex first hand.

To break their awkward stare Chloe spoke up. “Time for bed.” She announced in Emma’s direction. The little girl booed at the idea but Chloe gave her a stern look and she jumped to her feet.

“I guess I’ll turn in as well.” Lois spoke up eyeing Clark in her own way.

Clark let out a loud yawn. “Yes, bed sounds good to me.” It was a fake gesture and he could only guess they wanted to be rid of him.

Slowly everyone followed suit and Lex knew the night was at an end. He had lived through it and even got to dance with both of his girls. Now all he had to do was sleep then do it all again tomorrow.


-------------}{------------

Lex was supposed to be going to sleep. Everyone was on the same hall so if someone needed the other they were easily found. Lying in bed Lex keep wanting to go to Chloe’s room. She was so close yet so far.

He could pop in to see how she was but, then again, Emma could be in her room. If that were the case there was no way he would be getting any sort of return on her request to kiss him. There could be the chance to be with them both again that wasn’t a bad thing. Then again he couldn’t push himself on them.

Lex helped Chloe put Emma down. Everyone stopped into her room before going to bed. One child with so many people that loved her was something Lex had never seen. When they were all gone Lex took his turn to say good night. Emma’s short arms did their best to wrap all the way around his neck to give him a hug good night.

When Lex turned away from her Chloe was waiting behind him. She and Emma were dressed alike for bed that night. They were wearing red cotton pajamas covered in white snow flakes. She smiled at him patting his arm as he walked out of the room. To him he wished it was a secret sign that he would see her later but there were no guarantees.

Instead of giving into his urges Lex let his mind go to the dancing earlier that evening. He smiled at the thought of spinning Emma about while she laughed. Then his thoughts turned to Chloe’s soft body pressed against his. Just when he thought his thoughts would get the best of him and he would have to do something about it there was a knock at the door.

Only in his black silk pajama pants he paused before opening the door thinking he should cover his bare chest. Once his fingers were around the top to the pajama set he let it go. If that was Chloe on the other side of door he wanted to see her reaction to his half naked body.

Taking a deep breath and hoping that it was Chloe, Lex opened the door. To his delight it was Chloe waiting on the other side. Her lips twitched into a half smile when she caught sight of him.

“Were you asleep?” She whispered.

“No, do you want to come in?” Lex answered moving to the side to let her enter.

Her hands were behind her, suddenly she pulled them both from behind her and in them was a movie box. “I thought we could watch this.”

“That sounds like a fine idea.” Lex eyed the box and knew the movie well enough. She wanted to watch “A Christmas Story” again. “Why I am I not surprised that this is your choice?”

She smiled widely walking into the room then turning back to answer him. “Because I’m horribly predictable.” Chloe spoke dripping with sarcasm.

Lex chuckled lightly then went for the door but suddenly she was proving her point of sarcasm. Her body rushed at him quickly and her lips found his with little effort. It was the kiss he had been waiting for all night. It was totally unpredictable.

Planting himself firmly Lex didn’t want to get carried away so he concentrated on her mouth moving against his. Her delicate fingers tickled his skull then moved down the carved features of his bare chest. Going without a shirt was starting to be a good idea.

Lex let himself fist both his hands in her hair flowing free down her back. After which he felt the gentle nudge of her palm on his chest. Lex took the hint to let her move the way she wanted to which meant she moved back away from him. Her body didn’t go far but he lost her lips. His eyes opened to find her smiling up at him.

“Can we start this?” Chloe waved the box passed his face once stepping back away from him.

Lex didn’t fight with her about what they should and shouldn’t be starting. He stepped back as well taking the box from her hands to start the movie. The TV was located at the foot of the bed hidden from view. Pushing a button the TV popped to the surface from its hidden case. He was prepared to turn the set facing away from the bed until he saw Chloe plop down on it.

She leaned back against the pillows and relaxed herself waiting for the start of the film. Lex wasn’t sure if he liked the idea she was proposing to him by placing herself on the bed. They could be just as comfortable on the love seat set up on the other side of the bed in direct view of the television once he turned it.

Seeing her make herself at home under his sheets and pressed against his pillows made his breathing erratic for moment until his characteristic control took over. He focused on placing the movie into the waiting DVD player hidden on the side of the TV set. Once it was going Lex need something else to do.

The next logical step was to take his place on the bed. After years of being gone Chloe still remembered he liked to be on right side because she had left it open for him. As he came around to his side of the bed his eyes were fixed her. Her eyes were fixed on the starting movie.

This was what he wanted in theory. Lex, at one time, wanted a somewhat functional family sound asleep in their rooms while he shared his bed with the woman he loved. His mind had given up on the idea long ago until Chloe came back.

All he had to do was move into the bed next to her and start living the dream. Like any other thing in his life his mind started racing on what could happen in that bed and what it would mean in the long run.

Once he was seated was she going to move closer to him? When they were alone it was what she did. When his fingers started idly wandering through her hair or over the curves of her body would she make the low murmur he loved to hear?

The most pressing question was his ability to keep his lips or his other parts to himself. At the door, when they kissed, it was a tease. If he wasn’t allowed to kiss her again after having her so close he didn’t know if he could stand it. He was in control of it before but they were never alone in a bed during those times since being in the Kent barn.

“Are you going sit?” Lex’s attention was drawn to the sound of her voice. He must have looked like a fool standing in wait next to the bed. She was huddled in the covers eyeing him with caution. “Don’t you want to sit in the bed?” She questioned and it seemed like she had realized his hesitation before he could say it.

His answer was very important now. There was no way he was giving up this moment over nerves. “The bed is fine.” He spoke taking his place. His back rested against the remaining pillows and he let his body rest on top of the blankets.

Lex turned to movie to hear older Ralphie’s voice over then Chloe did the same. The light at his night stand was the only thing keeping the room lit other than the tv and he flicked it off quickly. Once he was back in position Chloe moved towards him.

“I’m cold.” She moaned inching her way towards him.

Lex stood still letting her get into the position she wanted. Her face was pressed into his bare chest and one of her arms slung over him. On her way she made a mess of the covers and Lex was forced to get under them with her. His body had a mind of its own and he snaked his arm around her body pulling her closer to him. Then there was a low moan that escaped her lips.

For a few moments Lex forced himself to look at the television and not think of anything else. He failed miserably at it. Chloe decided to trace circles and lines over his chest. Her fingers trailed down the length of his abs back and forth. At one point he felt her head turn into him and he heard her breathing hitch as if she was smelling him.

His hands were no better. As he predicted his hands traced the line of her body and pulled through her long blonde locks. They touched each other in silence getting closer to uncharted territory then backing away.

Part of him wanted badly to take his free had and to reach under her chin then pull her face towards him. He was so close to pushing their new found relationship into a place it hadn’t been in ages.

“How are you this in shape?” Chloe spoke up letting her fingers move up between his pectorals only to stop short of at his waiting nipple to the right.

Lex looked down at her and she wasn’t looking at the TV. Her eyes roamed over his exposed flesh. “What do you mean?” he spoke holding her hand in place over him because he was becoming crazed by her touch.

“Your all toned and I got all round.” She answered him looking up into his eyes.

“I’m sure you’re round in all the right places.” His voice was lowered in the way he knew she would understand.

“And some of the wrong places too.” She added.

If she was fishing for a compliment Lex was happy to give her one. “You had a baby Chloe and you don’t even look like it.”

“I had a baby six years ago. It will be seven sooner than you think.” Chloe scoffed at his answer. “That should be more than enough time not to be this round.”

The comment wasn’t taken the way he meant it. There had to be a way to fix this. “Sit up let me look at you.” Lex waited for her to move and she did so quickly. It was impossible to tell anything in her over sized pajamas. “I can’t really get a good look.” He spoke as she posed in front of him.

Chloe’s eyes lowered to her body while her fingers touched the top button of her shirt. “Would you like to get a good look?” She questioned him softly.

If he wasn’t mistaken Chloe was asking him if he wanted her to take her clothes off to have a look at her body. His lips curved into a small smile. It had only been a few weeks since she officially started letting him in but there was no way he was getting this close.

“Chloe what are you doing?” He questioned her reluctantly.

Her hands dropped and she sighed long and hard. “I don’t know.” She murmured so low he almost didn’t hear. “Somehow it’s easier if I don’t…” she paused looking back at the glow of the TV.

“It’s easier if you don’t what Chloe?” Lex wanted her to answer him but he had a good idea of what she was going to say next.

She breathed and placed a hand on his chest. “It’s easier if we play this like a game for now.”

Lex placed his hand on top of her hand. “You want to play?” The confusion was clear in his voice.

“If I don’t over think it…” Chloe started then she finished.

“Then it makes it easier.” Lex placed his other hand around the curve of her face. If she wanted to play then he was happy to go along with it. “You want more from me than the usual?” Her head nodded once in response. It was all he needed to know. Without saying the words he assumed they were both talking about sex.

“Do you want to see where I’m round?” Chloe questioned him getting back to the game.

“I’ll be the judge of that.” He spoke taking his hands back to let her do as she was before. “Show me.”

The buttons started to be slowly undone and Lex could see the hint of her skin. When she was finished she reached to open the cotton covering. The first thing he saw was a trail of flushed skin leading to her rounded breasts and peaking nipples. His gaze moved down to her stomach just like he remembered. Chloe never saw her self very clearly.

“Well do you see it?” She questioned breathing heavy. Lex could only wonder if her harsh breath had to do with him looking at her turning on her or him looking at making her worry about what it meant.

“Can you lie back please so I can get a closer look?” Lex instructed and waited to see her reaction.

Her head nodded once and she moved to lie back against the pillows. Lex watched her breasts fall into place as she did. He slowly turned around and sat on his knees to face her. The length of him towered over her and her body was planted to the bed waiting for him.

“Let’s see what you think is round.” Lex looked at her face before moving his hand toward her. She was giving him a half smile. It was a good sign that what they were doing was okay.

His hand hovered over her but didn’t touch her. “I think I see something round.” Lex spoke letting his index finger trace around her navel. She squirmed a little but it wasn’t away from him because she was laughing. “Still ticklish there?” He repeated the motion to get the same response.

“Lex.” She spoke between giggles.

Taking the hint he moved on to body parts that were of a more delicate nature than Chloe’s navel. His finger swiped up to her waiting breast. The first stop was to the right breast and the dark area surrounding the nipple.

“This is also round.” His finger traced around the right breast then he moved to the left. He didn’t even touch her nipples but they started to stiffen just knowing how close he was to them.

For the moment Lex had ignored his own body to enjoy seeing Chloe’s until he felt the twitch at his groin. His body wanted more than to just to touch Chloe that night. The little game would have to stop because he didn’t think he could take the pain of having to stop.

“You don’t think I’m too rounded?” Chloe spoke softly again. It seemed like she was still into it. It could be that he was over thinking it and he had to answer before she got concerned.

He moved closer, lowering his body over her to let his lips rest at her ear. “I think you look perfect.” His voice was low and he waited for her to push him away. They were getting closer than holding each other or sharing a few kisses. Game or not he was pushing her to far.

“Kiss me.” Chloe answered him reaching to pull him towards her eager mouth.

He stopped thinking about how close he was to having Chloe. Lex let himself enjoy the moment. It was going to be a Merry Christmas this year.

TBC

Chapter 13 Not a Game (Chloe POV)

[lj715]

Great update! This one is still my favorite one of all your fics I think, very cruel of you to leave it there though. Can;t wait for more.

[hfce]

That was a great update but why stop there. I wanted more kissing. :D

[lexie]

An update at last! I absolutely adore the way Emma is warming to Lex and the fact that Martha doesn´t let his son´s animosity towards the billionaire stand in her way to show Lex her affection.

Lex´s patience is finally paying off and I agree with Hope, it was mean to cut that scene short.

Lovely update. I hope our feedback eggs on your muse.:grin3:

[karila]

It seems that I was a bad reviewer again! So I'm sorry!

Your story is really great.

I love the relationship between Emma and Lex. I'm glad that she accepts him as he is. This is what I like about children they don't judge as adults do.

I'm glad that the relationship between Chloe and Lex is on a good read.

Concerning Lois and Clark I think that I will just ignore them!

I hope to read more soon.

[somethingeasy]

It was as if the manor hadn’t been dead for years. The smells, the sounds and the sight of the place were all the things Lex remembered when he was a child. The one thing missing was his mother telling him not to pick at things when his senses overwhelmed him.

At the moment the only thing really overwhelming him was Chloe. It wasn’t fair to have a woman that drove you mad with no outlet for the feelings. Being with them both made him happy but there were rules Lex had to follow.

This was a brilliant start to the chapter. I loved Lex’s lovely description of ‘life’ returning back to his cold, dead, morgue-like manor. It’s amazing to see how much he dotes on his new ‘adopted family’, and how much he depends on them to make him feel... well... feel anything really! Joy, happiness, alive, passion, fulfilment... all the beautiful emotions that most people take for granted.

LOL! I was also greatly amused about how Lex could ‘almost’ hear his mother’s voice scolding him not to ‘pick at things’ that fascinated him during the festive times at the manor. And I giggled hysterically at the thought of Lex wanting to apply his childish urge to ‘touch and pick’ at the thing that most fascinates him now... Chloe! LOL!


Her giggles bubbled up each time they touched the wind in just the right way to make the helicopter bounce. Her eyes widened when she got a full view of Smallville from high in the air. Lex dreamed he was as brave as she was at her age. It had to be Chloe that brought it out then again, it could be her late father. No matter where it came from the trip was a success.

I loved the thought of Lex feeling so much joyous pleasure seeing Emma enjoying herself so much. He was honestly experiencing the helicopter ride anew through her, wasn’t he? Kids are wonderful that way! They allow you a chance to recapture the wonder of ‘first times’ no matter how old and jaded you get. And I rather liked the generous way Lex admitted that a part of Emma’s charm might have come from her late father as well as from Chloe. He’s finding it easier to accept ‘the rival blood’ inside of this adorable pseudo-daughter of his.



“Silly, you get a cookie.” She smiled at him warmly. Lex felt his heart do the same. How someone could accept him so fully was beyond him.

Emma’s kindness he equated to her youth. She was too young see that when people met him they fled. Her ability to accept him was because she didn’t know any better. Lex hoped she would always see him this way.

Awwww! Wasn’t that soooo cute?! LOL! I think I can see Lex falling in love with the artless, effortless charm of this mini-seductress with every passing minute.

Lex never stood a chance of mounting up his defences against Emma actually. Given his tendency to fall madly in love with anyone who shows him the slightest bit of non-judgemental acceptance, coupled with the fact that this is Chloe daughter, it was inevitable that Lex would fall head over heels in love with this child.


Chloe said she could answer the door alone but he wasn’t about to start off hiding out from her family. As they walked out of the kitchen into the hall Emma grabbed his hand. He assumed it was to show her the right way to go as he did the first time she was in the manor but part of him wanted it to be because she trusted him.

LOL! Just LOOK at big, bad Luthor... grabbing onto any excuse to fall even more in love with the kid. He’s bound determined to place her (as well as her mother) or a worshipful pedestal, isn’t he?


“Not really.” She answered taking Emma into her arms and moving in to the manor.

“Lois.” Chloe spoke in a sharp tone.

“What I’m I suppose to lie to her?” Lois answered in her own sharp tone.

Even by Lois’s standards, That. Was. RUDE!!! Honestly, you DON’T tell an excited, enthusiastic six year old that you’re dead prepared for a horrible time ahead. She might actually take you seriously, and end up re-thinking her own enthusiasm for the party. Try to think before you speak, Lois. I’m impressed that Lex kept himself from snidely snapping at her.

*sigh* and Clark really wasn’t much better with his behaviour either. I know that he didn’t want to celebrate Christmas at the Luthor manor, and that he was ONLY here because he loved Chloe, and didn’t want to disappoint her. But he COULD at least have executed some of those manners that Martha has instilled in him, and acted gracious and civilised towards his host.

At least Martha was able to make up for Lois and Clark’s ungracious behaviour upon arrival. And hopefully she’ll be having some choice words with Clark about basic manners later.


No one thanked him.

Maybe that came later.

Heh... I can tell that Lex is pretty peeved and indignant over here, which was kind of funny. But it was also sad because I sensed he might have been a little wounded too?

LOL! Not all that wounded however, because I’m pretty sure that, at this point, Lex doesn’t really care ‘that’ much about Lois’s or Clark’s opinions about him.


“We are here for Chloe and Emma.” Lois went on. “We are here because this is what she wanted. Do you get that?”

After all these years Lex never thought much of Lois and right now he was about to stand down. The only reason Lois was speaking to him now was the same reason Lex let her think she had won. “I understand Lois that you would never do anything on my behalf.” Lex answered more curtly then he should have.

Lois is still tactless, but you have to admire her very direct, open manner of expressing dislike towards someone. I actually think Lex HUGELY prefers this manner of dislike as compared to the back-biting whispers that he hears whenever people think he’s out of ear-shot.


Clark was free of all the bags and had his hand was on Lois’ shoulder. “We don’t have to warn him. I think he knows what he would be losing now better then ever.” Clark looked to him with knowing eyes.

It was true. Lex knew what he would be losing because he lost it before. “Then we all have an understanding of one another.” Lex spoke then started down the hall away from them.

Wow! I was seriously impressed. That was a very astute, insightful and even sharply cutting comment from Clark. It was considerably above his ‘normal’ standards of cutting remarks, LOL! I loved how Clark knew (and noted) how ‘losing Chloe’ would be the absolutely worst kind of punishment that could happen to Lex... and there was nothing Lois or Clark could do to top that. Screwing up with Chloe will have its own horrible punishment that Lex is deathly afraid of... he doesn’t need additional threats. Heh.... verrry nice, Clark! :D


If Lois and Clark were warning him about his treatment of Chloe it could only mean one thing. He was closer then he thought to having her back fully. Whatever Chloe told them to got them and that meant he was so close.

I didn’t see this perspective, but now that Lex mentions it... Hell yeah! LOL! Who would have imagined Lex would have been able to see the bright, silver lining in this situation, ROTFL!


Emma had written out her father’s name then covered it in silver glitter. It was a reminder Lex didn’t need of what came before him. He started to wonder how much of Troy did Emma remember and how he would never be able to compete with those memories. The only hope was that she would make a new space for him.

All of the traditional and home-made decorations that had been brought over to the Luthor manor sounded absolutely lovely! And that last decoration commemorating Troy made me nearly tear up.

I also found my heart aching at the wistful tone in Lex’s thoughts as he wondered whether he’d ever be able to carve out a place for himself in Emma’s life and heart, separate (but perhaps still equal) to the love she has for her father. The poor man is so desperate to have this child’s love... I think he’s actually a little afraid of Emma, and the power she wields over him.


She took his hand and he led her to where Lois and Clark were holding each other close. Lex let her place her feet on top of his so she was bit higher but she was still far too low. Holding her hands he started to sway them to the music. When he looked down at her she was beaming up at him. How could someone not fall in love with this little girl?

Awwww!!! The sweetness here is sending me into sugar-shock, LOL! The party members seem to be loosening up, and have started dancing around the Christmas tree instead of scowling at the Luthor walls, LOL! I loved the imperious way that Emma demanded that Lex dance with her. She’s really enjoying having him wrapped up around her finger.

I would REALLY love to see Lex’s attempt at disciplining this child. It’s, quite frankly, easy to like a child when you have the freedom to give her whatever she wants to please her. But it’s not that easy liking the same child when you’re seeing her throwing a tantrum fit because you have to say ‘no’ to her.


Lex had to look like a fool but he didn’t really care. Emma was having fun as was everyone else. It was going along the way he hoped it would.

Isn’t it NICE to see Lex completely discarding his ‘Luthor dignity’ to please the little girl?! Awesome... and fun too! LOL!


The noise of Lois’ giggle while Clark spun her was gone. Emma talking to Martha about tomorrows’ events disappeared. Gabe’s approving stare wasn’t noticed. Only the sound of Chloe’s breathing to the music was what he noticed.

There were far too few moments like this for Lex when he was able to hold Chloe close. His chance to hear her breath hitch every now and then was encouraging. The scent of her skin filled the room and he fought the urge to breathe it in heavy.

Her lips were so close but he couldn’t reach out to them. Then she mouthed something to him understanding each word. “I want to kiss you.” She breathed.

“Later.” He mouthed back to her. Then the song ended far too soon.

What a lovely, awesome scene! I wonder whether Emma is subconsciously (or even consciously?) playing matchmaker between ‘Mr. Lex’ and her mommy. It doesn’t really fit into Emma’s behaviour for her to be playing matchmaker… considering that she’s still in the middle of grieving her father, and is nowhere near ready to ‘replace him’. It’s going to be a while yet before Emma is ready to accept Lex as anything more than ‘mommy’s friend’. Hmmmm, it would be pretty interesting to see Emma throwing the world’s most severe hissy-fit if she found out that Lex is trying to ‘replace’ her daddy.

But those are all concerns for another day. Right now, I was having a LOVELY time revelling in the beautiful Chlex slow-dance moment. It was wonderful to read! I loved, LOVED seeing Lex ‘losing himself’ in the dance, until he couldn’t see anything, acknowledge anything EXCEPT for Chloe in his arms. Isn’t it amazing seeing how he can so easily become completely wrapped up with her?!

And it seems like Chloe also had a similar reaction. I can’t believe that she was so overwhelmed that she actually whispered to Lex that she wanted to kiss him… in front of her friends, family and Emma too!! She had really lost herself completely to the overwhelming sensuality of the moment, hadn’t she?

Heh… good thing Lex managed to keep JUST enough of a sense of discretion to tell her that ‘this’ was not the place to be kissing. Not that he wouldn’t have minded ‘branding’ Chloe in front of Clark, Lois and Gabe… but he’s not ready to deal with Emma’s possibly negative reaction to him blatantly putting the moves on her mommy.


He could pop in to see how she was but, then again, Emma could be in her room. If that were the case there was no way he would be getting any sort of return on her request to kiss him. There could be the chance to be with them both again that wasn’t a bad thing. Then again he couldn’t push himself on them.

Every time I get myself angrily worked up over Lex’s scheming, sneaky plan to ‘sidle’ his way back into Chloe’s life without her fully being aware of what he’s doing… he does something like this to completely derail my outrage. How does the sneaky bastard manage to ALSO have qualities like generosity and patience in him on top of the sneakiness?! LOL!


When Lex turned away from her Chloe was waiting behind him. She and Emma were dressed alike for bed that night. They were wearing red cotton pajamas covered in white snow flakes. She smiled at him patting his arm as he walked out of the room. To him he wished it was a secret sign that he would see her later but there were no guarantees.

awww, that g’night kiss Lex gave to Emma was lovely. And I really enjoyed the hard, stern way he told himself NOT to get his hopes up for a secret ‘let’s meet up for midnight smut’ sign from Chloe just because she happened to smile and pat his arm before slipping off to her room. That sweet, ridiculous man, LOL!


Only in his black silk pajama pants he paused before opening the door thinking he should cover his bare chest. Once his fingers were around the top to the pajama set he let it go. If that was Chloe on the other side of door he wanted to see her reaction to his half naked body.

ROTFL! He’s such a smooth, sophisticated seducer… but he’s also just like some teenaged jock who wants to show off his muscles to the ‘pretty girl he has a crush on’, LOL!


Planting himself firmly Lex didn’t want to get carried away so he concentrated on her mouth moving against his. Her delicate fingers tickled his skull then moved down the carved features of his bare chest. Going without a shirt was starting to be a good idea.

Lex let himself fist both his hands in her hair flowing free down her back. After which he felt the gentle nudge of her palm on his chest. Lex took the hint to let her move the way she wanted to which meant she moved back away from him. Her body didn’t go far but he lost her lips. His eyes opened to find her smiling up at him.

“Can we start this?” Chloe waved the box passed his face once stepping back away from him.

What is Chloe up to this evening? She’s definitely sending Lex positive signals for touching, intimacy and closeness… but she’s giving him signals first for night of platonic cuddling, and then a signal for hot sex… followed immediately by a sign for cuddling.

Heh… the kiss was pretty awesome though.


“Are you going sit?” Lex’s attention was drawn to the sound of her voice. He must have looked like a fool standing in wait next to the bed. She was huddled in the covers eyeing him with caution. “Don’t you want to sit in the bed?” She questioned and it seemed like she had realized his hesitation before he could say it.

I was really amused by Lex’s wrestling uncertainty as the poor guy tried to figure out WHAT was the situation over here. The poor man’s mind was stuck in stalled mode with a gear popped out. I could practically see the ‘blue screen on doom’ in his mind… ‘the system has unexpectedly crashed, please reboot’. LOL!

He must have spent a looong couple of minutes just stuck not knowing what to do. Chloe actually had to prod him into joining her on his bed beside her?!? ROTFLMAO! Who would have imagined the day where I saw Lex hesitating so long before jumping into bed with Chloe. LOL!


For a few moments Lex forced himself to look at the television and not think of anything else. He failed miserably at it. Chloe decided to trace circles and lines over his chest. Her fingers trailed down the length of his abs back and forth. At one point he felt her head turn into him and he heard her breathing hitch as if she was smelling him.

His hands were no better. As he predicted his hands traced the line of her body and pulled through her long blonde locks. They touched each other in silence getting closer to uncharted territory then backing away.

Part of him wanted badly to take his free had and to reach under her chin then pull her face towards him. He was so close to pushing their new found relationship into a place it hadn’t been in ages.

That was a lovely, sexy-hot description of Chloe and Lex enjoying each other’s bodies… in a relatively innocent and relishing kind of way. It was beautiful to see them both taking such profound pleasure in touching in each in basically non-sexual ways. They were bonding and re-connecting with each other, weren’t they? What a lovely way to come slowly back to the relationship they used to have.

Heh… and I really liked the way that Lex TOLD himself that it wasn’t a good idea for him to drive himself crazy touching Chloe when he wasn’t sure whether he’d be able to take it anywhere further. But, despite this good, stern advice, he simply couldn’t stop his hands from roaming. Isn’t it NICE to see the complete lack of self-control Lex has around Chloe? :D


She breathed and placed a hand on his chest. “It’s easier if we play this like a game for now.”

Lex placed his hand on top of her hand. “You want to play?” The confusion was clear in his voice.

“If I don’t over think it…” Chloe started then she finished.

“Then it makes it easier.” Lex placed his other hand around the curve of her face. If she wanted to play then he was happy to go along with it. “You want more from me than the usual?” Her head nodded once in response. It was all he needed to know. Without saying the words he assumed they were both talking about sex.

I was wondering what was Chloe doing playing games with Lex when he was clearly getting stressed out wondering what was happening. It wasn’t like Chloe to tease and manipulate in that manner. But then she actually TOLD Lex directly that she wanted to tease in a game-like manner, which made it a lot truer to Chloe’s character. She wouldn’t normally play games, but if she TELLS him beforehand that she’s playing, then it’s all true and fair.

I also liked her explanation about how playing games made it somehow ‘easier’ for her to accept Lex in such an intimate manner. She clearly needs intimacy from him tonight, but she’s still not ready to commit to a relationship… so this is the best compromise she can make for herself and for Lex.


“Can you lie back please so I can get a closer look?” Lex instructed and waited to see her reaction.

Her head nodded once and she moved to lie back against the pillows. Lex watched her breasts fall into place as she did. He slowly turned around and sat on his knees to face her. The length of him towered over her and her body was planted to the bed waiting for him.

“Let’s see what you think is round.” Lex looked at her face before moving his hand toward her. She was giving him a half smile. It was a good sign that what they were doing was okay.

I wasn’t sure how Lex might take Chloe’s request to make a ‘game’ out of this. On one hand, he’s dead serious about what’s happening, and he wouldn’t want it ‘trivialized’ as any kind of a game… but on the other hand… he’s FINALLY getting to touch Chloe as he’s wanted for AGES now. Heh… it seems like the pleasure of the chance to touch Chloe far outweighs any possible resentment of having this evening categorized as ‘game playing’. He’s actually having fun with the ‘rules’ as they’re being made up.


“This is also round.” His finger traced around the right breast then he moved to the left. He didn’t even touch her nipples but they started to stiffen just knowing how close he was to them.

For the moment Lex had ignored his own body to enjoy seeing Chloe’s until he felt the twitch at his groin. His body wanted more than to just to touch Chloe that night. The little game would have to stop because he didn’t think he could take the pain of having to stop.

“You don’t think I’m too rounded?” Chloe spoke softly again. It seemed like she was still into it. It could be that he was over thinking it and he had to answer before she got concerned.

I loved the sensuality of this scene. I loved the way that Chloe was enjoying Lex caressing her body and telling her everything that he loved most about it. And, more than anything, I loved reading Lex’s reaction to touching Chloe’s body as well as her reaction to his touches. He was reaching nearer to the edge of his control… and isn’t he HOT when he’s fighting to keep himself controlled for the sake of his beloved? :D


He moved closer, lowering his body over her to let his lips rest at her ear. “I think you look perfect.” His voice was low and he waited for her to push him away. They were getting closer than holding each other or sharing a few kisses. Game or not he was pushing her to far.

“Kiss me.” Chloe answered him reaching to pull him towards her eager mouth.

He stopped thinking about how close he was to having Chloe. Lex let himself enjoy the moment. It was going to be a Merry Christmas this year.

Aaaargh!!! You ended it there?!? THERE??!? Why do you torture us like this?! JUST as the smut was building up to delicious levels!

LOL! Seriously though, it was actually a GREAT, delicious cliffhanger. Perfect to leave your readers hungry for more, more, MORE! Please update soon. The next chapter title looks especially intriguing… ‘not a game’, huh? I guess Chloe’s going to be forced to acknowledge the serious reality of the situation instead of dismissing it as ‘fun frivolity for one evening only’. Awesome! I look forward to the next posting.

[letia84]

Chapter 13 Not a Game Part 1 (Chloe POV)

Those that have been reading beware this chapter’s shift into NC-17 material for sexual content.

The sound Lex made when Chloe asked him to kiss her rang in her ears. A long grunt sneaked from his lips before he met hers. His hand curved around her neck to pull her closer to him then she felt the warmth of his tongue sliding into her mouth.

As the night progressed she could feel this moment coming. She and Emma arrived at Luthor Corp. on time to catch the helicopter off to Smallville. Chloe was scared her kitty would close her eyes and scream the whole way there.

On planes Emma was fine. They were large enough that you didn’t feel turbulence unless it was really bad. Another plus was the large space that allowed room to move. Walking about the cabin wasn’t a problem in a plane. She could visit the rest room or say “hi” to the flight attendant.

A helicopter was small. Every touch of the wind was felt inside its tiny cabin. You could see the ground below very well because you weren’t flying high in the clouds. Emma could have taken the ride badly but she took to it like a pro.

Chloe was allowing herself to see Lex in a new light. It was only a few weeks since they were kissing in the Kent barn but that was like opening the flood gate. She wanted to touch him when no was looking of course. Her mind kept having thoughts that were dirtier and dirtier with each passing day.

Chloe had mastered control over her urges because she wasn’t comfortable with them yet. Of course there was the idea of a point of no return. If she truly was going to let Lex in more than that meant not only spending the holiday together but letting him into physical parts of her when they were alone.

It was no lie that she was attracted to him. There was no hiding when she was close to him. Lex had way of looking at her that she knew better than to be alone with him for fear of jumping him in an instant. That night had been hard. They were in the kitchen with Emma and the entire time she wanted to kiss him.

Lex had learned to be very patient with Emma just like she hoped. Doing anything that was affectionate in front of Emma would be the wrong move. Chloe knew herself but predicting Emma’s reaction was harder. If Emma thought Lex was taking over as her father Chloe didn’t know. The thought was far from Chloe’s mind. She was still working out the details.

There was the secret touching that would have to stop until Chloe had a chance to talk to her daughter. Lex’s hand would brush behind her back or their bodies would collide trying to get things ready for dinner that night. All of it was very distracting. She felt like a teenager because she couldn’t stop day dreaming about kissing. It was the reason she placed herself at the table with Emma to decorate cookies before everyone arrived.

Throughout the night Lex faired well with her family. He didn’t have to do any of this. She had a feeling if it were up to him it would be her and Emma with him. If it was up to him Chloe knew Lex thought Emma would be his.

The evening was fine for Chloe as well but the pointed glances he gave made her rethink taking things slowly. Slower seemed to be the way to go because rushing might make her head spin and the truth could be clouded by it.

After their dance Chloe was ready to throw out her rules and kiss him right in front of everyone. It was dangerous whispering to him the way she did but she had to say something to break the tension between them.

But she knew she couldn’t do anything in front of Emma. Lois would understand. She had already filled Clark in that her friendship with Lex was really not a friendship anymore. Her father knew well enough after they talked about spending the holidays in the manor. Martha was never one to judge when it came to matters of the heart.

If Chloe let Lex in that far it meant that he had to stay. If one day Lex was there then gone the next how would Emma fair?

Now that they were alone, hidden in his room, all her careful control went out the window. She thought kissing him at the door calmed the urges but they only got strong once she was in his bed.

She saw through his plan to be topless. If he wanted to get a reaction out of her Lex didn’t have to do much. Chloe thought if he wanted to play then she would try a hand at it herself. Games were never her way. Being up front with what she wanted always made more sense.

The feel of his hand taking hold of her breast at the moment pulled her out of their little game. Her hands braced against his chest the best she could and she nudged him back. Lex took in a harsh breathe as he let himself move away. He had made himself comfortable at Chloe’s side pressed against the length of her. He then rolled over onto his back taking in deep breaths.

“I’m sorry.” It was the best thing Chloe could say to him. Toying with him wasn’t making either of them happy.

“It’s alright.” She could hear the disappointment in his voice.

Chloe looked down at herself and saw her half naked body. When her eyes met Lex again he was sitting upright now leaning against the headboard of the bed holding out her top to put back on.

It appeared as if he thought this was over but nudging him away wasn’t meant to be the end of evening. “Lex I don’t want to stop.” Chloe spoke plainly. This was who she was. Letting him in by some silly game wasn’t.

“Then why…” He paused looking at her with a pained expression.

In the heat of the moment his body had become flush and his chest was now a light shade of pink. He was flustered and never finished his thought. Chloe had seen this before. Lex wasn’t much for focusing on other things when it came to sex. He became engrossed in it and it was something she used to love. The thought of him wanting nothing more than to find pleasure in her was something about him that hadn’t changed.

“Lex, I’m sorry I shouldn’t have come at it this way.” Chloe took the shirt from his hand still holding out to her. Trying to make this easier on them both she draped the top over her naked flesh.

“Maybe we should just call it a night.” He started to turn to leave the bed. The dim light from the TV was still shinning on them and she could see his disappointment clearly.

The thought of him giving up so quickly made her feel bad. She had put him in such an awkward position. Before he could get away she grabbed his arm. “Just wait a second. Let me explain.”

He settled back against the headboard waiting for her to speak. She wasn’t sure how to put this since this mess was her fault but she could fix it. “I didn’t mean for this to happen this way.”

“Chloe this didn’t seem to be your style to me either but I thought you said it would be easier if you didn’t over think it.” Lex threw her words back at her.

She wanted to trample over them. Over thinking was how she was an amazing journalist. It was also how she got herself into trouble. Going the other way had her in trouble now too. She couldn’t win.

“I know what I said and it was a bad choice of words.” Chloe ran her fingers through her hair trying to think of her intentions in coming to his room tonight.

Of course there was the need to kiss him but once she was doing it she didn’t want to push things too far. It was her idea to sit in the bed and once he was in it with her pushing things become a good idea again. Some how making the first few moments of getting to what she wanted a game made it easier but she couldn’t start things off this way.

“If you want to have sex with me all you have to do is say so.” Lex reached her hair as well to brush back the length over her shoulder.

“I know that but this is new to me.” Chloe tried to think of the last time she was with anyone but she didn’t want to start thinking of Troy at a time like this so she let the thought pass. Acting on her attraction to him was what this was about. “I thought I could do it that way but I can’t.”

He looked at her for what seemed like forever before speaking. “I don’t mind taking whatever route you want. In the end I just want to be with you.” He moved closer to find her lips again. A soft brush of his mouth to hers was all he gave her then spoke softly. “I just want you Chloe.”

When he pulled away Chloe felt her heart beating out of her chest. “Lex I want you too but I’m scared.” Chloe started letting herself move closer to him but kept her body covered. With one hand she moved up the hard lines of his chest towards his cheek. “If we do this it will mean a lot to me.”

“It will mean a lot to me too.” His eyes closed as she touched the lines of his jaw then her thumb swept passed his lower lip. When he opened his eyes they were pleading. She swallowed hard making an audible gulp.

“I’ll be going back to a place I didn’t think I would ever be again.” Lex stopped her touching and pulled her hand down to his chest just over his heart. He was letting her feel the steady rhythm pick up with every passing second. “This isn’t like before. There is more then just me to think about.”

“I understand if you have to talk to Emma about us.” He was being so understanding. Chloe wondered if it was to get to the goal of being pressed against her again but the past few months had taught her better than that.

“I should have done it sooner. When we get back to the city I will talk to her but I don’t know what to say.” This felt right. Chloe knew what that meant. It was so easy the first time to fall for Lex. The second time seemed no different. The only difference was how it would affect the most important thing in her life.

“Just tell her we care about each other and we will see more of each other.” Lex answered and she could see him fighting the urge to do something before she gave him the okay.

“I can say that but is that all this is?” Chloe need some reassurance. “The more you’re around the harder it will be for Emma to let you go if…” She paused not wanting to speak of their past.

“I know I’m not her father but I can be a part of her life no matter what?” It was an understatement that he adored Emma. The look of concern in his eyes at the thought of losing her pierced through Chloe.

Chloe nodded, happy that he had taken to Emma but it what she also a new fear. “I can’t let things go the way they did last time.” There couldn’t be any lingering mistakes from ten years ago.

“We know better than that now or at least I know better than that now.” Lex’s heart was pounding now and it had to be because Chloe was reaching down to kiss his hand resting on hers.

The soft sigh that passed his lips had her decided on what she was trying to hide from in games. So many things were keeping her from letting this happen. Emma’s well being was top of her list. Letting her powers fail Troy was next. Now the past that could repeat itself was in front of them. If Chloe was going to let go this time she would have to put that past behind her.

“I don’t know if I should say this but I’m going to love you again. There is no stopping it. When you’re gone I miss you and when your here it feels right. I may be saying this to fast but this is not a game and I can’t lie” His hand squeezed her when she said it. The gesture seemed like he was checking if she was real.

It was the truth. The more he was around. The more she was near him. The more she saw him becoming apart of her little family. Chloe knew each step would bring her back to where she used to. Giddy at the sight of his shiny bald head coming towards her. She would feel her body tremble whenever he kissed her. The most forgotten feeling of loving him so much it physically hurt when he was away was going to come next.

A certain relief washed over her. The more he was around the more Chloe would fall. He had to know this. Saying it up front was her way. He had to see what he would be gaining and how much it would hurt to fall back into hold habits.

“When you know you love me tell me. I promise this time I won’t wait so long to say it back. I’ll tell you right after.” Before she could answer him he was kissing her.

His arms wrapped around her and Chloe gave him the closeness he was looking for. Her arms moved around his neck and she let him have control of her tasting his mouth then his slick tongue.

She knew what he said was more then just remembering the first time she told him she loved him. She felt like a love sick child that night wrapped in his arms. The words passed between them and weren’t retuned till much later. Right now that memory wasn’t important. If Lex was willing to say it right back then he was willing to say it right now.

Lex loved her.

It was something she didn’t think possible after being apart so long but there he was showing her in every way possible. He nudged them back on to the mattress pulling away the cotton covering to let her body be free again. When his lips parted hers they didn’t stop moving. They only made a slowly trail down her neck to her throat and down to the line of chest leading to her navel and back again.

Once he had returned to her mouth he stopped his careful work. “What?” Chloe questioned him looking down at her.

“Are you sure?” He asked reluctantly. “We can wait.”

There was no way to be sure if this was the right move but Chloe wanted this. She wanted this to outweigh the pressing issues that could never arise. “You said all I had to do was come to you. So here I am.” Chloe smiled at him waiting from him to go on.

He was kissing her again but this time with a certain urgent rush. With as much force as he was kissing her Chloe tried to hold on to him. She griped his shoulders pulling him into her. The weight of him pressed against her until he leaned away.

Chloe had to let go of him unwillingly. Hovering above her was the long line of his body. When she gasped it was because he wasn’t tracing lines down her sides to feel her skin. His fingers took hold of her cotton pajama pants and with one swift motion he took them down along with her underwear.

It was the moment Chloe’s nerves clicked. She was naked and he was staring. A half smiled formed on his lips and he was moving again. Chloe saw where he wanted to go. She shifted up slightly to give him room to rest between his legs. Instead of coming closer to her he kneeled away then lowered himself even more down the bed.

It looked as if he was positioning himself to do something Chloe wasn’t expecting. “Lex you don’t have to do that.”

The half smiled returned. He let one finger move down between her legs towards her. There were no words from him as he slid the finger up from her slick channel towards her throbbing bundle of nerves. An uncontrolled grunt left her lips and he seemed please with himself smiling at her.

Lex wasn’t much for smiling but there he was grinning at her as he lifted his wet finger to his lips. Chloe watched him taste her wetness and he finally spoke. “I think I do.”

With those words he was lowering himself and once he was close enough Chloe felt his hot breath blow against her wetness. Her nervousness made her flinch. Chloe let her back arch slightly, her fingers gripped the Egyptian cotton sheets, her buttocks clinched and he saw how tense she was.

His hands braced her thighs pushing them open wider then softly stroking them. “You can trust me.” Lex reassured her with his stormy blue eyes in the dim light of the room.

This was the part where she had to gamble and hope she had a winning hand. “I trust you.” As she spoke her body relaxed. This was the moment when she could turn back and let this ride out longer. Waiting seemed unnecessary now that she was naked and in great need for what he was about to do.

Chloe’s hand moved towards his hand stroking her thigh, to stop him. Then he went ahead with his tongue point forward. There was one soft lick followed by another after which Chloe lost count. There was only the feeling of him hard at work for her. The light touches of his the tongue and the probing of his finger inside her slick channel thrusting in and out.

The building of her orgasm was strange. Chloe had become accustom to her hands or favorite a sexual toy to lead her to this point. No one had been with her in so long so she stifled the feeling. She squeezed her eyes shut and tried to keep her breathing even. Her hands moved away from Lex to grasp the soft sheets again.

Lex must have noticed her tension because he stopped. Her eyes opened to look at him staring at her with his lips moistened with her wetness. “No one can hear you.” He smiled again.

Chloe wasn’t given a chance to answer him because he was back to driving her mad. The sound wasn’t her concern. It was what was coming next. The building of the orgasm came from her center. There was a burning sensation that could kill the moment but it was extremely pleasant. She choked on his name and that made him change his work.

A second finger joined the first. His lips covered her clit and started to suck so sweetly. Then Chloe had no room to be concerned about her nerves. The sound of her screaming through her orgasm filled the room. Her eyes fused closed and slowly opened to find Lex hovering about her face. His was hand still below her gently swiping back and forth at her entrance.

“I’m sure no one heard that.” His head cocked to the side and she noted his sarcasm.

“I wasn’t expecting that.” Chloe admitted to him trying to think of ways to pay him back for teasing.

“There is more.” He spoke coolly reaching down to pressing his mouth to hers. As there lips parted Chloe could taste herself in his mouth.

Then she had her pay back planned. She worked him back towards the bed to let him be the one lying down while never leaving the kiss. When he was in place she could see he was no longer flushed pink but red from his efforts just now. Just as he had done to her she let her hands trail down his sides to the hem of his silky bottoms.

He had to help her pull them off and release the throbbing member that awaited her. She was staring for moment trying to remember the last time she saw him. Every ripple and inch she couldn’t recall from looking.

“Look in the night stand.” Lex’s words pulled her out of her trance.

Doing as he said she found the condoms. “Did you put these here thinking that we would do this?” Chloe took one in to her hands then handed it back to him waiting for an answer.

Lex shook his head no but his answer was different. “I wanted to be ready for any number of possibilities for the next few days.” While he spoke he placed the condom on.

“Always so caring and creepy Luthor.” Her hair had grown so long that sometimes it got in they way. Now was one of those times. She did her best to take a moment to smooth it back out of the way. Then her body started to move into place.

He helped by bracing her hips. When she met his eyes she didn’t leave them and watched the tiny changes that happened as she lowered herself. His gripped tightened when the tip of him passed her then his eyes widened when she sat down taking in his length.

“Fuck.” He grunted. He wasn’t so articulate and she wanted to tell him but she said the word with him.

The full feeling washed over her before she started to move. Chloe tried to find some comfort by rounding her hips and he grunted the expletive again. This was her payback for poking fun at her screaming.

The first thrust was small; a simple lift and returned. The second was the start of a rhythm that settled him into low murmurs. His eyes moved down her body while one of his hands followed to explore parts above him. The burning sensation returned threatening to consume them both. She needed to go faster but Chloe feared falling over. Resting against his chest was an option but she liked the feel of his hand pinching one nipple then the other one.

Then there were his eyes. Chloe had forgotten so much about this part of Lex. His eyes were burning just like she was. It was scary sometimes to see how much he wanted her then oddly reassuring.

“Help me.” Chloe breathed to him placing her hands at her hips for support.

He moved his hands so that they were the ones holding her then driving her towards the speed she was missing. The over whelming feeling made her break her focus on him. Her head leaned back and she took in each stroke.

“Please.” He was pleading. Chloe looked down at him flush with his mouth slightly open trying to gasp for air.

He was waiting for her to come again. There was no reason she should try to reason with him because he would be stubborn about it. Instead she let herself go with her right hand to push down between. When she found just the right spot Chloe pushed against it and when she looked at Lex he was smiling again.

How he knew just before she did she would ask later but she was coming again. This time she had some control over her mouth keeping the escaping pleasure to gasp. His smiles twisted due do to her muscles tightening around him. It seemed as if he would follow but he wasn’t done.

His body moved quickly flipping them over. Chloe had to brace both hands on him in order to allow it. One of his hands lifted her leg against him to let his cock sink deeper and he thrust into her with a sharp force pushing against her tightening muscles.

When it seemed like he might explode Lex buried his face into her hair whispering her name as he let go. She could feel him spilling into the condom. His body lingered against her for a long moment. It let her enjoy the heat and the weight of him.

Blowing out a long breathe he pulled away to roll on to his back. “We should do that again.” He spoke.

Chloe turned to look at him. “When should that be?”

His head turned slowly then he took her hand resting between to check her wrist as if there was a watch there. “Give me a minute.”

“Only one minute?” She moved towards him letting one arm curve over his chest.

“Less if you kiss me.” He gave her the half smile again waiting as he had done so much the past few months.

Chloe did as he asked kissing him in earnest. When they parted he started leaving the bed. “Where are you going?” She looked at him with uncertainty.

“Taking care of the condom for a new one.” He answered and left for the bathroom quickly. When he returned Lex followed up on his promise.


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Chloe didn’t want to wake up but someone was calling her name. She knew she was in the manor because her bed didn’t feel this good. Then she felt a hand brushing down her back and she realized she was naked. The hand stopped to squeeze her butt then moved back up.

“Chloe you have to wake up.” She heard Lex’s voice again and her eyes shot open.

“Where is Emma?” Chloe turned in bed then sat up looking around her frantically. She was still in Lex’s room. Emma would wake up at any moment thrilled that it was time for presents and she was still in Lex’s room.

“She’s not up yet but you should get to your room before she is.” He gave her a reassuring pat on the hand.

Chloe breathed a sigh of relief. “I should hop in the shower.” Jumping out of the bed she started looking for pajamas. “Where are my things?”

“Right here.” Lex was standing behind her holding out her cloths for her. He was wearing his pajamas as if he had them on all night.

She remembered the second round. There was more kissing and more exploring parts of his body with her mouth. That round she still had little control over the sounds she made. The sound of her third orgasm would be heard by the whole house if it weren’t for the thick walls of the manor. Chloe could still feel him against her skin but there he was dressed while she was still naked.

She started to wonder how long he had been up. Instead of asking she was just thankful for her clothes. “Thank you.” She took them from him as he pulled her to him.

His arm went around her waist to place her as close as he wanted. “Merry Christmas.” He said to her before brushing his lips against hers for moment.

Chloe didn’t let him get away so quickly and kissed him back more than she should have. His hand fisted into her hair and they started to move back. They weren’t forcing each other. Their bodies had a mind of their own. They were both swaying back towards the bed. He turned them and Chloe felt the bed at the back of her legs. Another second and she would be ripping off his clothes before dipping back on to the bed.

She had to stop him before the sweaty thrusting started again. “Wait.” She broke the kiss pulling his hand away; one in her hair and the other closed over her breast.

“Right.” He cleared his throat and stepped away.

Chloe started dressing while Lex sat down on the bed. When her cloths were in place she looked at him. Last night was lingering in both their minds. What Lex agreed to last night Chloe had to check on Emma before leaving.

It was one thing for him to want her and it was another for him to want the entire package. “When you said you want me does that mean all of me?”

“Yes.” He nodded once and Chloe didn’t think he understood the extent of this answer.

“Lex, I’m not just talking about Emma.” It was important that he understand how deep he would have to go into her life. “I see you with her and I know you accept her as being apart of me but there is more.”

“I don’t just accept her as apart of you. I adore Emma. How can anyone that meets her not?” He smiled to himself before going on. “Did you see me the other night dancing and spinning around all the while looking like a fool? It was all for her. If I could make her smile like that everyday I’d look like a fool over and over again.”

Chloe did see him. To her he didn’t look like a fool. He looked like he was having fun. It was what she wanted for everyone and it was nice to see that Lex Luthor could have fun. “I had a good idea a long time ago that you were falling for her but when I say “all me” I mean everyone. Can you take my over bearing cousin, my over protective father as well as my mystery of a best friend and his mother. I want you to accept them too.”

“If I didn’t then I would have never offered for them to come here.” He replied.

She smiled knowing that this had to be hard on him. Everyone but Martha seemed to see him as a clone of Lionel. It was always hard for Chloe to be the only one that saw the other sides of Lex. She saw how he did his best to be part of her life little family. She saw him waiting sometimes painfully for her to see that they could never really be friends.

She saw him last night drinking in every inch of her body. She felt him going to every length possible to please her with his mouth, his hands and other hard parts of his body. Chloe saw him last night the way no one ever saw him.

“Then I’ll see you downstairs right?” Chloe leaned into him now sitting on the bed.

“Yes. I’ll wait see if Martha wants to help with breakfast.” He waited for her to get closer and when did he was rewarded with her lips one last time. “I don’t know how I’m going to keep my hands off of you.”

“Remember what we talked about last night.” Chloe answered. He nodded once before she went on. “After I talk to Emma I’ll feel better about it.”

He nodded again. “You better go it’s nearly six.”

Chloe took the hint and ran for her room down the hall. She showered quickly and put on a new pair of panties and a bra then the red snow flaked pajamas. Like clock work Emma woke up at just a little after six am. She rushed into the Chloe’s room from the joining bathroom shouting that it was time.

They rushed down stairs to the tree was converted into a wonderland for Emma. Chloe had taken care of it with Lois before going to bed or before going to Lex’s bed. She and Lex agreed that was how things would work during their planning. Things were going well as everyone piled into the living room to open gifts.

When Lex came into the room something hit her. He said he didn’t know if he could keep his hands off her. Now she was wondering the same thing.

TBC

Chapter 13 Not a Game Part 2 (Chloe POV)

[lexie]

I´m glad you´re still updating this one, letia. I love how patient Lex has been with Chloe and how considerate he´s being for her not to feel pressured into doing something that might have such a deep impact on her daughter. I´ve always had a weakness for daddy Lex, and I think he´s more than ready for that role now. I understand Chloe´s fear but, somehow, I know her little kitty won´t make such a fuss over seeing Lex as more than just a friend of her mum´s. Lovely work, letia.:grin3:

[lj715]

Yeah...an update! Love that Chloe & Lex finally got together. I think it's sweet that Lex woke Chloe up to go back to her room so Emma wouldn;t think something was wrong. Great job.

[hfce]

Yes they finally did it. I am so glad she allowed herself to let her guard down. I know it will work this time. Chloe is going to have a heck of a time not being able to touch him. :D

[tatie87]

Great update. I loved the smut between Chlex. They're so cute!!

[dagney]

I adored this so much, How well Kitty and Lex relate. How willing Lex was to comprimise for Chloe and her daughter. Thanks for keeping up on this fic. Dagney

[somethingeasy]

This was a great chapter, and an excellent introduction into the NC-17 rating of this fic :D lol!

I really liked how the chapter began with Chloe describing how she’s been finding Lex irresistibly attractive these part few days… and how the urge to ‘touch him’ has been growing stronger and stronger on almost an hourly basis in his presence.

I also liked the explanation about how the main reason Chloe was trying to resist that irresistible attraction was because she desperately didn’t want to confuse Emma about the situation. I could see that Lex was making a point of keeping his own sense of restraint around Emma, so of COURSE Emma’s mom would be doubly nervous and wary about the same thing.

I can also see Chloe is quite nervous about how Emma might react knowing that Chloe wants to be with Lex in a ‘special way’… in actually a rather ‘daddy-like way’. I’m looking forward to Emma’s reaction myself on that front. Would she throw a tantrum fit about Lex ‘replacing’ Troy, or would she miraculously accept that Lex CAN become Chloe’s ‘special companion’ without meaning any dishonour or disrespect to Troy’s memory…?


Throughout the night Lex faired well with her family. He didn’t have to do any of this. She had a feeling if it were up to him it would be her and Emma with him. If it was up to him Chloe knew Lex thought Emma would be his.

heh… I’m still a little nervous, from time to time, that Chloe never seems fully aware of the intense deepness of Lex’s feelings of obsessive possessiveness. But it seems like Chloe IS (kind of) aware of Lex’s jealous, obsessive, possessive feelings with regards to herself and Emma. But how much is she aware of the depth of those feelings?

I was glad to get my answer about why Chloe was indulging in rather uncharacteristic of ‘playing games’ with what she knew to be a serious matter between herself and Lex. I liked how she wanted to make a game of this because she actually didn’t want to think of this as too serious an issue… but couldn’t fool herself for too long.

Heh… dear darling Lex was so wonderfully sweet and patient with Chloe. He didn’t show the least but of irritation or annoyance at Chloe’s game-playing, OR her ‘changing the rules’. He’s ready to accept her on whatever terms SHE lays down, and it is precisely that kind of attitude that makes it so EASY to forgive him for his own ‘game-playing’ in this situation. He HAS after all been playing a game this whole time, orchestrating the situation to bring Chloe slowly, but surely closer to him, and enticing her to the idea of a new relationship with him.

But it was lovely seeing Lex letting Chloe completely set the pace for this budding relationship, even if he DID orchestrate the events that led up to it. It’s rather hard to say who is exactly ‘in charge’ between the two of them.


“If you want to have sex with me all you have to do is say so.” Lex reached her hair as well to brush back the length over her shoulder.

heee!!! Loved that! I loved how Lex completely gave over power to Chloe over here. Even though they’re both aware that she’s completely confused, and has NO idea what to DO with this power, Lex is still telling her that she’s in charge of everything.

Heh… of course, part of the reason for that is that Lex just wants Chloe any way he can get her EXCEPT by force… which basically means he’s pretty much fine with whatever rules she set up between them. He’s desperate enough to take Chloe on whatever terms she feels comfortable with (provided he always has enough leeway to push and manipulate for whatever ends HE hopes for).


“I know I’m not her father but I can be a part of her life no matter what?” It was an understatement that he adored Emma. The look of concern in his eyes at the thought of losing her pierced through Chloe.

I’ve been waiting for Chloe and Lex to discuss the ‘issue of Emma’ seriously for a while now… so I was really pleased to see this subject brought up. I was especially pleased and amazed to hear the neediness in Lex’s voice when he asked Chloe about what might be his possible future role and status in Emma’s life. I actually think that he’s come to love the idea of being a huge part of Emma’s life as well as Chloe’s too now.


“I don’t know if I should say this but I’m going to love you again. There is no stopping it. When you’re gone I miss you and when your here it feels right. I may be saying this to fast but this is not a game and I can’t lie” His hand squeezed her when she said it. The gesture seemed like he was checking if she was real.

It was the truth. The more he was around. The more she was near him. The more she saw him becoming apart of her little family. Chloe knew each step would bring her back to where she used to. Giddy at the sight of his shiny bald head coming towards her. She would feel her body tremble whenever he kissed her. The most forgotten feeling of loving him so much it physically hurt when he was away was going to come next.

Wow! This was a stunning revelation from Chloe, and I can only imagine how blown over Lex must have felt hearing Chloe basically admit that she’s falling in love with him all over again. It must have made him feel absolutely giddy knowing that all his efforts at courting and winning her over are most definitely working.


“When you know you love me tell me. I promise this time I won’t wait so long to say it back. I’ll tell you right after.” Before she could answer him he was kissing her.

wow! And that was a beautiful, non-pressuring and unobtrusive way for Lex to tell Chloe that he is ALREADY completely in love with her, and is willing to wait until she can return those emotions. I felt my heart constrict and contract with the sweetness and beautiful phrasing of his ‘I’m in love with you’ proclamation here. It was AWESOME! And I loved how he managed to state it without frightening her off ;) smart man, that Lex Luthor! LOL!

I noticed how it was one heck of a revelation to Chloe… and she was so very close to the borderline of running off screaming at the intensity of his feelings. It was only the fact that he stated how he felt in such a ‘non-demanding’ kind of way that she didn’t end up panicking. I loved that!

Wow! The smut was amazing! I loved it! I loved the sweet, generous way that Lex gave pleasure to Chloe. LOL! Of course, I know it was giving him a special big thrill to see Chloe getting pleasure from his fingers, hands and mouth… as much as a thrill as Chloe was getting from receiving pleasure from him.

It was also quite a step forward for both of them… getting to this stage of trust and intimacy. I’d say they both know that it’s only an inevitable matter of time before they both get together.

I loved seeing Lex giving oral pleasure to Chloe, and I REALLY loved seeing Chloe turning the tables and taking charge of the pace of pleasure between them. It was intense and amazing, and deliciously hot to read :D


“Only one minute?” She moved towards him letting one arm curve over his chest.

“Less if you kiss me.” He gave her the half smile again waiting as he had done so much the past few months.

LOL! He’s so irresistible when he’s being both smug, patient and amusing all at the same time. And it’s always a huge compliment to any lady to know that she get ‘get her man up and ready for more’ so quickly and easily.


His arm went around her waist to place her as close as he wanted. “Merry Christmas.” He said to her before brushing his lips against hers for moment.

Chloe didn’t let him get away so quickly and kissed him back more than she should have. His hand fisted into her hair and they started to move back. They weren’t forcing each other. Their bodies had a mind of their own. They were both swaying back towards the bed. He turned them and Chloe felt the bed at the back of her legs. Another second and she would be ripping off his clothes before dipping back on to the bed.

The morning after was wonderful! It was lovely to see that neither of them had the slightest bit of regret over what had happened last night. On the contrary, they were ravenous for more and MORE. Lol!

In fact, it was pretty funny seeing how easily they both could get distracted from their surroundings and circumstances, and lose their senses in each other. This was not the time or place for another quickie… not while Emma was probably, at this very moment, looking for her mommy and Lex so that they can get started on celebrating Christmas morning. And yet, despite knowing that, they could just BARELY get their hormones under control.

And I was REALLY pleased to see Lex clarify how he saw Emma as her own person and not merely as ‘a part of Chloe’. I can imagine it reassured Chloe greatly to know that Lex loves her baby for her own sake rather than her mother’s.

Heh… and I was also glad to see Chloe bring up an issue that I hadn’t considered before… that becoming a part of Chloe’s family means accepting her ENTIRE retinue of family and friends along with her. Which includes her annoying, obnoxious cousin, her suspicious father, her wary, secretive best friend and everyone that Chloe loves. Heh… of course that runs both ways… her family and friends will have to work on accepting LEX into their midst too. But it’s going to be harder on his end considering that he’s outnumbered, LOL!


When Lex came into the room something hit her. He said he didn’t know if he could keep his hands off her. Now she was wondering the same thing.

LOL! it’s most definitely going to be interesting to see how Lex and Chloe manage to dance around each other this Christmas morning without freaking out Emma with any provocative displays of intimacy. And it’s especially going to be interesting because I’ll BET that every single person in the household will be able to see the ‘we made love ALL last night’ glow over Lex and Chloe throughout the morning.

LOL! I get the feeling there’s a lot of merciless teasing on the way. I look forward to seeing how it goes. I look forward to the next update. Please post soon!

[letia84]

Notes: Sorry these updates are so slow. Lab work has gotten me down.

Warning: Please note the mild NC-17 content in this chapter.

Chapter 13 Not a Game Part 2 (Chloe POV)

Chloe didn’t waste time letting Emma get down to the presents. There was no way she could wait for everyone so Chloe prolonged the larger gifts until her family decided to wake up.

Any ideas about Santa’s existence were long gone for Emma. Chloe had hoped Emma would still have the fantasy until she was at least eight but Emma figured it out. The first year without Troy, Emma was up and saw Chloe putting presents under the tree.

Chloe couldn’t lie to her so told her truth. The gifts came from people that loved her. There was no crushing blow about and the fantasy of Santa. She took it rather well. Chloe’s carelessness was mostly due to the sadness the day presented without Troy near.

The stocking was the first thing to be pulled through. Emma’s Christmas stocking was red with an embroidered dark horse pulling a sleigh in the snow. It was full of candy that she wanted to have for breakfast. There was at least ten minutes of Chloe telling her that the candy was for another time.

Lois and Chloe surveyed the gifts last night. Chloe knew where each present for Emma was under the tree and she knew what was in it. She handed Emma several boxes.

Each one had clothes in it.

Each time Emma opened a present she sighed at the site of a new dress with a pair of matching shoes or a warm pair of socks. Chloe could have only dreamed of getting this many clothes but, when it came down to it, a six year old didn’t want to wake up on Christmas morning to find a pair of new shoes.

Just as Chloe was about to hand over the first real gift she knew Emma wanted everyone filled the living room at the same time. Chloe could only assume Lex summoned everyone down.

“What have we gotten so far?” Gabe took his seat from last night on sofa eyeing all the clothing spread about the floor.

“Lots of new clothes.” Emma spoke sounding disappointed.

“You should be thankful for those clothes.” Chloe handed her the next box. She didn’t want Emma to be spoiled but there was no stopping it. She was the only grandchild for her father and Troy’s side. Many of those clothes came from Troy’s mother.

“Yes mommy.” The girl smiled half heartily as she opened the next box.

“I’m sure this is a good one.” Lois winked in her direction taking the space next to Gabe. The three of them Lois, Chloe and Emma were a site to see. She was also wearing the red pajamas with white snow flakes. Chloe had to remember to take picture before they all changed.

Sure enough the box was open and Emma’s excitement returned. A young artist kit was what she found. “I told you.” Lois smiled to herself because she chose the gift.

Moving on to the next box Chloe had her attention on Emma until Lex walked in. “Coffee anyone?” He questioned the room. She tried not to stare but there was a flash of him at his door the night before. He was half naked then but fully dressed now. The only thing Chloe could see was the half naked version.

“Yes.” Lois jumped from her seat. “You are good for something Luthor.” Chloe wished Lois had some control over her tongue but just like Clark had learned years ago they both equated it to being part of her charm.

“Where is my mother?” Clark spoke from the fireplace. He was slowly starting a fire for everyone to enjoy.

“She kicked me out of my own kitchen.” Lex spoke placing a tray with the coffee at the far end of room for everyone.

Clark smirked as he replied. “This is her show now you should get use to it.”

“I guess I have no choice.” Lex answered him. Then, for a moment, she saw something she hadn’t seen in nearly twelve years. Lex and Clark were being nice to each other. They shared a small smile. If you were glancing at them, you might have missed it, but Chloe was sure she saw it.

It must have been the cheery décor of the room or the smell of the Christmas tree making them this way. Whatever it was she hoped it would last. Their friendship would always be there buried under years of mistrust. As soon as there was a glimmer of hope it was gone. Both men went back into their respective corners. Lex started to pour coffee while Clark lit a match to start the fire.

When Chloe finally caught Lex’s attention he smiled. He was coming at her with a cup of coffee. He handed it to her brushing his fingers against her hand. She looked away immediately. Right now wasn’t about last night it was about Christmas morning. Chloe wished her mind would understand that but she pictured him again. This time she was looking down at him while his eyes blazed through her as he moved inside her.

Shaking it off, Chloe went back to gifts. Everyone dug into the tree going through presents. Chloe had things for everyone but she saved what was for Lex for later. Just like their first Christmas they agreed not to buy each other anything. Same as then she knew they would both go against that agreement.

As the wrapping paper piled up it came down to the last gift under the tree. Chloe was saving it for Emma because she knew it would be the best. “Last one.” Chloe spoke handing the simply wrapped square to Emma.

Like all the other gift her Kitty Cat tore through the paper quickly to find a picture frame. To see the picture she had to turn it over. Everyone watched her green eyes study the image until Lois broke the silence.

“What is it kitty cat?”

Emma turned the picture towards Chloe with her green eyes wide with wonder. “April the horse.” She spoke softly.

“Yes, that is April your horse.” Chloe waited for the words to hit her but Emma didn’t speak. She didn’t think it was possible but she had put her child into a state of shock. “You are going to take lessons with Claire. Do you remember her?” Chloe waited again for their first trip to manor to catch up to her.

When it did a sound came from Emma she had never heard before. Emma’s tiny body fought through opened gifts and wrapping paper at her feet to push Chloe over into a bear hug.

“Thank you mommy, thank you, thank you” Emma repeated the words over and over again. It was just what Chloe was hoping for. This Christmas would be something she would remember forever. This wouldn’t make up for years past but it was something she knew she wanted.

Chloe’s eyes scanned the room; everyone looked at her as if she had gone mad. This was what Chloe had feared when she agreed to this gift but she had made it so that she was in control of all of it. They didn’t know that she was paying for the lessons out of the money from Troy’s insurance policy. After the funeral was paid for some of the money was set into a fund for college that would grow as Emma did.

The rest could be put towards things just like this. There was no way she could buy the horse but she could take on a sponsor. Lex would be the silent sponsor for the horse and if Emma learned she didn’t like the lessons the horse would go back to him. Any dealings with the horse while Emma was training were up to Chloe. It was the only way she could agree to it.

Emma squeezed tighter and everyone else turned away to look at each other but Lex. He smiled warmly knowing he was apart of the joy over flowing her daughter. “Don’t forget to hug Lex for letting you use April.” Chloe watched Emma’s excitement bleed over to Lex when she crushed him into the same bear hug. She watched him take her into his arms smiling wider. He really was smitten with her.

The moment passed and Emma was back with Chloe near the tree. No one said anything about the gift but Chloe could feel it coming. The disapproving looks told her it would be coming soon. To get it over with she excused herself from the room to check on Martha and following after her in a matter of seconds was Lois.

As soon as they reached the safety of the hallway Chloe was ready for her. “Wait a second.” Lois started. When Chloe turned to look at her the anger was steaming off Lois.

“Your letting him pay for all of this?” Lois’s arms flew into the air gesturing at the manor. Chloe knew she meant Lex letting them stay with him for Christmas. All of this was explained to her when Chloe told her they would be staying there. “Now you’re letting him buy her a horse.”

Chloe felt her eyes roll as she walked toward Lois. “What exactly are you questioning? Lex spending money or the way I’m letting him into my life?”

“Right now the money!” Lois replied sternly. “Emma can not be acquired like a business company. She is your daughter and he should try to use something other than his wallet.”

“Are you blind?” Chloe wanted to replay last night’s events for Lois to make it easier to plead her case. “Did you see him last night with her? He is calm and patient. He danced with her. If you looked at him, really looked, you would see how much he adores her.”

“I guess but…” Before Lois could go on Chloe cut her off.

“He is wonderful with Emma and the equestrian lessons are being paid for by me. Lex is turning over the responsibility of the horse to me. He gave the horse to me and now I’m in control of it. This was all my idea not his. If anyone is buying her then it’s me. So go right ahead and be angry with me.”

“I didn’t know.” Lois took a moment to rethink her position; a few weeks ago she seemed sure. She said Lex made her smile. Now it seemed she wanted all of that to go away. “I just want to make sure you’re okay.” Chloe knew that Lois worried about her. Since Troy died everyone worried about her.

For once there was nothing to worry about. “I’m fine Lois. You don’t have to worry.” Chloe did feel fine and in control of what was happening. “Can we please not fight? Its Christmas and I’m starving.”

“Okay.” Lois didn’t leave her alone just yet. She pulled Chloe into a hug and spoke to her. “I want what’s best for you both.”

Chloe knew what that meant for Lois. Wanting what was best meant it had to be apart of a plan Lois had set out. This was Chloe’s life and she would have to step back and see it that way. “Thank you.” They were going to get through this holiday in one piece.

They made their way to kitchen. Chloe breathed a sigh of relief that maybe this was the only thing she would have to fight about. It seemed like Lois noticed any tension Chloe was feeling with Lex.


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Like the day before things went over well. There was breakfast followed by getting dressed for a trip to the stables. Emma had to see April; the horse wouldn’t be moved until after the holidays so she was in luck. Lois and Clark agreed to take her while Martha had Gabe doing her bidding in the kitchen.

With the business of cooking under control Lex suggested they clean up the living room. It may be the only time they would be alone together until it was time for everyone to go to bed.

They were silent entering the room. Chloe went first and when she turned back Lex was holding a trash bag in his hand for her to take. “If I take that is something going to happen to me?” She questioned eyeing him. There was a look about him that made her think taking the bag would end in something she wouldn’t be able to finish.

His lips curled into a half smile. “Chloe I’m just handing you a trash bag.” He answered and waited for to her take it while stepping in closer to her.

They were both dressed casual until dinner that night. She wanted to grab the collar of his black cashmere sweater and kiss him. “Remember what I said last night no games.” Chloe knew that smile meant he was up to something.

He nodded retracting his extended arm back to his side. “You really know how to read me. I’m sorry. No games.” He handed the bag out to her again, this time without any hidden agenda.

“Good.” Chloe took it without a word and the silence came back as if nothing had happened last night they should be talking about. They both went to work on the floor picking up empty boxes and torn wrapping paper.

As the moments passed Lex seemed fine working in silence but Chloe was nowhere near being alright. Any words exchanged over the past few hours were in passing about the day’s events. There was no talk or mention of the night before. For some reason the silence was making Chloe think about the sex more.

“Will you say something?” She stopped her work and turned to him with his back to her.

When he looked at her his face he was torn with confusion. “What do you want me to say?

For some reason Chloe was frustrated. Being near him all day without actually getting to say anything had pushed her over the edge. This was all her doing. It was the prison they were in before. They were so close all those years ago without anyone knowing was a prison and now she felt the same.

“You could start with what you’re thinking.” Chloe moved toward him waiting for something to happen.

“Come with me to the bathroom.” He said plainly.

“What?” Her head turned slightly to the side trying to understand.

He chuckled lightly before answering. “So we can be a bit more hidden.”

Hearing it made Chloe think about what was going to happen if she went into the bathroom. The fiery touching she felt last night might return. Then again they would be running and hiding from everyone like a little game. This wasn’t a game and they couldn’t start sneaking around. Games lead to lies and rationalizing how it was easier that Emma never know the extent of their relationship.

“I said no games.” Chloe emphasized the point from a few seconds ago and he was once again amused by her.

This time he didn’t answer her with words after a smile. Both his strong hands reached out to her and clutched her face in them to pull her close to him. “Then I just have to do what I want right here.”

The warmth of his mouth covered her and she was melting into his grasp trying to keep her lips from moving against him. He leaned back reluctantly to speak again keeping his hands on her. “We don’t have long so please come with me to the bathroom so we don’t get caught. It’s not a game. It’s an overwhelming need to touch you and I know you feel it to.”

This was what she wanted to avoid in starting all of this. Getting caught by her loud mouthed cousin Chloe could handle. Getting caught by her father would be tricky but she would talk her way through it. It was getting caught by her kitty cat was keeping her feet planted in the living room and not heading to the bathroom attached to the room.

“I understand.” Lex pulled away when she didn’t answer. “I can wait.”

Waiting was something Chloe was constantly making him do. It wasn’t meant to be a punishment but now that she was in this seemingly as much as he was it felt like one. All of it wouldn’t be so taboo once they were back in Metropolis.

Before he could move away her hand grabbed his. She pulled him the best she could towards the bathroom with no resistance from him. Everyone was occupied and Chloe was going to take this moment to enjoy it even if it wasn’t the perfect moment to do so.

When they made it to the door she pulled it open leading the way in. It was then Chloe lost control of the event and Lex took over. She felt dizzy when he spun back against the door. Heat started rising the moment his hands were on her in the living room. Now it was boiling that they were hidden from the possibility of being caught.

Lex was kissing her with a certain urgency that was only matched by her own. His fingers fumbled with the buttons of her cotton shirt and he seemed to be having a hard time. When his lips fell to the curve of her neck it gave her the chance to speak.

“We don’t have time for all this foreplay just...” Chloe’s words were stopped short when she felt his teeth nip her neck.

“I wasn’t trying to give you the whole show.” He answered her quickly taking her lips before she could quip back.

With her buttons final undone she felt his palm needing the fullness of her left breast. He was pressing her against the door hard and Chloe could feel the hardest of his groin pressing as well. If he was going to get inside her then he would have to do it now.

Chloe tried to speak but his tongue was tickling hers in just the right way. Instead she removed her hands that were clinging to him down between them. Now she was fumbling but with the button of his pants. Suddenly he stopped kissing her.

“Not me just you.” He spoke pulling her hands away to place them at her sides.

She would consider this a selfless act but Chloe still knew a few things about Lex Luthor for certain. Right now he was going to do something to bring her to a quick and much needed release. Later on he would look forwarded to something of his own in return. It was give and take Chloe remembered. It was something she was fine with for now.

Once he was satisfied with her pants being lowered just below her buttocks he was back on top of her. The position of her pants made it impossible to move as she pleased so Chloe simply planted her back to the door to let his hand sneak under her panties into the folds of her wetness.

She heard him groan with delight when he felt how moist she was. A sharp hiss left her lips as he started swiping his hands back and forth over clit. He was looking at her with the smirk from last night enjoying the helpless sounds she started to make. Chloe grasped his head as he lowered himself towards her breast to suck what he could of her nipple covered by her stupid bra blocking the sensation.

“Faster please.” The words came out of her without a second thought. Last night, saying anything made her uncomfortable but now Chloe seemed to be over it.

His lips trailed up her body to find her lips. When he did the sloppy kisses muffled her grunts of pleasure at the work of two of fingers gently teasing her. The orgasm was starting to burn inside of her and Lex was going to release it at any moment.

Lex’s lips parted from her and his forehead pressed against hers. “Come for me.” He whispered and the force of his hand increased.

The plea in his words helped her along and his name escaped her lips as she gave into him. Chloe somehow didn’t notice she was riding his fingers as best she could trap against the door with her pants now pooled at her feet. Her mind was so focused on the sensation of his hands, lips and body doing all it could to make her feel good that she just gave into her instincts.

His hand slowed its swiping motion until she stopped thrusting against them. “Better?” He smiled at her stepping back to take in her appearance. He was a bit ruffled but his mess was easily repaired.

Chloe wished she could say the same for herself. Her panties were wet and there was no way she could put them back on. Her shirt was open with one breast freed from her bra and she could feel the sheen of sweat on her back from being pressed against the door. But in no way did she want to complain. All the pent up emotions through out the morning were gone for now.

“Much better.” She answered moving in to kiss him once more.

The business of cleaning up started and Chloe watch Lex force himself not to look at her anymore. His attention was on removing any evidence from his hands as well as righting his attire. She wanted to ask if he was sure he could simply let it all go. Nine years ago she knew how strong he could be about waiting but it had been so long since they were together and there was no telling how he felt today.

There was no easy way to do it so Chloe just did what need to be done. Sitting on the floor she removed her slippers so she could get out of her pants then her wet panties. The bathroom was fully stocked and she cleaned herself up the best she could. When Chloe felt she had been finally put back together Lex was waiting against the door quietly.

“I’ll hold on to these until you come to see me tonight.” He spoke holding up her damp blue cotton panties. They weren’t the best pair she owned but when Chloe packed for this trip she didn’t have in mind that Lex was going to see her undergarments.

“Hold on to them?” Chloe moved in on him and it was a nice change to have him against the door instead of her.

He folded them nicely in front of her and shoved them into his front pocket. “Yes, I’m keeping them so I can know for the rest of the day that you aren’t wearing them.”

“I have to change for dinner. I’ll just put on another pair.” Chloe answered with her hands posed at her hips.

His arm wrapped around her waist to pull her closer to him before he answered trying to force her out of her stance. “No you won’t.” After he spoke Chloe could only smile at the naughty thought they could share the rest of night.

For a second she started to question what she was doing. She had a six year old and it didn’t seem very motherly to walk around without any panties on Christmas day. The seconds passed when his lips met hers. Chloe was a lot of things and a sexual being was one of them. For a little while she would share her naughty moment with Lex.

Reluctantly she pulled away to nod a yes to his suggestion. “We should get back to work.”

“I’m so glad you’re here.” Lex told her before opening the door to turn in leave.

The omission made her stop him before he could get too far away into the room. Her arms wrapped around his neck and he took the hint to move closer. “I’m glad too.” The sweet kiss she had next wasn’t worth it when Chloe’s attention was drawn to the sound of her other name.

“Mommy?” Emma’s questioning voice sound from the direction of the door into the living room.

She let go of Lex immediately then moved for the door to find Emma’s eyes bright with excitement that morning now lost in confusion.

“Kitty cat Lex and I were just…” Chloe started but she didn’t know what she was going to say. The deadline of waiting to be in Metropolis was supposed to give her time to explain this perfectly.

When she didn’t answer fast enough Chloe watch her push through Lois and Clark staring at them as well. Watching her flea the scene was proof enough that what she had started was not a game. It affected the most important person in her life.



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“Emma?” Chloe called out to her daughter softly.

When she ran away Chloe nodded to Clark to make sure she couldn’t get to far away. He caught her before she could get anywhere. Chloe followed behind them and took charge. She got Emma to come with her to Chloe’s room in the manor hoping to get everything she was hiding out in the open. After taking off her winter coat they were sitting on the bed both quietly waiting for Chloe’s ingenuous explanation. When Emma started to softly sob Chloe called out to her again.

There was no answer and she pulled her in to cradle her thinking of how to make this right. “You’re going to give me away.” Emma spoke softly.

Chloe felt her body freeze at the thought of it. There was no way she would give her daughter to anyone. “What are you talking about? I would never do that.”

Emma pulled away stiffing through her answers. “Vera at school said her mommy found a new daddy and her mommy went away. Vera never sees her mommy but she has her real daddy. I don’t have a real daddy anymore so you will have to give me away.” Between sobs Emma told Chloe the saddest thing she had ever heard.

The thought of leaving her daughter was ridiculous. Anyone else deciding to do it had no heart at all. Chloe brushed back her daughter’s tears and smoothed back her hair in a messy ponytail “Kitty cat I’m sorry about your friend Vera but I’m your mother and there is no way I would give you to anyone.”

“If you kiss Mr. Lex like Cousin Lois kisses…” Emma started talking then she stopped. It was clear Chloe never explained this to her and she was more confused then she should have to be.

This was the tricky part of what Chloe had to do. “Mr. Lex is mommy’s friend…” Chloe paused to think about the word and if it was really going to be strong enough. Boyfriend seemed silly but she used it anyway. “Mr. Lex is mommy’s boyfriend because we care about each other.”

Chloe watched her little reporter thinking of new questions. “What is a boyfriend?”

“Well…” Chloe felt herself flush red trying to answer correctly. “It just means I’ll see more of Mr. Lex. You like seeing Mr. Lex right?”

Emma nodded nestling her body next to Chloe. It was a great sign that Emma was becoming more comfortable with her again. “Then you will see more of him too.” Chloe held onto her trying to make it clear she would never let her go. “Sometimes I might kiss Mr. Lex because we like each other like Cousin Lois and Clark.”

Before Emma could say anything else there was a knock at the door. Chloe was going to get up to tell them to go away but Emma called out to them. “Come in.” Her voice sounded and Chloe didn’t realize how much Emma sounded like her to the person waiting.

“I just wanted to make sure everything was okay.” Lex stood in the doorway halfway in room.

Chloe wanted to tell him to leave them for a moment but Emma was questioning him. “Are you going to be my daddy?”

The frozen feeling numbed Chloe’s body down to the bone. “Lex is…” She tried to answer first but Lex interrupted her.

“Its okay Chloe.” He moved into the room towards the bed but didn’t get too close. Chloe’s eyes widened and she shook her head trying to signal that he shouldn’t say anything.

“Lex, its okay I can answer her.” Chloe tried again but he wasn’t giving in.

“She asked me Chloe.” Lex answered standing in front of them.

“Yea mommy I asked Mr. Lex.” Emma answered her with her head titled up towards her. There was no stopping him from answering now and there was no telling what he was going to say.

“You already have a daddy.” Lex paused and waited for a reaction. This was something Chloe told him never to mention. It was a silly request now that they were in this new place.

Emma nodded pressed against Chloe’s side. Chloe was the one that reacted because she felt as if her heart stopped. “If you already have a daddy then I think I’m going to be Mr. Lex. Okay?”

“But people at school get new daddies.” Emma spoke again wise beyond her years.

“I think Mr. Lex is saying that for now he’s just going to be a new person in your life.” Chloe hoped this answer would be enough for now.

“I’m not going away.” Her little one asked again.

Chloe moved to make Emma look at her before she answered. “If it’s in my power and even when you get old and don’t want me to I will always be in your life.”

“Then Mr. Lex is my new daddy.” Emma stated still not understanding.

“No, I’m just Mr. Lex.” Lex answered for himself.

“But you kissed mommy like a daddy.” Emma answered them sounding a little upset with their answers.

“Would that be a problem if Lex was your new daddy?” Chloe asked not thinking that’s what he was going to be. She was just getting used to being physical with him again. There was no telling if she was ready to say okay to raising her daughter but, in a way, the more he was in her life it was bound to happen.

“I have a daddy but he’s gone.” Emma answered looking down at her hands in her lap. “Is it wrong to have a new daddy?”

Chloe took her hands to get Emma’s attention. “Troy will always be your daddy but it’s not wrong if you want a new one.” It seemed as if it wasn’t a matter of having a father but having a new one could be a betrayal.

“Then I want one.” Emma admitted softly looking to Chloe for reassures that it was okay to say aloud. Of course she wanted a father. Chloe didn’t know what she would have done without hers.

“Then maybe one day you will have one but for right now don’t you like being with mommy.” Emma nodded. “Don’t you like grandpa coming over?” Her kitty cat nodded again. “Don’t you like seeing Mr. Lex?” She nodded once more. “Then for right now don’t worry about having a new daddy. We have to wait and see.”

“Mr. Lex is that okay?” Emma looked to him now kneeling in front of them.

“It’s fine with me.” He answered reaching out to pat her little knee.

Chloe pulled her little one in for another hug. For right now it seemed as if they dodge a bullet but there were so many more of them coming her way. She knew one day she would be in love with Lex just as much as she did so long go. The thought of letting him into her life was easy but balancing what that meant for Emma would be a struggle.

Troy being Emma’s father and Lex just being Mr. Lex to Emma was drawn so clear in Chloe’s mind. Now that she was on this new path Chloe would have see past the black and white of it and look into the murky grey area.

It wasn’t a question of Lex being a father. Chloe had seen the potential there the past few months. The bullet she had to be willing to take was what it would mean for Emma to be a part of the Luthor legacy. Chloe was certain she could take the blows but her daughter shouldn’t have to.

She was seeing more now than ever that this was not a game. Letting Lex in meant it would happen both ways. He would come into her life and Emma would come into his.

TBC

Chapter 14 This is your life(Lex POV)

[lexie]

Oh, I´m so glad you were able to update this one at last. I enjoyed this new chapter a lot, particularly the final part. The scene between Chloe, Lex and the child came across as very true to life.

I´m looking forward to a new instalment.:grin3:

My fics:


COMPLETE FICS
Second Chances (http://forums.naughty-seduction.net/showthread.php?t=5254)
Payback Time (http://forums.naughty-seduction.net/showthread.php?t=5322)
The Love of Two Men (http://forums.naughty-seduction.net/showthread.php?t=5400)
Hope and Happiness (http://forums.naughty-seduction.net/showthread.php?t=5551)
The Countdown (http://forums.naughty-seduction.net/showthread.php?t=5599)
Shadows from the Past (http://forums.naughty-seduction.net/showthread.php?t=5676)
Finding the Way Back (http://forums.naughty-seduction.net/showthread.php?p=225004#post225004)
The Real Thing (http://forums.naughty-seduction.net/showthread.php?p=226336#post226336)
The Christmas Gift (http://forums.naughty-seduction.net/showthread.php?p=227540#post227540)
Addicted (http://forums.naughty-seduction.net/showthread.php?t=5940)
The Naked Truth (http://forums.naughty-seduction.net/showthread.php?p=228769#post228769)
Crossing Paths (http://forums.naughty-seduction.net/showthread.php?p=231641#post231641) and its sequel
Rebuilding (http://forums.naughty-seduction.net/showthread.php?t=6491)

[lj715]

Great update! I love how Emma wanted Lex to be her new daddy. Can't wait to read more.

[superag]

Wonderful new update. Like the conversation with Emma and the nervousness of revealing it all to everyone piece by piece.

[hfce]

Man you didn't waste time. I am glad Emma knows. Now they can go about getting to know each other again with out hiding. Great update. :)

[somethingeasy]

“You should be thankful for those clothes.” Chloe handed her the next box. She didn’t want Emma to be spoiled but there was no stopping it. She was the only grandchild for her father and Troy’s side. Many of those clothes came from Troy’s mother.

“Yes mommy.” The girl smiled half heartily as she opened the next box.

What a lovely Christmas morning this started off with! LOL! Even if it DID begin with an exciting opening of the presents only to reveal clothes and shoes rather than toys and gadgets, ROTFL! But I was glad to see that Emma was handling the present of clothes quite gracefully for a six year old.

awww, but I was glad to see that she got something that was actually FUN that evening. First in the form of that Artist’s Kit, and then the AMAZING present of horse riding lessons!!! wow!


When Chloe finally caught Lex’s attention he smiled. He was coming at her with a cup of coffee. He handed it to her brushing his fingers against her hand. She looked away immediately. Right now wasn’t about last night it was about Christmas morning. Chloe wished her mind would understand that but she pictured him again. This time she was looking down at him while his eyes blazed through her as he moved inside her.

wow! I loved the way that Chloe couldn’t stop thinking about Lex in a vividly carnal sense. Even looking at him triggered off the memories of them both being intimate, and his touch… wow! I loved the intense reaction that even the smallest brush of his fingers would incite in her. LOL! I don’t think I can imagine what kind of a reaction SHE was eliciting from HIM!


“Right now the money!” Lois replied sternly. “Emma can not be acquired like a business company. She is your daughter and he should try to use something other than his wallet.”

“Are you blind?” Chloe wanted to replay last night’s events for Lois to make it easier to plead her case. “Did you see him last night with her? He is calm and patient. He danced with her. If you looked at him, really looked, you would see how much he adores her.”

“I guess but…” Before Lois could go on Chloe cut her off.

“He is wonderful with Emma and the equestrian lessons are being paid for by me. Lex is turning over the responsibility of the horse to me. He gave the horse to me and now I’m in control of it. This was all my idea not his. If anyone is buying her then it’s me. So go right ahead and be angry with me.”

I thought the horse was an AMAZING present, but I’m really glad that Lois was being really loudly disapproving of the gift, because I needed to see Chloe refuting all the negative points that Lois listed out. I LIKED that Chloe made it clear to Lois (and to the readers) that the horse was, first of all, NOT Lex’s idea, and that it wasn’t something Lex was really paying for, AND than it wasn’t something he was trying to do in order to ‘buy’ Emma’s affections.

The gift was a lovely gift from a mother to encourage her child’s interest in horses… and nothing more subversive than that! I think it was a wonderful present!! :D And I can see that Lois started to agree with that assessment once Chloe listed out the exact circumstances of the present, and WHO was paying for it.

heh… but I think Lois is still damned nervous about how this present signifies the newly growing degree of closeness between Lex and her baby cousin. Lois can see that the horse DOES symbolize some kind of ‘special partnership’ between Chloe and Lex… but there’s nothing she can do about that! I guess poor, frustrated Lois will just have to accept it, and try to live with it, huh?


They were both dressed casual until dinner that night. She wanted to grab the collar of his black cashmere sweater and kiss him. “Remember what I said last night no games.” Chloe knew that smile meant he was up to something.

He nodded retracting his extended arm back to his side. “You really know how to read me. I’m sorry. No games.” He handed the bag out to her again, this time without any hidden agenda.

Excellent! The game-playing bothered me a little bit… especially since the game-playing was coming from Chloe. game-playing comes as naturally to Lex as breathing, and it’s not really ‘shocking or surprising’ to find him playing the situation. But I loved seeing Lex turning OFF that part of himself, just on Chloe’s say so. He’s got it really bad for this woman if he can manage to turn off even his game-playing on a single order from her.


The warmth of his mouth covered her and she was melting into his grasp trying to keep her lips from moving against him. He leaned back reluctantly to speak again keeping his hands on her. “We don’t have long so please come with me to the bathroom so we don’t get caught. It’s not a game. It’s an overwhelming need to touch you and I know you feel it to.”

wow! This was hot, Hot, HOT!!! I felt like sizzling and melting at Lex’s admission that he wanted to drag her, in a decidedly desperate manner, into the bathroom, because he felt an irresistibly, overwhelmed need to touch her! There’s nothing sexier than seeing Lex absolutely hopping desperate for Chloe :D

heee! I was so glad to see that Chloe agreed to his request. And I loved that she gave into his request even as he was getting ready to turn away from what he perceived as rejection. Awesome!


With her buttons final undone she felt his palm needing the fullness of her left breast. He was pressing her against the door hard and Chloe could feel the hardest of his groin pressing as well. If he was going to get inside her then he would have to do it now.

Chloe tried to speak but his tongue was tickling hers in just the right way. Instead she removed her hands that were clinging to him down between them. Now she was fumbling but with the button of his pants. Suddenly he stopped kissing her.

“Not me just you.” He spoke pulling her hands away to place them at her sides.

wow! That was hot, HOT!!! And I reaaaly liked the whole ‘selfless’ slant that Lex was giving to this bathroom quickie. heh… I should have known that Lex would never lower himself to anything as mundane as a quick bathroom fuck! LOL! I really loved how Lex seemed to be getting a huge thrill from just having Chloe ‘come for him’. Isn’t it lovely to see where his priorities are?!


Chloe wished she could say the same for herself. Her panties were wet and there was no way she could put them back on. Her shirt was open with one breast freed from her bra and she could feel the sheen of sweat on her back from being pressed against the door. But in no way did she want to complain. All the pent up emotions through out the morning were gone for now.

wow! That was a hot, sexy, erotic description of Chloe’s ‘I just got fucked’ look. LOL! There’s no way that Clark and Lois are NOT going to know what just happened.

LOL! At least Lex solved the problem of Chloe putting on those wet panties by ‘kindly offering’ to take them off her hands, LOL! I see we’ve revealed a kink of his, huh? AND he’s managed to convince Chloe to share in and indulge in this kink too! Awesome!


Emma pulled away stiffing through her answers. “Vera at school said her mommy found a new daddy and her mommy went away. Vera never sees her mommy but she has her real daddy. I don’t have a real daddy anymore so you will have to give me away.” Between sobs Emma told Chloe the saddest thing she had ever heard.

What horrible things go through kid’s minds when they’re passing through uncertain times, huh? Kitty could not have chosen a worse interpretation on the situation… even though she probably knows that it’s completely ludicrous. heh… at least the good news is that ANY kind of interpretation after this is going to sound like a dream once Chloe refutes this fear of ever coming true.


Chloe wanted to tell him to leave them for a moment but Emma was questioning him. “Are you going to be my daddy?”

woah! Now that was… very sudden and shocking! I was sitting open-mouthed in shock at Kitty intuiting this question. I loved Lex’s very careful response where he made it clear that he was NOT taking Troy’s place, and nor was he trying to ‘muscle his way in’ into Chloe’s and Emma’s lives.

heh… I was hugely impressed by the careful phrasing of Lex’s answer. I’m sure a huge part of him wanted to cry out ‘yes, yes, YES; I’m going to be your new daddy! I’ll start today, right now if you want!’, LOL!

But Lex managed to give a very careful, considered, thoughtful answer that did not alienate Chloe or Emma. It would have been pretty stupid of him to jump the gun by rushing Chloe NOW, when he’s succeeded in making so much progress in a relationship with her.


“I have a daddy but he’s gone.” Emma answered looking down at her hands in her lap. “Is it wrong to have a new daddy?”

Chloe took her hands to get Emma’s attention. “Troy will always be your daddy but it’s not wrong if you want a new one.” It seemed as if it wasn’t a matter of having a father but having a new one could be a betrayal.

“Then I want one.” Emma admitted softly looking to Chloe for reassures that it was okay to say aloud. Of course she wanted a father. Chloe didn’t know what she would have done without hers.

It was wonderful to see that Emma actually has no problem in accepting the possibility of a ‘new daddy’ in her life. it makes Chloe’s and Lex’s lives a whole lot easier to see Emma so open to the idea. And especially convenient because Emma has expressed that she LIKES the idea of Daddy-Lex joining their family.


It wasn’t a question of Lex being a father. Chloe had seen the potential there the past few months. The bullet she had to be willing to take was what it would mean for Emma to be a part of the Luthor legacy. Chloe was certain she could take the blows but her daughter shouldn’t have to.

She was seeing more now than ever that this was not a game. Letting Lex in meant it would happen both ways. He would come into her life and Emma would come into his.

heh… I’d say that every chapter now has Chloe accepting that another barrier has disappeared between herself and Lex. The problem of Emma’s acceptance has been resolved in this one... which was a pretty daunting barrier! Now we only have to have Chloe accepting that she’s willing to take on ‘the baggage of being a Luthor’ on herself as well as on Emma. I wonder how she’s going to get herself ready to accept THAT into both of their lives…?

This was an excellent chapter, and I look forward to seeing what the next one brings.

[malugargula]

Great chapter
Emma is so sweet
:)

[Nimmie]

you handle this very well and realistically. I'm enjoying your story....

Thanks
N

[letia84]

Notes: OMG its an update. I know this thread has gotten no love but that will change. So if your even mildly interested here is the next chapter

Warning: Please note the NC-17 content in this chapter. I think that's more then three chapters so this is ready to be moved.

Chapter 14 This is your life (Lex POV)

There were times Lex had to double check if his life was actually his own.

There were parts he could believe without pause. Business passed as usual. The energy power plant was being built in Smallville for a test run to expand to other cities. A weapon harnessing the same energy was ready overseas for testing and the buyers were chomping at the bit for it.

Lionel had recently been hiding something. Lex wasn’t sure what it was but Lionel’s patterns had changed in the past few weeks since his return from Luthor Island after a longer stay then planned. It had been to long since his father planned a scheme but it was life as usual as far as Lex was concerned. Large sums of money from Lionel’s accounts had gone missing and were being traced. Whatever the old man was up to it would be pinned down before his father had a chance to strike.

The newest part of Lex’s life was something he didn’t truly believe yet. At the moment his body was tuned to the naked woman straddled on top of him. Chloe had teased him merrily throughout dinner until they came back to the penthouse. He wasn’t sure if she was doing it on purpose but at least she wasn’t all show.

Before he could get out of the car she was kissing him while her hands clawed at him. He was thankful for the cover of the parking garage. The press had been out in full force since the start of the New Year. The lifestyle section thought a lead story was a picture of him holding Emma with Chloe at his side as they tried to make it through the icy sidewalk in the city. The picture was enough to send Chloe into frenzy and the headline was the worst of it.

“Reporter feeds daughter to the Luthor dragon for money.”

The only good thing Lex could say was that they got Chloe’s occupation correct. Things had died down after a few weeks of photos of him going various places with Chloe or with Chloe and Emma or of just the girls themselves. It was always amazing that anyone actually cared about this part of his life but the photos and horrid headlines kept coming.

They just recently stopped but Lex didn’t tell Chloe exactly how he had gotten them to do so. She was just pleased it was over for now. If she ever asked then Lex would have to tell her the truth. One of his many talented former 33.1 residents did the job for him. There was no way he could lie about something like that. Chloe would understand or so he kept telling himself.

Right now as her body grew more wound up the paparazzi could have been right outside the door and he wouldn’t have noticed.

Chloe was making the helpless whimpering sound that he loved as his mouth covered hers. Her fingers dug deep into his shoulders as her pace increased. Sitting up with his back against the headboard gave him little choice but to sit and let Chloe do as she pleased. The best he could was to direct her movement by gripping the sides of her waist.

“Almost.” She breathed out when their lips parted. It was music to his ears. There was only so much one man could take.

Chloe had been riding him for what seemed like pleasurable ages. He was ready to come ten minutes ago but she wasn’t. It wasn’t easy but he was willing to take the sheer torture of each thrust she made as long he got to see her exploded into her own orgasm.

Just as Lex was thinking how wonderful the moment was Chloe changed what she was doing. “Fuck…” The word came out harsh and more then he could count. When his eyes looked Chloe’s body had arched back.

Her arms extended with her hands still holding on to his shoulders. The simple change in position allowed her more use of her body. He wasn’t going to make it now. Her breast swayed before him covered in a shin of sweat and he had to close his eyes to help his will power.

“No look.” Chloe shook his shoulders forcing his eyes back on to her. Doing so was his undoing. His member released steady pulses inside of her and his body was freed of the tension at last.

It must have been what she was waiting for because Chloe was coming shortly after him. Her body folded back towards him and he was happy to envelop her into his arms. Her face buried into the nook of his neck then he felt her teeth. The bite was more playful then painful and it stifled her screams of pleasure.

“That was…” He could hear her faintly still tucked away close to him.

As his senses slowly returned Lex tried to finish her sentence. “Great, Amazing, Spectacular, Epic…”

Before he could go on she was kissing him. The smooth motion of her lips and teasing of her tongue was all of the above. When she started to pull away it was the start of the evening Lex hated.

He could only watch as she headed for the master bathroom to clean up. He had a good view of her flush red body. Chloe even swayed her hips with a little more emphasis for him. In the past a move like that would mean he could follow her into the shower. Now he knew better.

This was something he had grown custom to. If Lex was at Chloe’s place then he would have been rushed out the door after a quick kiss. Now if the night was just the two of them then he got to make love to her only to have her rush herself out the door shortly after.
When the press was following them Lex assumed it was the reason for her behavior. Now that the press had stopped he thought she would be more open to the idea of not making him run off. Christmas was supposed to be the turning point. In some ways it was but now it was time to break this new cycle of keeping him at arm’s length.

At the end of an evening Lex would have preferred to remove the condom then return to the bed to hold Chloe or better yet have sex again. He wasn’t sure what the problem was.

Emma had been fine with them getting closer since the holidays. She’d seen them holding hands and kiss without even flinching since the first time. Here Lex was about to be left home alone again after a night of all of the above sex.

This was his life and he was determined to change it. Now was as good a time as any to do something about it. So Lex followed after her into the bathroom. While she turned on the water to the shower Lex took care of the condom then moved into the shower before she could close the glass door.

“What are you doing?” Chloe questioned him wide eyed as if he had never seen her wet and naked before.

“You don’t have to rush off.” Lex smiled coolly as he pulled her to him. She didn’t resist him and it was a good sign she wasn’t ready to leave either. As soon as his lips reached her Chloe was nudging him away.

“You know I have to go.” She turned her back to him for the warmth of water in front of her.

If she thought she was going to get out that easily Chloe was sadly mistaken. “I know you have to go but you don’t have to run off so quickly?” Again he tried to hold onto her reaching his arms around her waist getting wet in the process.

“I know but…” Instead of going on Chloe made a soft sigh letting her body press back against him. Lex heard the disappointment in her voice and knew what was coming next.

“I really should get home.” Without saying her name Lex knew Chloe really meant she had to get home to Emma.

It was something he couldn’t argue with. Emma came first. There was no weaving in this thinking. His tiny obsession wasn’t going anywhere in his thoughts as well. Gloria would have put her down to bed long ago but Chloe had to be there when she woke the next morning.

Instead of continuing Lex pulled away. “I understand.” He said and it was something he found himself saying often even when he didn’t understand. It would have been nice to shower together but Lex let her be. He dried off then warped a white rob around him to sit on the bed and wait until Chloe reappeared from the bathroom.

When Chloe returned to the bedroom wrapped in a towel she started the work of looking for her clothes. “Where are my shoes?” She grumbled now on her hands and knees on the floor.

“I think you kicked them off at the front door.” Lex spoke trying to be helpful. He couldn’t just let her leave without saying what he need to. When he moved to stand over her Lex brought the bra she was wearing appearing to be helpful.

Chloe rose to her feet with her blouse and skirt in tow then she happily took the bra from him. As she made quick work of getting dressed with what she had Lex only had a few seconds before the worse part of the evening came.

“Can you hear me out for second?” He started not sure how to say what he need to without it coming out the wrong way. This wasn’t a push but a slight nudge in the direction of being part of her life that wasn’t rushed out the door after an orgasm.

“Yes!” Chloe spoke with little more enthusiasm then he was expecting. When he looked at her hand Lex realized she was over joyed at finding her panties somewhere near the door leaving the room.

Not sure if the yes was for him or not Lex sought clarification. “Was that yes for me or joy at finding your clothing?”

Pulling the panties on Chloe fixed her eyes on him. “Sorry, what did you say?” She hadn’t heard him and all her focus was on getting away from him.

“I said can we talk before you leave.” The turn in his tone had to make her see that this was a serious matter he needed to get off his chest. When she nodded in reply Lex took a deep breath in then out to start. “I don’t think you need to rush off every time we see each other like this and I don’t think you need to rush me off if I’m in your apartment.”

“Where is this coming from?” Her eyes slanted at him as she wrapped her long blonde locks into a loose bun. Chloe knew full well what he was getting at. The evening would seem to come to a point where she would give him the heave ho.

Lex had done a lot to make what was happening in his life now a reality. The taste of having them only to be pushed away at the end of night wasn’t something he thought was only troubling him. “It’s coming from weeks of you showing me the door after a good time. Have you ever considered having me spend that night?”

“You have spent the night.” Chloe pointed out with a nod of her head.

Under the perfect circumstance Lex had spent the night. “Yes only when Emma is staying with your father or Lois. I’m talking about when Emma is actually around.”

“Spend the night and have Kitty cat know about it?” Her eyes lowered as she thought it over. When they returned to him things weren’t looking as good as Lex had planned. “Lex I don’t know."

“What do you think will happen if I stay the night?” Lex waited for his answer longer then he wanted to. He was forced to watch Chloe fumble with her skirt as if it wasn’t straightened yet. Then he had to watch her wonder to the bed to take a seat. When she looked at him again Lex could see very well what she was about say wasn’t meant to hurt him but it would.

Chloe swallowed hard before she spoke. “You understand that I have to be there in the morning when Emma wakes up. I already feel bad enough leaving her all night when we have a date. I don’t want her to start thinking that Gloria is her mother.”

Taking long strides Lex moved to sit with her while reaching for her hands clinched in a fist on her lap.“I know all this and that’s why I’m suggesting letting me stay the night. You can be with her and see her in the morning without either of us having to rush off.”

There was another long pause while Chloe twisted her fingers though his. Everything had a slow and agonizing build. It was how it should be when one considered the feelings of their child over their own. It was something Lex was never given as a child. If Lionel had ever put his feelings aside for Lex it wasn’t something he remembered.

“I know how much you enjoy being around Emma but there are still a lot of things about kids you may not be ready for.” She raised an eyebrow at him to emphasize her point.

“Like what?” Lex knew that there was more to Emma then what he knew so far. Staying the night and waking with them in the morning was a great way to get to know those things.

“Lex she isn’t always as pleasant as you have seen her. Sometimes Emma is cranky in the mornings or loud at night when you’re trying to go to bed because she doesn’t want to sleep yet. And one time she…”

“Chloe stop.” Lex interrupted her before she could get any further. “You’re making excuses. What’s the real reason?”

“I know you like your mornings and your solitude.” She squeezed his hand as she went on. “You like waking up and reading the Wall Street Journal in peace and quiet. Emma would never let you do that.”

Lex took his hand away from her. It was shocked to hear this. At times he thought Chloe knew him better than anyone but at the moment he wasn’t so certain. “I don’t like being in solitude. Contrary to what everyone may think I have had my fill of it.”

“It’s not what I meant.” She started and again he had to stop her.

“I think I know what you meant. I’m telling you that you’re wrong. I have had enough solitude in my life. If I had a choice I would much rather have noisy mornings then lonely ones.” The words stung to say. Living with Lionel as a child was a lonely life. Getting older was no better because too often people had to be bribed to be near him. All those women he had been with since Chloe had an agenda of their own. Until Chloe’s return there were only business dinners to keep him company even when it came to his father.

She sighed long and hard before replying. “Okay. I know this. Anyone would feel neglected living in Lionel Luthor’s home. I know very well you don’t like to be alone. I just don’t want to stay what I’m really thinking.”

Lex breathed a small sigh of relief that Chloe did know him. His emotions quickly shifted to a worried state. “You have to say it.” Whatever she had to say was going to be worse.

“Your right I should be honest.” After she replied Lex wait and got nothing.

“Yes you should be honest.” He added hoping for something.

“We are having a good time together right?” She started.

“You know the answer to that.” Lex was having more than a good time but he didn’t want to act overzealous.

She gave him a small smile in reply. “Okay, you and Emma have been getting along so great since we got caught on Christmas.”

“Yes…” Lex lead her on hoping she would make her point.

“I’m happy about all of this. Even with all the press and tabloid nonsense I’m glad that we are doing this.” It sounded as if she was trying to convince herself of something.

“Chloe this doesn’t sound like an answer to why I never stay the night.” His worry was replaced with frustration. Tonight was another night of his emotional control being weakened by a pair of green eyes looking at him.

“I’m not worried about me being with you.” She let herself look at him and he saw the worry in eyes that wasn’t for her. “I’m worried about Emma.”

His eyes fixed on her staring away from him now. For some reason he thought this was over but it appeared to still be a problem. “What do you think I’ll do to her?”

“It’s nothing you will do to her. It’s a matter of what will happen and it’s out of our control.”

“Please tell me what are you getting at?” Lex couldn’t hide his concern. Anyone else he could harden his shell, but this was someone he had finally admitted to being in love with for the better part of ten years.

Before Christmas Lex meant to tell her he loved her without having to say it yet. The look she gave him said she understood that night. Now for her to think he would let someone jeopardize any part of that love was not a possibility in his mind.

She looked at him sweetly which seemed like a jab after what she was about to say. “I’m concerned about making her a part of the Luthor legacy.”

“She’s not a Luthor.” Thanks to something Lex wish he could have changed Emma was not his daughter. It was a constant reminder every time he was in Chloe’s home with pictures of Emma’s real father all around him.

“No she’s not but the more we are together the more she’ll be associated with being one.” A long sigh of frustration passed her before Chloe spoke again. “I’m an adult I can handle what will come but she’s my little girl I really need to think about what this will mean for her.”

If this was her honest answer Lex could handle it. Of course in the world he had a certain reputation that followed him. At times it was a great thing to have but in this case it was keeping him from his girls.

This was the story of his life. At times being a Luthor meant having anything in the world only to have the world turn away from you.

“Chloe the only thing I can do is assure you that no will ever hurt her.” Lex swallowed over the lump in his throat that formed at the mention of someone hurting Emma. His little obsession wouldn’t be tainted by his family name by any means necessary. It was why it went to the extremes he did with the press.

“I know but…” She started and Lex quickly stopped her.

“I don’t think you understand what lengths I would go for her.” He watched her shift away from him. It wasn’t a good sign but honesty was important when it came to this. “If anyone did anything to her because of me then I’d kil…”

Lex felt his teeth clinch at the thought of it. The word he was about to say didn’t really grasp what he would do if someone hurt Emma. Before he could try to explain himself further Chloe finished for him.

“You don’t have to say anymore. I’d do the same thing.” Her body moved closer to him and for moment there was something unspoken. Lex could see it in her eyes that she would go to that great length to protect Emma as well. “I just need to make sure.”

“I know there are some parts to the Luthor name that would scare you but she will only know the good.” Lex let his fingers brush against the soft skin of her cheek. “There may not be many of them but she will only know the good.”

There was some good in his life. Chloe had to know that or she wouldn’t be with him now.

“Okay.” She said simply before kissing him long and hard. Her breezy response made all the work to get there somehow belittled. It was no matter because Lex would take it.

The next night Lex was invited to dinner at Chloe’s.

He was invited to stay the night.

He was invited to have breakfast in the morning.


-------------}{------------

At the moment the position Lex was in wasn’t the best ever in his life. He always thought of himself as a tall man but trying to sit next Emma in her bed made him look like a giant.

After a healthy dinner of seamed fish and fresh vegetables Emma asked him to come to her room to play before bed time. Chloe left it up to him to decide. There was no other answer but yes so Chloe left them alone while she did the dishes and some work in her office.

Emma pulled him along to look at her latest work of art. Then she had to show him her gold stars on homework from that week. After which time seemed to fly by as he learned about parts of her room he hadn’t seen before. While he was hearing about the wonders of her stuff animal collection Chloe popped her head in to say it was time for bed.

Emma whined but Chloe stood her ground. He hoped one day he would be able to do the same. Hearing her up set made him want to give her whatever she wanted. Somehow Emma had convinced Chloe that Lex should read her story before it was lights out.

Now he was awkwardly sitting in her bed with his legs reaching far behind the edge and his back pressed against the tiny white headboard. Emma’s choice was usual. The new Metropolis Monthly was out and she wanted to hear Chloe’s article on puppy mills just three hours away in Smallville.

Lex thought they should be reading about a cartoon dog instead of one’s treated so poorly many of them died before being sold. Chloe said it was something she started a year ago and it was fine so Lex read on without pause.

“Lex.” Chloe’s voice called out to him as he was turning the page of the magazine. When his eyes met her she was smiling warmly. “She’s down.” In a hush voice she replied.

Looking down Lex saw what she meant. Emma was indeed down. Her was face pressed against his side and her little body was curled into a ball. His uncomfortable position seemed to be just right for Emma with only a small portion of the bed left for her.

“How do I move?” Lex questioned closing the magazine.

Without a word Chloe came into the room. She knelt down at Emma’s side of the bed and spoke softly at her ear. “Kisses good night kitty cat.”

A low mumble came from Emma as turned with eyes closed to the other side freeing Lex. Chloe placed a soft kiss on her forehead and moved to stand. When Lex stood he felt his back crack back into position.

They both moved slowly for the door when Emma spoke. “Mr. Lex.” They both turned to see a sleepy face Emma trying to focus on them. “Mommy said kisses good night.”

Not knowing what to do Lex turned to Chloe for help. She shrugged before speaking. “I guess you have to kiss her good night too.”

“Is that right Emma?” Lex spoke now looking to Emma for conformation.

Her head bobbed once in a yes reply. Just as Chloe had done Lex moved back to his little obsession to place a small kiss on her forehead then she was truly down for the night.

Chloe had gone over with Emma before dinner that Lex would be there for the night with them just like Christmas. She did ask where he would sleep to which Chloe replied with her. Emma’s eyes moved from one of them to the other before she gave them a simple okay. Both girls seemed to take major issue in with a simple okay in response.

“Not too bad?” Chloe questioned once Emma’s door was closed with just a hair of it open.

At the thought of things possibly being worse on another night Lex gave her a half smile. “Not bad at all.” He answered moving back to the living room.

Once he was there it occurred to him that things in Chloe’s place were different. The pictures had changed. The one of Emma’s loving parents giving her a birthday kiss was gone as well as many other pictures that featured Troy had found a new home out of sight.

Letting his mind go back to Emma’s room a picture of Troy with a baby Emma was on her night stand. Troy’s presence would never be washed away completely but it was a good sign that he wasn’t the only man that could be in Chloe and Emma’s life.

“Is everything alright?” Chloe stood in front of him as he looked dazed at the apartment.

Putting his focus on her Lex nodded. “Do I get some kisses good night too?” Chloe rolled her eyes at his silliness but she did give him a kiss.

That night was not about rushing through dinner to push him out the door. It wasn’t about Chloe rushing to her orgasms to rush out the door either. Tonight was the slow start to something Lex never thought he would have in his life.

That night they both left things at a few kisses good night. While the sleep spooning Lex let himself be assured that this was indeed his life now. His girls were truly starting to be in his life and him in theirs.

TBC

Chapter 15 Protection (Chloe POV)

[lexie]

Yes! An update from Letia! You´ve been MIA for a long time but you came back with a beautiful chapter. I love how things are unfolding and the way they´re strengthening their relationship as a "family".

I´m glad Lex put the cards on the table and nudged Chloe to tell him what exactly was bothering her. Honesty is the best policy- that´s why I worry about Lex hiding from her what he´s done to protect them and hope he´ll open up soon.

I don´t usually read NC-17 fics, but I´ve been enjoying this story too much to stop now. Tell us there´ll be an update soon.:D

[hfce]

Yeah an update. Yeah it was good. I am glad they were honest with each other. I am sure Chloe would be grateful that Lex went to extremes to stop the press from hounding them. Lex has nothing to worry about in that department. But I am sure she will tell him to let her in on that next time.

More please I love this story. :)

[happybum]

Welcome back!! I am relatively a new fan to your story. I still need to get caught up. I have been reading backwards lol. I am so glad that your backk and will continue this beautiful story. Much love.

[alexis]

cool story! just read it now - actually i spent the whole morning reading instead of packing like I should considering I'm moving apartments tonight. so there you go - far too distracting. i hope you update it soon!

[somethingeasy]

I was so happy to see this fic updated again with such a stunning, delightful new chapter. Squeee!! And it was all from a very frustrated Lex’s point of view. Excellent!

I really liked the beginning showcasing how Chloe’s life had changed ever since she started getting semi-serious in a relationship with Lex. Those headlines were just hateful, and I really don’t blame Chloe for pulling away from Lex after such paparazzi experiences.

Heh. I’m gad I don’t know the details, but I’m delighted and thrilled to know that Lex did something morally dubious about getting those damned reporter’s off his beloved’s back. He must have been furious over that headline… not only because of the slur against Chloe, but ALSO because he saw the press as jeopardizing his relationship with the object of his obsession. Actually, I’m slightly scared about what he might have done to the reporter who printed the most heinous headlines… I’m definitely glad I don’t have the details.

The smut was awesome and HOT! It was a beautiful, delightful and thrilling read. I especially loved the detail showing Lex holding himself back from his orgasm with near superhuman will power… determined that Chloe WILL get her pleasure before he falls. LOL! It must have been an excruciating couple of minutes for him… waiting for Chloe to get to the same place as him.

But if he’s proven anything in this fic, he’s proven that he’s a man with amazing and awe-inspiring levels of patience… what’s a few minutes of holding back your orgasm compared to MONTHS of waiting for the object of your extreme, obsessive, beloved LUST to come to your way of thinking, LOL!

Heh… and speaking of patience… I thought that the situation had finally drawn to a close between the two of them, and that we were reading the final chapter over here… So I was delighted to find out otherwise… that there are STILL yet some more issues waiting to be sorted out before the ‘happy ending’. Excellent!

I really liked the description of Lex’s bewilderment, frustration and even his hurt over Chloe’s distancing lately. The poor man is really having his considerable patience stretched to the limit, and I loved seeing him struggling to give Chloe her time and space while he’s just dying to snatch her up and ask/order her to marry him NOW!


“You don’t have to rush off.” Lex smiled coolly as he pulled her to him. She didn’t resist him and it was a good sign she wasn’t ready to leave either. As soon as his lips reached her Chloe was nudging him away.

Poor Lex is just barely bordering the line to sounding plaintive and pathetic. Fortunately, he’s still Lex Luthor, so he’s not crossing that line, but it’s a near thing ;) I love it! I loved seeing Lex so clearly desperate to cling to Chloe, while she’s still pulling away. I especially loved seeing how he managed to give Chloe her space despite his desperate urge to cling. It’s exactly that kind of attitude that makes me believe that he’s ready and worthy for a real relationship with Chloe and Emma.

I did like how the main reason why he can let Chloe go after every rendezvous is because he’s accepted (very easily and readily) that Emma’s needs ALWAYS come first. Even if Lex wanted to manipulate Chloe into staying, he just couldn’t bring himself to harm Emma that way.

I took note of the fact that Lex still accepts that Chloe is, first and foremost, in charge of all things related to Emma. He follows her lead in how to raise and protect Emma… which is exactly how it should be at this stage in their relationship. It does make me wonder at what point Lex will become an equal partner in the raising of Emma… where his opinion in child-rearing will count as much as Chloe’s. Will it happen eventually, or will Chloe be the one in charge forever? I’m interested in knowing about this.


Pulling the panties on Chloe fixed her eyes on him. “Sorry, what did you say?” She hadn’t heard him and all her focus was on getting away from him.

Oh poor Lex! I really felt his outrage, plaintiveness and desperation over here. He’s trying to tell Chloe something even while she’s running out of the house. LOL! And I was ROTFL at the pathetic way that Lex had to ask whether Chloe was paying attention to him… only to have her blink at him owlishly asking ‘did you say something?’. ROTFL! Oh, poor Lex! I guess this sentence just broke his patience, huh? LOL!


“Like what?” Lex knew that there was more to Emma then what he knew so far. Staying the night and waking with them in the morning was a great way to get to know those things.

“Lex she isn’t always as pleasant as you have seen her. Sometimes Emma is cranky in the mornings or loud at night when you’re trying to go to bed because she doesn’t want to sleep yet. And one time she…”

This was very well-written, Letia! I really liked how Chloe came up with all these very plausible sounding excuses that only sounded slightly off when she was trying to explaining her distancing to Lex. Her excuses sounded so close to being true… but I loved that Lex didn’t fall for any of them, and kept pushing until he got the real reason behind Chloe’s pulling away.

Heh… But Chloe has raised some real food for thought over here. Lex HAS only seen Emma so far when she’s been sweet, adorable, amusing and entertaining. I really want to see how he’s going to react to her being an unreasonable, bratty, obnoxious kid in a temper tantrum fit.

I really liked how Lex was so bewildered by her outrageous ‘explanations’ that he actually wondered whether she knew him at all… especially when she mentioned that he actually liked the solitude in his life, and wouldn’t welcome an ‘intrusion’ into his lonely, empty space. Of COURSE he’s going to CRAVE such an intrusion!

It was a little heartbreaking seeing Lex’s crestfallen reaction when Chloe finally confessed her real reason for pulling away. It was so tragic seeing Lex practically moaning to himself ‘oh no, not again!’, when he saw how his Luthor name was messing up his life… again!

I can see why Chloe was so hesitant about revealing this concern to Lex, and why she was so gentle in breaking her explanation to him.


“I don’t think you understand what lengths I would go for her.” He watched her shift away from him. It wasn’t a good sign but honesty was important when it came to this. “If anyone did anything to her because of me then I’d kil…”

heh… Lex managed to cut himself off, but not soon enough to present ANYONE from guessing how he meant to finish that sentence. Actually, I’m glad that he said this out-loud to Chloe. It’s good for her to know, not only how far Lex is willing to go for Emma, but also what lengths he’s capable of going to in order to protect his beloveds.

I get the feeling that Lex has been hiding the darker side of his personality from Chloe ever since he’s started ‘crawling back’ to her. That was the one (and only) thing that bothered me about this new relationship between Chloe and Lex.


“I know there are some parts to the Luthor name that would scare you but she will only know the good.” Lex let his fingers brush against the soft skin of her cheek. “There may not be many of them but she will only know the good.”

heh… who would have thought that we would see Lex actually being ‘too optimistic’ about his Luthor name, of all things. Does he REALLY believe that he’ll be able to protect Emma from all the ‘bad things’ of being a Luthor forever? I applaud and appreciate his sentiment, but I’m sure even Chloe knows that he cannot fulfill that promise.

Still, it IS a beautiful, irresistible thought. And even if she knows it IS impossible, I can see why Chloe would have responded to this heartfelt promise.

ROTFL! I thought it was hysterical that Chloe’s only answer to this was a ok… until she finally invited him over for dinner… and to spend the night! ROTFL! Such a huge, momentous shift in their relationship, symbolized by the word ‘ok’. ROTFLMAO! I loved how Lex was bemused about that, AND how he was equally bemused when Emma late accepted the Chlex relationship with the same blasé ‘ok’, ROTFLMAO!

And speaking of Emma… she was sooo cute during her interactions with Lex. Whether it was showing off all the little details of her room, OR demanding a bedtime story to be read (in the form of her mommy’s news articles), AND demanding a good night kiss from Lex before she finally popped off to sleep. It sounded like it was a PERFECT evening for Lex. I’ll bet he’s looking forward to lots more of these in the future.

Heh… let’s see if he keeps up that same enthralled attitude when Emma’s throwing a tantrum.

Next chapter from Chloe’s point of view, huh? I can’t wait! Please update soon!

[letia84]

Chapter 15 Protection (Chloe POV)

Smallville Ten Years Ago

Anything could be possible. The fact that Clark exist made Chloe know this for certain. A hail of meteor rocks bringing him into her life wasn’t the only thing that made her a believer. Dying then coming back from the dead did the trick.

When Chloe used her powers on Pete she thought it would be the one and only time. Clark said she was gone for eight minutes. It wasn’t like Chloe didn’t have her own bumps and bruises from helping Clark but that day in question almost killed Pete. To this day Pete didn’t even know she had saved him and Chloe hoped it would stay that way.

Anyone that came in contact with an infected person knew the outcome. Their powers corrupted them. There was no telling the number of people affected by the meteor rocks but everyone thus far was insane. For years Chloe worried she would end up like her mother with a lost mind never to be heard from again. Now she had to worry about her powers driving her over the edge.

Lionel’s plot to capture people and place them in 33.1 was suppose to be gone now. The man was in jail and Chloe didn’t think she had to worry about it anymore. She was wrong. There was another Luthor that had stolen her heart she didn’t see coming.

When Chloe arrived at the manor she normally waited in the study for Lex. It was where they always met. That day was no different. Lex hadn’t arrived yet from Metropolis so she decided to surf the internet for a while.

When she sat down at Lex’s desk she felt like it was a mistake. That night she left her laptop at home. So many things about that night fell into the wrong place. This wasn’t the first time Chloe used Lex’s computer but it was the first time she had done so without him being there.

As she waited for the pricey thing to boot up a set of computer disc next to the lab top caught Chloe’s eye. The first one on top was titled 33.1 followed by what could only be a date.

The files being left over from Lionel’s project was the first thought in Chloe’s head. It could be the reason Lex had them lying around. No one was allowed into the manor that didn’t belong so there was no worry of anyone taking them.

Chloe could only assume that Lex didn’t think anyone would see these discs. She was going to leave them alone but Chloe looked down at them again. The date was two weeks ago. Lionel Luthor had been locked up for months.

There was no way this was from Lionel’s command over 33.1.

Without thinking Chloe put in the first disc. A set of folders popped up and each one had been labeled by a set of numbers. Clicking on the most recently dated file she read over a document. A picture of the subject with a number under their name was first then the cause of their infection was next. There were several pages on the file describing someone that controlled fire. The file also contained results from a series of test the subject had undergone. Chloe reluctantly moved on to another file it was the same as the last but this time the person could see through walls.

After clicking on another file Chloe learned that some infected had no powers at all but mass amounts of radiation in their bodies leaving some with deformities. In total there were ten discs sitting in front of her. There was no telling what powers or problems people had. If Clark saw this he would never forgive himself but he’d want to know what was out there.

When Chloe opened another file next to the picture in bold letters was the word Terminated. Chloe closed the file. She knew what it meant. The subject or really an innocent person was dead.

Chloe stopped to catch her breath. These things weren’t Lionel’s doing; unless his hand reached far beyond iron bars. Yet it didn’t explain why the discs where in Lex’s study.

When Chloe regrouped she looked at the title on each disc. There was one titled “CK” with no date. Chloe felt her stomach tighten. This was something Lex had promised he would stop doing.

Frantically she placed the disc in to see what was on it. One folder was titled Clark Kent and inside was file after file about him. There was line after line of suspicious things Clark had done. The first being his appearance in Smallville then a few files later was about Lex's car accident on the bridge when he met Clark. There was another file listing each person in Clark’s life with a small profile as well.

When Chloe looked at her own name there was number. It was her subject number. She looked through the remaining discs for her subject number. Once it was in the computer she couldn’t get it open fast enough.

“Chloe.” The sound of Lex’s voice filled the room but Chloe didn’t stop what she was doing. “I’m sorry I’m late.”

The warm deep tone of him wasn’t going to distract her from seeing what was in her file. Inside her folder was video file. She opened it without looking at Lex approaching the desk.

“What are you looking at?” He questioned her. Then there was silence as they both watched.

Chloe saw herself tied to a table. She was attached to wires and her mouth was spread wide with tubing coming from it. Before she could see more Lex slammed the laptop shut.

“I can explain.” He started his voice quivering in a way that signaled fear she had never heard before.

Chloe couldn’t move. The chair and her body had become one while the image replayed in her mind. She felt his hand on her shoulder trying to force her to look at him but she didn’t move. She had no memory of being in that place or of whatever was done to her.

“I didn’t tell you because I wanted to protect you.” Lex went on when she wouldn’t move.

Swallowing hard Chloe tried to force her mouth to speak. “Protect me?” She questioned finally finding the strength to look into his eyes. “From what?”

The guilt in his eyes flooded her senses but she wouldn’t be fooled by it. “From what you’re feeling right now.” He answered her reaching for the curve of her face.

Using the new part of her body Chloe pushed the chair away from Lex. She tried to make her escape. Lionel’s pet project had a new leader. The research on Clark didn’t stop after the trial but tripled. Without her knowledge Chloe had been experimented on. People died in that place. In the end Lex’s answer was it was all done to protect her.

Before she could get to far away he was pulling her back to him. “Don’t leave without me explaining.”

When Chloe was turned around to him she had to fight her way out of his grasp. Her shock was now replaced with anger as she spoke. “Tell me what? That the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree? That you terminated those people for some higher purpose? That you did what you did to me to protect me?”

She saw him searching for the right words and finding none. “Tell me you had nothing to do with it. That you have been researching it from what Lionel left behind.” Her angry streak was now being followed by a plea for it not to be true.

“I can’t do that.” Lex replied stepping towards her.

Chloe stepped back. Lex touching her was the last thing she wanted at the moment. Without another word she was trying to run for the door.

“No.” He spoke sternly. Gripping her so tightly as if she was falling to her death and he had to hold on. “Not until I explain.”

The love she felt for him let her stand there to let him speak. He tried to convince her that locking those people away was a way of protecting people from being attacked. Learning about their powers and testing them was away of rehabilitation. Those that were terminated were a last resort.

Each word made Chloe cringe. The worse was saying that she was taken in because his people were instructed to take the infected no matter what. They had no idea who she was. Taking people from their homes or off the street in the middle of the night was wrong whether Lex was fucking them or not.

Chloe let him have his say then she walked out or really ran. This wasn’t the man she fell in love with. This wasn’t the person that saved her life. Lex was someone she didn’t really know at all.

No matter the reason Lex’s attempt to protect her sent her running from him.


-------------}{------------

A few months ago Chloe was in this room. She healed a woman she would never see again. Level 33.1 was one of those things she had to come to terms with. It was a place that was needed but it started off the wrong way.

“We don’t have to do this today if you’re scared.” Lex had said the same thing throughout the day. He was just as scared as she was to put Emma through this test.

It wasn’t as invasive as it was when Chloe was secretly tested. Emma would be sound asleep and not aware of what was going on.

“It’s alright. We went over it a hundred times. I have to know if she is infected.” When Chloe glanced at her watch it was only a few seconds since the last time she looked at it.

Emma was being scanned as Lex called it. When she was secretly tested all those years ago Chloe was thankful she didn’t remember any of it. Tubes were protruding from her mouth, her body was strapped down and she was nearly naked on a table while scientist poked at her.

For her daughter and many others since the scanning process was easier. During Lex’s rounding up infected he found someone that could locate those with infection as well as someone that could pinpoint the concentration of meteor rock in the body.

Chloe knew now that her heart was full of traces of meteor radiation. It gave her the power over life and death. She was struggling with this so called gift. It was something she never wanted and a gift she never wanted to give her daughter. Just the thought of Emma having this power made her cringe.

“She’ll be done before you know it.” Lex did his best to make this go smoothly. His hand reached over smoothly to Chloe’s waiting in her lap for a light squeeze. Giving him a slight nod Chloe waited to hear her daughter’s fate in silence.

It seemed like hours later when the cold steel door leading to her daughter opened. A very well dressed and pressed doctor appeared. He was the same man that explained to Chloe what happened to her when she healed people.

Lex stood from his seat to speak but Chloe didn’t let go of his hand. Kindly he didn’t release it as he spoke while Chloe sat. Standing at the moment seemed too much. The news could send her tumbling to floor.

“Where is she?”

“She is still a sleep and should be up in a few moments.” The doctor spoke and then smiled lightly. It was rather unnerving how calm the doctor was considering what he now knew.

“Then tell us what you know so I can see my daughter.” The tenor of her voice quivered uncontrollably. Chloe wanted to shake the information out of him but Lex’s hand was keeping her grounded.

“The results from her blood work and scans will take a day but from what our reader can tell she is infected.” The doctor paused for moment. It had to be because of the horrid look on Chloe’s face. She felt the blood rush out of her skin and it must have made her look as pale as a ghost.

Squeezing her hand lightly Lex brought her back to the matter at hand. “Go on.”

“We have very little information on second generation subjects…”

Before he could go on Chloe stopped him. “She’s no subject. She is my daughter. She is six years old and not your science project.” Chloe was on her feet now inches from the doctor. One touch with her hand and the opposite part of her powers would keep the doctor from speaking of people as if they were nothing more than data points in his research.

Chloe’s outburst filled the small space with a thick tension. Lex was looking at the doctor as well but Chloe didn’t see what made the man nod at her before replying. “I’m sorry I miss spoke. I’m trying to say that from the few cases we have powers can be passed on or not. It’s truly uncertain. We just know that your daughter has traces of radiation similar to you Ms. Sullivan.”

“Let me see her.” Chloe waited for him to move aside. This place was still one she didn’t fully trust but it was the only place that could help her know the truth about herself and now about her daughter.

It was only the place that could teach her how to protect Emma.


-------------}{------------

“This is better then what I have had in last month.” Flipping the Metropolis Monthly closed Clark sighed long and hard.

“Please Clark. You’re a fine writer but sometimes you don’t apply yourself because of other distractions.” Chloe pointed out to him with a winking eye that saving the world could leave ones writing career lacking.

“I’ll be bumped down to the obituaries if I keep it up.” Clark leaned his head toward the office door as if he heard something only he could hear.

Chloe asked him to her office after she got all the results of Emma's testing at 33.1. It was just as she feared. When Emma was teenager going through the rough changes of puberty her ability would manifest. “Is everything alright?”

“It was nothing just someone finding a good lead.” Clark tuned his ears away from the door to look back at Chloe. “Why did you want to see me? Is it Lex?”

“No it’s not Lex.” Chloe rolled her eyes. Lex had been nothing but wonderful she wasn’t going let him bad mouth him. After the holidays Chloe thought Lois and Clark would let up but they never did. “There is something I need you to know. When the time comes I’ll need your help with it.”

“Anything.” Clark pushed his phony glass up the bridge of his nose to listen intently.

“I had Emma tested a 33.1.” Chloe spoke plainly. There was no time for any sort of tact about this.

“What?” Clark nearly lost his voice it went so high in responds.

Finding the files on Lex’s laptop opened up not only Chloe’s eyes but Clark’s as well. She told him of the number of people infected she could remember. Clark wanted to tear the place apart but when he went looking for it 33.1 was gone. The darn thing was never in the same place for long.

“It’s not what you think.” Chloe was going to try and make him understand the truth. “The place is not like it was before.”

He stood from his seat approaching her desk with his wide stance “You have been there and you didn’t tell me?”

“Yes because I knew you would yell at me like a child.” Chloe pointed at him coming at her like a crazy person.

“The place is evil. It was the reason you left.” Clark stood his ground and waited for her answer.

“I have no more fear of that place anymore then you should.” It was partly true. Chloe knew that things that once happened in 33.1 had stopped. There was one thing she was uncertain about. Lex would have to answer for it sooner or later.

People were no longer prisoner. Many of those that had suffered from radiation sickness were give money for medical expense. Others that had no control over their powers were given the chance to learn how to use them and even help others with them. The one thing lingering were the terminated. Each person killed was done so after they had attacked Lex’s staff. It was what Lex said but Chloe had not seen any evidence of it.

“Are you sure?” Lowering his head Clark went on. “Your feelings could be clouding the truth.”

“My feelings aren’t clouding anything Clark. I walked into that place and came back out just fine. No one there is being held unless they are a threat. You know as well as I that infected people can be rational one day then psychotic the next. Lex is helping stop those threats.” Chloe waited for him to sit back down calmly.

“What do you mean she is infected. “ He replied to her taking his seat again.

“I wanted to have her tested Clark. You know my powers are…” The word Chloe was going to use wasn’t enough to describe it but she went ahead anyway. “…difficult and if she has it then I wanted you to know.” He nodded slightly for her to go on. “I don’t want Lois to know or my father. You’re the only other person I can trust with this.”

He breathed out sharply. “I’ll be there to help when she gets her powers.”

“Thank you. I will definitely need the help. I don’t even know what to do with this power now.” Chloe rubbed her forehead firmly trying to focus on being strong and not feel to sorry for herself. When she looked up Clark was already doing it for her. “Don’t do that.”

“Don’t do what?” His eyes were off in the distance and Chloe knew what he was thinking.

It seemed like years since Clark was like this but now here he was feeling like it was his fault. “This is not your fault.” Meeting his gaze again her words weren’t convincing him.

He shook his head at her words. “It’s not just you but Emma too. Of course I’m to blame.”

Chloe got up from her chair to move to him. Placing her hand on his shoulder she tried to make him see the truth. “Your father sent you to us and it was the best thing he could have done. With or without you coming here all those infected people that use their power to hurt others would still be here and we’d have no protection from them.”

“Lex has that under control.” The jab was noted.

“Lex can only do so much. There comes a point when he needs help too. You’re the only one that can protect us.” There was a long silence before Clark stood from his seat to give Chloe a hug they both need.

“I’ll be there when the change happens.” Clark spoke at last releasing her.

Then suddenly there talk was over and Clark was off to protect the city for another day while his journalism career suffered. Chloe wasn’t certain if her words got to him but Clark would have to realize one day him coming to Earth was the gift.


-------------}{------------

Lex wrapped his arms around Chloe without her even hearing him come into the kitchen. “You can leave all that.” He spoke softly into her ear.

Her mind was drifting all week at home or at work. She would sit at her computer thinking of the worse instead of her next article.

Sinking into his embrace Chloe replied. “I know I can but unlike you I’m not use to a maid.” Chloe stopped her work with the dish washer to turn in Lex’s arms to face him.

It was a nice evening since Chloe’s talk with Clark. She had one more person in her corner to protect her daughter when the time came. For the sake of peace Chloe didn’t tell Lex she spoke with Clark about Emma just that he had stopped by to catch up.

Dinner and game night at Lex’s penthouse was just what Chloe need. Emma wasn’t aware of anything happening to her. Her kitty cat just thought that a doctor was testing her for diseases; now she had a clean bill of health. If Emma only knew what her life had in store for her.

“Is she down?” Chloe let her arms rest on Lex’s shoulders while he swayed them softly to the silence.

Lex’s had once again read Emma’s story before her bed time. Whenever Lex stayed the night with them Emma asked Lex to read her bedtime story. At first it hurt a little but they need that alone time. Lex had to learn about her and Emma needed to learn about him.

Reading was something Lex had started to get into. When it wasn’t serious matters from the Monthly he had started to use voices. To Chloe all the voices sounded the same but Emma seemed love it.

Instead of answering right away Lex brushed a light kiss on Chloe’s right cheek. “Sound asleep.” He spoke and shortly after went for the left cheek for another sweet kiss.

“Then I guess we can go to bed too.” Chloe gave him what he was looking for placing a strong kiss on his lips. It was going to be a short kiss but Lex was covering her mouth with his leaning them towards the edge of the counter-top behind them. For a few short moments it was pleasant to drift off into naughty thoughts of going to bed.

Instead of enjoying the moment with her Lex pulled away to speak. “We should talk first.” He said the words as if it were more for him then her.

Chloe nodded slightly waiting for him to answer. There was no telling what he was going to say but she didn’t think it was that serious. The thought of their coupling was a temping distraction for them both. Instead of being good and listening Chloe stroke his smooth skull while giving him the same light kisses he had just given her on each cheek.

While she was hard at work Lex spoke. “Your worrying Emma a little.” The foreplay stopped immediately after he spoke. Chloe shift in his embrace and Lex got the hint to let her go then took a few steps back.

“What do you mean?” Chloe forced out. Since going to 33.1 Chloe thought she was being more normal than ever. Her act was seen through by her little kitty cat reporter.

“She asked me if everything was okay with her.” Lex admitted looking shaken by all of this as well. It was just another sign how much he truly cared for Emma.

“Lex tell me exactly what she said to you.” The facts were the most important thing. It would allow Chloe to tackle this problem head on.

“She wants to know if the doctor said she was sick because you have been fussing over her all week as if something is wrong.”

All this time Chloe thought she had put on a cleaver ruse. As she went through the past few days there had been a lot of fussing. She bathed Emma for longer than normal the night before because she wanted to make sure she was clean. The night right after the test Chloe filled her plate with more veggies than normal. Crossing the street Chloe scolded Emma for trying to run ahead of her but she wasn’t that far away now that Chloe thought about it and they were holding hands the entire time.

“I didn’t even know I was doing it.” Chloe answered pulling her fingers through her loose hair.

Lex stopped her from doing it again taking her hand into his. “You’re worried about her safety. Its a natural reaction.”

Nodding repeatedly Chloe was worried. Hands that could heal were one thing but Chloe knew she could reverse those effects and kill. Life and death were in her hands and soon they would be in Emma’s.

“I don’t want her to deal with this feeling of uncertainty and…” The words weren’t coming to her but Chloe felt the tears coming. Without a word Lex pulled her into him and let her have this times to let go at last.

“We will protect her.” Lex spoke softly into her ear.

It was something she needed to hear from Clark and Lex too. Clark was in her corner but she needed all the help she could get to help Emma through this and herself. No one wanted to admit it but everyone need some back up.

No matter how much back up Chloe had for the future it wasn't enough to protect them from what was going to happen very soon.

TBC

Chapter 16 Gone (Lex POV)

[lexie]

I was really missing this fic, letia. I´m so glad you´ve had the time and the inspiration to post an update.

I´m so pleased Chloe´s turned to both her love and her best friend to help her deal with what´s in store for both her and Emma. It´s great that Lex is doing his best to revert his dealings at 33.1. I wonder how things will turn out as far as the deaths go.Loving the way he´s bonding with Emma.

Let there be a new instalment soon.:blinkkiss

[Kit Merlot]

Just caught up on this story, and I'm so glad that you are continuing it. Lex seems to be trying to make things right, but is it enough?

[hfce]

What a great update. I am glad Lex is there to help Chloe deal with this new info about her daughter. :)

[Fouzia]

thank you for you story!!!!!:blinkkiss

[somethingeasy]

Chloe could only assume that Lex didn’t think anyone would see these discs. She was going to leave them alone but Chloe looked down at them again. The date was two weeks ago. Lionel Luthor had been locked up for months.

There was no way this was from Lionel’s command over 33.1.

I have to say that Lex fully deserved to be caught in his nefarious practices… and not just for the generic ‘he was morally wrong, and deserved judgement’ reason; but for the ‘he was so stupid that he deserved to be betrayed by his carelessness’ reason. He left those damned incriminating CDs; all neatly labelled 33.1 unsupervised n his desk in a room where everyone ranging from Chloe, Clark, Martha, Lana and Pete regularly walk by?!

He might as well as left a book in the public library entitled ‘deepest, darkest secrets of Lex Luthor’s corruption-laced activities – please don’t touch’.

I’d say that a big part of Lex wanted to be caught and judged. He subconsciously left those CDs out in a place knowing that Chloe would find them, and erupt in fury after seeing their contents.


“What are you looking at?” He questioned her. Then there was silence as they both watched.

Chloe saw herself tied to a table. She was attached to wires and her mouth was spread wide with tubing coming from it. Before she could see more Lex slammed the laptop shut.

you have GOT to be kidding me?!? He left this collection of CDs out in the open?! Not only CDs that contained information about ‘terminated’ subjects at 33.1, not only the ones containing continuing investigation on Clark Kent, but even the CD containing the horrific, unremembered tortures that Chloe went through at 33.1?!

I’ll bet anything that Lex felt so ill and vile after seeing Chloe’s video file, that he subconsciously left it out where she could find it and scream at him about it. Damn… I’d love to know exactly what was Lex’s reaction the day he first received the video files of the ‘latest weekly abductions’, and discovered footage of Chloe amongst the nameless, faceless masses of victims.

Any chance of showing us that in a flashbac, Letia?!? Pretty please?


“I can explain.” He started his voice quivering in a way that signaled fear she had never heard before.

Chloe couldn’t move. The chair and her body had become one while the image replayed in her mind. She felt his hand on her shoulder trying to force her to look at him but she didn’t move. She had no memory of being in that place or of whatever was done to her.

“I didn’t tell you because I wanted to protect you.” Lex went on when she wouldn’t move.

ROTFLMAO! Imagine the most bitter and sarcastic kind of laughter possible over here… LOL! Oh yeah, nice one, Lex… I’m sure that kind of rationalization is going to go over reaaally well. He’s damned lucky Chloe didn’t attempt to tear his eyes out before she left him.


She saw him searching for the right words and finding none. “Tell me you had nothing to do with it. That you have been researching it from what Lionel left behind.” Her angry streak was now being followed by a plea for it not to be true.

“I can’t do that.” Lex replied stepping towards her.

I have to admit, amidst all the stupidity Lex has displayed today (in this flashback), I felt a flash of respect for him at this moment. He didn’t even try to pass off any flimsy lie over here, although I’m sure he knew that Chloe was half-poised to believe anything except that her lover was the employer of her kidnappers and torturers.


The love she felt for him let her stand there to let him speak. He tried to convince her that locking those people away was a way of protecting people from being attacked. Learning about their powers and testing them was away of rehabilitation. Those that were terminated were a last resort.

Each word made Chloe cringe. The worse was saying that she was taken in because his people were instructed to take the infected no matter what. They had no idea who she was. Taking people from their homes or off the street in the middle of the night was wrong whether Lex was fucking them or not.

Chloe let him have his say then she walked out or really ran. This wasn’t the man she fell in love with. This wasn’t the person that saved her life. Lex was someone she didn’t really know at all.

Beautifully written, Letia! I loved how you covered exactly the kind of man that Chloe ran away from, and how he’s changed into a man that Chloe can actually trust today. Now I finally understand why Chloe was SO incredibly hostile and suspicious towards Lex at the beginning of this fic, when he was just bending over backwards acting as her doormat.

I loved how you captured the monstrosity of the man that Lex used to be… while making it clear why he never would have believed himself to be a monster until he saw that monstrosity reflected and judged in Chloe’s eyes back at him.


“We don’t have to do this today if you’re scared.” Lex had said the same thing throughout the day. He was just as scared as she was to put Emma through this test.

It wasn’t as invasive as it was when Chloe was secretly tested. Emma would be sound asleep and not aware of what was going on.

“It’s alright. We went over it a hundred times. I have to know if she is infected.” When Chloe glanced at her watch it was only a few seconds since the last time she looked at it.

I loved the idea that Lex was as nervous and anxiety-ridden about Emma going through the procedure as Chloe was. Granted it wasn’t very reassuring seeing the owner and financier of this facility being nervous about the operations, but I chose to view this as an obsessive, paranoid level of concern that Lex exhibits over anyone that he happens to be madly in love with… and now that includes Emma!

LOL! It was pretty funny and ironic seeing Chloe reassuring Lex that they’ve gone over the details plenty of times, and that it’s all perfectly safe. LOL! Just whose mad scientist lab is this anyway?


Emma was being scanned as Lex called it. When she was secretly tested all those years ago Chloe was thankful she didn’t remember any of it. Tubes were protruding from her mouth, her body was strapped down and she was nearly naked on a table while scientist poked at her.

ouch! While it was great to hear that Emma wasn’t going through even a hundrenth of the discomfort and abject terror that Chloe had experiences, the stark contrast still made me wince. This must have brought back some unpleasant memories to Chloe… not of the procedure, but of the recording of the procedure at least… which is horrible enough!

I wonder whether Lex was also having uncomfortable memory flashbacks of seeing a recording of his beloved being strapped and probed on a table by HIS scientists. It must have been goddamned awful for him as well.


“We have very little information on second generation subjects…”

Before he could go on Chloe stopped him. “She’s no subject. She is my daughter. She is six years old and not your science project.” Chloe was on her feet now inches from the doctor. One touch with her hand and the opposite part of her powers would keep the doctor from speaking of people as if they were nothing more than data points in his research.

LOL! Touchy much? I can imagine the doctor taking some hurried mental steps backwards, and making a note to choose his words carefully from now on in front of this (potentially) murderous meteor mutant mum! LOL!


“Please Clark. You’re a fine writer but sometimes you don’t apply yourself because of other distractions.” Chloe pointed out to him with a winking eye that saving the world could leave ones writing career lacking.

“I’ll be bumped down to the obituaries if I keep it up.” Clark leaned his head toward the office door as if he heard something only he could hear.

squeee! Clark is here. I’ll confess that I’ve been rather missing the big lug. And it’s great to hear some details about his job. LOL! It was most definitely amusing hearing Chloe giving him a gentle lecture about being a writer. ROTFL! Even after all this time, Chloe still has to poke and prod Clark to be the very best that he can be in practically all things. Some things never change!


“I have no more fear of that place anymore then you should.” It was partly true. Chloe knew that things that once happened in 33.1 had stopped. There was one thing she was uncertain about. Lex would have to answer for it sooner or later.

People were no longer prisoner. Many of those that had suffered from radiation sickness were give money for medical expense. Others that had no control over their powers were given the chance to learn how to use them and even help others with them. The one thing lingering were the terminated. Each person killed was done so after they had attacked Lex’s staff. It was what Lex said but Chloe had not seen any evidence of it.

These were a great pair of paragraphs that summed up Chloe’s feelings towards 33.1 very nicely. I liked how it was made clear that she has not forgotten about what 33.1 used to be. This means that she’s going to be keeping a close watch on 33.1 to make sure it doesn’t slide back into it’s easy, old, brutal practices again.

I also found it really interesting that Chloe believes that Lex has only gotten a brief reprieve from the punishments that he deserves over 33.1’s former practices and methods. So Chloe doesn’t think that Lex has gotten clean away with anything… even after he’s put all this effort into reforming himself?

I also appreciated the quick rundown of all the ways that 33.1 is different and better now… where all the mutants at the facility are being treated as patients, rather than examined as subjects. The mutant psychopaths present a problem, but I guess there’s truly no other solution other than ‘termination’ when it comes to cases like those. Oh well, as long as the termination option is only used as a last resort, it should be fine.


He shook his head at her words. “It’s not just you but Emma too. Of course I’m to blame.”

Chloe got up from her chair to move to him. Placing her hand on his shoulder she tried to make him see the truth. “Your father sent you to us and it was the best thing he could have done. With or without you coming here all those infected people that use their power to hurt others would still be here and we’d have no protection from them.”

“Lex has that under control.” The jab was noted.

“Lex can only do so much. There comes a point when he needs help too. You’re the only one that can protect us.” There was a long silence before Clark stood from his seat to give Chloe a hug they both need.

I had to shake my head and laugh in exasperation at Clark’s insistence on taking on guilt for incidents and circumstances that are clearly not his fault… yet again, LOL! He never gets tired of that, does he?

It seems like it’s up to Chloe, also yet again, to soothe Clark’s guilt complex and make it clear that he shouldn’t be shouldering unnecessary burdens. I loved the pep-talk she gave him, making it clear that the mutant thing would have happened anyway… and that the people of Earth are damned lucky that Clark came along with the meteors rather than never came at all. Kind of like the anthropomorphic form of hope that was released from Pandora’s box after all the evils and monsters had escaped, eh?


Lex’s had once again read Emma’s story before her bed time. Whenever Lex stayed the night with them Emma asked Lex to read her bedtime story. At first it hurt a little but they need that alone time. Lex had to learn about her and Emma needed to learn about him.

Reading was something Lex had started to get into. When it wasn’t serious matters from the Monthly he had started to use voices. To Chloe all the voices sounded the same but Emma seemed love it.

squeee!!! Lex and Emma bonding! I think I’d LOVE to see some more bonding moments between the two of them… perhaps some moments that don’t have Chloe hovering close by in the background…? While it seems like Lex is getting quality time getting to know Emma, it also seems like he’s not getting to know Emma by herself. Chloe’s always somewhere nearby whenever he’s with her, and it still seems to me like both Emma and Lex see the other as an extension of Chloe/Mommy rather than their own person.


Instead of enjoying the moment with her Lex pulled away to speak. “We should talk first.” He said the words as if it were more for him then her.

Chloe nodded slightly waiting for him to answer. There was no telling what he was going to say but she didn’t think it was that serious. The thought of their coupling was a temping distraction for them both. Instead of being good and listening Chloe stroke his smooth skull while giving him the same light kisses he had just given her on each cheek.

While she was hard at work Lex spoke. “Your worrying Emma a little.” The foreplay stopped immediately after he spoke. Chloe shift in his embrace and Lex got the hint to let her go then took a few steps back.

I loved, LOVED this part. I think it was my favourite section in the chapter. I was enjoying the warm build-up of on-coming smut, when Lex inexplicably interrupts the build-up with a ‘we need to talk’. Lex never interrupts an opportunity for Chlex sex! Especially not if the option is a serious ‘we need to talk’ type of conversation.

I cannot describe how wonderful and heartwarming it was to see that Lex is willing to place certain priorities above sex with Chloe. Actually, it’s probably just the one priority, isn’t it? Emma’s welfare takes precedent over everything!

Essentially I loved seeing Lex’s concern, fondness and love for Emma reflected in this scene. Where he’s willing to interrupt Chloe’s aggressively amorous advances in order to let her know that there’s a potential problem. Fantastic!


“She wants to know if the doctor said she was sick because you have been fussing over her all week as if something is wrong.”

All this time Chloe thought she had put on a cleaver ruse. As she went through the past few days there had been a lot of fussing. She bathed Emma for longer than normal the night before because she wanted to make sure she was clean. The night right after the test Chloe filled her plate with more veggies than normal. Crossing the street Chloe scolded Emma for trying to run ahead of her but she wasn’t that far away now that Chloe thought about it and they were holding hands the entire time.

“I didn’t even know I was doing it.” Chloe answered pulling her fingers through her loose hair.

Awesome! Emma’s a really sharp kid, although I think quite a number of children would have been able to pick up on these kinds of signs… especially straight after a doctor’s examination.

I loved the way it was made clear that all of Chloe’s over-protective measures were really small and subtle in nature. So subtle that Chloe didn’t even realize she was doing them… and even Lex failed to notice until Emma pointed them out.

Hmmm, I wonder how Lex was able to hold himself back from also being paranoid and over-protective over Emma once he discovered she is a dormant meteor freak. If Chloe was having a hard time, imagine how tough a time Lex ‘control freak’ Luthor was having.


It was something she needed to hear from Clark and Lex too. Clark was in her corner but she needed all the help she could get to help Emma through this and herself. No one wanted to admit it but everyone need some back up.

No matter how much back up Chloe had for the future it wasn't enough to protect them from what was going to happen very soon.

woah! Sounds foreboding! Are you trying to warn us about something dreadful looming in the future? :D (erm… not that I’m really ecstatic about the possibility of dark, angsty darkness on the horizon… I’m just curious)

squeee! Lex POV next chapter! I can’t wait! Please update soon!

[skauble]

Wonderfully awesome update!

I love so much about this story, but I think that the best thing is how you manage to balance out the characters, taking the potential that was in the show and giving it the life that they couldn't.

I love that your Lex has been dark, has done things that were wrong because he thought that they were right and then he learned from them and changed. I love how Chloe has been hurt but learned to move on, not because she's doesn't seem to understand her self worth, but because she's seen real change and she can accept that. And I love how your Clark isn't a huge ass. He can have opinions, and be suspicious, but he doesn't think that his opinion is the only one and that if everyone doesn't bow down to it then they should just be written off. It's so refreshing and satisfying.

Just excellent work all around and I really can't wait for more of this story! :)

~Sarah~

[letia84]

Note: So I have been building up to this moment of Chloe leaving in the past for a while. In back chapters I have gone on and on about the second meteor shower being the final straw. Now this flashback is my attempt to weave my story and the shows together.

Chapter 16 Gone (Lex POV)

Smallville Ten Years Ago

Lex thought the past few weeks were harder than anyone should live. Right now was proving to be harder. The meteors that made him bald and changed his body forever were coming back to Smallville any minute now.

In the end Lex didn’t need Lana’s help to find the stone. Whatever happened with her and Genevieve was her problem. His father was the one with the stone and now Lex had it locked away in his safe. Carrying it around with him was too dangerous after what happened to Lionel. His father had escaped jail only to be jailed inside of a coma.

Somethings were falling into place but Chloe still hadn’t spoken to him in weeks. Waiting on the landing pad for the helicopter Lex didn’t feel right getting out alone. He tried to find Chloe but there was no sign of her or her family since they left the high school commencement. When the helicopter landed he wasn’t going to get in it right away. He told them to wait.

If there was any chance that Chloe was concerned for him she wouldn’t just leave him either. She would call or come to him and he couldn’t leave. Lex was going to wait a till the last possible second to leave.

His insane hope had paid off as he walked into the study because Chloe was waiting for him. “You’re here.” He started but didn’t know what else to say.

“We have to get out of here.” Her words were urgent reflecting the panic of the day.

“I know. The helicopter is here.” It was as if they hadn’t fought before or it was what Lex wanted to feel. When he approached her Chloe backed away.

“Why didn’t you leave then?” She questioned him trying to act as if she didn’t reject his advances for the first time.

“I tried to help the Kents but they refused. My father is already being taken away. I couldn’t find you or your family. I wasn’t going to just save myself I came back in here now hoping I would get word that you were okay first.”

“I’m here because I was hoping there is some part of you still in there; a part worth saving.” It sound like she was ready to give up on him but she had risked her life to be there.

“I tried to give you space to think.” Lex reached for her again but she backed away. Before he could say anymore Chloe was interrupting him.

“Lex I don’t want to talk about 33.1.”

“We will have to talk about it.” This wasn’t something either of them could get away from. It may not be the time but the time would come.

She nodded slow and steady. “I know but not now. The meteors are coming.”

“Then let’s go to the helicopter.” Lex moved in on her again and this time she didn’t back away. His hand reached out to grab hers but for a split second his eyes drifted from her towards the safe.

The safe door was ripped off lying on the ground like it weighed nothing. His eyes were glued to it and he didn’t see Chloe anymore.

“I thought we were leaving?” Her voice was more urgent then before and she tried to grab his hand.

“What the hell happened?” Lex forced his way past her not noticing what she said. Of course the stone was gone. Letting his arms stretch out to grip either side of the door for dear life Lex knew who took the stone but need conformation from Chloe.

“Lex we have to go.” The sound of her voice snapped him to attention. The anger building inside him was pointed at her now.

“Who did this?” Lex reached for her shoulders not letting her back away this time.

“I don’t know. Why does it matter? If we don’t leave now we will die.” Chloe answered him confused. It was the thing they never talked about.

It was the thing Lex wanted to get out of her when he was going to explain 33.1. Chloe never gave him the chance too but at least he was honest. Now he could see she was going to lie to him no matter the circumstances.

“You know why it matters.” He gripped at her arms harder trying to force the truth. “You don’t have to lie to me. You saw the research. Just tell me he did this.”

“Who are you talking about?” Chloe broke free from him stepping back and stumbling on the way. The meteors were close now but Lex couldn’t be bothered to notice.

“We have to get out of here.” She answered him again trying to make her eyes look at him with sincerity. Chloe was able to read him like a book just by looking but sometimes she forgot he could do the same to her.

“We are going to get that stone.” Lex grabbed her harder than he ever had and started to drag her along with him. “Even if that means dodging a few meteors in the process.”

He did love Chloe yet when it came to this he thought one day she would tell him the truth. It was why it was important for him to tell her about 33.1. Once he learned she was infected he had to be honest about the place. It seemed she couldn’t do the same for him.

Instead of listening to her pleas to stop Lex drove on to the caves. The meteors hadn’t truly started to fall until they reached the safety of them.

“Now tell me the truth.” Lex let her go at last. Some sort of surge was running through him and he couldn’t see how wrong he was until it was too late. The caves were linked to the stones and if they were going to be anywhere this was the place.

“I told you I don’t know.” Chloe’s eyes started to well up with tears.

He reached for her again pulling her close to make sure she could hear him clearly over the rumble of the destruction outside. “If you love me just tell me.”

“Like you were going to tell me about 33.1” Instead of giving him an answer Chloe turned it on him. She had every right to be upset but Lex had his reasons as well.

Before it wasn’t the time to talk and now it was worse. It was no matter because Lex was about to explain himself. “I was going to tell you. It was the reason the disks were there. You looked at them before I had a chance to explain.”

“You’re saying that now because you got caught.”Chloe struggled in his arms. It was the first time he ever had his hands on her and it was unwanted.

“No! I’m saying it because it’s the truth. I wanted nothing but the truth between us. I tried to explain it all to you that night but you just wouldn’t hear me out.” His mind started to look at the past few weeks. Alone wasn’t something Lex enjoyed and with Chloe gone he felt more than ever doomed to it. “Do you know how hard the last few weeks have been for me?”

“I had to think. I had to process it all.” Chloe’s tears were flowing slow and steady now. Between sobs she continued trying to fight her way out of his grasp.

All of the anger Lex felt was slowly starting to melt away. His sense of reason was coming back to him. Her tears could be because he was hurting and he let her go. “Yes and now that you have had time to think you have chosen not to trust me.”

“How can I trust you? How could you do that to those people…” Chloe wiped at her tears before going on. “…or to me?”

“I told you I didn’t know until it was too late about you.” When Lex received the dailies that day of the infected Chloe’s was one he could barely watch.

It made him start to question the way in which he was taking people in. Doing it without their knowledge seemed best but seeing the pained look in Chloe’s eyes must have been what they all felt.

Her eyes filled with tears slanted at him in that way he hated when she was angry. “That doesn’t make it right. What you’re doing is wrong.”

“Don’t say that. If you just let me explain it all then you would understand what I’m trying to do. I want to help those people.” It was the truth in all the ugliness of 33.1. Lionel wanted to use those people and Lex only want to help them.

“I understand things just fine. I understand everything now.” She turned on her heels as if she was going to leave. There was no way she could go out there now. The earth was shaking under their feet from the meteor shower.

Lex grabbed her before she could get anywhere. “You can’t just walk out of here.”

“Why not? You didn’t seem to care for my safety when you brought me here.” Chloe ripped her arm away from him. She wasn’t crying anymore. “I came to the manor to… I don’t know…” She paused throwing her hands into the air. “To save you! Then you drag me here thinking I know something I don’t.”

“You do know Chloe. I have never pushed you before to tell me but after I shared something with you I thought it would help you trust me.”

“I can’t trust you now. Not after that night. Not after today. All this time I thought you weren’t like him but I can see now. You’re only worried about what others can do for you.” She shook her head in disbelief as she went on. “Like father like son!”

The words burned deep into Lex’s chest. He was nothing like his father. There wasn’t a speck of compassion in the man. It couldn’t be possible that this was her final conclusion. “You’re wrong. I’m still me. I’m still the person you fell in love with.”

No words came from her. It appeared she was settled. What Lex did next was his last gasp to save them. Instead of grabbing her Lex smoothly slid his hands to either side of her face to guide his lips to hers. Once they met the heat between was still there. She kissed him back and reached to hold him as well.

While they embraced they didn’t feel the rush of air pass them as someone rushed into the second chamber of the cave. When they opened their eyes to look at each other they were bathed in a white light. Turning to look at it Lex knew his answer would be in the caves and now it was only steps from him.

Before he could see what was in the light he felt the hard push of Chloe’s hands on his back then the hard rock wall against his head. When he looked up again the light and Chloe were gone.

In more ways than one Chloe was gone. She made it to Canada somehow. He brought her home and she didn’t speak a word to him. When they got back to Smallville Lex went through the motions of waiting until he found out there was nothing to wait for.

Chloe had accepted an offer to NYU. She left before the school year started to work for the NYU press. All of this was in a letter stating he was never to contact her.

Information he ignored.

Every attempt to reach out was sent back to him or blocked. She was gone. For a year Lex did his best to give her what she wanted only to be pushed away again we he tried to see her. A harden shell grew around him as the years past and nothing was going to get to him that way again.


-------------}{------------

Metropolis Present

“I can’t talk about this now.” Lex repeated himself for the third time.

The overseas deal wasn’t going smoothly and he would be there soon enough to put things back on track. With all the changes in his life Luthor Corp was still his sanctuary.

Work these days was usually more efficient then ever but for some reason the Chinese government refused to agree to his terms. The efficiency of Lex’s work could be equated to the women in his life. He had something to look forward to at the end of the work day instead of a lone glass of fine scotch or another forced evening out with the soon to be ex Mrs. Luthor.

Right now the best moments weren’t the thrill of being in Lex’s safe haven of Luthor Corp but with Chloe and Emma. What they would do was never routine. It was common place to share meals or spend the weekend together but there was always something new for him to learn. The one thing that was certain was he was considered a part of their daily lives.

“Listen to me. That test is going to go through when I arrive or the Japanese’s offer will start to look very appealing to me.” After a long pause Lex listened as the man on the other end of the line agreed to the terms. With that out of the way it was time to call it day.

“Ms. March is there any word on my girls yet?” Buzzing his personal assistant Lex inquired about the ladies in question.

“Yes Ms. Sullivan just stepped off the elevator.” Ms. March replied and he instructed her to send Chloe in.

Lex moved for the automatic doors as she was walking. Chloe was dress for the office in a black pinstripe skirt suit with a light jacket slung over her arm.

“Are you ready?” Chloe directed her attention towards him with a warm smile.

“Yes.” Lex answered reaching her at last.

“Good. I don’t want to be late.” Chloe moved in on him slowly extending her body to allow her lips to reach his. Lex took hold of her shoulders just as their lips met. When they parted her smile was still there. “Let’s go.” She nodded her head towards the door.

Lex happily followed ready to be rid of the work day. Today was something new again. Emma was competing in her first equestrian showcase.


-------------}{------------

The first round for Emma’s age group had gone by quickly. Each young lady presented their ability to control their horse's gait and speed. Emma excelled with her head, posture and technique just right. After the scoring she was in a very close second.

“I’m so nervous.” Chloe shifted in her seat repeatedly until Emma came out the first time. She was repeating the pattern now that she was gone.

“She will be great.” Lex placed a hand on her leg slowing her movement for a moment.

“Listen to the man.” Gabe spoke from Chloe’s other side. “She’s a champion.”

Looking to either side of her Chloe tried to calm herself. “I’m glad you too are sure but the jumps are coming up. She has been riding a few months and some of these girls have been on horses since they were three.”

When Emma first started jumping it was rather painful to watch. Lex knew all too well if you didn’t trust the horse then it wouldn’t trust you and your body would pay the price. Emma had a pretty bad fall the first hard jump she tried. Chloe felt the need to use her powers and that meant pulling Emma out of Claire’s training. After some tears and pleading from her daughter Chloe reconsidered.

“She has been training so hard and she will be fine.” Lex squeezed her leg lightly watching the last rider finish her pass.

They waited in silence as the course was changed for the jumps. The rails in place were low and the course was very short. The first in Emma’s group went out and knocked over every rail. The sight of it only fueled Chloe’s fidgeting.

Everyone clapped politely as the poor girl trotted off. “You see what I mean.” Chloe looked at him then back at her father.

“We have seen Emma do better than that girl a hundred times.” Gabe spoke keeping his eye on the score card that would appear from the judges section any moment.

The equestrian life had become a large part of Emma’s life. Since Emma could speak Chloe had heard her say she loved horses and now she was seeing just how much. There was no place she would rather be and it was getting Lex out on his own horses more than ever.

The next three girls went by in a blur of mistakes until the leader came out. She cleared the course with the best time yet and the fewest mistakes. It was sad but Lex was hoping a little girl would lose so his obsession could win.

“Listen to your father. Emma has better control over her horse then that girl.” Lex spoke looking to Gabe to help him. They were getting along at last. Chloe said Gabe just had to be shown he had the best intentions and he would come around.

“You got that right Luthor.” For some reason he still couldn’t get him to stop using his last name. It had to be because he used to work for his father. Maybe one day he would stop.

Just after the leader came Emma. “Would you two stop trying to calm me down she’s coming out.” Chloe turned to either of them giving them the evil eye.

“Our next little rider is Emma Kaplan-Sullivan.” The voice of the announcer filled the stables located just minutes outside of the city. “She is riding four year old April May.” The announcer finished and Emma got into position.

She looked so small on the large horse but the Sullivan determination was in her eyes and Lex knew she would be okay. Speeding ahead Emma took the first jump with ease. Bringing April around the turn she took the next jump just as smoothly. A set of small leaps followed and Lex heard Chloe breathe in and release a sharp breath each time she landed.

The last jump was two rails instead of one. This was the jump Emma had fallen on so badly. Lex knew his eyes weren’t the only ones glued to Emma because after she completed the jump everyone applauded her run. It was the cleanest and milliseconds faster than the leader.

“She could win?” Chloe questioned looking to Lex for answers. Equestrian questions were often part of their conversations when it came to Emma. It was like he was parenting Emma just a little when it came to this. His role was still Mr. Lex but more and more Lex was getting to do things Chloe seemed terrified about the moment he met Emma.

“I would make her the winner.” Lex replied while keeping his eyes on the judges. “Her form and control were better than the leader.”

The score was announced then suddenly Chloe and Gabe stood from their seats cheering so loud the entire room looked at them. Lex reached for Chloe’s hand to get her attention shaking his head no.

“People aren’t usually that loud.” He tried to explain once he had her attention. Her eyes glanced around the room and she noticed the unwanted attention.

“Dad stop.” Chloe took her seat pulling on her father’s shirt to do the same.

“What? She won.” Gabe answered a proud grandfather still applauding. “Of course I’m going to cheer.”

Chloe looked to Lex and shrugged her shoulders. “He’s right.” Chloe started in again and there was no stopping them.

He knew it wasn’t protocol. If the horses heard the noise they could get spooked. But he was just as excited and applauded loudly along with them until they were asked to stop.

After the ribbons were given the three of them went back to the holding pins. Emma was hugging her horse the best she could with her height.

“Kitty cat.” Chloe spoke and Emma rushed at her.

“Did you see? Did you see?” Her words came out in a jumble of excitement.

Emma moved on from Chloe to Gabe to hug him in earnest as well. Lex waited as she pulled away to see him and his little obsession was reaching for him. It had only been a few months but she wasn't the same person he met. Soon she would be seven and there was no telling what would come.

Coming down to her level Lex congratulated her. “Excellent work.” Lex told her once she pulled away.

“How were my jumps?” Emma waited for more praise.

“You looked like you were one with April and you remembered to stay tight on the mini rails just like we talked about.” Lex was sure Claire didn’t like co-training Emma but she would have to get over it.

“Well what are we going to eat?” Chloe questioned the group. “Claire you are welcomed to come along.”

“Ice cream.” Emma asked shyly testing out how she could make this day even better.

Slanting her eyes Chloe agreed with a compromise. “How about some pizza and ice cream?”

Emma nodded and went for her mother for another hug. Once April was sent away to her holding stables it was pizza time and Chloe managed to sneak a salad in as well.


-------------}{------------

After gorging themselves on pizza and ice cream it was nice to finally be home. Lex was leaving in the morning for China and they decided to stay in the penthouse that night. A room was set aside for Emma. He was instructed not to fill it with new clothes, toys and other gifts for her. Chloe placed a few things from their home in the room so Emma would be comfortable.

Kissing softly under the covers that night Lex had to get something off his chest first. They had just gotten into this position after changing for bed. Lex didn’t know why but Chloe kept dressing for bed. They were still in a honeymoon state having sex every night they spent together.

He didn’t want to but Lex nudged back and heard Chloe whimper at the lost of him. “I have to say something first.”

“What?” With hooded eyes Chloe wasn’t going to make this easy for him. Her fingers combed across his chest and Lex had to force himself to speak.

“Are you happy?” He asked with his heart in his chest. All this time he was thinking she was happy.

Everything seemed to be falling in to place just as he had hoped. Chloe had left him so long ago but Lex didn’t forget why. He could never forget what he had done or what she said about him.

“Of course I’m happy.” She stopped her teasing to answer him. “Why?” A look of concern flickered across her face.

It had been months since the holidays when they first spoke of this. Lex had been waiting for Chloe to say she loved him since. He knew it wouldn’t come easily or quickly but he knew he loved her and wanted to tell her. But he had promised to wait until she said it first.

Loving her now wasn’t lingering feelings he had when she first returned. There time had let Lex fall in love with her again. Her work ethic and snark were still firmly in place but there were so many more layers to Chloe now.

Not only was she handling being a single parent, she was also carrying the weight of her powers and the powers one day Emma would have. Each thing piled on she handled with grace and poise.

She was everything he wanted in partner mind and body but was he everything she wanted? It kept him up at night and now that he felt like he was filling the role for her it made him worry more. Thinking for her was something Lex could never do. Chloe left thinking he would become Lionel and he didn’t want any trace of that in her mind.

“Chloe, I just want to be sure that…” Lex paused thinking of how to word it. He shifted in the bed into an upright position and Chloe followed after. “I want to say something and I’m not sure how to say it.”

Reaching for his chest again Chloe smiled and seemed to be holding back laughter. “The all powerful Lex Luthor can’t tell me something. You’re not going to act like this when you’re in China in front of your business partners?”

Placing his hand over hers Lex didn't want to be laughed at. “Those people in China can’t break me like you can.” He admitted to being afraid without actually saying the word. Lex just wished she wasn’t laughing at him in the process.

“Break you? What are talking about?” Chloe moved closer to him studying the lines of his face trying to read what he was saying. “You think I’m going to leave you again?”

“Well…” He started and she cut him off.

“You’re so dense sometimes Luthor.” Chloe took her hand away and started to undress herself. The night shirt she was wearing went first exposing her bare breast. The cotton pants quickly followed and she was moving on top of him. “Do you really think I’m unhappy?” She whispered in his ear.

“No.” Lex spoke breathless because she was grinding against him. His damn pajama pants were in the way of real contact.

“Then tell me what you’re trying to say.” Chloe nuzzled his neck places light kisses on him.

His hands gripped her hips but it didn’t stop her movements. His mind was becoming foggy and relaxed all at once. This was another thing he loved about Chloe; always knowing just how to help him relax.

Lex let his hand reach to her long blonde locks to pull her lips away from his neck to look at him. “I love you.” He spoke and didn’t give her a chance to say anything back by planting his mouth over hers.

Taking control Lex rolled them to place her on her back. His member was painful hard and he rushed to free it from his pants but was forced to free Chloe’s mouth. It didn’t matter because he disrobed and was thrusting inside her before she could speak. Condoms were a thing of the past now that Chloe was routinely taking the pill.

All he got from her were harsh grunt at the new fullness. He had said what he wanted and now he wanted to linger in the moment before she could possibly reject him.

Her fingers dug into his back speeding up the pace of his thrust. Lex’s movements were as natural to him as breathing. He took hold of her right leg bringing her hips up to him allowing himself to go deeper.

“You love me?” Chloe questioned him chocking on her own grunts of pleasure with each thrust.

“Yes.” Lex answered her moving to kiss her again not wanting to talk just yet.

Their tongues tangled and all that could be heard were the movements of their bodies. Chloe did the best she could to rock back and forth with him under the weight of his body. When it felt as if he couldn’t take much more the climax welled up as it always did and released.

He had to stop kissing her to groan through moment. Lex let his body relax completely on top of her. Feeling Chloe shift under him rolled off to his side of the bed trying to catch his breath. As he lay on his back Chloe rolled over and placed her head against his chest listening to the roaring of his heart.

“I love you too.” She answered him casually sliding her fingers between his pectorals.

Lex didn’t think he heard her right and forced her up with him to look at her. “You do?” He asked shocked to hear it.

“Well I guess I was afraid to say it too.” Chloe shrugged as if it was nothing.

It was always such a struggle to get things just right but when they changed Chloe would act as if they had always been that way. If she did love him Lex had to know when her feelings changed. “When did you know?”

With another shrugged Chloe answered him. “A couple of weeks ago. Emma spilled juice all over that Persian rug in the living room and you told her the rug wasn’t important but getting her more juice was.”

“Why then?” Lex remembered the event well enough.

They were having cocktails before dinner. Chloe was having her usual dirty martini, Lex was enjoying a scotch and Emma’s highball was full of apple juice. Emma was telling them a story from school. She got excited and accidentally knocked the juice on to the rug. It was only apple juice. The rug could be cleaned or tossed. It didn’t seem like it was something he should be loved for. It just told Lex he needed to do some redecorating to make it more comfortable for Emma in the penthouse.

“Well it was sweet.” Chloe smiled warmly at him. “You’re so good with her when she makes mistakes like with the juice or even if she’s not on her best behavior. I just thought how great it was that you two were getting along then how great we were getting along. Then suddenly I just thought I love you.”

“Why didn’t you tell me?” As she spoke Lex reached out to stroke her cheek. It seemed to have caught her by surprise which was fine. He just wish he was told.

“I told you I was afraid. It doesn’t feel like before. It’s different because there were all these secrets then. I didn’t think I could really penetrate you back then. I forgot how sweet you really were because I made up my mind that you were someone you’re not.”

“You think I’m sweet?” The word didn’t seem to fit him but Chloe seemed to think so.

Placing her hand over his Chloe closed her eyes then opened them again to answer. He was being sweet right at the moment and he didn’t even know he was doing it. “You know you’re a big softy but no one knows that but me and Emma.”

“Please don’t tell anyone.” Lex whispered. He couldn’t let it get out that he was some kind of softy. No one would ever see it but his girls because he had a reputation to up hold.

“I won’t.” Chloe turned to kiss his hand then she reached for him for a long linger kiss.

Seconds after their lips parted she jumped off the bed. “Where are you going?”

“To clean up for round two.” She wiggled two fingers at him and her naked flesh disappeared into the bathroom.

“Hurry back.” While Lex waited the worry started to seep from his body. She did love him and his plans had all come to the final conclusion. Now all he had to do was live out his life.


-------------}{------------

It was early, too early for any normal person to be up but there Lex was. He had packed the night before and was ready for China. Once the US government saw that the meteor energy worked in ways other than being a weapon they would biding to use it as well. It was rare that things so seamless fell into place in his life and for once Lex wasn’t going to second guess it.

Last night Chloe said she was in love with him again just like he was with her in a new and exciting way. Nothing could put a damper on things after that.

“Chloe.” Lex spoke softly from her side of the bed nudging her to say goodbye.

Last night they were up later than normal after round two and she was reluctant to open her eyes. “Don’t go.” She muttered to him with her eyes still closed.

“It’s only a few days. I’ll be back being sweet to you before you know it.” Lex reached down to kiss her cheek soft but she quickly turned for their lips to meet instead.

“I love you.” She spoke just as they parted.

It was nice to hear and even nicer to say it back now. “I love you too. Tell Emma good bye for me.”

“She’ll miss you too.” Chloe replied then turned over to go back to sleep. Just when he thought he was clear Chloe was calling out to him for on last thing. "Don't forget Emma's birthday party planning when you come back."

"I won't forget." Lex answered and it seemed to put her back to sleep.

With that he was off in the Luthor Corp jet and in China before he knew it. The deal had played out just as he wanted. The investors were thrilled, a city that once had no power at night was glowing and Lex was ready to get home to his girls.

But there was one problem he knew nothing about. When Lex got back to Metropolis Chloe and Emma weren’t there waiting for him. He returned home to find Lois, Clark, Martha and Gabe in a frantic state.

His girls were gone.

TBC

Chapter 17 Retribution (Chloe POV)

Notes: Sorry. I’m a really punk for leaving it like that but I wanted this chapter to be Lex getting all he lost after Chloe was gone. Have it be painfully sweet then crush it all with a few words. It’s time to get this climax started.

[lexie]

Oh, Letia, it seems you've been really busy playing hooky! Not only did you make a gorgeous batch of icons and banners you also did some writing, or was this lying around on your computer? Anyway, it's been nice to see this fic updated after so long.

They tell each other they're in love again and then you go and leave us with... a cliffhanger! You're kind of evil. Someone has kidnapped them, right? Oh, my, whoever they are, they should get ready for the Luthor wrath!

I'm looking forward to reading more.:blinkkiss

[hfce]

WTF? NOOOOOO!! :eek: I knew something would come up but who would do this? Please tell me it is not Lionel? UGH!! You had me girl now you crushed me. :(

[somethingeasy]

It was great to see another update, Letia. Quite honestly though, there was no real need to post up a chapter detailing the exact day, date and event that led to Chloe leaving Lex. You had drawn up enough suggestions in previous chapters to let your viewers get a pretty great idea on why Chloe had no choice but to leave Lex… because he was becoming a little too dominating for comfort, as well as too far out of control with his sense of self-absorption, power and control.

But it was still very considerate of you to post up the flasback for us ;) to fill in any blanks that still yet remained, LOL! And it was quite helpful to see exactly how far-gone Lex had become in his paranoia and control-issues at the point when Chloe finally left him.

I couldn’t help, however, but feel a little sorry for Lex in the flashback. I know that he brought all of his troubles onto himself, but it still must have been quite a blow to be hit will ALL of Chloe’s knowledge, accusations, anger and loathing in one scathing speech. It was almost as if Chloe had been storing up all of her anger and accusations until they all finally burst out of her in a scathing flood to destroy Lex.

I wonder whether Lex felt any amount of resentment at the idea that Chloe might have been just biding her time, sitting on all of her information, waiting for the perfect moment to strike at him with everything she had collected at his most vulnerable moment. It certainly seemed that way from an outside perspective, and regarding Lex’s suspicious, paranoid nature, I can’t help but thing that he imagined a conspiracy somewhere.

The scene of Emma handling her horse through the competing trials was beautiful and sweet. I loved that both Chloe AND Lex were attending the event. It was obviously something of pride and importance to Emma, and it must have meant much to her to have both her mother and her new father-figure attending her special moment.

Especially since I’m sure Emma is smart enough to know that Lex cannot take time off casually for just anything very easily. Although… children are generally very self-absorbed creatures, aren’t they? So she probably had no idea, LOL!

squeee! And the attendance proved to be important because Emma WON her competition. Both Emma AND Lex would have been crushed if he had not been there to see her receiving the ribbon for her achievements.

The scene in the bedroom made me want to weep. Lex seemed so open, honest and afraid and vulnerable when he asked Chloe whether she was happy with him. It was as if he was honestly expecting her to say that he had STILL not proved his trustworthiness and worth to her, and that he had some more hoops to jump before she would deign to happily settle for him. Poor Lex! Don’t you just LOVE that sore, vulnerable, delicate core of hurt, longing and loneliness within? As if he’s convinced that he’s NEVER going to be able to prove himself worthy of love to anyone… ever!

Good thing Chloe was quick to reassure him that she’s most definitely happy with him… no need to think twice on it. heh… the silly dunce was still so surprised when Chloe told him that she loved him, despite how obvious it should have been to anyone who bothered to look *rolls eyes*. Need glasses, Lex? Or perhaps an eye-seeing dog?!

heh. This fic seemed to be wrapping up into a super-sweet, neatly-packaged finish, Letia. I was just about say good bye to these characters when you DELIGHT me with a whole new angsty twist to the plot :D heeee!!! A kidnapping!!! And this fresh on the heels of Lex realizing that all of his dreams have come true?!???? Squeee!! Awesome!

I can’t wait to see how the next chapter goes. Please post soon!

[asharnanae]

good lord, I just spent the better part of the afternoon and night reading this from start to the end of the last chapter.... masterful work. :)

[Shells20]

More soon please!:respect:

[Avalanche]

I just read this update...I missed it (shame on me!) I cannot wait for more!

[planetcal]

Please update again soon!!!! I can't wait to read more.

[Historianic]

On Chapter 7- Moving Forward

I thoroughly enjoyed this chapter! Loved the scene between Lex and Chloe at his office, and Lex's phonecall to Chloe explaining where he was and why he wasn't there yet. I can understand his concerns, but I burst out laughing right along with Chloe at the thought of this incredibly powerful, usually charismatic and articulate man being reduced to a quivering ball of nerves because of a six year old. Wonderful writing!

[buns1974]

Please Please update soon this is a wonderful story and I can't wait to see Lex's reaction.

[MagnusXXN]

You really most update soon. Cliffhangers are evil you know.



): )

[IsisIzabel]

Fabulous story! I just read this all on one sitting. It's quite addictive.

[letia84]

Chapter 17 Retribution (Chloe POV)

“Sullivan” Mr. Walker caught Chloe’s attention just as she was freeing herself from behind her desk.

“Is there something wrong?” Chloe replied to him still packing her things without looking to him. This month’s story was hard to finish and she was sure he would say something about it.

“No, I just wanted to say good work.” When Chloe looked to him he gave her a half smile before going on. “But next time something with a little more edge to it.” Then he was off.

Instead of dwelling on Mr. Walker’s lack of gratitude Chloe made her way out of the office. After a few goodbyes to new work friends she was outside in the city air of Metropolis.

Chloe extended her arm to hail a cab but was stopped from getting in to one when she heard her name. “Are you Ms. Sullivan?”

Turning towards a woman Chloe answered puzzled. “Who’s asking?”

“You have to come with us.” The woman was dressed in black and her red hair was pulled tight in to a ponytail. She said us but there was no one near her.

“I’m sorry but who are you?” Chloe gripped her purse tight and thought of what she could do if this was going to turn ugly.

Using her powers was out of the question. In the crowded street she would never have a day of peace once the news hit about what she could do. When Chloe truly thought about it she didn’t have anything but her voice to scream for help and her legs to get her away.

The woman moved in closer. “We have Emma. You have to come with us.”

Chloe felt her stomach drop at the sound her daughter’s name. Lex was still away in China and this must be something he was doing. There was some talk of Lex putting some security on her and Emma but she refused it. It seemed Lex didn’t care if she refused because the security was standing right in front of her.

Some threat Chloe didn’t know about was approaching and Lex was just trying to protect them. “Did Lex Luthor send you?” Chloe wanted some reassurance.

She didn’t answer but looked behind her so Chloe turned to look at what was coming. Identical twin men dressed in black were approaching them. Turning back to the redhead

Chloe spoke again and this time she wasn’t making a request to know what was going on. “Did Luthor send you or not?”

“Come with us now or she’ll die.” As the words came from her lips Chloe felt the bodies of the two men next to her.

If this was Lex’s idea of protectors they were doing a piss poor job. She felt more terrified then protected at the moment. “Tell me who sent you!” Chloe demanded an answer stepping into to the redhead’s face. Telling her Emma could die pushed any other concerns aside. If the only way to get an answer was to use her powers then Chloe was going to do it.

“Lionel.” The man to her left spoke.

“Luthor.” The other to her right finished.

Chloe’s terror had reached and all time high now.

This wasn’t Lex.

It was his father.


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The ride to what could only be the middle of nowhere seemed like an eternity. Chloe would have done it twice if at the end she was holding Emma in her arms. Her captors assured her Emma was waiting for them. To show that they had Emma her kidnappers handed over Emma’s backpack.

Chloe knew it wasn’t a duplicate when she opened it and saw where she wrote Emma’s name on the inside with a magic marker. She asked repeatedly where Gloria was and was told nothing. Gloria was supposed to pick up Emma from school and now she was in the crossfire of what Lionel had planned.

It was as if the three of them were under some kind of mind control. They drove on in silence.

The twins at Chloe’s sides in the car didn’t speak a word. Looking at them closely Chloe saw the strong lines of their faces then the dark centers of their eyes when each of them looked at her as she was looking at them.

Suddenly their faces blurred into darkness.

When Chloe came to she was placed sitting up in a chair. Looking around things were still blurry. “You put her under too far. She can’t see.” There was no mistaking Lionel Luthor’s voice. The deep tenor of his words rang in her ears.

“Where is my daughter?” Chloe spoke blinking to force her eyes to see with little affect.

“She is safe I assure you.” Lionel replied. Chloe felt his hands on her shoulders and she shook them away.

Her eyes finally focused and she saw Lionel in all his glory. The last time they met he was so casual but now he looked like the man she grew to hate in the finest suit money could buy. “Let me see my daughter.”

“First I will apologize for the way things have gone.” Lionel took a step back and Chloe saw her kidnappers standing just behind him. “The twins sometimes don’t know their own strength.”

It was all hazy but Chloe was starting to put it together. The twins and the redhead were both just like she was. “These people are meteor infected.”

“Of course they are. Did you think I would send just anyone to collect you?” The smirk on his face made Chloe lunged herself at him from her chair.

Her body didn’t get very far. Some was forced back into her seat by some unknown force. When she glanced to the redhead her hand was lowering to her side. “Telekinesis?” Chloe gestured her head towards the woman.

“Yes, and you already felt what the twins can do. Directing the mind can be dangerous. They were supposed to put you to sleep but they nearly put you in a coma.” He was speaking as if what was happening was an everyday occurrence. His casual tone was making Chloe more terrified by the second.

“You have no idea what you’re doing.” Chloe spoke towards the infected. “He’ll promise you the world but the moment he has no more use for you he will dispose of you. Just tell me where my daughter is and I can help you get away from him.”

There was no response. They looked at her and Lionel’s laughter started to fill the room. “Do you really think you can sway them with a few words?”

He was right. They didn’t seem to flinch. Their focus was off in some way but Chloe couldn’t pinpoint. In the car they never spoke a word. When they met their focus was only on getting her to go with them. If the twins could direct the mind it didn’t make sense that they would fall under their own trance. Lionel had some other power over them.

If Chloe was going to find Emma she needed to know her surroundings. They were in a large warehouse and it was most likely one not in use by Luthor Corp. Emma could be behind any corner in the place.

His laughter continued and Chloe would have to distract him somehow. “You’re not going to get away with whatever you’re planning.” Her words were to draw him into a long monologue. Lionel could never resist telling someone off.

Pride seemed to be his only weakness.

The laughter stopped and he focused his attention right at Chloe. “Why? Because Lex is going to stop me?”

“You took me when he was gone. You must be afraid of something.” Goading him was easy. His need to be superior would have him talking for hours. Chloe darted her eyes behind him counting the steps to the redhead. She would have to touch her first to avoid getting pushed but her reaction time seemed too quick.

“You think you understand my son.” The cold gaze coming from Lionel wasn’t notice because Chloe was looking over the twins. They were a medium build and didn’t seem so physically strong. Looking into their eyes seemed to be the trigger for their powers which was easy to avoid.

“I know him better than you ever will.” Chloe rattled off a reply starting to feel hopeless. Lionel had to know her powers relied on touching. The telekinetic redhead would never let her get close enough to anyone to do any real damage.

When her eyes moved back to Lionel his gaze was blazing a whole into her as he went on. “There are things about Lex you have a hard time seeing clearly.”

Now he sounded like Clark and Lois. “What do you mean?” Narrowing her eyes Chloe hoped he would start his long monologue already so she could at least try again to get out of her chair.

“The day of the second meteor shower you saw all the Lex you could stand.” His words were supposed to make her flinch but Chloe wouldn’t let it.

She looked to the twins. Their eyes darted to a door across the room from them. It was as if they heard something no one else could. If Emma was in that room she could be waking up from their trance.

The information was piling up but Chloe was no closer to getting out of her chair so she answered Lionel. “That wasn’t him.”

“Yes it was.” He took a few steps forward then rethought them. It was clear now he knew not to get close to her. Knowing about her powers meant Lionel was getting information from 33.1.

“He’s not a monster like you.” Chloe shot back at him. It was petty but her mind wasn’t focused on a verbal sparring match. Getting her daughter was as all she could think of.

“No, Lex is a different kind of monster all together.” He answered calmly.

Chloe looked at him mustering all her strength to wait for the right moment. “How can you say that about your own son?”

“Alright let’s test your theory.” He looked back to the redhead and without a word she went for a chair next to her. This was the moment Chloe was waiting for.

She leaped from her chair throwing herself at Lionel. It didn’t take long for her powers to work, but just as her finger tips were in reach Chloe felt the hard push from before and she was back in her seat with the wind knocked out of her.

“Please sit. You have a lot of work ahead of you.” Lionel spoke taking the seat the redhead retrieved for him. There wasn’t a hint of worry in his voice. The redhead was faster than Chloe gave her credit for and Lionel knew it.

“I want to see me daughter.” Chloe spoke fighting back the tears.

“You will see her once you have done what I need you to do but first we are going to test your theory.” Lionel folded his hands in front of him before going on. “Lex told you about Oliver Queen.”

She remembered well enough what Ollie had done to Lex. “He said that Oliver teased him when they were kids. What else is there to know?”

“Lex didn’t tell you about the boy he nearly killed because of Oliver?” Chloe swallowed over any respond she could give. She was silent and Lionel continued.

“Since he didn’t tell you I will. Oliver promised Lex one day that all his troubles would be over if he did one thing.” Lionel pointed one well manicured finger into the air then returned his hand to his lap.

“If he did what?” Chloe didn’t want to ask but did anyway.

“Well he had to embarrass the only friend he had at school. The two of them shared a strange fascination with comic books.” He rolled his eyes. Lionel couldn’t let Lex be a kid even when he was a kid. He was a Luthor and should act like one no matter the age.

“You would think Lex would stand up for his friend but he would have given anything to be seen as normal in the state he was in.” Lionel ran his fingers through his thick locks of hair before going on.

“Lex did what he thought would save himself. He pushed the boy down and made sure Oliver and his band watched. Then he punched him. It was more than enough but once Lex had started he couldn’t stop himself. I was told that Lex beat the boy into submission but he wasn’t finished. He picked the boy up and tossed him into the street.”

Lionel paused and had to see how unconformable Chloe was becoming. It didn’t matter because he went on. “None of them saw the car approaching but as the boy tried to make his retreat the car hit him.”

They all could hear the strong intake of breath from Chloe. “It was an accident.” She spoke as if it were a question not the truth.

Lionel smiled smugly before answering. “That may be true. The boy narrowly lived through the accident. But you’re missing the point.”

“What point?” Chloe felt the tears coming but she wasn’t going to give him that. She forced them down.

He shook his head as if she were still a teenager that didn’t understand a thing. “What happen with you and Lex during the meteor shower is the same story.”

“No, it’s not.” Chloe was going to stand but didn’t for fear of getting pushed too hard this time. “It was an accident and the meteor shower was…” She wasn’t allowed to go on.

“Ms. Sullivan I have always considered you a smart woman but Lex is not worth protecting after what he did to you. The second he sees what he wants he’ll toss anyone in the street to get it.”

“You’re wrong about him. Look at what you did and are doing too me. At least Lex knows what he did was wrong. He’s trying to atone for his mistakes. You have no conscience. You kidnapped an innocent little girl to get to me. You don’t care who you hurt to get what you want. ”

“Maybe but I don’t pretend to be something I’m not. I have done and will do what it takes to get what I want Ms. Sullivan. Lex pretends his goals are for a greater good. He shows off a harmless face and suddenly he strikes. I’m certain that kind of monster is far scarier then I’ll ever be.”

Chloe looked away from him. What he was saying wasn’t the truth. Of course there was darkness inside Lex. She did see it during the meteor shower. This story didn’t mean that the darkness couldn’t be contained.

What was in front of her had to be dealt with. Emma was being held as ransom for something Lionel wanted. “Tell me what I have to do to get my daughter.”

“Getting to the point was something I always liked about you Ms. Sullivan.” He nodded his head once and turned towards the twins.

“Then tell me already.” Chloe closed her hands into a fist. Not being able to move freely was wearing her down.

“I need your powers of course.” Lionel replied.

He understood her powers and there could be only one thing Lionel wanted. “I’m not going to kill anyone for you.” He must want her to take someone out and her powers wouldn’t leave a trace.

“Who said anything about killing?” Lionel stood from his chair as the twins moved in.

Chloe closed her eyes knowing she couldn’t look at them without going under again. Something was forcing them open. If anything was going to change the damn redheaded telekinetic would have to be taken care of.

The fight was over before it started and Chloe was under again; fast asleep. She still hadn’t set eyes on her Kitty cat and may never see Emma before this was all over.


-------------}{------------

“Ms. Sullivan.” Lionel’s voice filled the room but Chloe couldn’t see him just yet.

Blinking her eyes a few times and there he was in front of her smug as ever. This time the twins trance didn’t leave her without sight. “Where are we?”

“We are at Smallville Medical hospital. No need to worry about anyone seeing us they are all sound asleep on this wing.” He spoke the words but Chloe didn’t feel the weight of what he meant until she looked for herself.

Chloe was standing and she was indeed in Smallville Medical. Everywhere she looked if there was a person they were slumped over or knocked out on the ground fast asleep.

“What did you do to them?” Covering her mouth Chloe breathed in the harsh truth. This was only the start to Lionel’s plans.

“Well I could explain to you how the twins do what they do but we are on a tight schedule.” Lionel walked ahead of her.

It seemed like everyone had their orders but Chloe. The twins stayed watch over the sleeping. No doubt they would take out anyone that came on the floor to disturb them. The redhead pushed Chloe with her real hand this time to follow after Lionel. Looking around Chloe noticed where they were in the hospital.

The child’s ward was covered in cartoon characters and poster with doctors and sick children smiling. Lionel said he didn’t want anyone killed. It was easy for Chloe to figure out that if Lionel did want someone dead there were infected people far more effective than she. There was only one other thing she could do.

He led them into the cancer section of the ward. His quick pace stopped at its entrance. Turning to look at her Lionel finally said what he wanted. “There are six children in this section. Each of them has a form of cancer that will kill them. Imagine if one day a beautiful woman came bathed in white light and took away all their pain.”

Chloe looked down the hall at each of the doors. It was clear Lionel knew more than he ever should about how here powers worked. “What’s the benefit for you in all this? How will saving these children aid you in your master plan.”

“That’s easy.” Lionel stepped ahead as he spoke. “My plans extend far beyond the boundaries of Smallville; even Kansas for that matter. I knew the moment I realized how the meteor showers changed people what that could mean for the world. If someone like me of course could organize these people they could change the world.”

Lionel paused at a door to open it. Out the window she could see it was still day time but the child was fast asleep. Somehow they had neutralized everyone on the floor while Chloe was out. “I want people to know that there are two sides to how the world can change. It can be healed within reason or it can be forced into submission.” His eyes went cold as he smiled.

Standing with her captor by her side Chloe weighed in what he was saying. The people that took her were just the start of those Lionel recruited. It sounded mad but he thought he could rule the world with a meteor infected army leading the way.

“Go ahead and start healing.” He instructed stepping aside. “There’s still plenty of day light for you to use.”

It was what Chloe was trying to avoid since she realized what she could do. Power over life and death wasn’t something anyone should have in their hands but she did. It was clear she was hesitating so Lionel spoke up.

“Consider this the retribution you thought I wanted when I came to your office. I wanted to protect my son from you because I knew I needed you for this. He won’t be pleased when he finds out.” He moved in bringing his lips to her ear. “But if you don’t do this I will let you go and keep your daughter. It will take some time but Emma’s powers will mature. It may sound cold but it’s all for greater purpose. She will forget you and do my bidding. You will never see her again.”

Chloe clinched her hands into a fist knowing if she moved her hands wouldn’t get far. She would have to be selfish if she wanted to see her daughter and give in. “After I do this you’re going to let me and my daughter go.”

“Until I need you again.” He answered.

“That’s not good enough. I never want to see you again.” Chloe’s voice rose but no one was stirring.

“I can’t give you that assurance but I can tell you I will hand Emma over to you intact once this is done.” It was the best she was going to get for now. Chloe would only have to hope that someone was coming for them.

She didn’t speak a word and started to do what he wanted. The sun was just enough for her to use on the first child but by the fifth Chloe wasn’t going so strong. The disease was taking over and there wasn’t enough sunlight to transfer when Chloe reached the final child.

“I’m going to go unconscious if I do this.” She mumbled to Lionel standing watch in wonder each time she lit up the room. “I want to hear my daughter's voice first.”

Lionel groaned but pulled out a cell phone. He pushed in the numbers quickly. “Put her on.” He said after a few seconds.

Chloe watched him carefully walk towards her to place the phone at her ear. “Kitty cat.” Chloe spoke waiting to hear the sound of Emma’s voice.

“Mommy.” The soft whisper rang in her ears. When she opened her mouth to speak again Lionel pulled the phone away hanging it up in the process.

It was all she was going to get. “Don’t let my daughter see me until I'm awake.” Lionel said they would be reunited but Chloe couldn’t let Emma see her dead even if it was temporary.

“Understood.” The old man nodded towards the bed and Chloe did what she had done five times before.

She took the little boys hand in the bed and let the life rush out of her but this time there was no energy from the sun to replace it. The little boy in the bed that looked to be the same age as Emma would never be sick again. He would grow up a healthy boy and never know why.

Chloe knew there would a reckoning for what she had done to Lionel all those years go. Being burned by teenager wasn’t something Lionel could walk away from. The weight of it sunk into her as she took in her last breath until ten hours.

When Chloe woke she knew Lionel was right about one thing. When Lex wanted something he would toss anyone into the street to get it.

Especially his own father.

TBC

Chapter 17 Punishment(Lex POV)

[somethingeasy]

I’ve been dying to know what happened after that awful, AWFUL cliffhanger that we were left at... only it turns out there was no easy resolution of the crises, and I have to wait for yet another chapter to see everyone safe and sound.
heh... but you know, Letia, that your audience loves the suspense and thrills... even if they howl over the cliffhangers.

It was unnerving, thrilling, exciting and suspenseful seeing Chloe approached by what we KNEW to be thugs right on the street. I was glad to see that Chloe’s instinctive reaction to this women trying to intimidate her was not so much fear as outrage and anger. I was so pleased to see Chloe considering FIRST fight and/or flight responses... until the woman played her trump card and told Chloe that Emma was being held hostage.

I was, initially, a little puzzled to see Chloe asking whether Lex had sent these people after Chloe, because they were so OBVIOUSLY thugs. But then I realized that the red-head who had approached Chloe didn’t actually look like a hired goon at all, but could have passed as part of Lex’s security team. In that case, I think it’s great that Chloe picked up something ‘not right’ from this woman, and immediately demanded to know who she was, and who sent her.

I think Chloe half-suspected that she was being accosted for kidnapping purposes, but she was probably ALSO half-hoping that it was just paranoia, and that Lex actually sent these abrupt, curt people to safe-guard her and Emma.

heh... too bad that half-hope didn’t last for too long. Threatening to kill Emma was definitely NOT something that one of Lex’s security forces would do. And it got even worse when it came out that Lionel Luthor was responsible for these people. Yikes!

The car ride was intensely creepy, but mercifully short. I’m not very happy about Chloe being out under, but at least she didn’t have to suffer this car-ride from hell for too long. Although it is decidedly unnerving and terrifying knowing that these mutants could have completely killed off her brain functions while putting her under.

The creepiest thing was seeing Lionel acting so casual, even slightly gleeful, when informing Chloe that she might have been left as a vegetable in a coma if the twins had pushed even the tiniest bit harder while pushing her into sleep.


He was right. They didn’t seem to flinch. Their focus was off in some way but Chloe couldn’t pinpoint. In the car they never spoke a word. When they met their focus was only on getting her to go with them. If the twins could direct the mind it didn’t make sense that they would fall under their own trance. Lionel had some other power over them.

And the creepy factor keeps building up. This kind of dedicated, focused, unquestioning loyalty and obedience to Lionel Luthor is terrifying on a variety of levels. First you have to wonder what Lionel DID to these poor people to get such strict obedience from them... and then you have to contemplate what Lionel can do with such powerful mutants completely under his thumb. AND, you also have to consider how many more of these mutants Lionel has recruited into his army.

I was so, SO proud and pleased with Chloe for coming up with a plan to use Lionel’s sense of pride against him. The man DOES like to hear himself talk incessantly, doesn’t he? Especially when he’s going into one of his ‘MWAA HA HA HAAA, I have you completely in my power!’ speeches. Stalling Lionel gave Chloe a chance to collect herself, think and consider all the openings that she might have in this situation. Sadly, there were woefully few openings to exploit...even for Chloe Sullivan. It seemed like Lionel was right, and she WAS in his power.. for now.

I found it VERY interesting seeing Lionel attempting to turn Chloe against Lex. This suggests that he has some fear of a Chlex team-up. He probably knows that he has a better chance of turning Chloe trust away from Lex, rather than turning Lex away from Chloe; so he’s targeting her doubts, and feeding any suspicions she might have. Fortunately, none of it was taking any seriously effect on Chloe. She and Lex have already gone through the turbulent stage of fear and suspicion, and now they’ve finally reached a place where they can openly and honestly love each other, and build a relationship together. Lex is several weeks too late in trying to break up the Chlex.

Lionel’s recounting of Lex’s actions as a child were, quite frankly, pathetic. Is Chloe seriously going to judge Lex for making stupid mistakes when he was a confused, lonely, isolated, resentful and bullied child?!? Did Lionel seriously believe that was going to work? After Chloe has forgiven him for all the mistakes that Lex made as a fully conscious and educated adult? The story was pretty awful, but it only elicited sympathy for Lex, rather than distrust.


“Maybe but I don’t pretend to be something I’m not. I have done and will do what it takes to get what I want Ms. Sullivan. Lex pretends his goals are for a greater good. He shows off a harmless face and suddenly he strikes. I’m certain that kind of monster is far scarier then I’ll ever be.”

Chloe looked away from him. What he was saying wasn’t the truth. Of course there was darkness inside Lex. She did see it during the meteor shower. This story didn’t mean that the darkness couldn’t be contained.

I will admit that Lionel was very smooth and persuasive in his choice of words, and the phrasing of his arguments... BUT his arguments were based on weak points that were not going to leave a lasting impression. Nice try, Lionel. But no luck for you here!


He led them into the cancer section of the ward. His quick pace stopped at its entrance. Turning to look at her Lionel finally said what he wanted. “There are six children in this section. Each of them has a form of cancer that will kill them. Imagine if one day a beautiful woman came bathed in white light and took away all their pain.”

Chloe looked down the hall at each of the doors. It was clear Lionel knew more than he ever should about how here powers worked. “What’s the benefit for you in all this? How will saving these children aid you in your master plan.”

wow! I have to admit that Lionel is one heck of a clever bastard! He’s recruiting Chloe’s powers, BUT he’s ordering her to follow a command that she actually wants to obey. The way that he’s phrased the order was very smoothly done. Instead of telling her I want you to heal these people, he describes a storybook illustration of a beautiful healer bringing all the children back to health again. How can anyone, much less Chloe, resist such a beautiful picture?

It was VERY good to see that Chloe did question his motives. She knows better than to believe that Lionel is telling her to heal children for the sake of the children themselves. He has to have some ulterior motive, and some ultimate profit for himself in the deal.


Lionel paused at a door to open it. Out the window she could see it was still day time but the child was fast asleep. Somehow they had neutralized everyone on the floor while Chloe was out. “I want people to know that there are two sides to how the world can change. It can be healed within reason or it can be forced into submission.” His eyes went cold as he smiled.

Standing with her captor by her side Chloe weighed in what he was saying. The people that took her were just the start of those Lionel recruited. It sounded mad but he thought he could rule the world with a meteor infected army leading the way.

I was surprised to see Lionel answering Chloe’s questions so candidly. I was expecting him to make some noise about ‘saving the children and that kind of unconvincing nonsense first. But I guess he knew that Chloe wouldn’t fall for any lines. So he settled for telling her the truth.

Still, did he HAVE to tell her the whole truth?! Couldn’t he have made up some kind of plausible story? Something about testing Chloe’s abilities because he wants to use them on someone valuable to him? Or perhaps wanting to see how Chloe’s abilities worked because he wanted to find ways to extend his own life?

Instead, he tells her that he’s building an army, and that he’s recruiting mutant soldiers. For heaven’s sake, you’ve just given Chloe your whole megalomaniacal plan, Lionel! You getting slow in your old age?!? And not only that, you’re ALSO threatening to keep Chloe’s daughter in order to train her to do your bidding from a young age. Is THAT any way to recruit Chloe’s loyalties?!?


Chloe clinched her hands into a fist knowing if she moved her hands wouldn’t get far. She would have to be selfish if she wanted to see her daughter and give in. “After I do this you’re going to let me and my daughter go.”

“Until I need you again.” He answered.

Are you friggen kidding me, Lionel?!? You’ve not only boasted of your entire long-term plan to Chloe and threatened her child... but now you’re ALSO going to let her leave, letting her run off to whomever she wishes to warn about you? Lex Luthor alone can cause major damage to Lionel’s intended plans... and heaven knows what Oliver Queen and the rest of the JL would do if they received warning. Heck, even Lois Lane’s father, General Lane, would regard Lionel as a serious military threat, and seek to annihilate the bastard. Chloe has the contacts, and the inclination to stop you, Lionel. How are you going to keep yourself safe if you give your hostage up to her?


It was all she was going to get. “Don’t let my daughter see me until I'm awake.” Lionel said they would be reunited but Chloe couldn’t let Emma see her dead even if it was temporary.

aaah! Now I see. So Chloe’s going to be rendered unconscious by this healing. Which means that she’s going to be completely at Lionel’s mercy, right until she wakes up. Lionel can order her to be mind-wiped, or brainwashed... or for her to be taken away to be locked up in some stronghold cell. Chloe wasn’t thinking too clearly, was she, to not have considered these possibilities?

Not that I blame her considering that she’s distraught and desperate about Emma’s safety. AND I think she also has faith that Lex will be able to find her... hopefully soon. Even if Lionel DOES end up mind-wiping, brainwashing and/or locking her away.

Another gut-wrenching cliffhanger. You’re trying to kill us, Letia?!? ;) Please update soon.

[hfce]

Oh man how is Lex going to save his girls? GRR Lionel needs to die a horrible. :wth:

[lexie]

Damn Lionel! He's like a bad penny- he simply can't leave his son alone. I wonder if Lex will arrive to save Chloe and her child from his father's clutches or if they'll be back home when he gets back. Will Chloe tell him the truth if that's the case? Lionel should get ready for what's to come if Lex gets to know what he's put his girls through...

Thanks for updating!

[planetcal]

Thanks for the great update. I can't wait to see when Lex will arrive to save the day.

[jcassy]

hi

good update. seriously lionel needs to die. but he portrays such a good vilain. does he love lex? One can wonder. udate soon.

[shuxx]

please update soon! i love how this is going

[letia84]

Notes: Somebody Save me from Lionel Luthor. :omg:

Chapter 18 Punishment (Lex POV)

“I know you’re asleep but we wanted to make sure to say hello before we were off for the day. Say hello Emma…”

Lex heard nothing in the receiver of the phone for a split second before his little obsession was on the line. “Come home Mr. Lex we have so much to talk about.”

“Here that.” Chloe was back on the line again. “We have lots to talk about. We miss you so hurry home.” She sighed then softly whispered. “I love you.” The message clicked off then the prompt requested further instructions.

Lex pressed one on his phone to hear the message again. He had been listening to it for the last two days since arriving from Hong Kong. It may be the last words he would hear from his girls for a long while.

When Lex came home his girls should have been waiting for him at his apartment. After arriving home nothing was as it should be. His girls weren’t home so of course Lex panicked. He rushed to Chloe’s apartment hoping to see that they were running late after getting no answer from her cell phone but Lex only found Gloria Winter unconscious on Chloe’s comfortable charcoal grey sofa.

No Chloe.

No little obsession.

His girls were gone.

Lex had been going none stop since then. There was no need to wait for Chloe’s family to tell him what he already knew. He was being punished. Life was finally in a place he wanted but couldn’t have.

After assembling a search party he informed Gabe, Lois and Clark. Two days had past and they thought things were okay. It was a hard phone call to make. Lois and Clark blamed him. Gabe just wanted his family safe. Lex couldn’t delivery to any of them. He didn’t know how this was his fault. As for Gabe he wanted the same but had no way of knowing if they were safe.

“Anything?” Lois barged in to Lex’s home office. He had opened access to Gabe, Lois and Clark to enter the penthouse anytime. A search party was set up in the dining room checking over clues and looking for new ones. Lois had been at the planet doing what she claimed was helping but Lex knew better.

She was working on a story. Six children were deemed to die from cancer and now they were healthy as if they had never been sick. Lex knew very well how something like that could happen but Lois and the rest of the reporters out there were grasping at straws to get the scoop.

“There is no word yet. Gloria is still unconscious. Nothing on the phones or internet.” Lex answered her and didn’t get the chance to listen to Chloe’s message again.

She rolled her eyes settling down in one of Lex’s office chairs. “So the trail is still cold from Chloe leaving the Metropolis Monthly.”

“Yes.” Lex answered plainly. There was a camera on the block Chloe was taken from.

She was taken by people he knew. When you meet a person with super powers you never forget them. The meteor infected people that escorted Chloe away escaped before they could be tagged at 33.1. They were listed as dangerous.

It didn’t make sense that they would take her. There was no motive to do so. They only sought to please their own needs. Mind controlling twins Nathan & Noah Williams were robbing people blind when they were captured. The redheaded telekinetic Abby Rogers was tearing down a building in Smallville with her mind when she was taken in. They got out like so many did but it was before they were tagged.

“What are we going to do?” Lois slapped her face into her hands.

It appeared she was worried for them. Maybe going to work was to distract her from thinking about Chloe and Emma being gone without a trace. The fact that she included him in the goings on was a shock. Thus far she had only belittled his efforts and hoped the Metropolis police would get the job done.

Lex didn’t get a chance to answer her because someone was doing it for him. “We are going to find them.” Clark answered at the office door.

He knelt in front of Lois taking her into his arms. “They are going to be just fine.” He assured her but didn’t sound so sure. Lex watched them find comfort in one another. As annoying as they both were he envied that they had each other and he had no one.

“Why don’t you go check on Uncle Gabe?” Clark lifted her face to look at him before he spoke. Lois nodded and she left the room without a second thought as to what Clark was up to. Gabe was pacing the penthouse study and she would find him easy enough.

Lucky Lex got to hear another lecture from the boy wonder. “What is it now?” Lex spoke up before he could.

“You think Chloe healed those kids?” Clark asked.

Of course Clark knew Chloe’s secret. He even vowed to help with Emma when the time came. “Yes I do.”

“Are you sure that has nothing to do with you?” Clark approached Lex’s desk towering over him.

Rubbing over his smooth head Lex prepared to have the same talk for the hundredth time in the last two days. Chloe’s powers were hers and something she was struggling with. Lex would never suggest she use them on anyone. “If this had something to do with me I would know.”

“Then what about your father. Is there any sign of him yet?” Clark moved on to the next question he already knew the answer to.

Of course Lex considered Lionel. The old man still had a few tricks up his sleeve. Since Christmas Lex had been watching him closely but the best investigators in the world had failed him. His father was still holding funds some where he couldn’t find. Lionel hadn't done anything different the past few weeks so Lex went on his trip leaving his girls vulnerable.

It was easy to imagine a scenario in which Lionel enlisted meteor infected people to do work for him. Lex had done it himself but it was different. He had gained the trust of those people and they were being paid for their services. Those people weren’t insane with power either.

How Lionel had gained control over power hungry freaks left him baffled. “My father is the prime suspect. When we find him I’m sure he will have them but I can’t will him into being.” Lex answered him dying to be rid of him. This was the first time Lex had stopped looking for them himself. He was in Smallvile checking abandoned facilities his father could be using with no results all day. The search continued without him while he checked in on Gabe to give him a progress report.

Clark pounded his fist on Lex’s mahogany desk nearly snapping it in half. “Are you even concerned here? Chloe and her six year old are missing. They could be dead for all we know.”

The thought of finding them not being alive never occurred to Lex until now. He saw them being hurt but okay in the end. Paying a ransom then finding them locked away some were seemed reasonable. If it were true that they were with Lionel they could be dead.

It was the first time in a long time Lex had showed any emotion in front of Clark but he placed his head in his hands just like Lois had done earlier. His mind was racing about how girls could be dead.

“Lex are you listening.” Clark spoke but Lex didn’t answer. “Lex, Lex…” He heard his name repeated over and over until it sent him over the edge.

“Shut up Clark!” Lex looked at him and he was furious. He made him think for second that Chloe and Emma were dead. “I know you can find them faster than anyone I can pay.” He moved to stand in front of him no longer wanting to be towered over.

“You don’t think I would if I could.” Clark replied looking down at his shoes.

It was a lie and something Lex couldn’t take right now. “All that power and you haven’t the strength to use it.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Clark started to leave but Lex caught his arm.

He moved close to him staring down someone he once called friend. So many years had passed them by and Clark Kent was still lying to him. “You think I don’t know?”

Clark let his glance shy away from Lex. It was a minor slip but it was clear he didn’t want to hear what came next.

“You really think those glasses are fooling me?” It was truth time for them both. “Do you want to know the reason I don’t like you Clark?” Lex breathed in deep hoping to contain himself. “The reason has nothing to do with the way you have treated me all these years. It’s simply because of what you represent.”

Jerking his arm away Clark took a step back. “What would that be?”

“Uncontrollable power because Superman could tip anyway.” He watched Clark's eyes widen in surprise at the sound of his silly name. “I’m sorry do you prefer to be called by the Kawatche people’s name for you; Naman.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Clark denied again.

Lex went on anyway. “I know you think you’re doing good now but with the powers of a God you could go either way. You help people now but all that power could go to your head. You may start to see us as something that needs to be ruled over. Even if the power doesn’t get to you a little red rock would send you spiraling out of control.”

He watched Clark push his useless glasses up the bridge of his nose and weigh out what to say next. “Chloe told you?” He questioned.

“No, she didn’t.” Lex never spoke about this with Chloe. What she knew he wasn’t asking. Clark Kent wasn’t something worth fighting over when it came to keeping Chloe. “You were very careless in the beginning.” Lex learned the truth by chance. Clark showed himself on a Luthor corp surveillance camera years before wearing his tights.

The rest fell into place. All the years of research and the speed, the strength, the heat and the x-ray vision could all be placed to pieces of unexplained information Lex had on Clark.

“I’m not you I would never abuse power like...” Clark started to speak but Lex stopped him.

“You may not have done it yet but I’m waiting for the day you do. I will answer the call to put you down.” Lex felt his anger rise then fall when he saw Clark’s reaction.

The God among men stepped back away from him in fear.

“Right now is not about me. It’s about Chloe and Emma.” Clark turned the attention away from himself. “I have tried to look for them.”

“Your right. This is about Chloe and Emma.” Lex moved in again making his dominance known. “So you should keep looking until you find them and bring them home.”

Without another word Clark walked away and out the penthouse door. If anyone could find them it would be him. The thought didn’t reassure Lex in the least. He would continue the search on his own. No matter how hard he looked Lex should have known his father would come for him.

Lex turned to see the twins before his vision blurred into darkness. Lionel was always a few steps ahead of him.


-------------}{------------

It was no surprise to Lex that he had yet another concussion. He had so many at this point there was no reason to keep count anymore. This time his mind was forced into a coma. It was different from a blow to the head but the pain felt the same.

Now there he was in an unknown location being held up in a chair. He assumed any of the bells and whistles that should go off if someone kidnapped him were disabled.

When looking to his left then glancing to his right Lex recognized the twins easily. “I know this isn’t your plan so who is behind this?” Clutching at his head praying for an aspirin Lex waited for an answer.

Looking at the twins a second time he could see something was off with them. They appeared like mindless drones. The glazed over look was something Lex witnessed before. A drug that was placed out of testing rotation at Luthor corp had made it into the twin’s systems.

The drug was supposed to be for soldiers. It was suppose to make it easier for them to accept commands. It worked to well. The first voice the subject heard they responded to any command given. Lionel having it meant he was still heavily involved in Luthor corp projects even after Lex had worked tirelessly to keep him out.

“It’s good to see you son.” Lionel’s voice beckoned to Lex in front of him. When he looked Lionel was joined by Abby Rogers and Chloe Sullivan.

He wasn’t expecting to see her but there she was. “Chloe are you alright?” As he called out to her Lex tried to get up from his seat but he was pushed back down by the twins.

“Lex I think you know that won’t work.” Lionel tapped Chloe’s shoulder. "You have your orders." The command was enough to make her start approaching him slowly.

Chloe was dressed in black just like the others. Her long blonde hair was pulled back tight in a ponytail just like the redhead on her left. The drug looked to be inside Chloe as well.

The formality of asking his father why he had done this was unnecessary. Even though they had been acting like acquaintances the past few years Lex never assumed his father had changed. It was the reason he kept close watch over him but it was not close enough.

The closer Chloe got to him the more Lex wanted to punish his father for doing this. “You drugged her?” Lex spoke to his father shaking off the twins so he could stand. This time they allowed him and he met Chloe half way.

“Well of course I did. She wasn’t going to stay if I didn’t. Her daughter wasn’t enough leverage.” Lionel sighed before he went on to admit something Lex knew he didn’t want to say. “Ms. Sullivan is very resourceful. She would have found a way out.”

Lex shook off anything his father was saying. Snapping Chloe out of her trance was what he had to do. There was one case in which the drug could be fought through when something familiar came in contact with the patient. Lex hoped he would be that for Chloe.

“Chloe look at me you know me.” Lex was going to touch her but he could see the light starting to form around her and it was clear she intended to use her power on him. “Think about your daughter.” Lex spoke to her calmly trying to trigger something in her. “She loves you and needs her mother.”

“Chloe do as I asked.” Lionel spoke behind them.

When her hand reached out to his arm Lex felt the touch instantly. His knees started to quiver and he would fall over at any moment. Before she drained him dry Lex forced himself on her. The kiss was brief but he hoped the feeling of his lips against hers might be enough.

He was on the ground quickly after and Chloe’s hand seemed to be squeezing his arm harder as the pain increased. “Think about your kitty cat.” Lex grunted though clenched teeth.

“Chloe I said kill him!” Lionel's voice shouted out again.

His father was still a smart man. He had taken him from the penthouse to kill him. He wanted to make sure the deed was done so it had to be done in front of him. Lionel knew Lex wouldn’t stop until he had done the same to him.

Just when he thought he was fading away the flow of light wasn’t hurting him anymore but healing him. “Lex?” The whisper of his name came from Chloe.

Her head turned behind her to Lionel. It was enough to see she was changed. If it was seeing him in pain, the kiss or saying Emma’s nickname Lex wasn’t sure but something had worked.

“I have to do everything myself.” Lionel’s head turned towards Abby. "Take care of him." The redheaded woman raised her hand and Lex was sure she was going to wave him into a wall but something stopped her.

The steel wall of their location was being ripped away exposing them to the outside. There was one person or rather alien that could do it. Everything that followed was a blur but when the dust in the room had settled from being whipped about Lionel was on his knees with Superman holding down one of his shoulders. Everyone else was knocked out on the ground.

“Are you alright?” The strong steady tone of Clark’s true self rang in Lex’s ears.

Chloe was done returning what she took and on her feet moving towards their savior. “Where is my daughter?”

“What do I get if I tell?” Lionel grinned at them.

Superman spoke for them as Lex got to his feet. “Your beat Luthor so tell us where she is.”

Superman had taken Lex’s advice and tried looking again. Lionel taking Lex must have been sloppy and Superman was able to find them. Whatever the truth it wouldn’t matter if they didn’t find Emma. Lex watched Superman’s hand tighten on his father's shoulder.

“She’s here in one of the rooms.” Lionel’s answer sounded like he was in pain.

“You can search faster then us.” Lex spoke to Superman. “We can watch him.” Superman nodded and super sped off to search the area.

“I’m disappointed.” Lionel started. “My plan seemed flawless.”

“He thought he could use the meteor infected to take over the world.” Chloe answered taking Lex’s hand once he was next to her.

“It looks like he was wrong.” Lex replied clinching his right fist into a ball. “Do you have it in you to heal him if Superman doesn’t find her?”

After Chloe nodded Lex let go of her hand and lunged his clinch fist at his father knocking him out cold. “Are you alright?” Lex turned back to her and this time he would get an answer.

“I will be when I see Emma.” Chloe answer him taking his hand back into hers. “When I woke up after the hospital I saw her but Lionel said something to me and I don’t remember anything after that until I felt you kissing me and reminding me of her.” It was a good feeling that she wasn’t pushing him away. Lionel wanted to break them but his plan hadn’t work.

As quickly as he left Superman was rushing back to them. “I have her.” He answered carrying Emma in his arms. Her body wasn’t moving and it looked like the twins had gotten to her.

“Oh god.” Chloe moved to take her kneeling down with her little girl in her arms. “I can wake her.” She was going to use her powers but Lex knew better.

When the door came flying at them he could see it was still night outside and Chloe would need the sun to do this. “There is no sun. You need a source to heal her with.”

“Use me.” Lex didn’t just hear his own voice but Superman’s as well.

Chloe used her free hand to brush back tears as she thought it over. “Superman if I touch you then you will feel the meteor radiation it has to be Lex.” It was the strangest thing but they both knew what Clark was and acted as they didn't know. No wasn't the time to bring it up.

Looking at his old friend Superman nodded. Lex got down next to them giving Chloe his hand. She squeezed his hand but nothing happened. It was clear she was afraid. “I will heal myself remember.”

He reassured her and Chloe nodded once then her power kicked in. It wasn’t as painful as before but Lex could feel himself fading away. The last thing he saw were Emma’s eyes fluttering open before his closed.

Passing out for a few hours this time was okay because he knew when he woke up his girls would be safe.


-------------}{------------

It may have been a hasty decision but Emma was safe so he would do it over again. It was times like this he was thankful to be a meteor freak. He was only passed out for a few hours. When he woke up he had been out for longer then he thought he would be.

No one was in the hospital with him but a staff member ready to report on the events he had missed. He was right that his father was in Smallville but he wasn't using a Luthor corp property. A new structure had been built and was well hidden in the woods.

The major concerned was getting back to the penthouse because it was were Chloe and her family were waiting. Just now walking into his home he didn’t stop to speak to anyone but pressed ahead to Emma’s room. “How is she?” Lex asked Chloe at the door of Emma’s penthouse bedroom.

Doctors looked at Emma and found nothing wrong with her. Chloe was to thank for that. The twins had put her under and there was no telling if they woke her at anytime.

“She’s exhausted and hasn’t said much about what happened. I hope she doesn’t remember.” Chloe nestled her body close to Lex as they watched Emma sleeping but she wasn’t alone. “My dad said he wouldn’t leave her alone until I rested.” Gabe was asleep to and look comfortable with Emma tucked under his arm. “I can’t rest yet because this isn’t over. We have to talk Lex.” Chloe spoke looking at him now.

It was true that they needed to talk but Lex only made the stop to see if they were alright. She was right that things weren’t over. The staff member waiting for him was one of the many working in 33.1.

He had informed him that the police found other people in the warehouse that were awake and out because of the twins. Supermen helped clean up the mess by bringing some to Belle Reve and the others to a hospital . Among them was Tamia Grant and Lex had made a mistake introducing her to his father to teach him a lesson. The problem was being remedied because those meteor infected people belonged in 33.1 until they were cleared of Lionel’s mind control.

Lex would need to explain about the drug that took over Chloe. He would have to hear what his father told her of his plan. There was no telling if those found were also give commands they would executed now that his father was gone.

What his people could establish were clues from the warehouse. Cameras and other broadcast equipment were ready for use. It looked like his father was going to make announcement about his grand plans.

“You right this isn't over but I think you need to rest first.” Lex replied to her.

She nodded slow and steady. “I don’t know if I can. Your father is still out there. This all ended to easy.”

What Chloe was saying was yet another problem that needed to be fixed. When the police arrived to take Lionel away the old man wasn’t going down without a fight. At the moment he wasn’t in jail where he should be. He complained of being roughed up and demanded medical treatment. After some clever lawyer work his father was in the Metropolis Medical Center under police guard.

“There is no need to worry.” Lex reached for her face to gently massage her cheek. “You’re not alone here. No one is going to take you.” Clark was there and he would watch over them. “I’m going to take care of it.”

“You say that like your leaving right now.” Chloe’s eyes flickered with concerned. “You just woke up from me draining the life out of you. You can't leave.”

"I told you I would heal myself." There was something Lex wanted to take care of before he could truly be with his new family. “I’m fine now. I have to clean this mess up now. I won’t be gone long.”

“I should go with you.” Chloe wanted to put herself in harm’s way with him.

It was hard to deny her at a time like this. In the end Lex knew it would be for the best if he went alone. He had a punishment that needed to be taken care of swiftly and quietly.

“It’s better if I do it alone. You should be here for Emma.” Lex tried to convince her in another way.

Looking into the room again it appeared Chloe had given in. He could see she was conflicted in wanting to stop the threat but not wanting to leave her daughter after just getting her back. “Be careful and hurry back please.”

With his hands still on her Lex kissed her softly before pulling away to speak. “I will.”

Lex forced himself to walk away from his girls. There was a promise he had to keep. He told Chloe that anyone that hurt Emma he would take care of them. It was time he took care of his father.

He left the penthouse to head to Metropolis Medical Center.

TBC

Chapter 17 Save (Chloe POV)

[lexie]

An update from Letia! God, but Lionel is in full bastard-mode in this one. I can't wait to see what Lex's got planned for him and keep my fingers crossed for Chloe and her girl to be save from any mind-controlled freaks.

[Fouzia]

Thank you for the update^^

[somethingeasy]

This was an excellent new chapter, and made for a very exciting read. First of all, I loved the tense and emotionally stirring and gut-wrenching start, depicting Lex listening obsessively to Chloe’s last message on his phone. As if that last message was all he had left of her, and he had to cling to it in order to give it substance.

It was probably both uplifting as well as devastating that Chloe’s ‘last words’ to Lex were an expression of love, longing and hope for the future. It must have enlivened Lex, and broken his heart all over again every time he heard it.

I found it very interesting that Lex regarded Chloe’s kidnapping as a ‘punishment’ on him. Not in the sense that it was revenge exacted against him, but more like punishment in the karmic, destiny-laden sense of the word. Lex cannot be allowed to have so much happiness, because he is unworthy, and the universe will turn to destroy his happiness, preferably right in front of him.

It was rather frustrating and maddening to see how nearly completely useless Lois and Clark were. The two of them seemed to be contributing nothing to the search. On the contrary, the two of them were making counter-productive nuisances of themselves by sniping at Lex and blaming him for… actually, I’m not even sure what they were blaming him for… for having the audacity to woo Chloe in the first place…?

It was satisfying to see Lex ripping into Clark for being a secretive, useless, self-absorbed bastard. But it was only a cold satisfaction because Clark should NOT be acting like that, dammit. Where is the wonderful, selfless hero that I know from canon DC? Where is Superman?! Why am I seeing nothing but this petulant, useless, self-righteous child?!?

Hopefully, Lex’s words of scorn will penetrate into Clark’s thick-headed skull, and he’ll actually start growing up! It seemed like Lex’s words left something of an impression… although the full effects have yet to be seen.

It came as a huge surprise to find that Lex had been kidnapped as well. What the heck was Lionel thinking?!? The plan to kidnap Chloe and make her part of his army of chemically controlled meteor mutants was a ridiculously complicated and fragile plan already. So why the heck is Lionel adding on yet more complications, loopholes and weak-points by kidnapping LEX as well.

In fact, not only did Lionel kidnap Lex, but Lionel also made the plan that Lex should be killed by Chloe’s own hands. Dear GODS, are you friggen kidding me?!? While I love poetic irony, there is such a thing as taking even irony too vulgarly and ridiculously far. At the end of my rant, I have to conclude that Lionel is a self-sabotaging idiot!

Lionel’s ridiculous plans contained too many loopholes, so it was only inevitable that Lex would find a way to wriggle through a save both himself as well as Chloe. Lionel didn’t consider that Lex might find a way to break through Chloe’s chemical brainwashing and snap her out of her trance?

In any case, at least the drama came to an end quickly, in a single chapter. Excellent! Chloe was saved, Lionel was apprehended, Lex was saved… and even Emma was found (more or less) safe and sound.

hmmm, it appears that the chapter ended on a note for vengeance. I know that Lionel has just proven irrevocably himself to be a definite danger to Lex… and Lex’s family as well. It’s probably the smart thing to get rid of Lionel permanently. Sadly, in a twisted way, it’s actually logical and rational for Lex to kill his own father in order to protect his family.

But, despite logic, you can’t tell me that Lex will find it easy to kill the old man. It’s certain to have some kind of last and far-reaching repercussions… not the least of which will be emotional scars on Lex. I keep telling myself it’s the logical thing to do, but I can’t help but wish there was some other option that Lex could take.

[hfce]

Lionel needs to die!!! Ugh!!

[cbrunberg]

i loved update.can't wait to see what lex does to lionel. clark looked stunned that lex knew what clark was.clark really believed that he keep it a secret and no one figured it out.

[starmoon]

that was amazing please come back and keep going. this story rocks and i just can't wait for more.

[Onelove4SV]

This is brilliant, update soon!!

[Fouzia]

hope you update soon^^

[letia84]

Notes: Poor fic let me bring you back to life.

Chapter 19 Salvage (Chloe POV)

It wasn’t like her, but Chloe needed a stiff drink. Wine with dinner was common or after work drinks with Lois, but that night she wanted something stronger.

When she was satisfied that her father and Emma were asleep Chloe made her way to the study. Lois was there typing away on her laptop and Chloe didn’t pause to speak to her. She made her way to bar to pour one of Lex’s fine single malts into a glass with no ice.

“You’re drinking scotch now?” Chloe heard Lois question just as she was taking a sip from her half filled glass.

The liquid stung her taste buds as it went down then left her with a smoky finish. It was just what she wanted before turning to answer Lois. “After what happened I think I earned it.”

“Are you alright?” Lois moved in on her and it was nice to see that family could trump front-page news for Lois Lane.

After a hard long sigh Chloe took another sip. She couldn’t say it aloud. Lex had just left the penthouse and she was certain he was going to come home once Lionel Luthor was gone for good.

“Emma is safe so yes I’m fine.” It was only partly true. The most important thing in her life was safe but the newest part of her life was going to change forever if he was going to see his father.

“You should go after him.” Lois spoke reaching her hand out to Chloe’s shoulder.

Tucking a long blonde lock of hair behind her ear Chloe took the comfort. “What are you talking about?”

Lois rolled her eyes before answering. “You’re worried about him and you should go after him.”

Chloe breathed in deep remembering what Lex told her so many months ago at the Kent Farm. Before she left, he was going down the wrong path and her leaving made him turn around. She couldn’t let him start down that road again.

“You and Clark will stay with Emma.” Chloe replied handing her unfinished glass to Lois. She didn’t want to leave her daughter after just getting her back, but if she didn’t leave now they were both going to lose Lex.

She had to salvage their relationship before Lionel finally ruined it. After all, he had done, the old man had it coming, but Lex couldn’t murder him. He would never be able to live with himself with that blood on his hands.

“Of course we will stay.” Lois took the glass from her and Chloe was off.

She couldn’t get to Metropolis Medical fast enough.


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Breaking every traffic law in the book Chloe made it to the hospital in one piece. She was going back to the last place she remembered before Lex woke her out of Lionel’s trance.

She knew well enough where prisoners would be held in the hospital and went right for the basement floor. Several guards should have been posted outside the doors leading to rooms used as temporary holding cells for inmate patients. Not seeing them was just a sign that Lex was doing what she thought he would.

She ran through the doors and spotted Lex in the hall ready to enter Lionel’s room. “Lex.” She called to him and he stopped in his tracks.

His arms slumped to his side and he didn’t speak until she was next to him. “I won’t let him ruin my life anymore.” Lex turned toward her slowly and she could see the anger in his eyes.

Reaching to touch his cheek she knew what he came there to do. “You don’t have to do this.” What Lionel said to her about Lex being a scarier monster then him was not true. He could be saved and Lionel was beyond salvation.

His eyes closed as she touched him shortly before he moved her hand away. “He pretended to get close to me Chloe. He used me to get the mind control drug and the 33.1 files. He has been planning this for years.” It had been so long since she saw him like this. The day in caves, he could not be persuaded to listen to her then, but he would have to listen now.

Chloe believed Lionel deserved something extreme but this wasn’t the way. “If anyone knows what he is capable of its me.” Chloe watched him nod in agreement. Then she had to say what they were both thinking. “He deserves everything that’s coming to him, but I can’t let you kill him.”

“I’m fine.” He clenched his hands into a fist looking at the door then back to her.

“No, you’re not Lex.” Chloe replied. “This will change you.”

“I promised you that I wouldn’t let anyone hurt Emma. I should have seen this coming. I got sloppy and let him take my girls.” Lex turned towards the door again.

Chloe knew he was calling them his girls. It was odd to hear because for so long all she wanted was to be Troy’s girl and to raise their little girl together. Things just didn’t work out that way. A second chance was in front of her and Chloe was about to lose.

Before he could open the door, she spoke. “You will lose us.” Lex stopped again turning towards her. “It’s been a long road, but Emma adores you. She loves that you listen to her.”

“I love to hear her talk.” Lex replied and she heard the sincerity in his voice.

“We will be gone if you do this. You won’t hear her again if you do this.” It was a low blow to use her daughter but affective. The more time they all spent together, they were becoming a family unit and it was something Chloe didn’t think she could ever find that again. On the edge of losing it all Chloe struggled with agreeing with Lex. If anyone hurt Emma they should be taken care of.

She could see his mind racing. “We have to do something.” He moved towards her bring her into his arms. “When you were missing I can’t explain how horrendous it felt.”

Pulling away to look at him Chloe had a sudden thought. “I know a way to be rid of him and no one has to die.”

“If you’re going to say a trial then we both know there are ways my father can get around it.” Lionel had weaseled his way out of jail once and he could get out again.

“I was going to say I can take care of it.” His reaction to her words was shocked. Chloe had to wait until he understood what she was saying.

“Your powers?” He said surprised as if he hadn’t thought of it himself.

“I can drain him just enough…”

Before she could go on, he was finishing. “Then he can live out his days in a home of my choosing in a vegetative state.” Lex nodded in agreement.

When Lionel started he wouldn’t stop until he was done. Without another word, they both quietly went into the room. Lionel appeared to be sleeping not concerned about what would happen to him. He was pretending to be injured by Superman so he wouldn’t have to go to jail right away.

Chloe knew what to do and never wanted to hurt anyone this way but Lionel Luthor wasn’t just anyone. She placed her hand firmly on top of Lionel’s then his eyes fluttered opened looking up to Lex.

“Finally come to kill me son.” Lionel spoke with a smile.

“Well that was my initial plan but we…” Lex paused looking at Chloe. He paused to allow her to nod in agreement. “We came here to stop you once and for all and you get to live.” He finished with a slight grin.

“Good bye Mr. Luthor.” Chloe spoke just as she started to use her powers. The feeling of her strength hit Lionel quick and for once he couldn’t respond. The white light blazed in the room taking Lionel’s energy.

The plan seemed so clear in the hall but Chloe didn’t know when she should stop. The feel of Lionel’s pulse under her hand was beating steady then slowed as she did her work. She wasn’t sure when it would be enough until she heard Lex’s voice.

“Chloe stop now.” Pulling the light back she saw Lex trying to focus on the heart monitor in the hazy of the light.

Lex checked his father’s pulse and Lionel was fast asleep. Leaving the room she looked at Lex and breathed out deeply.

Lionel Luthor was gone.


-------------}{------------

The drive back to the penthouse was smooth but when Chloe entered the penthouse with Lex things were not going so smooth. “I need to check on Emma.” She spoke as she passed by him opening the front door for her.

“Okay.” He nodded and moved into the house seeming out of sorts.

“Do you want to come with me?” She questioned him knowing he was concerned for kitty cat too.

“I don’t think it’s a good idea for me to do that.” He shuffled his feet as if he was going further into the house and stopped short to speak again. “Come to my office when you’re ready.” He moved on with determined steps to get away from her.

He was retreating on her and Chloe had no idea why. After checking on Emma still sound asleep Chloe made her way to the study. Lex was sitting at his desk just staring blankly at the empty computer screen.

“Lex are you having second thoughts about what we did?” Chloe stood in front of him waiting for her to look at her.

“No, I think it was a fine solution to problem I have been dealing with all my life.” He sounded as if he was making a business deal as he went on. “I believe that now we need to proceed in to making some difficult decisions.”

“What difficult decisions?” Chloe could feel her insides tighten as he started to answer.

“I love you.” He started sighing after the words. “But I’m no good for you.”

Before he could say anymore Chloe wanted to toss everything off his desk to the floor but she settled for yelling at him. “You’re not breaking up with me?”

He looked away from her as he spoke. “I don’t want to, but I know it’s for the best.”

Chloe made her way to his side of the desk to grab his arm forcing his eyes back to her. If he was going to do something this drastically stupid after months of convincing her they should be together then he was going to look her in the eye. “How would it be for the best?”

Looking back to her again, Lex answered with steely eyes. “Emma could have been killed because of my father. I won’t put you both in jeopardy when I can do something about it.”

“So dumping us is your solution?” It was the look that gave away he wasn’t being honest. “The reason your father took her was because of my powers. It had nothing to do with you. Tell me the real reason.”

“You always see right through me.” He shook his head in disbelief.

“Your damn right I do. Now tell me why.” Chloe folded her arms in front of her waiting for the truth.

“Chloe I still want to kill him.” He admitted and she could see the shame in his eyes for wanting it so badly. “I can’t subject you or Emma to that kind of thinking.” The truth was clear and he forced himself to say it. “I can’t subject you to my darkness.”

Shaking her head Chloe had already been through this. After years of abuse there was bound to be some damage to Lex. “You don’t have a monopoly on darkness Lex.” Yet he was not the only one with baggage.

“Maybe you need to hear him out.” Clark’s voice sound in the room and Chloe’s anger went off the charts.

“Are listening to our private conversation?” Chloe waited for Clark to tell her that Lex was right.

“I’m sorry, but I think Lex has a point.” Chloe watched them both look at one another and nod.

They were teaming up on her. The thought of it made her want to laugh. After years of avoiding and hating each other for things in the past that could never be changed, they finally found something to agree on.

“Wow, you two are really amazing. You don’t agree on anything, but you agree on this.” She chuckled lightly at the current state of events.

“Chloe it’s for the best.” Lex assured standing up next to her.

She was between Clark nodding in agreement and Lex looking like he might cry. It was the look Lex gave her when he came to New York ten years ago. Wanting so badly to keep her but knowing he had to let her go because it was what she wanted.

Now it wasn’t what she wanted. She had been crying hard over her lose the last two years. Having something new in her life and on the verge of losing it wasn’t going to make Chloe cry anymore. She was going to fight. “Let me just say no one in this room has the right to judge. We have all done things that are beyond wrong.”

“But Chloe…” Clark started and Chloe quickly stopped him.

“Don’t even start with me Clark Kent. You made some major mistakes in Smallville.” Chloe raised her eyebrows at him. Being Superman now didn’t absolve him of his past and she was trying to tell him this without giving the secret away. “Lex we have already been through this. I don’t make any excuses for what you are or what you’re capable of.”

Chloe cursed Clark silently. All this time he had kept his secret from Lex and now when it seemed they needed each other most she couldn’t say a word because of the promise she made a long time ago.

“After everything the three of us have been through we need to…” Chloe paused thinking of just the right way to explain herself. “There is a certain amount of power we all possess so we need to keep each other from going the wrong way.”

Lex reached for her hand squeezing it like it would be the last time. “What are you saying?”

“We all need each other whether we like it or not.” Chloe thought of Emma and the power growing inside of her. It was something she couldn’t handle alone. “When one of us is going the wrong way we can nudge the other in the right direction.”

“What happens when the course is set Chloe and we are too late?” Clark looked at Lex as he spoke.

It was a look telling her Clark already thought Lex was too far gone. After everything that had happened it was time they all forgave each other once and for all.

“I think she is saying it’s never too late to save someone you really love.” Lex spoke and it seemed like he had finally got it.

“You need me. There is no shame in that because I need you too.” Chloe answered and he smiled at her.

Even though Clark was there Chloe reached for Lex. Her lips smoothed over his mouth and Lex was kissing her back instantly. The change in pressure of his mouth moving over hers was welcomed after thinking he was going to toss her away.

“I hope you’re right.” The sound of Clark’s voice was missed by both of them and his swift exit after. They were too busy kissing their relationship back to life.


-------------}{------------

The penthouse seemed to be a far safer place to Chloe right now then her home. The thought of people going into her apartment uninvited was enough to force her to start looking for a new place to live. There were guards posted all over the perimeter of the penthouse, which made it great for warding off the media.

After years as a journalist Chloe knew what had happened was a hot story. The truth this time may actually be too much for the world to handle. People that could control minds or move objects with just a wave their hand wasn’t something the world was ready to hear. People would spit on Superman if they could even though they knew he had saved so many.

If people knew about her power over life and death she would be locked away and the key tossed while she was tested on. Lex had made quick work of spinning a story the press was using, but there were some holes to poke at.

If this were Chloe’s story she would want to know why Lionel Luthor was stock piling normal everyday citizen. Then why those citizen made no comments to the press about their capture. The questions came easily to her and she knew someone else was just as clever, but Lex was tying off the loose ends as quickly as they came undone. Chloe knew all too well this wasn’t the first mess of his father’s he had to clean up, yet she did hope it would be his last.

If someone with meteor powers resurfaced guards would be easily handled. For the remainder of the week Clark had agreed to check in on them. It wasn’t fair to make him stay there but he would pop his head in from time to time or look out in other Superman stealthy ways.

There were people that needed him more, but for a few days the strongest person in the world was her personal bodyguard. Lex didn’t seem to mind being objected to Clark’s presence and allowed him around the clock access to the penthouse.

In all the excitement Chloe never once stopped to think that Lex knew who Clark really was. It was something they never talked about. Between them there were enough issues without including the truth about Clark. Lex being so at ease with Clark’s presence made her wonder if Lex was allowing it because he knew it was Superman watching over them.

The pressing issue of Clark’s secret would have to be placed on the back burner because Emma wasn’t talking about what happen. It as if she was never taken. The twins must have knocked her out in a way that she never saw them. Chloe couldn’t rely on assumption.

She would have to ask.

Everyone fussed over Emma and Chloe could see her little kitty was uneasy. If they could talk about what happened it would put Emma at easy. Just before reaching the doorway to Emma’s room in the penthouse Chloe paused. “Is everything alright?” Lex’s questioning voice sounded in her ears just behind her in the hall.

She turned to look at him and Lex swiftly moved to take her right hand into his as to reassure her that things would be okay. “Are you sure there has been no change with your father.” For so long Chloe hadn’t thought of Lionel and now he was back haunting her.

“He is just as we left him.” Lex smiled warmly at her. It must have been a very freeing feeling for him to not worry about his father for once in his life.

“I just want to be as honest with her as possible.” Chloe spoke and Lex nodded in agreement.

“I agree, but she is six years old Chloe. How much do you think she can understand?” He replied.

Chloe smiled knowing her kitty cat was wise behind her years, yet she still wanted her to be child for as long as she could without fear. “Emma knows the difference between right and wrong. So we just need to make sure she understands she did nothing wrong.”

Lex nodded squeezing her hand a little tighter. Turning on her heels and pulling him along with her Chloe entered the room with Lex set at her side. “Kitty cat can we talk to you?”

Emma was coloring in a book on the bed. She nodded yes and didn’t look up from trying to keep the red crayon inside the lines of a barn that had a horse colored the same as Emma’s horse April.

They moved into the room taking a seat on either side of the bed. “Can you look up at me?” Chloe watched her shifted up to sit between them followed by a soft smile.

Keeping her out of school the last few days would have to come to an end. Emma must have been bored. “We want to talk about what happened.”

“Okay.” Twirling her hair in her hand Emma looked over to Lex and she leaned against him casually. He half smiled and smooth down the back of her hair. She was so comfortable with and Chloe loved it.

They were sitting on her bed and Chloe reached for her hair to stop the nervous tick her daughter seemed to be developing. “Are you sure you understand everything that happened? If you have anything at all to ask then I want you to ask.”

“I can ask anything?” Emma questioned resting against Lex’s chest.

Lex answered for her. “Anything you want.”

“Is Ms. Gloria ok?” Emma questioned.

“Yes she is fine.” Chloe healed her nanny without her knowing it. After what happened she was sure Gloria would quit and in tears she did. Chloe felt awful but the woman could have been seriously hurt. “But she won’t be taking care of you anymore.”

“Did I do something wrong?” Emma asked looking up to Lex and back to Chloe.

“No.” They both answered.

Chloe reached and lifted Emma’s chin up to look at her. “She didn’t want to go but it was what she thought was best for her and she wished things could have been different.”

“I was home with Ms. Gloria and then I fell asleep. I don’t understand why she is gone.” Emma frowned a little. Chloe knew she would miss her nanny but she couldn’t force her to stay.

“You know those bad men that took you?” She wanted for her daughter to nod before going on. “She got scared of that happening again.”

“Will it?” Emma’s green eyes shifted between Chloe and Lex waiting for an answer.

“No.” They answered together again. “Those bad men won’t be coming back.” Lex finished.

“Then can we tell her that so she will come back?” Emma’s innocence about this was breaking Chloe’s heart. When she looked up to Lex she could see it was breaking his too.

“I wish it were that easy kitty cat.” Chloe replied solemnly.

Emma reached for Chloe’s hand as she spoke. “That makes me sad.” Her little girl replied.

“Me too.” Chloe answered squeezing her hand. “Is there anything else you want to talk about?”

“That is all. You said that we are safe now and we are going to move to make sure.” Emma seemed settled with the things Chloe had already gone over with her.

“Well if anything comes up you can ask me.” Chloe told spoke bringing the hand she was holding up to give it a kiss.

“You can ask me too.” Lex answered then kissed the top of her head.

Looking at Lex Chloe felt relieved that things would be okay. “You want to finish your picture?”

“Can I ask one more question?” Emma said shyly. Chloe nodded and waited for her to go on. “If we have to move can we live in Lex’s castle?”

“You mean the manor?” Chloe questioned.

Emma nodded swiftly.

Chloe looked up at Lex half smiling at the thought of them living with him. “I can’t live in Smallville and Lex doesn’t live there either. We both work here in the city.”

“Then can we stay in this place?” Emma smiled widely.

Chloe wasn’t smiling back but when she look up at Lex he was grinning from ear to ear about the idea. “Emma I think it may be too soon for us to all stay in the same place.”

“Why? You don’t like it here?” With questioning green eyes Emma waited for Chloe’s reason.

“I like you both here with me.” Lex answered first but stopped when he saw Chloe shaking her head in his direction. If he said too much she may never be able to sway Emma.

“Kitty cat that is something I have to think about with Lex.”

“Mommy you should think about this place.” She said moving to give Chloe a kiss on the cheek then one to Lex. “I’m going to finish my picture.”

Emma moved back in to place over her coloring book to get to work. That was end of it so Chloe moved to leave with Lex following after her.

“She doesn’t remember being taken.” Lex spoke once they were clear of the room.

Chloe sighed as she sat down on the sofa in the living room. It was great she didn’t remember anything. She didn’t have to explain her powers to Emma just yet. They could go on with their lives putting this in the background.

Lex moved from the bar handing Chloe a glass of water. “So what do think about Emma’s idea?”

Before she could take a sip from the glass she looked to Lex sitting next to her. She could see the wheels turning in his head about all of them living together. Chloe had given it little thought. She wanted to move but moving in with Lex wasn’t on her mind.

“I haven’t really thought about it.” She answered sipping from her glass.

“Well think about it.” Lex said drinking from his own glass of water.

“Are you serious?” Chloe’s right eyebrow rose wondering what he was thinking. “You wanted to break up with me a few days ago.”

“Well that was idiotic.” Lex admitted with a grin. “I would have been chasing you down if you hadn’t talked me down off the ledge.”

“Things are going so well and you want to add more pressure.” Chloe wasn’t smiling like he was. The break up threat scared her.

“I just want you to consider it.” He placed his glass down on the coffee table in front of them. “We could redo some of the rooms to suit Emma’s needs. You would be safer here. I love you both and it would be wonderful if we could all live together.”

His list was tempting. They pretty much lived together now. Yet Chloe was going to think this through. She couldn’t just say yes without weighing the options. “I don’t know Lex. It’s…”

“Don’t answer yet.” Before she could go on Lex was interrupting her. He reached for her quickly pressing his lips to her and moving his hand into her hair.

He had been in China then when he returned she and Emma were gone. The last few days they were reconnecting like now. Yet Chloe wasn’t going to be tricked by his soft lips and skilled tongue. When they parted she noticed her legs were placed a crossed Lex’s lap and her back was being angled to lie back on the couch.

“How did we get like this?” She asked.

“We always end up like this.” Lex smiled as he reached to kiss her again but Chloe stopped him this time.

“Let’s do a trial run and I will answer after Emma’s birthday.” Chloe kissed him before he could protest.

She did feel safer there and missed Lex since he had been gone but she needed to think about it. It was a week and half till Emma’s seventh birthday. This let Chloe feel like she had some kind of normalcy and make a choice not clouded by recent events. There was no telling where things would if they all lived to together.

TBC

Chapter 20 Only the beginning (Lex POV)

Notes: One last chapter to this.

[hfce]

Yeah you updated and it was good. I am glad they are both safe from that monster finally. Chloe is kidding her self thinking she won't be living with Lex. You are so going to say yes. :)

[truenesfaratu]

Looking forward to the last chapter

[lexie]

Looking forward to the last chapter

So am I. I hope you'll find the time to update this one when you get the chance, Letia.

[cbrunberg]

can't wait for next chapter.chloe should just say yes.i get after what happen she wants to think about it.but she knows deep down she is going to say yes.

[xmag]

Oh, what a great story! It's such a shame that it's unfinished while it was close to be complete. Is it me or there are parts missing, parts 10 or 11? I couldn't find the part at the fundraiser, where Lex and Chloe meet Lex's ex-wife and Oliver Queen?

[trckyrcky]

I love this story but I can't seems to get past #17. I would love to read the last chapter to the story.

[letia84]

This crazy year leads to finishing fics.

Chapter 20 Only the beginning (Lex POV)

“Is this really what you want Chloe?” Clark's Voice carried down the hall in Lex’s penthouse.

Lex had left them alone for a moment to check in with the moving staff and give them a tip for a job well done. As soon as he was away Clark started in trying to make Chloe doubt him. The boy had super hearing he had to know how close Lex was to hearing everything he was about to say. Yet Clark was going to say it anyway.

When she agreed to move in it was a joyous moment. At the end of that week they had planned a house warming. Clark just had to put a damper on Lex’s happiness.

“What are you saying?” Chloe’s questioning voice was followed by a hard stare at her friend.

She was upset. It warmed Lex’s heart that she was certain about him at last. Peeking around the corner he watched Clark try to tell her not be with him.

“What happened with Lionel should tell you all you need to know. What would have happened to him if you weren’t there?” He paused and looked away like he didn’t want to say more.

Clark’s trust in him had been lost for so long that Lex knew he may never get it back. It didn’t matter what Chloe said about the three of them watching out for each other.

The boy wonder had made up his mind year's ago that Lex Luthor was a villain.

Chloe reached out to touch his shoulder making Clark turn to her. “Clark I trust you. I trust your judgment. Whenever I have been in trouble you have been there for me and for my daughter. When it comes to Lex you don’t see him clearly. I think it’s time you trust my judgment.”

“But...” Clark started and Chloe quickly stopped him.

“There are no buts. Imagine how Lex’s life has been. He was raised by a man that treated him like he was already a monster because of something he didn’t do. He martyred himself for his mother and paid for it every day. I already know there is darkness in him. There is a little bit in all of us.”

“I would never do anything like that.”

“Please Clark I remember the red kryptonite that you dosed yourself with on purpose.” She tilted her head slightly waiting for him to nod in shame. The reference was lost on him, but Lex was happy to hear her defending him.

“I know you’re a good person. You do things no one can but you do those things to help people.” She gripped his hand and the sight of it made Lex want to make his presence known but he had to hear what she was going to say. “Imagine if Lionel Luthor was your father. If he was as cold and uncaring about everything in your life. If he raised you Clark do really think you would be using your gifts to help people?”

Clark shook his head knowingly. “No, that man is the real monster in all this.”

“There is good in him Clark. It’s why I love him. It’s why Emma loves him. No matter how cruel a life Lex has had he has tried to do the right thing. I admit it doesn’t always come easy for him, but he’s just like you. I think it's why you were friends in the first place.”

“I trust you Chloe, I do.”

“Then trust me now. Emma and I are safe here.”

“Okay.” He nodded and hugged Chloe in his oversized arms and to get him to let go Lex made himself known.

“Looks like everything is in.” Lex spoke loud and clear.

“I guess I’ll leave you to the rest of the unpacking then.” Clark spoke in Lex’s direction and gave him a weary smile. “I should go say goodbye to Emma.”

“She is in her new room.” Chloe spoke as if the conversation wasn’t so heavy a moment ago.

Clark’s presence wasn’t necessary. The movers had done a fine job getting Chloe and Emma all moved into the penthouse, but Clark was there at six in the morning claiming he was there to help.

He was there to spy.

They were his girls. Whatever they needed Lex knew he could take care of it. “Do you need anything?

The last few weeks had moved Lex’s fears aside. They were making a home together. His father was finally gone. There was nothing more he could ask for.

She answered with a kiss wrapping her arms around him making sure he felt every inch of her. As they parted she smiled up to him. “You can ask for a kiss if you want one.”

He couldn’t help, but smile back. It was exactly what he was looking for.

“I need help.” Emma sounded from behind them.

“I can help you.” Lex moved towards her and he took hold of her hand.

“I really like my room.” Emma started to talk and they were off.

Chloe didn’t have to say anything. She trusted him with Emma at last. He also trusted himself with her. It was the easiest relationship he ever had. There were no mixed signals. When she became a teenager Lex would worry then.

Chloe was right about his father. If he was raised like Emma to express how she felt so freely then maybe he’d be a better person. Much of his life was a complicated chess match he always lost.

At the moment he was finally winning.

<****>

The day progressed into night rather quickly. After taking care of a few things in the office Lex appeared in the master bedroom. Chloe was sitting on the bed with an open box in front of her. She let out a harsh sigh before speaking.

“I don’t want to look at any more boxes.” She huffed falling back onto the bed

Moving into the room Lex made his way next to her. “I told you to stop two hours ago.”

Her head leaned up to look at him and the exhaustion was clear on her face. “You were right.”

“I’m right?” Lex questioned.

She rolled her eyes at him. “Yes. It may never happen again so enjoy it.”

For a few moments Lex did as she said and enjoyed his rightness. “Well Emma is sound asleep.”

“Really?” She questioned as if it was a joke.

The little kitty cat had been buzzing around them all day. The move was exciting for her. Alone in their bed room Lex was going to try to make the night a celebration.

“Really.” He answered smoothing his hand over her midsection. She breathed out steady with a moan.

Relaxed at long last.

Lex pulled up the bottom of her tattered t-shirt to run his finger over her skin. “I could run you a bath.” She sighed at his words. “Give you a massage.” Another sigh escaped her lips. “Also add a glass of wine.”

“You had me in the bath.” Chloe answered leaning up to catch his lips in a kiss. “Call me in when it’s ready.” She answered laying back down on the bed. “I’ll be here.”

With everything in place Lex settled into the soothing warm water. Lex called out to her to join him. The wine was next to him as promised. His back was against one side of the tub so when she entered she could see him.

Seeing him made her strip immediately. Chloe got in gently trying not to splash water everywhere and placed her back against him.

“Ahh…” she moaned, settling down in the aromatherapy laced water.

His hands started to work on her shoulders gently rubbing them. “Better?”

“Much, much, better.” Her answer came with her nuzzling him with the back of her head.

Lex kept his work going moving in front of her with both hands under her breasts. His hands curved under them then his fingers caressed the flesh softly.

“Lex?” She questioned.

He didn’t stop caressing her. “It’s part of the massage.” Lex whispered in her ear.

“If you say so.” She closed her eyes squirming against him.

Underwater Chloe felt amazing. He had made a stiff peak of each nipple running his finger over them gently. Her neck titled up to him allowing him to take her mouth. As they kissed Lex let a hand leave her breast to move down to even more sensitive flesh.

Lex let his fingers make tight circles around her clit. The feeling made her let go of the kiss. “Why didn’t you tell me to stop packing hours ago.” Her words were cut short when he let a finger slide inside her.

“Like you would I’ve listened.” He spoke, joining the finger with another.

The sound of her moans grew as he teased her under the water. He could tell she was holding back. Her eyes were shut tight and her lip would bleed if she kept biting down on it.

“The walls are solid. You can be as loud as you like.” They had talked about this already. When she didn’t respond Lex started to quicken his pace.

The change got her attention. “Yes Lex. Faster.”

He met her demand and the water started to move above as he worked below. “So good.” She shifted her body then reached behind her.

Lex could feel her searching for his member. “Not yet.” He pulled her back against him then let his lips touch the soft skin of her neck. Chloe was undone by then and she reached down to grab his hand stopping him as her body rode out her release.

“Your turn now.” Chloe replied leaving the tub. She posed herself at the double marble sinks, putting her butt in full view for him.

Her nakedness had him hard before she got in the tub. It was quite painful to wait, but it wouldn’t be long now.

Soaking wet Lex smoothed his hands down her back looking at her in the mirror. “Still feeling tired?” He questioned taking hold of her hips.

She smiled at his reflection in the mirror. “You seemed to have brought me back to life.” The soft flesh of her ass pressed back into him.

It wasn’t like him to stall. Yet for a moment he wanted to enjoy watching her in the mirror.

Chloe told Clark she was happy. She and her daughter were safe with him. His father could have ruined all this, but somehow they made it through. His girls were home where they were meant to be since letting down his hard shell.

Rubbing herself against him she was driving him wild. It was past time to get inside her. When he finally stopped her movements it was to lower her down. Suddenly her wetness was wrapped around his fingers again.

Her mouth opened wide as he explored her. “Lex please.”

The plea made him pull his fingers away then he took hold of himself. In one swift motion he was lifting her to him as he plunged inside her. An inarticulate fuck escaped his lips as he started to thrust foward.

Their slick bodies moved together as best they could. Lex let his head fall back and his eyes closed overwhelmed by her like always.

“No, look in the mirror.” Chloe called out to him.

He did as he was told looking at the erotic scene they had created. Her moans were louder than in the bath. Her eyes were wide and nostrils flared. Her hands tried to brace something as he drove into her. She looked hot driven to this point by him. Under his roof at last Lex never thought this day would come.

The sight of her meant he wouldn’t last much longer. To make sure she climaxed with him Lex curved his arm around her. His fingers exploded until he found what he was looking for.

“Yesss...” She hissed driving her whole body back into each of thrust. “So close.”

Her words made him caress her faster hoping to climax together. Lex could feel his orgasm coming any moment, but it was Chloe went first screaming out. The slick walls around his cock tightened and it was his undoing as he released himself.

His tight hold of her was lost in that moment and he was slipping down taking Chloe with him. They fell back on the warmed tile floor shrieking at the sudden shift. Lex tried to hold on to her breaking her fall with his body. They both started to laugh at the current state they were in. Maybe drying off a little before going at it was a better idea.

“Are you okay?” He questioned her, still chuckling.

“Embarrassed, but okay.” She answered, turning to hide her face in his neck.

Nudging her up to look at him he found her flushed faced. “Nothing to be embarrassed about. I’m down here with you.”

They were both damp and naked on the bathroom floor. There was nothing to be embarrassed about. They were both overwhelmed by each other and checking their footing wasn’t as important as being together.

A smile flashed across her face as she moved in on him. A gentle kiss followed until she released him with a soft hum. “Are you glad I’m here?”

“Of course.” He answered not really understanding where the question came from.

“Good because I’m not repacking those boxes.” Chole answered with a smile and relief washed over them.

Sharing another laugh Lex let the idea that she was settled in wash over him. The waiting was over and his girls were home. Instead of keeping the thought to himself he said aloud what he was thinking.“This is our home.”

“Our home.” She repeated after him. “Then let’s take this show to our bedroom.”

Her feelings returned was all Lex wanted for so long and there didn’t seem to be anything else Chloe could give him until she had one more surprise for him.

<****>

Christmas Eve

The first Christmas Lex had in the manor with Chloe’s family was complicated. Everyone was judging him. No one thanked him. The only person tolerating him was the saint Martha Kent and his little obsession Emma.

This year may be no different. Lois avoided him as much as she could. Yet there was a moment she thanked him for hosting. Lois wasn’t a bad person. Loud and pushy, but someone his girls loved dearly. It was nice to see a glimmer of hope they could get along.

All had settled in after dinner to trim the tree. This year's pick was perfectly selected by Emma. Lex had taught her how to spot the right one. Chloe was amazed at how well she listened in the tree lot.

Taking a glass of wine Lex stood surveying the work. When Emma spotted him in the room she left her grandfather's side to approach him.

Emma squeezed Lex’s hand while he sipped spiced wine. He leaned down to let her whisper in his ear. “Can we tell them?” She asked for the hundredth time.

“That’s up to your mother.” He gave the same answer as time ninety-nine wanting to say something just as much as Emma.

“Mom.” Emma called out, making her approach on Chloe. “Can we tell them yet?”

“Tell us what?” Lois chimed in.

Chloe froze in place after hanging Emma’s contributions to this year's tree. The painted wooden star covered in glitter caught the light and shined on Chloe’s face for a moment.

“Is everything alright?” Gabe spoke next looking concerned that there was an announcement.

The moment seemed fine to him to tell them all what he wanted to shout from the rooftops for weeks. When they told Emma she was confused. It took some explaining, but once she understood the excitement came.

All these year's Lex never thought he’d have this moment, yet here it was.

Watching closely Chloe looked to him for confirmation that it was okay with him. He’d wanted to tell them when they arrived with a cheesy room full of pink and blue balloons. Chloe assured him a gender reveal party would allow him to be as cheesy as he liked.

Instead of answering from a far Lex placed his glass down to move next to his girls at the tree. He smoothed his hand over her belly then whispered in her ear. “Whenever you're ready.”

She kissed his cheek and turned Emma around to face their audience. Clark and Lois were sitting on the love seat staring them down. Gabe put down the box of ornaments in his hands also looking at them.

Martha Kent appeared from the kitchen. “What’s going on?” Martha questioned the room at the entrance.

“Well Mrs. Kent…” Chloe started. Then she reached to squeeze Lex’s hand. “We are…”

Before Chloe could go on Emma rang out. “Mommy’s got my sister inside her.”

The gasps filled the room and then cheers. Lex was relieved they were happy. In that room there was no telling where it could go.

His own reaction was that of disbelief. Chloe seemed worried he’d be upset, but he was thrilled. A short while ago he thought he had lost his girls. Now he was starting a new chapter with them and someone new.

Emma saying a sister was very telling. Lex hadn’t given much thought to a boy or a girl. Whoever their child was he would love and care for. Emma was seven and he had missed the beginning. This time he could experience it all.

The first to speak was Gabe. “Well I hope you plan on marrying my daughter and not just knocking her up.”

“Dad!” Chloe shouted ready to lay into him before Lex stopped her.

“It’s alright Chloe.” He curved his hand around hers while kneeling slowly down on one knee.

He watched her eyes widen watching him take position. “Emma and I talked about this. She said if I wanted to ask you I had to do it right. She said I had to get on my knee and say two things.” Lex used his free hand to retrieve the ring box from his pocket.

“A little help.” He turned to face Emma beaming with a grin.

“Ohhhh.” Emma squealed, taking the box from him to take out the ring. “This is good.”

“I hope your mom agrees.” He answered by taking the ring to present to Chole. After she moved in her purchased the ring. He talked to him about what she thought. Once he had her approval there was just picking the right time. The time never came until a few weeks ago Chloe announced she was pregnant.

“Emma said I had to say two things. The first thing I needed to do was say I love you.” Lex met Chloe's eyes still a bit in shock. “I love you Chloe. It’s love that grows each day I share my life with you.”

“I love you too.” Chloe answered showing signs that the moment was getting to her with a sniffle.

“Next Emma said to promise to be nice to you always so I promise for as long I live I will strive to be kind to you, your daughter, and our child.” For a moment Lex turned and winked at Emma who winked back with approval.

When he met Chloe's eyes a steady stream of tears were flowing down her cheeks. “Will you marry me?”

“Yes.” She answered quietly, holding out her hand to take the ring. Sliding it on quickly she pulled him up to kiss him.

When their lips parted everyone was staring. Martha was crying, rushing at them with open arms. The gesture was followed by more hugs for Emma and the bride to be.

“I hope you meant what you just said. ”Clark said to him while everyone’s attention was on the ring and the baby to come.

“Every word.” Lex answered. Brushing Clark aside, he looked to Emma. “Ready to dance.”

“Ready!” She answered rushing towards him.

Whatever came next this moment was the start of a happy life Lex had long for. This was just the beginning.

The end or The beginning...

[lexie]

Nice to see this one finished, Letia!

I'll move it to the COMPLETE NC-17 subforum. By the way, the following chapters are missing: Chapter 4 Trapped (Lex POV);

Chapter 10 Come to me (Lex POV),

Glad to see you around. Take care.

[letia84]

Seems some chapters have gone missing. Will add them here at the end. I'd have to figure out a PDF.

Chapter 4 Trapped
Smallville Seven Years Ago

It wasn’t Lex’s style to be the one to do his surveillance. Over the years he learned a well paid man could get the job done. But today’s job was more personal than any another he hired someone for; so he took it upon himself to do his own work.
Standing on the out skirts of the party before him Lex was trapped in amazement at how happy everyone was when he was miserable. It seemed his final words to Chloe the last time he saw her two years ago didn’t ring as true for her as they did for him.

He was seconds away from crashing in on a wedding reception he wasn’t invited to. It was taking every bit of strength he had inside him to not go into the church during the ceremony and object to the union.

After nearly losing himself in loneness his father managed to do one thing for him and pulled him out of his self loathing. He’d done his best to mask his emotions and move on with his life but there was always the nagging feeling that he was giving up too easily.

Today, Lex realized he did give up too easily and now Chloe was gone. She was in the arms of another man and she was happy with him.

As he stood on watching Chloe floating about the room thanking her guests he wanted
her to see him. If, for a second, she could peer through the trees surrounding the tent holding the party to see him maybe she would come to him.

Maybe Lex could say something to her. What he would say he wasn’t certain but seeing her in her white gown the one thing he would say was how beautiful she looked.

When Lex learned that Troy Kaplan had come into Chloe’s life he didn’t flinch. As the months passed Lex got the news from his private investigator that things with Chloe and Troy were doing well; so well that a year into the relationship Troy proposed. He still hadn’t mustered up the emotion to feel anything about it.

The more he knew about Chloe, the more he could control his emotions. Without his private investigator he wouldn’t be able to function wondering what she was doing or how she was feeling. It was wrong and he knew one day he would have to stop but for now it was keeping him together.

After learning of the engagement it never occurred to him that a wedding would follow. It may sound like he was a crazy person but even though Lex had let Chloe go he still had it set in his mind that the only person she would ever marry would be him. It was just another thing he believed true that Chloe didn’t.

One night after a hard day’s labor his private investigator left Lex the news that Chloe had a wedding day set and she would be getting married in Smallville. Needless to say Lex was shocked.

She hadn’t graduate from college yet but she was getting married in less then a month. Two years of being away from him and she loved another man enough to marry him.

Lex had weeks to decide how he felt about the wedding and found that thinking about it too much only hurt him which caused him to become angry so, instead, he didn’t allow himself to feel anything about it all.

He stayed that way until the moment he saw her during the reception. For so long Lex had kept it all hidden until he saw Chloe’s new husband.

Chloe was speaking with guests at a table, laughing at something that was being shared among the five of them. Without her knowledge a man was approaching her from behind then reached his arms around her pulling her back towards him.

He noted a brief look of surprise then a smile once she realized whose arms were around her. When she turned to look at him Lex couldn’t see her face any longer but he knew she was smiling.

The one thing that finally allowed him to feel something about the night’s events was Chloe’s husband taking her face into his hands and kissing her in front of the crowd of people. It was something Lex was never able to do. The entire time they were together it
was all in secret.

His eyes widened and his heart jumped into his throat as he watched them drink in one another with that kiss. When they parted their bodies turned to the side so he could get a full view of them both. They were smiling at one another exchanging words Lex couldn’t hear.

The last time he kissed Chloe he failed to make her see that they were meant to be. While she kissed another man he had failed once again.

His firm belief that one day they would find a way back to one another quickly faded away. Chloe was truly gone and Lex was trapped. He was unable to do a thing about it.

His chest heaved and Lex had to force himself to breathe in as he watched her being led to the dance floor by Troy. He couldn’t take any more of it and turned to walk away but his steps ahead were hastened by the man standing in his way.

“What are you doing here Lex?” The stern voice of Clark Kent sounded in his ears.

Lex didn’t hear a thing and couldn’t imagine how Clark appeared out of nowhere from the party then into the woods without making a sound. Lex took a step back and had to catch his footing. He was expecting to walk away and leave unseen.

“I was leaving.” He managed to say at last as they stared at each other. Clark was dressed in a tux and must have been apart of the wedding party. Clark’s hands were fisted at his sides as if it would keep him from doing something he would regret.

“You’re damn right you’re leaving.” He stepped aside to let him pass and Lex started to but Clark had to say one more thing.

“She’s happy now and doesn’t need you.”

Just next to him Lex turned to look at Clark and after all these years of knowing him he hated Clark more then ever for saying what he did. “Clark I wouldn’t speak about things you don’t understand. You never knew what Chloe needed.”

Lex took some satisfaction that he was right. When Clark found out about his relationship with Chloe he did try to persuade her to leave him but Chloe sided with him and their friendship was never the same.

“You may have won her then but you don’t have her now.” Clark spoke as Lex turned back to face him. “She’s happy; just let her go.”

Lex was at a lost for a comeback and felt embarrassed that he was being out witted by Clark Kent. He pressed his lips together searching for something to say but his mind keep reeling from the affection he saw Chloe share with her new husband.

He backed away further preparing to leave. “Don’t tell her I was here.” If anything came
out of this Lex didn’t want Chloe knowing he was there.

“Don’t worry; I wouldn’t ruin her wedding day.” Clark said looking on as Lex started to walk away.

As he made his steps to his car hidden in the trees Lex regained his focus. Clark was right; Chloe was happy. Lex didn’t have to speak with her to know it. The look on her face was more then enough for him to know what she was feeling.

Lex would go back into his shell and remain as he had been the past two years for seven more. His final words to Chloe claiming they would some how find their way back to each other had trapped him.

When he married the following year it ended rather quickly. Actresses were fickle creatures but Lex’s lack of affection towards the woman pushed her away. The next wife didn’t fair any better with him and Lex came to the conclusion he wasn’t suited for marriage.

Chloe may be with someone else now but he was bound to those final words he spoke to her nine years ago. Lex was trapped but someday he would escape.

-------------}{------------

Metropolis Present

Lex should let her walk away. For nine years he let her be and now he was telling her things that he hadn’t said aloud since the day he came to see her in New York.

There was no stopping the words from spilling from his mouth. When she apologized he wasn’t expecting it. For two weeks he had settled into going back to the way things were.

As he heard the click of her heels and the door swinging open for her, he turned around to watch her go. Lex was always watching Chloe walk away from him.

When she would come to see him when they were together she would have to leave him. The last time they were together and Chloe told him she was moving away he had to watch her walk away from him. At that moment Lex was letting her walk away from him again and his feet felt trapped in place, like he could never stop her.

But maybe this time he could.

Lex took in a deep breathe and he sprinted for the doors leading out of his office. He moved pass his secretary’s desk and found Chloe waiting for the elevator. Her foot was tapping impatiently on the floor and it looks as if she was seconds away from going for the stairs even if they were on the top floor of the building.

“Chloe.” He was almost unable to say her name but managed it to be loud enough for her
to hear.

She turned to look at him, her face was a light pink and her eyes were washed over as if she was on the verge of crying. The last thing he wanted was to see her cry again. So many tears had been shed by her that he was the cause of.

“Please, I should just leave.” She spoke then turned her attention back to the elevator door.
His body tightened and his hands coiled into fix then flexed again searching for the right words to say to her. The elevator was nearly there so he had to say something.

“I wasn’t trying to scare you away.” He waited for her to turn and look at him and the tears had started rolling down her cheeks.

“What I said is something you can think about.”

Her mouth opened then closed again and the elevator announced its presence with a light and ding. The doors opened and out walked someone Lex had forgotten about. Chloe turned to look at the woman standing in her way of escape.

“Lex that was so nice of you to meet me outside of your office.” Melissa Gray spoke and moved past Chloe without a second thought to her presence.

Completely frozen in place Lex just stood still as Melissa walked up to him. He was unable to keep the woman from brushing back her brunette hair so that nothing was obstructing her ability to kiss him on the cheek.

He had forgotten he contacted her the moment Chloe walked into his office. After thinking about what happen with Chloe at the hotel Lex reverted back to who had been. Chloe wasn’t ready to see him and Lex wasn’t ready to see her either.

His control crumbled when he saw her but after they spoke he was reminded of why Chloe left him. Chloe had made it up in her mind that he was something he wasn’t.

Ms. Gray had called before the Monthly was released. She was calling his office since he disappeared on her. Lex assumed he would never see her again because she didn’t live in town but she did. He never asked the night they slept together because it never came up since he was too blinded by wanting to keep control of everything.

Lex made plans to have lunch with her that day and she arrived just in time to ruin the moment he was having with Chloe.
As he stood trapped Lex’s eyes didn’t leave Chloe. She walked into the elevator just in time to see Melissa kissing his cheek. He watched her brush away the few tears trickling down her cheeks.

As the doors to elevator closed she said one last thing. “Some things stay the same, don’t they?” The doors closed and she was gone again.

What Lex said in his office to Chloe was the truth. When he said it nine years ago it was the truth. When Chloe admitted that maybe her leaving was a mistake it was time he reminded her of what he said.

His anger got the best of him when he saw Chloe. When she sat across from him taking his help all the while thinking he was a murderer pushed him over the edge. But all of it changed when he read the article that morning.

If he saw her again Lex knew that Chloe’s feelings about who he was had changed. Only now that he was standing in the waiting area with Melissa Gray staring at him he knew everything had gone back to the way it had always been.

Chloe wasn’t going to consider allowing him to crawl back into her life.

“Is everything alright?” Melissa questioned.
Lex took his eyes from the door of the elevator to look at the woman. She was still smiling even though he looked crushed after watching Chloe walk away from him again. Her brown eyes were sparkling up at him and he could see she was thinking that the night they spent together was the start of something.

With no thought to her Lex had called her and made a date just to sleep with her again. He’s only reason for doing so was to shake off what he was feeling now. Maybe he could forget what he said to Chloe all those years ago and let them go. But now everything had changed.

As he looked at her Lex thought of all the ways he could get what he wanted out of her before moving on. The same with his last two wives; the same with any woman he’d been with since Chloe left.
But he couldn’t do it. He was trapped by his feelings. Something he had been avoiding since he left Chloe’s dorm room in New York.

There was something still between them. He could feel it when he saw her and the look on her face when she laid eyes on him. He could feel it in his office just now as she said she was sorry to him after so many years of him thinking he was monster.

There was nothing he could do but move forward. “I’m sorry Melissa I can’t make it to lunch.”

“What?” The woman’s eyes slanted and her hands closed around her hips. “Is this about that blonde woman that just left?”

Lex stepped back away from the woman to get back his personal space. “I’m sorry.” He replied to her. It wasn’t really an answer
but Lex could just tell her that everything had always been about Chloe

The woman huffed and puffed at him then she turned to leave. Her heels stomped on his hardwood floor hard enough to leave a mark. “You’ll be sorry you didn’t keep me around.” She whined as she waited for the elevator to return.

That being done Lex moved towards Miss March’s desk to give her some instruction. “I want you to do whatever you have to do to find Ms. Sullivan’s new home address.”

“Of course Mr. Luthor.” Miss. March nodded and went back to her computer screen clicking away at the keys.

He knew that Miss March would contact his people and they would have Chloe’s address with in the hour. He wouldn’t use it right
away but let the day settle as well as the week.

At the end of the week he could drop in her. Lex wouldn’t be trapped by those words any longer. He would finally be able to put them into action.

-------------}{------------

It couldn’t be considered stalking if the intent was to go and see the person. Driving around the block once or twice to find the perfect parking space wasn’t obsessive. Lex didn’t know if Chloe would be home when he arrived so he drove around the place once.

When a parking space came up he didn’t want to take it. It was too close to other cars and he just had the Porsche he was in waxed. If someone dented the thing it would cost nothing to repair but it would be a mild annoyance he didn’t want to deal with.

The second time he pulled around Lex spotted Chloe going into her building. She would have seen him in his car since Lex stood out like a sore thumb no matter where he went but she was already engaged with someone else.

The tiny girl at her side was speaking to her and Chloe’s full attention was on her.

The girl was dressed in a pale blue dress that fell at her knees and the front was adorned with a sunflower. Her blonde hair was pulled back into a loose pony tail secured with a ribbon the same color as her dress.

As Lex watched them walking hand in hand towards their home he couldn’t look away. He nearly ran into a car looking at them. As he turned the corner again another reality sunk in for him.

Chloe was a mother.

Of course he knew of the little girl that she had with Troy six years ago. He didn’t know
her name and didn’t want to know at the time. It was too much information already knowing she was married and now had child.

Chloe had made a family when she left Kansas. A family he was never to be part of.

His hands gripped the leather of the steering wheel tighter as he turned the corner in front of her building again. He was second guessing his visit today once he saw Chloe’s daughter. He didn’t want to make a scene or end their encounter like before; with Chloe in tears.

Circling around for a forth time Lex was about to turn away. He was about let it go and let Chloe be but he wouldn’t trap himself again with his thoughts. He couldn’t control things with Chloe, he never could and there was no sense in trying when they had a chance at new start.

As he came to the front of the building Lex pulled into the spot he by passed earlier. It was a prefect fit for the car and his earlier judgment must have been his jitters.

Entering the lobby of the apartment complex it appeared to be rather nice. Lex nodded to a man sitting at the front desk and went for the elevators. He could have walked up the stairs since Chloe only lived on the third floor but he needed the time to breathe before seeing her.

Taking the few steps down the hall to her apartment from the elevator Lex got his story straight. After Chloe left yesterday he felt bad about the way things ended. She was crying when she left and he wanted to make sure she was alright.

He wouldn’t explain Melissa Gray unless she asked. If she did Lex could do nothing but tell her the truth or a version of the truth that told her what she needed to know. It wasn’t as if Chloe was going to jump into bed with him any time soon but he didn’t want past discretion to ruin the chance of it happening.

Once he was in front of the door a problem shot into his head. How did he know where she lived? He sent the files to her about the energy project to her office so that couldn’t be his reason. Lex would simply have to tell the truth.

Smoothing down his suit jacket Lex came dressed casual. He was in dark slacks a black pull over shirt and a light suit jacket. His mind shot back to the little girl with Chloe and what she was wearing after checking over himself.

The image in his mind was so clear. The child was a dead ringer for her mother. Chloe was dressed in blue as well but she was in a pair of fitting jeans and a button up top that match her daughter’s dress color.

He shook off thoughts of Chloe in form fitting jeans. After all these years a piece of clothing that she wore could ruin his concentration.

With a closed fist Lex made three raps on the wooden door. He heard some moving about on the other end. A feeling ran through his body as he remembered a scene just like this at Chloe’s dorm when she turned him away.

He recalled begging her to let him in and this time he swore he wouldn’t do that again. If he wanted something to form between them he couldn’t force it. It was one lesson he had learned being away from her.

After a few moments of waiting Lex was about to walk away when the door flew open before him. “What are you doing here?” The question came out like a shot and Chloe look like she might draw blood.

He knew she wouldn’t be happy to see him but Lex played the odds that he could talk his way in. “I was stopping by because of what happen yesterday.” He stuck with the plan keeping himself together seeing her again. The last few times he crumbled like a cookie, this time Lex was ready.

“What about it?” Chloe answered folding her arms over her chest in defense. She didn’t want him there and in a second he would see why. “You can see who ever you want.”
“Who is it mommy?” The tiny voice raced up grabbing Chloe’s arm.

Once the little girl was in sight, Chloe relaxed her arms to look down on her. “Kitty Cat go back to your room.” Chloe ordered her trying to direct the girl with her hand but she wasn’t giving up so easily.

Lex looked down at the girl starting up at him. At one time he thought that children would be apart of his life and that he would be a better father than Lionel ever was to him but when Chloe left many of those dreams went with her.

His last two wives were both certain they didn’t want to have kids and it was one of the reasons why he married them. If the
marriages weren’t going to last he didn’t want them to be tainted by kids that would have to be separated from one of their parents.

Clearing his throat Lex spoke to the little girl hoping to break her gaze on him. “Hello.” He glanced up to Chloe and her eyes widened. It was like she was waiting for a bomb to go off because Lex had seen the girl.

She may have apologized for thinking he was a monster but Lex assumed that her fears weren’t so easily washed away.

She smiled at him warmly while pulling her hand from Chloe’s grasp. “Hello.” She repeated to him reaching her hand up to him.

Lex didn’t know if he should take it and looked to Chloe for the go ahead. Her eyes were fixed on him pleading to him. After a moment she nodded to give him the go ahead.

Taking the tiny hand into his the little girl shook all over but at the arm to shake his hand. Lex couldn’t help but grin and tried to maintain his end of the hand shake. It was the silliest hand shake he had ever been given and it was the nicest.
“My name is Emma Moira Sullivan Kaplan.” The girl piped pulling her hand away to take Chloe’s again. She was forward and spoke to him without any fear; just like her mother did.

Lex recalled the name Moira as being Chloe’s mother’s name. The Kaplan belonged to Chloe’s late husband but the Emma he couldn’t place.

“That’s a long name.” Lex answered to her. He was prolonging the conversation but he couldn’t help it. The little girl was fascinating.

“I know.” She breathed out as if she was tired then rolled her eyes adding more punch to her frustration. “But I gotta have my grandma’s name and daddy’s name and mommy’s name and my own name.”

Lex looked to Chloe and she was smirking at her little one shaking her head at the girl. His attention went back to Emma as he told her his name. “My name is Alexander Joseph Luthor but everyone calls me Lex.”

“No one uses my names either.” Emma nodded and Lex was learning that the child couldn’t stay in place for more then a few seconds. “Mommy calls me Kitty Cat. She was going to get a cat but she got me and...”

“Okay that’s enough.” Chloe spoke up at last interrupting the girl before she could tell her story. “You have met Mr. Luthor and now you can go to your room like I asked.”

Emma looked up to Chloe with a frown and Chloe looked back with stern turn of her jaw. “Yes, mommy.” The girl nearly whined as she turned to walk away. Once she was gone Chloe turned to back to Lex.

“You have no right to ambush me like this.” She heaved out a breathe trying to keep her composure. Her daughter waiting only a few feet away, it appeared Chloe didn’t want the child to see her upset. “My daughter is here.”

“I’m sorry if you didn’t want your daughter to see me.” Of course it wasn’t his intention to upset her but he had to take the next step or she never would. “I didn’t want to trap you either but you ambushed me in the hotel a few weeks ago.”
Her face twisted as he threw the event into her face and she spit back a reply. “I already said I was sorry for that. This is different; my daughter is in the next room.”

“I’m fully aware of that.” Lex started peaking behind him making sure there wasn’t a tiny
Chloe waiting behind them. When he was satisfied there was no on there he went on. “I wanted to speak to you before it was too late and it has nothing to do with you seeing what you did before you left.”

“What do you mean too late?” She was waiting, her arms returning to the defensive position across her chest.

“Before it was too late for me to apologize. You were crying yesterday. I’m sorry if I was the cause of that.” Lex didn’t know if she would be responsive to what he had to say next but he would have to do everything he could if Chloe was going to let him into her apartment; let alone into her life. “I wanted to see if you were alright.”

“I’m fine but...” Her arms lowered slowly as she let down her defense. “...it hasn’t been easy for me.”

“It hasn’t been easy for me either.” Lex answered back. She was treating this like she was the only one having to deal with it but Lex had to admit it was a lot harder for her. “But I’m not trying to add to the stress of you moving back here.”

“I know you’re not but I don’t want to complicate my life anymore than I have to. I came back to find some kind of normalcy.” She looked behind her then back to him. “It’s not just my life I have to worry about anymore.”

Lex would have to place his words just right. He had repeated them all week but at the moment his well played speech was gone and he was going on his feelings. He was going on the one thing that he had pushed away for years.

“I understand if you want to keep me at arms length but you said that maybe you were wrong about me. If you were wrong then maybe I was right.”

“Right about us finding a way back to one another?” She questioned him her eyes looked to be near tears again.

“Not the way you think.” Lex wasn’t sure how things would end up with Chloe but something would happen. “I’m not saying we are going to pick up were we left off. It’s possible that getting back to some sort of normalcy for you includes me. We parted on bad terms but that doesn’t have to be the end of it. Our paths will keep crossing one way or another. I don’t see why we have to keep pretending the other doesn’t exist.”

He was reaching. Lex was pulling everything he could and it was working. He was also doing everything he could to keep from brushing the hair from her face. It was longer than he’d ever seen and it was obstructing his view of her eyes.

“Are you saying you want to be friends?” She gave him an in just now and Lex wasn’t going to let it pass him by. “We use to be friends?” she questioned.

“Yes, we were.” Lex had a brief flash of Chloe trusting him enough to safe guard her life. They were friends then but now they were so far anything like that.

Her body moved to the side giving him a glimpse of the apartment. “Do you want a cup of coffee?”

“Coffee would be nice.” Lex’s body tightened as he was seconds from getting what he came for.

“Come in Lex.” She waved her hand leading him into her apartment.

Lex didn’t want to ask but this was a big step for them both. “Are you sure?”

“No.” She paused to study him; her eyes lowered then rose again. “But if I don’t let you in Emma well trap me with questions about you until she goes to bed tonight. At least this way she can ask you directly.”

“She’s beautiful.” Lex spoke as he moved passed her. “She reminds me of you.”

As he moved into her place he was freeing himself. This new found freedom wasn’t going to come easy but nothing ever did in his life.

[letia84]

Chapter 10 Come to me (Lex POV)

So many things happen by chance. It was by chance Gabe and Chloe paid Smallville a visit the day of the meteor shower. It was by chance that his little girl was exposed to the falling rocks that very day.

The nature of Chloe’s exposure was still unknown to him. Gabe was the only person that knew and he wasn’t about to ask. During his search for the infected anyone that was could be marked. At the time he didn’t know that meant including Chloe but when the time came Lex did it anyway.

It was a security measure. If the time came and she needed him then he wanted to be prepared for her. He didn’t know it would take nearly nine years for her to look to him for help but today was that day.

After the weekend Lex seemed to sabotage at every turn Chloe still allowed him to see her and Emma. The weekend wasn’t supposed to turn out the way it did but he let it all get the best of him. Seeing them both jumping up and down on the bed with joyful glee made his heart stop.

They looked so happy to be there and it was he wanted; it was something he’s always wanted. When Emma took his hand to pick out the movie his heart stopped again. The little girl was starting to trust him. Every moment he spent with her made him a junky.

Lex needed to hear Emma’s voice; he had to hear her laugher and most of all he needed her to reach out to hug him. It was what made him offer thousands of dollars in the form of a horse to Emma. It also made him tell Chloe what he’d been thinking all weekend.

For a few seconds he had his little family. Of course he ruined it but for a second Lex Luthor had something that eluded him for years. Then he got thrown back down from his dream into the pit. Lex had his family but he was reminded that Chloe and Emma weren’t his family.

Before Chloe brought him out of the pit he realized that he had fallen in love and this time it was with Emma Moria Sullivan Kaplan. Lex had lost all his tricks with Emma. What he wanted included Emma now.

Right now he needed to prove to Chloe he could be trusted. She wanted to know more about her powers. The moment she asked he felt like it was a test. It was his chance to prove he could be more to her then a causal friend.

His scientist needed to run tests on what Chloe could do to pinpoint the source of her infection and how to control her abilities. She was standing in a testing room alone. It wasn’t ideal but Lex couldn’t tamper with the experiment by standing with her.

“Chloe whenever you’re ready?” Lex spoke in to the receiver so she could hear him.
She looked through the glass at him and he knew she was afraid. Chloe was attached to all sorts of pads with wires leading to machines in the room.

She was still in the blouse and skirt that was part of a charcoal grey work suit. It was a very unforgiving suit for him. The silk clinging to her breasts and the long line of the skirt tight around her backside made life unbearably hard.

Chloe’s eyes locked with him and she nodded. As her gaze fell to the person in front of her Lex watched her smile at the patient that was chosen. The thirty five year old woman had a husband, two young kids and terminal cancer. In a few moments she would have her entire life in front of her.

Lex had learned Chloe could heal. How far that healing power went he wasn’t sure and it was what he hoped the test would tell. She told him it was by a freak accident she learned she could do this way back during her time at Smallville High.

He didn’t ask for the details of that day; it was something he had to earn but he did know she hadn’t used the power much since. There was once on her father when his heart had failed him but Lex had a feeling there was more to it.

“Get this right I don’t want her to do this again.” Lex instructed his staff.

When she was ready after exchanging a few words with the woman on the table Chloe extended her hand out. When she made contact with the woman’s stomach a bright glow started to flow from her hand. After a few moments Lex couldn’t see Chloe or the woman at all. Then the monitors in the room started blaring off warnings.

“What’s wrong?” He moved closer to the glass waiting for answers, unable to see anything but the white light. Lex knew this was part of it because Chloe told him but seeing it was another thing.

“Her vital signs are dropping.” The lead scientist leaped from his seat to go into the other room. He was followed by Lex and two other doctors.

The door leading to her was opened and Chloe wasn’t standing bathed in white light anymore. Her body had fallen to floor. It wasn’t for him to do anything but let his staff work on her.

Before they could even reach her she was calling to him. “Lex.” Her voice was so low he almost didn’t hear it.

He pushed past his staff to get to her. His arm went around her then she let her body fall into his chest. Lex started detaching her from the wires to allow her better access to him. Chloe’s breathing was shallow and deep. The sound wasn’t putting him at ease.

“Let them look at you.” Lex spoke to her but she didn’t move away from him. “Just give me a minute.” She breathed out to him.

His staff was on edge just standing there waiting for a command. Lex wanted to tell them what to do but Chloe was clinging to him now. She was huddled inside of him and this wasn’t the first time she had done it as of late.

It was going on another month since the horse back riding weekend. Chloe was becoming comfortable having their embraces linger, letting him touch her or her reaching out to touch him.

The last time was the worst for him. Movie nights with Emma often ended with Emma falling a sleep on Chloe but recently Emma was leaning on him as well. The night in question they both had fallen asleep on other side of him.

Lex sat there with one arm around Emma’s tiny frame and the other hooked around Chloe. It was like they were his girls and he didn’t want to move from the spot until he was told to.

When Chloe woke up suddenly she titled her head up from his shoulder to look at him. At first she smiled seeing he was the one she was resting on then she became tense pulling away slowly as if she’d done something wrong.

It took a long while for Chloe to let go now. It was as if she needed to be centered again and he was the one helping her do it. He helped her into the waiting bed on the other end of the room once all the wires were detached from her. Then Lex gave his staff room to move to look at her.

They examined Chloe then took a look at the patient. It took a moment just like she said before Chloe was back to herself.

Nothing would be for certain that day but soon they would know everything Chloe had been questioning all these years.

A driver was moving them away from the facility deep into Smallville. Chloe got on the phone once they were cleared from the buildings grounds to talk with Gloria. Lex had yet to meet this woman but he knew Emma liked it when they sang songs together.

When she hung up Lex spoke up. “Is everything alright?”

“Yes, they are having dinner now.” Chloe sighed and he knew what she was thinking. Maybe she shouldn’t have done this today. It wasn’t easy to schedule something like this but it had to be done.

“We could have taken the helicopter to get you back sooner.” Lex replied.

She jerked her head to him with a grin. “I know but...” She paused as if she was too embarrassed to go on. “The drive gave me time to think and talk myself out of being scared.”

He knew this was a test and her words just proved it. “There was no need to worry I was right there with you.”

Her grin softened then it happened again. Chloe let her hand move over and cover his for a light squeeze. “Thank you.”

The touch lasted longer than necessary again. When she moved her hand away Lex had to ask something that he couldn’t keep to himself anymore. “Chloe, are you sure the first time and your father are the only times you have used your powers?”

Her head turned then her eyes looked out the window as she thought it over. This was going to be a test for her now. Did she trust him enough to let him in to this part of her life?

When she turned to look at him he got his answer. “Yes, I use them on Emma sometimes.”

“Oh, I see.” He answered not sure of what to say.

“When she had an ear infection as a baby I couldn’t see her in pain and once when she had her first cold.” She turned away from him again towards the window. There had to be more. “I knew I shouldn’t but I couldn’t bear to see her hurt. I understand something’s I’ll have to let go. Chicken pox I have to let her have. What if she gets them as an adult and it’s far worse because I didn’t let her learn to fight it off as a child and then I can’t heal her. ” She added.

It all made sense to want the best for Emma and Lex didn’t need the explanation. Only the gesture to look away said that Chloe had used her powers for more than that. He didn’t push her and just waited for the rest. When it never came he let it go. One day she would tell him if she used her ability on her late husband. It would come to him in time.

After the awkward silence passed her head turned back to him. She wasn’t ready to let go of it all but she did say something else.

“I want Emma to be tested for infection. If I passed this to her I want to know.”

This time he reached to touch her hand. “We will arrange it.” For some reason she wanted more then just his hand. Her body moved in quickly for a hug. They stayed that way until they were almost back in the city.

Maybe it was just a thank you for his help today but the length of it and the way she pressed against him Lex took it to mean more. She couldn’t keep doing this to him and have him think it meant nothing.

-------------}{------------

A week came and went since Chloe was tested. The results were still not in for her but the test subject was healed. The woman was given a clean bill of health as well as a warning. If she ever told anyone about what occurred Lex would make sure she paid dearly. She was selected because of her willingness to sign a contact stating she would never speak a word of what happened to her.

Chloe knew the details of the woman she healed. If he was going to gain her trust he would have to start disclosing the truth. He had placed himself as a firm fixture in her life. There was no way he was going to lose his new place.

That night Lex was taking Chloe out. It was by chance they were both to attend a formal charity event for the coming holidays. It was a fund for orphaned children.

Chloe was covering it for a mini piece in the monthly. Lex was a healthy contributor that had to make an appearance for appearances sake.

When Lex brought Chloe home after being tested he asked if she wanted to attend with him. It was easy to ask and it was an even easier yes reply from her. It wasn’t so easy to know this wasn’t a date. They were still just friends getting to know one another again.

This couldn’t be farther from the truth. Chloe was trusting him again. Testing her powers wasn’t the only thing pulling her back into his life. He was letting things go. It started with his marriages. After talking about his wives things seemed to come out with ease but he knew some things couldn’t be known. Those things were the true test to how well they could work out again.

Tonight had started off well enough when Lex arrived to pick Chloe up. When she
answered the door she was already in her dress. “I’m not ready yet.”

She moved out of his way leaving the door open for him to close. She looked ready enough to him. Her long hair was pinned up into a bun, her make up was all in place, her strappy shoes were on and of course she was in her dress. Black satin suited her in more ways then one.

“You look great to me.” He spoke letting himself in.

Before he could get another word out he heard the squeal of his addiction coming. Emma ran at him and gave his leg its traditional squeeze. Lex wasn’t a man that smiled often but Emma seemed to bring it out of him.

“Mommy is pretty right?” The little girl spoke as she pulled away from him.

“Yes, she is.” Lex answered lowering himself down to her level. “How do I look?” He questioned her.

Emma took a few steps back to look at him then she moved back in. Her little hands smoothed down the front of his tux then they moved to tug at his bow tie. Lastly she smoothed down his bald head as if she was fixing his nonexistent hair. All the while she had one eye closed as if she was inspecting him very closely.

“You look pretty too.” She answered when she was done looking him over.

Lex smiled at her again and it was wider then before. “Thank you.” He replied to her and she giggled at him.

As they shared the moment someone was coming out from the bedrooms. “Come on Emma leave Mr. Luthor be.” The voice belonged to Gloria.

She looked to be in her thirties. Lex let his mind remember her face well. This was the person looking after someone he had grown to love. If Gloria was good enough for Chloe he should be good enough for him but it wasn’t working that way in his mind.

He was going to say something but Chloe appeared again. This time she was in her jewelry and had a wrap around her shoulders.

“Good you have met. Gloria this Lex Luthor.” She introduced them.

Lex shook her hand still eyeing her for any signs that would tell him something was wrong with her. They exchanged pleasantries then Chloe stepped in to rush them off to go.

“Okay we should get going.” She moved towards Emma lowering herself to give her hugs and kisses. “Be good Kitty Cat.”

“I said Mr. Luthor was pretty.” Emma told Chloe with one last kiss.

When Chloe stood she hadn’t really looked at him yet and now she was. “Yes he is very pretty.” They both laughed at him but the way she looked at him it wasn’t very friendly.

Chloe gave her goodbyes to Gloria as well and they were off. While riding in the elevator the only thing he could smell was her lightly rose scented perfume. To keep his mind off it he spoke up.

“So how well do you know Gloria?” Lex waited for her to tell him to stay out of it but she didn’t. He knew Chloe had looked into her but he need permission to do the same.

“If you want to background check her go right ahead. Her last name is Winter.” The elevator doors opened and she moved out ahead of him. It was as if she gave him a little into being closer to Emma.

Lex made the phone call in the limo. Then he heard Chloe’s complaints. Emma was alone with that woman all the time he wanted to make sure she was safe. He could take Chloe scolding him for now. In the end it would benefit them both.

-------------}{------------

Arriving at the charity event was the same as any only this time Lex wasn’t with some woman he just meet or his future ex wife.

He was with the woman he never wanted to be without but she didn’t know it yet.

When they moved into the room he placed a commanding hand on the small of her back. Chloe didn’t shrug away from him. Her body moved closer to his and she let him lead them into the hall. The press stopped him once they had cleared the doors and

Chloe left him to deal with them. He didn’t want her to leave but she had a job to do just like he did.

It still amazed him that it was necessary to throw an elaborate party for a charity. The money for the event could have gone to the kids but it went into this show of how great they all were for donating. Lex was thinking this and in the next Metropolis

Monthly he would be reading Chloe’s article about the same thing.

When he was free from the press Lex moved deeper into the party. People were crowed around the dance floor and buffet tables but he didn’t see Chloe. He reached out for a glass of champagne when it was scooped up before him.

The woman holding the glass he knew well enough. “Lex?” The questioning voice of Allie Burns his latest ex wife spoke. “So are your here alone or is there another poor sap here to fall in love with your tortured soul only to realize it’s not so much tortured as just plain evil.”

The biting sarcasm was expected. Things didn’t end well with Allie but he thought the ten million from the prenuptial agreement she got might calm her down some.

Allie was the next in line to a real estate empire Burns and Pen so the added bonus of the prenup must not have fazed her.
He met her when he was buying new Luthor Corp spaces in California. It was love at first sight for her and never love for him. She wasn’t around much do to business travel but Lex thought they got along so well when she was around that he should marry her.

When she decided to relocate to Metropolis indefinitely after the wedding things took a turn for the worse.

“It’s nice to see you to Allie.” He spoke ready to run for it but she stepped in his way.

“At least you still look good in a tux.” She took a sip of what should have been his champagne. “Go on, point out who you are here with.” She moved closer to him at his side right up against him to look out into the direction he was looking in.

One moment she was pissed the next she was rubbing up against him. It was clear Allie’s mood swings had not changed. He wasn’t any better during their short marriage but Allie took the cake.

Lex let this moment give him the chance to look for Chloe again. When he found her she wasn’t alone.

Allie moved closer to him as he starred at Chloe. “I see the blonde in black satin, low cut floor length gown.” She was whispering in his ear then suddenly laughing. “Looks like your date found another rich man to entertain her.” Her laughter continued. “Lord knows I did.”

Lex couldn’t let Allie distract him anymore. Chloe was sipping champagne, laughing with and touching the shoulder of Oliver Queen.

He didn’t even say good bye to Allie but she did get in one last word. “You never chased me down like that. Maybe if you did we would still be married.”

The woman was trying to make a scene but Lex fled just before people turned to stare. He had cleared the crowd and made it up to the second floor that was a seating area with another buffet table and just as many people.

Once he was close enough Chloe caught view of him. He had to calm down. She couldn’t see him worked up like this. It was a problem he had when they were dating. Anyone getting to close made him want to snap. Queen getting as close as he was now made him want to snap Queen’s neck.

“Hello Oliver.” Lex thought he would point his frustration at him.

“Lex, it’s great to see you.” His smug grin followed and Lex wanted to put his fist into it.

In prep school Oliver was his number one bully after Lex went bald. Oliver led the “Hate Lex Luthor Because He Looks Different” campaign for years. Whenever they saw each other now it was just as unpleasant. That was what Chloe would see not that he was jealous.

“Lex, Mr. Queen was telling me a story about the two of you in prep school.” Chloe took his attention away from Oliver for a moment.

“Well did he tell you how he used to treat me back then?” Lex pointed the question to Queen.

“No he didn’t.” She replied staring him down just as Lex was.

“Come on Luthor boys will be boys.” Then there was that smug look again and pat on the shoulder. Lex never saw eye to eye with Queen as they grew up.

It could be that Oliver felt he was entitled to everything with little to no work. It also could be how he looked down on Lex as if he would never be better then him. Only Lex was and Luthor Corp surpassed Queen Industries year after year.

“Yes that may be true, but thank goodness most of us grow up to be men.” Lex replied.

He heard Chloe chuckle lightly. “Well I have a job to do and I see you boys or should I say men have a lot to catch up on.” She turned to Lex and smiled. “I’ll find you later.”

He nodded then watched her turn to Oliver. “It was nice to meet you Mr. Queen.”

“Please I told you its Ollie.” They looked at each other for moment and Lex could see it.

She was flirting with him. There was no way he would lose to Oliver Queen. Lex moved to touch her forearm to get her attention again. “We’ll dance later?” He questioned.

Her free hand moved on top of his. “Of course.” She moved away before Queen could speak again.

Once she was out of ear shot the fool put his foot in his mouth. “So is she a one nighter?”

“What did you just say?” Lex knew what he meant but he had to make sure.

“Come on Lex.” He placed his arm around him like they were buddies and Lex shrugged him off. “Are you just going to sleep with her?”

“Chloe is a dear friend.” For now that was truth.

“You have friends?” He chuckled to himself. “I didn’t know that.”

“Yes contrary to what you read I have friends.” Lex didn’t know why he was putting himself though all this but the way Chloe was looking at Oliver made him stick around to see what he was getting at.

“If you are just friends then you won’t mind if I ask her out.” Oliver took the hint from before and moved away a little. “She is very beautiful and smart.”

“How do you know what she is you just met her.” His guard was up now. If Chloe was blinded by Oliver’s charm, golden locks and smug smile he didn’t know what he would do. “Besides I don’t think you’re her type.” He added.

“Yeah let’s let her decide on that.” He winked then walked off.

The rest of the night Lex had two missions; to keep clear of Allie Burns and to keep Oliver Queen away from Chloe.
He almost succeeded at them both but somehow Queen had Chloe on the dance floor before he did. It happened while he was paying his respects to the people running the charity. While they danced he knew what Oliver was whispering in her ear.

When Lex got his dance from Chloe he almost missed the signs she was giving because he was so focused on Queen. She pressed herself against him to one slow tune then a small sigh followed when he brushed his hand over her exposed back. Then the glances she was giving him were full of some hidden want.

When they parted Lex wanted to tell her that it was alright to indulge in what she was feeling. He had already played things so poorly that he said nothing until they were leaving together. Alone in the car he let his failed mission come to light.

Chloe groaned once they were both seated and she went for her strappy shoes. “These look good but they hurt like hell.” He watched her undo the latch and rub the sole of her right foot.

“It must have been all that dancing.” Lex was recalling Oliver leaning down to whisper in her ear. It took him two glass of champagne to keep him in place and not stop him.

When she looked at him she studied him for a moment. At one time she read him so well but her powers had faded some over the years. Only Lex’s shell had started to crumble the more they were together and her powers were starting to surface.

“Your jealous that I danced with Ollie first?” Chloe questioned giving him a pointed looked. The sound of his silly nick name brought back visions of neck snapping.

He wanted to kick himself but just went ahead and let it all out. “Did he ask you out on a date?”

“Why does it matter?” Chloe questioned with a question and it drove him mad.

“He said he would and I was just wondering if he did.” He tried to hide himself to keep his seething disgust but he couldn’t.

“Lex I don’t see how that’s any of your business.” Then there it was. The truth he hated to be reminded of. Chloe wasn’t his yet.

There had to be another way to spin it and he knew just how to do it. “I’m asking as a concerned friend.” He paused letting the word friend sink in for her. “Oliver lives in Star City. You would rarely see him. I don’t even think he likes kids so how would he treat Emma? Then there is that thing about him getting injured a lot. It’s like he leads some sort of double life.”

She rolled her eyes at him. “Is that all?”

“I’m sure there is more but you never answered my question.” Lex turned it back on her.

“I told Ollie no.” She sighed before going on. “All those things you said about him could be very true but that’s not why I said no.”

“Then why did you?”

Lex waited as she looked down at her poor feet then back at him. “Because I thought he was smug.”

He laughed out loud. It wasn’t a chuckle or a small grin but a full blown laugh. It was what he wanted to hear and also assuring that he wasn’t the only one that thought Oliver Queen was a smug bastard.

When he stopped she answered his laughter. “Now that you’re done you mind telling me the real answer to my first question.”

For moment Lex had control then he didn’t. Chloe threw a curve and he could bypass it or let it hit him straight on. “You came with me. I was a little jealous the first dance went to someone else.” He let it hit.

“I’m sorry.” She answered reaching out to touch his cheek. “I will behave better in the future.” These were answers he obsessed over later. The thoughts of him in her future were all good.

“I guess I should say I was little jealous you were flirting with someone as soon as we got there.”

Confusion washed over him at her omission. “What are you talking about?”

“The dark haired woman in gold that was rubbing up against you.” Chloe described Allie Burns then he had another laugh.

“I wasn’t flirting with her.” He shook his head at how bad it could have gotten before he fled. “That was Allie.”

“Oh.” He watched her put it together. “You’re ex wife that has the bad mood swings.”

“Yes, one moment she was insulting me and the next she was rubbing up against me.” Lex watched her take it in and she seemed disturbed. “It was unwanted rubbing I might add.”

She shrugged her shoulders as if she was shrugging off the whole thing. “Well, I had no right to be jealous. It’s not like this was a date.”

He was sick of hearing that. Lex had to make a move. “No it wasn’t a date.” He let his hand move towards her hair to brush back a loose strand. “We are both acting rather childish.” He lowered his voice just a hair to see if she would notice. “Don’t you think?”

When he saw she did her body became tense. She looked down then away from him completely. The conversation stopped until they made it back to her apartment. He couldn’t just leave it there as if it never happened just like the other times she touched him or seemed altered by him.

Lex walked her in even though she told him not to.

“Good night.” She fumbled with her keys then turned to open the door.

“Chloe.” He breathed out waiting for her to turn to him. “Don’t leave it like this.”

When she did turn to him she was still just as tense. “Leave it like what?”
“Something is happening to us.” Lex couldn’t force this. He forced it before. Made her see what was in front of her only to lose her.

This time he had to crawl back in slowly and let her come to him. It had to be her choice to see that she was looking at him
differently. At this point he could think it was only lust but he would take lust over friendship any day.

Her tongue licked her lips and she looked up at him. “We are friends.” She told him knowing exactly what he was referring to.

“I don’t think friends look the way you did in the car just now.” “How did I look Lex?”

“You know how.” This was going to be impossible if she didn’t admit it.

She threw her hands into the air as she spoke jingling her keys along they way. “What do you want me to say... that I’m attracted to you?”

“It would be a start.” He did his best to keep his voice low to keep her neighbors and Emma from hearing.

“Well I am.” She moved to him meeting him face to face the best she could at her height. “I have always been attracted to you but that doesn’t mean anything.”

“Of course it means something. I know my attraction to you means something to me.” Lex then did what he did best. He moved into her until her back was pressed against the door. “All you have to do is come to me.”

Her eyes squinted and the bite was coming. “You think I need you to fuck me?” She nudged him back away from her. “Well I don’t need you for that Lex Luthor.”

“That’s not what I meant. This is not just about sex.” Lex moved back into place. She wasn’t getting rid of him tonight without a fight. “You do well to remember we were never friends for long Chloe.” He caught her off guard by grabbing her arms.

Her chest heaved into his then her breathing quickened. “There is something happening and...” He moved closer to whisper to her waiting for her to take the next step. “...all you have to do is come to me.”

Her head titled up towards him. Lex could feel her breathe on him and he knew her lips were so close to his. The kiss was going to happen then suddenly it wasn’t. She leaned back as much as she could in that position.

“Let go.” She spoke wiggling in his grasp. He did as he was asked. “In the past we were not friends for very long before things became something more.” She paused and looked behind her at the door. He could see her thoughts drifting to Emma.

“I want us to be friends. I won’t go back down the rode where I give in and not know where that will lead me. I don’t have the right to do that anymore.” She reached out to him placing her hand around the curves of the side of his face. “I’m sorry but what ever we think is happening is out now and stops here.”

When she turned to the door this time she didn’t fumble with the keys or look back to him as she let the door close in his face.

Chloe thought that was the end of it. Lex knew better.

It was holding her so many times since her return that made him a believer. In the lab while she was tested she was afraid and
the thing that calmed her was him. Being buried in his chest was what she need and she didn’t care who was watching them.

He breathed out placing his hands on either side of the doorway then his eyes closed. Tonight had not gone so well but he knew it could be better. His body needed to be ready for it so he took in steady breathes waiting for it.

With his eyes still closed he whispered. “Come to me.” He heard something moving behind the door. It sounded like she was pacing thinking of what to do.

Lex opened his eyes to see her when she came back out. “Come to me.” He whispered again almost thinking he had read her wrong.

Lex could have been totally wrong in what he saw in Chloe. It could be just him projecting his own feelings onto her to make it seem as if his plan was working.

For just a moment more he waited and whispered to her again hoping his fears would soon be shattered. “Please come to me.”

As he finished the words Chloe appeared before him. He took in the view of her clinging black satin dress, her pinned up hair was now down and her face was flushed with tears.

“Why?” She spoke the words through clenched teeth then threw herself at him. It was a question she asked him before. Why her?

Last time he replied “why not?” but this time he wouldn’t get the chance.

Her lips hit him hard and steady. His arms went around her waist bringing her into him as much as he could. The wet tears moistened his face as he let his tongue move into her mouth. This wasn’t like anything he remembered because it was something new.

They both had an urgency that was getting over heated in the worst place of all. It was Chloe that realized it when his hand trailed down to cup her backside lifting her towards his growing arousal.

She moved back letting him go and looked just as spun about as he was. “Please go home Lex.” Chloe stepped back into the safety of her apartment.

“I’ll go if you tell me this isn’t the end of this.” He waited his body moving half into her life and half out; it was a place he was always in.

There was a silent shake of her head no. “It’s not the end.”

Lex stepped back to let the door close again knowing it would be open to him tomorrow and for many days to come.

[kawaii28]

Omg! This is so great! I’m so happy that you’ve updated and finished the story! Keep it up. X