PMD
13th September 2007, 03:42
nonky, this ones for you, sweetie. : ) Enjoy, guys.
Title: How We Never Met Series - Part 15 - Part 1 - "Coffee Hound"
Author: PMD
e-mail: mary.davidson@sympatico.ca
Rating: PG-13 (Language)
Category: Friendship, Chlex, Clana, Humor, Chloe's POV, AU
Spoilers: Anything is fair game in Smallville.
Summary: Chloe loves coffee and it gets her into some interesting situations.
Disclaimer: To whomever owns Smallville, its characters, the use of the idea of the type of wedding gown, Madonna, Cher, any sayings, and Turner Classic Movies, I'm just borrowing them, will give them back, not making any money with their use there, so don't sue me.
Archive: At BAFsFF, BT2, Electricchlex, N.S. Forums, and SPP, for the time being. If anybody else wants it, all they have to do is ask.
Feedback: Yes I would love feedback.
Author Notes: Thanks goes to Jay for being a sounding board to this idea of humor. And nonky---here you go, sweetie. Humor with a lasting touch of love for the Chlexer's in all of us. Oh, and yeah, it's a part of the How We Never Met Series too---two birds with one stone. : ) Also Hemp wedding dresses are real---thanks goes to the idea of it from:
http://www.rawganique.com/Womens/organic-hemp-evening-gown-wedding-dress.htm
Enjoy.
How We Never Met Series - Part 15 - Part 1 - "Coffee Hound" - by PMD
Prologue: I love coffee---what can I say? It's the love of my life---even if it can get me into trouble---of the humorous kind.
~
Metropolis Maraposa
I'm at the counter, getting my usual.
I take in the smell of the place--coffee, coffee, and more coffee.
"Hey, Coffee Hound," I hear a male say.
I turn to smile at Clark Kent, an ace reporter at the Daily Planet.
"Hey, stranger---where's the ball and chain?"
He gives me a smirk. "Lana is busy, ordering the new fall line."
"Ahhhh---no rest for the wicked, eh?"
"You should know."
"Wow, was that a quip or what?"
He laughs. "We miss you at the Planet."
"I know but when my father won the lottery and decided to give me my dream come true---I just had to go with the flow. Besides, magazine work is less hazardous on his only child."
He smiles, leaning in, whispering, "Yeah, I'm an alien. I can handle it."
He backs away to a tiny smirk.
"Mr. Kent---your order," stops any further quips.
He turns to look at the person behind the counter. "Thanks."
He gives him the money and then turns to me again. "Dinner Friday?"
"Sure---going to bring the wife this time?"
"Lana was away the last time," he grumbles.
"I was kidding, Clark. I know you only have eyes for the pink princess."
He laughs. "And she, the plaid prince."
I chuckle. "Who's going to be late if he doesn't hustle."
He looks at his watch. "Damn---Perry's going to be ired."
"Ired? Doing crossword puzzles again?"
"Yes--they're fun. Chloe?"
"Yeah, I know---go---wait!" I say.
He stands there waiting.
"Where's dinner---what restaurant?"
"Our house---can I go now?"
I nod and he does---not using super speed but going pretty fast at normal.
"Ms. Sullivan?"
My attention is on the person behind the counter again.
"Your coffee," they state.
I take it and put the money on the table. Then I go over to one of the small tables and sit for a minute, sipping it slowly.
Five minutes later, I get up quickly. "Fuck---I forgot about that meeting."
I dash from the building, not without some bad circumstances, as my coffee splashes onto somebody.
"Damn it!" we both state together.
He backs away first and as I look up, I see its Lex Luthor---boy billionaire and an interview I've been trying to get for what seems forever.
"Shit!" I say under my breath.
"No, I believe its coffee---and thankfully, not overly hot."
I give him a tiny smile. "I'm sorry, Mr. Luthor."
"And you are?"
"Chloe."
"Ahhhh---like Madonna or Cher---you don't sing by chance."
"A little---why?"
He starts to brush off his shirt. "Damn---I'll have to go back to the office and put on another one. Thanks a lot," he grips, his attitude changing quickly.
"You aren't half woman, are you?" I quip, trying to get him out of his mood.
"Excuse me?" he asks, glaring at me now.
"Well, you pretty well changed your mood like some women I know. However, never met a man who did it," I quip.
"That's very stereotypical of you, Ms---what is your last name, Chloe?"
I sigh. "Sullivan---Chloe Sullivan."
"Figures a reporter would spill coffee on me," he grumbles.
"Excuse me---it was an accident---and I'm an interviewer now."
"Anything you reporters or interviewers do is never an accident, young lady."
"Who's being stereotypical now, Mr. Luthor!" I rage.
"Oh, forget it," he grips, pushing past me.
"Hey---it's true what they say," I rage once more.
He turns around. "What?"
"You are the rudest person in the world, you jackass."
"And you, Ms. Sullivan, are the clumsiest person in the world. And if we ever do an interview, I'll be wearing something that I've never worn to one ever before."
"A toupee?" I ask.
"Oh, there's the shallow humor I've heard about."
My eyes widen and then narrow. "Righhhhttt---and there's the caustic humor I've heard about from you. I hope you have a bad day, Mr. Luthor. Maybe at lunch, somebody will spill soup on you."
I turn away and almost walk into somebody else, who jumps out of the way at the last second.
I hear laughter behind me and refuse to give him the satisfaction of seeing a smirk on his face. I just mumble sorry and walk away, quickly.
~
Next Day - Same Place
"Chloe---you okay?"
I look at Clark's wife, Lana, and smile. "Yeah, why?"
"You aren't listening to me."
I sit up straight, with a chagrinned smile on my face. "Sorry."
"Its okay---what's got you so distracted?"
I sigh. "Lana, you know who Lex Luthor is?"
"Sure. Oh, OH! You met him yesterday---did you ask him for an interview?"
"Yes and no."
"Why not?"
"I---kinda---walked into him with a cup of coffee."
She frowns at me. "Oh, I'm sorry. So---what happened next?"
"Well, it just got worse and then when I went to leave, I almost plowed into another guy. And--he laughed at me."
"Chloe---I would have laughed at that."
"Yeah, but you wouldn't have meant it as mean---he did."
She puts her hand over mine. "Chloe---it's okay. We're all klutzes once in a while. Remember me and Clark when we first dated?"
"Lana you are not suggesting we were acting this way because of flirting, are you?"
"No---but it's interesting that you bring it up that way."
"Lana---the only reason I would ever want to see that jerk ever again is for an interview in which I could tear him a new one."
She laughs. "Oh yeah, he's really gotten to you. No boyfriend has ever gotten you this hot under the collar."
"Boyfriend---pish posh."
"Chloe---pish posh?"
I sigh, pulling my hand back. "Listen, we can talk about this later---Friday night okay?"
"And that's what I was trying to talk about. What would you like for dinner?"
"Lex Luthors head on a platter," I quip.
"Chloe, be serious."
"I am."
"Chloe!"
"Lana!"
We stare at each other for a few minutes and then sigh.
"I gotta go," I say.
"Okay---I'll call you tonight to ask you what you want for dinner then."
I get up. "I'm sure whatever you make will taste great, Lana."
She gets up. "Oh, and you can bring a date if you want."
I shake my head. "Who has time for dating."
She pulls me into a hug. "Chloe, you'll find somebody---I promise."
I sigh. "Are you sure? All the good ones are taken."
She backs away. "Not all."
I back away and grab my coffee, as she does hers. Then we walk over to the door, me leaving first.
She bumps into me, as I've stopped to watch what's going on.
"Oh my God!" I exclaim as I watch a woman bump into Lex Luthor, spilling coffee on him.
"Damn it!" we hear from the man.
"Oh dear," Lana exclaims, trying not to laugh at the man with the brown down his white shirt---that seems to be coming---a little transparent.
"Oh, he's not wearing an undershirt."
"Lana!" I state, turning around.
"Hey, I'm married, not dead."
"YOU!"
I turn around to see him walking towards me.
"Yes?"
"You set this up."
"Excuse me?"
"You set up that girl to walk into me."
"I did not."
"Then how do you explain coming out of that place just as she was doing it."
"Lex, it's a free country---I was having a coffee with my friend, Lana. Lana, meet the most paranoid man in the world."
"With good reason since I've met you."
"Take that back!"
"I will not!"
"You take that back or else!"
"Or else what?"
"Or else---or else---"
"Or else she'll pour her coffee over your head," Lana says.
He glares at her and then looks at me. "She wouldn't dare."
"Oh, and why is that?" she asks him.
"She doesn't have the balls to do it."
"Oh really---is that a challenge, Mr. Luthor?"
"Yes it is, Ms. Sullivan."
I glare at him.
He smiles an evil smile. "Knew you couldn't do it. Good day ladies, and I use that term loosely---for one of you."
He smirks at us and then turns around, then back again. "Oh, and I'm sending you the dry cleaning bill this time for setting it up."
He turns back and is walking away, when I start to run after him. "I did not set it---uuuup---"
I falter on a crack and the cup in my hand splashes coffee down his jacket.
He turns back around and walks up to me. "You did it again."
"It was an accident, Luthor. Just like the last time."
He growls out, "I'm getting out of here before I do something I won't regret."
He then turns back around and stomps away.
"Well, that went well."
"You think, Lana."
~
The Next Day - Still at the Scene of the Crime
It's hump day---Wednesday---and of course, it's raining. And of course, I have time on my hand since my interview went south---since it's supposed to be outside, and it's raining.
I let out a sigh, sitting at the table---watching the drips come down---wondering where the big drip is.
I smirk. Like I'm going to pay that bill he sent me for his dry cleaning---I'll take him to court---I've got Lana on my side. She knows I didn't set him up and she knows the other thing was an accident.
"More coffee?"
I look at the waitress and smile. "Thanks---pays to get regular rather than speciality sometimes, doesn't it?"
"Yes, but not too much---I've heard you're a coffee hound who can get in trouble with a cup, like some can with a loaded gun. Especially with a certain billionaire."
I laugh. "That's me---just point me to a Luthor and I'll get him drenched in coffee."
She gives me a smile and then looks up. "Hey, the rains stopped."
I look outside and smile. "Well, it's a wasted day anyway. I'll just finish my coffee and leave."
"No Luthor out there---it's okay to take it with you."
"Thanks, Sarah," I state, getting up and leaving a tip for the refill. "See you tomorrow."
"Bye, Chloe."
I walk towards the door and go out, smelling the sweet smell of grass of a nearby parkette, after the rain.
"You, again!"
I look towards the voice and sigh. "What are you---a stalker, Luthor?"
He's not moving so I walk over to join him. "Cat got your tongue, Lex?"
He's staring at the cup. I shake my head and laugh.
"Okay, I'll get rid of the weapon---then you can move, cry baby."
I walk over to the garbage can and drop it in. Then I join him again, standing in front of him.
"So?"
He grins at me. I walk towards him, as he moves away. I don't know his intentions until my foot lands in a puddle and the other one joins it soon after.
"You JERK!" I yell, turning around to look at the grinning devil.
"Hey, I owed you and still, we're not even."
"You, you---you jackass! I am so going to get you for this, Luthor."
He just gives me an evil grin and then his eyes widen.
"Chloe---get out of the way."
"Why? Another prank, Child Boy?"
"No---it's---"
Before he can get another word in, a car comes along and I'm soaking wet.
"Uuuuugh---you jerk! You didn't warn me!"
"Hey, I tried too. You just thought it was another prank," he states, walking towards me.
I start to brush off the water off my pants and then get indignant again, when he starts brushing off my top, with a hanky.
"Hey---stop trying to cop a feel, Luthor!"
"I'm just trying to---God, Chloe, you can be so---"
He stops talking and moves back.
I glare at him. "What are you looking at?"
"Somebody who's so stubborn she would rather catch a cold then have somebody help her dry herself off."
"I'm not a baby."
"Well, then stop acting like one."
"I am not acting like a baby."
He sighs. "Listen, if it doesn't fracture your female ego, I would like to offer my home as a place to dry off."
"Okay."
"Okay?"
"I might be a little angry at the moment but I'm not stupid."
"Okay."
"Okay?"
"Yes, okay. Now let's go, shall we?"
He offers his arm to me and I take it, as we start walking, my head held high.
"No trying anything, Luthor," I say under my breath, smiling the whole time.
"You're not my type."
"Oh, right, you're into bimbos and air-heads; I forgot."
"And you are obviously into long nights alone with no dates."
I stop and turn to look at him. "That was mean."
He gives me an apologetic look. "I'm sorry---can I make it up to you, Queen of the Drips."
I snort. "Sure---give the magazine an interview."
"Done by you?" he asks, as we reach his building.
The doorman opens the door and we walk in, making our way to the elevator. It opens and we walk in, not saying anything until it closes.
"Of course."
"Well, then I'll have to get that thing out to wear---tomorrow okay?"
"Why not now?"
"You have to prepare."
"Got the questions all ready and---they're at the office. Okay, tomorrow it is."
The elevator opens and we walk out. He opens the door to his penthouse and we walk in.
"Watch you don't drip on the carpet."
"Ha ha," I snort, as his man servant comes towards us and stares at me.
"Shall I get the lady a towel or just lead her to the bathroom so she can use several of them?"
"Bathroom, James. And make sure she doesn't steal any soap."
I smirk at him before I join James on the trip to the bathroom.
Then I stop and turn quickly. "What time?" I ask him.
"How about 4---we can have dinner afterwards."
"Just the interview---no dinner---I have other plans."
"Oh?"
"Yes, my father and I have dinner at least once a week and its Thursday this week, since Friday is a dinner with my friends."
"And they asked if you would bring a date---I accept."
I roll my eyes. "No, I'm just explaining why I can't have dinner with you tomorrow night, you idiot."
"Sir---I believe the young lady is shivering a bit."
"Yes, I see---go---I wouldn't want a reporter to catch their death in my presence."
"Since when?" I quip, leaving him behind, laughing.
~
Thursday - Finally An Interview
It's four o'clock and I'm waiting outside of the door to his penthouse. Supposedly, reporters and magazine journalists aren't allowed inside Luthorcorp since the debacle with the elevator and one of them almost losing their finger, thanks to Lionel.
I'm about to knock on the door when it opens up; James, Lex's man servant is there.
"Welcome, Ms. Sullivan."
I walk in and turn around, to watch him close the door.
"Can't you call me Chloe?"
"No, Ms. Sullivan."
"How about Miss Chloe, instead of Ms. Sullivan."
"All right."
I turn away and look around. "Okay, so where's Lex? Hiding from me?"
He chuckles. "No, Miss Chloe. He's waiting in the library for you."
"All right."
"Should I bring in coffee?"
"What and tempt fate?" I quip.
"So, no coffee."
"Nawww---let's tempt fate," I reply.
He smiles at me before leading me to the library and opening the door.
"Miss Chloe is here, Master Lex."
He backs away and I walk in, looking at the back of a chair in front of his desk.
"Lex---being rude again, are we?" I quip.
"Close your eyes."
"Why?"
"Just close them, Sullivan."
"You aren't going to be naked when I open them, are you?"
"Do you want me to be?"
"Actually, I like to get to know a person better inside before I look at his outside."
"Just close your eyes."
"All right---but you better not be setting me up for coffee or anything else, all over my face."
He snickers. "No---just trust me."
"Yeah, right."
"Please."
"All right."
I close my eyes and feel the air move, as he gets up and comes towards me. There's a bit of heaviness to his walk and I'm intrigued.
"Can I open them now?"
"Yes."
I do and then I find myself doubled over in laughter, scant seconds later.
He's smiling at me, wearing a rain coat that's green and a pair of boots that a fisherman would wear. I just can't stop laughing at this unique and never before seen fashion statement done by this Luthor who's always on top of the latest fashions.
I finally get myself under control and ask the obvious question:
"You finally joined a fishing crew, have you, Luthor?"
He gives me a smirk. "No---just taking precautions in case coffee shows up in this room."
I sigh, wiping the tears away and walking over to sit on a nearby couch in his library.
"Oh, you really know how to catch a girl off guard."
He chuckles as he stomps over to where I am and sits down.
"Nice color."
"Reminds me a little of your eyes, Sullivan."
"Wow, a compliment from a Luthor---that's gotta be---good or bad? Are you buttering me up? You don't want to do the interview, right?"
"Oh no, we'll do the interview."
"But aren't you hot enough without that thing."
I clamp my hand over my mouth---oh my God, what the hell did I say that for?
His eyes are startled---that's why you did it---to catch him off guard.
"Ah---I didn't mean to say that."
He leans in and my nose crinkles in disgust.
"What's wrong?" he whispers to me.
"That coat stinks."
"I know---it's my fathers."
He backs away, getting up and taking it off----he places it on a chair before the desk and then takes off the long boots. He comes back and sits down.
"Better?"
"Much."
He moves closer and my eyes widen. He's about to be almost on top of me when:
"Sir---coffee is served."
"Saved by the man servant," I quip.
Lex sighs. "James?"
"Yes, sir?"
"Could you take it back to the kitchen and keep it warm. Bring it back in an hour."
"Yes sir," he states, walking backwards out of the room.
Lex gets up and closes the door. Then he looks at me.
"Now where were we?"
I've taken that short time to get my recorder out. "We were about to do an interview."
He sighs. Ha---thought you could seduce me out of it, eh, Luthor? Not going to happen.
He sits beside me again. "All right---since this is a magazine article, and not hard news, it's about me, right?"
"Yes."
He moves closer. "I don't usually do personal interviews."
"I know. Don't worry, I won't ask anything too personal."
"Really?" he asks, right beside me now, looking into my eyes.
Women fall for this crap---are you kidding me? I just stare him down, not giving him an inch. Then I see it.
A spark of humor---a dash of honesty---he really doesn't like to reveal much of himself. I don't want to take away the mystery now. Better to leave it alone.
"Lex?"
"Yes?"
"I don't want to do it anymore."
"Why?"
"What's the good of telling somebody how to do a trick---it takes away all the mystery."
He gives me a small smile. "You are a very intelligent woman---if not a clumsy one too."
"Thank you---I think."
"So, what shall we do for an hour, Chloe?"
He's leaning in closer and then I see it---humor again in his eyes---he's playing with me---or playing along with me. Whichever, he's good and I'm pissed again.
"Okay---this was a set up---you used my compassion to make sure this wouldn't happen, you jerk."
I push him away and get up, seething mad at him. Then I smile.
"Okay, one question?"
He gets up. "Fine. One question---off the record?"
"Of course."
"Fine---what is it?"
"Does this actually work on women?"
"What?"
"This seduction to get them to do what you want them to do? I mean, I wanted to do the interview---then your eyes played with me---and now, I know it was a way to get it going your way, not my way."
"Excuse me?"
"I wanted to do the interview---you didn't---so you used your persuasion to get me to not want to do it, you idiot."
"I have no idea what you are talking about, Ms. Sullivan."
"Like hell you don't, Luthor!" I rant, putting my recorder away and then glaring at him.
"Really, I don't."
"Oh, you're good. You have even convinced yourself you've done no wrong. I don't ever want to see you, smell you, or look at you ever again. Goodbye, Mr. Luthor. Have a crappy life."
I open the door and make my way to the front door, hearing him walking behind me---that is until there's a crash and some expletives thrown out.
I turn around to see him drenched in coffee again---guess James is a little early with it---maybe he heard the argument and thought coffee would stop it.
"Not again---Sullivan, you are such a jinx when it comes to coffee."
"Sir, I'm so sorry. I mean, I heard the argument and---"
He brushes off the coffee and gives his servant a slight grin.
"I don't blame you---I blame her!"
He picks up the silver coffee urn and Lex starts to pick up the pieces of broken china. I kneel down to help him and get pricked by one of the pieces.
"Ouch!"
He looks over at me and instead of grinning, leans over to check out my finger.
"It's okay---it's just a---"
My words stop when he leans in and licks the blood away---places a soft kiss afterwards on it. Then he gets up, leading me up too and towards the bathroom.
He closes the door and brings out the medical supplies needed to fix me up. Afterwards, I lean against the door, watching him put the stuff away.
"Thanks."
He looks at me. "You're welcome."
"I'm sorry."
"About what?"
"About the coffee thing---I am a jinx."
He moves to me, smiling. "Well then, when we're together, we'll just have to have tea instead."
"Or make it ice coffee."
He chuckles and then turns serious. "You still can't stay for dinner?"
"No---but you can have dinner with me tomorrow night if you want too."
His eyes darken, not with rage but with want---with desire---something changed from the moment I entered his inner sanctum---or maybe it was the fact I got slightly hurt. Whatever it was---maybe the anger we felt before was just the flipside of attraction and being scared to take that chance.
He's had bad times; so have I.
"Chloe?"
"Yes?"
"Are you hurt anywhere else?"
I point to my lips and he leans forward, kissing them lightly until I pull him closer, demanding more.
He backs away. "Still going?"
"I can't let my father down---he's nice."
He nods his understanding, placing a kiss on my lips once more and then helping me to back away from the door, so he can open it.
He leads me to the front door, both of us noticing the scene of the crime is all cleaned up. He opens the door and I go out. I turn back.
"Oh, you want me to come here and then we'll go?"
He nods.
"4 okay?"
He nods again.
"So, till tomorrow---"
"---parting is such sweet sorrow, Chloe."
I lean in, whispering, "I can't go yet. You have my bag in there."
He gives me an evil grin. "Maybe I won't give it to you until you have dinner with me."
"Then I'll just stay out here until you deem to give it to me---and trust me, I really snore."
"I can't have that going on."
He leaves and goes to get it, coming back and handing it to me.
"Night, Lex."
"Good night, Chloe."
A whisper of a smile is what I see before he closes the door. And I have one too, as I walk towards the elevator
~
Friday Night
"Uuuuugh!"
"Chloe, what's wrong?"
I look at Lana, frustrated. "Nothing to wear."
"Ooo, good---that means he can get to the fun part faster."
"Lana!"
She smiles, walking in, something behind her back.
"What's that?"
"Something new from the store---for you. Are you wearing jeans tonight?"
I nod.
She pulls it from behind her back, nicely folded. "Than this will be a nice addition."
She unfolds it and I stare at the top before me.
It's purple; not dark---a medium color. It's got short sleeves and dips a bit around the neck, but not too much. It's made of satin, not to clingy with the material. It's just---
"---beautiful. And will go perfect with your shawl."
I smile. "You know what I like---in clothes."
"Hey, we weren't roomies for nothing for years."
I grin more, walking over and tossing the top to the bed. I lean in, hugging Lana. "Thanks."
I back away. "Hey, you introduced me to Clark---it's the least I could do."
I smile and turn away from her, looking at the top.
"Lana?"
"Yes?"
I turn back around. "Did you and Clark---"
"---act like you and Lex did at first?"
I nod.
"Yes, we did."
"So, I'm not crazy in thinking he might be the one."
"Nope."
"Thanks---now---"
"Could I leave you to get dressed and go over to his place?"
I nod.
"Okay---we'll see you later."
I nod and then she's gone.
End of Part 1
Title: How We Never Met Series - Part 15 - Part 1 - "Coffee Hound"
Author: PMD
e-mail: mary.davidson@sympatico.ca
Rating: PG-13 (Language)
Category: Friendship, Chlex, Clana, Humor, Chloe's POV, AU
Spoilers: Anything is fair game in Smallville.
Summary: Chloe loves coffee and it gets her into some interesting situations.
Disclaimer: To whomever owns Smallville, its characters, the use of the idea of the type of wedding gown, Madonna, Cher, any sayings, and Turner Classic Movies, I'm just borrowing them, will give them back, not making any money with their use there, so don't sue me.
Archive: At BAFsFF, BT2, Electricchlex, N.S. Forums, and SPP, for the time being. If anybody else wants it, all they have to do is ask.
Feedback: Yes I would love feedback.
Author Notes: Thanks goes to Jay for being a sounding board to this idea of humor. And nonky---here you go, sweetie. Humor with a lasting touch of love for the Chlexer's in all of us. Oh, and yeah, it's a part of the How We Never Met Series too---two birds with one stone. : ) Also Hemp wedding dresses are real---thanks goes to the idea of it from:
http://www.rawganique.com/Womens/organic-hemp-evening-gown-wedding-dress.htm
Enjoy.
How We Never Met Series - Part 15 - Part 1 - "Coffee Hound" - by PMD
Prologue: I love coffee---what can I say? It's the love of my life---even if it can get me into trouble---of the humorous kind.
~
Metropolis Maraposa
I'm at the counter, getting my usual.
I take in the smell of the place--coffee, coffee, and more coffee.
"Hey, Coffee Hound," I hear a male say.
I turn to smile at Clark Kent, an ace reporter at the Daily Planet.
"Hey, stranger---where's the ball and chain?"
He gives me a smirk. "Lana is busy, ordering the new fall line."
"Ahhhh---no rest for the wicked, eh?"
"You should know."
"Wow, was that a quip or what?"
He laughs. "We miss you at the Planet."
"I know but when my father won the lottery and decided to give me my dream come true---I just had to go with the flow. Besides, magazine work is less hazardous on his only child."
He smiles, leaning in, whispering, "Yeah, I'm an alien. I can handle it."
He backs away to a tiny smirk.
"Mr. Kent---your order," stops any further quips.
He turns to look at the person behind the counter. "Thanks."
He gives him the money and then turns to me again. "Dinner Friday?"
"Sure---going to bring the wife this time?"
"Lana was away the last time," he grumbles.
"I was kidding, Clark. I know you only have eyes for the pink princess."
He laughs. "And she, the plaid prince."
I chuckle. "Who's going to be late if he doesn't hustle."
He looks at his watch. "Damn---Perry's going to be ired."
"Ired? Doing crossword puzzles again?"
"Yes--they're fun. Chloe?"
"Yeah, I know---go---wait!" I say.
He stands there waiting.
"Where's dinner---what restaurant?"
"Our house---can I go now?"
I nod and he does---not using super speed but going pretty fast at normal.
"Ms. Sullivan?"
My attention is on the person behind the counter again.
"Your coffee," they state.
I take it and put the money on the table. Then I go over to one of the small tables and sit for a minute, sipping it slowly.
Five minutes later, I get up quickly. "Fuck---I forgot about that meeting."
I dash from the building, not without some bad circumstances, as my coffee splashes onto somebody.
"Damn it!" we both state together.
He backs away first and as I look up, I see its Lex Luthor---boy billionaire and an interview I've been trying to get for what seems forever.
"Shit!" I say under my breath.
"No, I believe its coffee---and thankfully, not overly hot."
I give him a tiny smile. "I'm sorry, Mr. Luthor."
"And you are?"
"Chloe."
"Ahhhh---like Madonna or Cher---you don't sing by chance."
"A little---why?"
He starts to brush off his shirt. "Damn---I'll have to go back to the office and put on another one. Thanks a lot," he grips, his attitude changing quickly.
"You aren't half woman, are you?" I quip, trying to get him out of his mood.
"Excuse me?" he asks, glaring at me now.
"Well, you pretty well changed your mood like some women I know. However, never met a man who did it," I quip.
"That's very stereotypical of you, Ms---what is your last name, Chloe?"
I sigh. "Sullivan---Chloe Sullivan."
"Figures a reporter would spill coffee on me," he grumbles.
"Excuse me---it was an accident---and I'm an interviewer now."
"Anything you reporters or interviewers do is never an accident, young lady."
"Who's being stereotypical now, Mr. Luthor!" I rage.
"Oh, forget it," he grips, pushing past me.
"Hey---it's true what they say," I rage once more.
He turns around. "What?"
"You are the rudest person in the world, you jackass."
"And you, Ms. Sullivan, are the clumsiest person in the world. And if we ever do an interview, I'll be wearing something that I've never worn to one ever before."
"A toupee?" I ask.
"Oh, there's the shallow humor I've heard about."
My eyes widen and then narrow. "Righhhhttt---and there's the caustic humor I've heard about from you. I hope you have a bad day, Mr. Luthor. Maybe at lunch, somebody will spill soup on you."
I turn away and almost walk into somebody else, who jumps out of the way at the last second.
I hear laughter behind me and refuse to give him the satisfaction of seeing a smirk on his face. I just mumble sorry and walk away, quickly.
~
Next Day - Same Place
"Chloe---you okay?"
I look at Clark's wife, Lana, and smile. "Yeah, why?"
"You aren't listening to me."
I sit up straight, with a chagrinned smile on my face. "Sorry."
"Its okay---what's got you so distracted?"
I sigh. "Lana, you know who Lex Luthor is?"
"Sure. Oh, OH! You met him yesterday---did you ask him for an interview?"
"Yes and no."
"Why not?"
"I---kinda---walked into him with a cup of coffee."
She frowns at me. "Oh, I'm sorry. So---what happened next?"
"Well, it just got worse and then when I went to leave, I almost plowed into another guy. And--he laughed at me."
"Chloe---I would have laughed at that."
"Yeah, but you wouldn't have meant it as mean---he did."
She puts her hand over mine. "Chloe---it's okay. We're all klutzes once in a while. Remember me and Clark when we first dated?"
"Lana you are not suggesting we were acting this way because of flirting, are you?"
"No---but it's interesting that you bring it up that way."
"Lana---the only reason I would ever want to see that jerk ever again is for an interview in which I could tear him a new one."
She laughs. "Oh yeah, he's really gotten to you. No boyfriend has ever gotten you this hot under the collar."
"Boyfriend---pish posh."
"Chloe---pish posh?"
I sigh, pulling my hand back. "Listen, we can talk about this later---Friday night okay?"
"And that's what I was trying to talk about. What would you like for dinner?"
"Lex Luthors head on a platter," I quip.
"Chloe, be serious."
"I am."
"Chloe!"
"Lana!"
We stare at each other for a few minutes and then sigh.
"I gotta go," I say.
"Okay---I'll call you tonight to ask you what you want for dinner then."
I get up. "I'm sure whatever you make will taste great, Lana."
She gets up. "Oh, and you can bring a date if you want."
I shake my head. "Who has time for dating."
She pulls me into a hug. "Chloe, you'll find somebody---I promise."
I sigh. "Are you sure? All the good ones are taken."
She backs away. "Not all."
I back away and grab my coffee, as she does hers. Then we walk over to the door, me leaving first.
She bumps into me, as I've stopped to watch what's going on.
"Oh my God!" I exclaim as I watch a woman bump into Lex Luthor, spilling coffee on him.
"Damn it!" we hear from the man.
"Oh dear," Lana exclaims, trying not to laugh at the man with the brown down his white shirt---that seems to be coming---a little transparent.
"Oh, he's not wearing an undershirt."
"Lana!" I state, turning around.
"Hey, I'm married, not dead."
"YOU!"
I turn around to see him walking towards me.
"Yes?"
"You set this up."
"Excuse me?"
"You set up that girl to walk into me."
"I did not."
"Then how do you explain coming out of that place just as she was doing it."
"Lex, it's a free country---I was having a coffee with my friend, Lana. Lana, meet the most paranoid man in the world."
"With good reason since I've met you."
"Take that back!"
"I will not!"
"You take that back or else!"
"Or else what?"
"Or else---or else---"
"Or else she'll pour her coffee over your head," Lana says.
He glares at her and then looks at me. "She wouldn't dare."
"Oh, and why is that?" she asks him.
"She doesn't have the balls to do it."
"Oh really---is that a challenge, Mr. Luthor?"
"Yes it is, Ms. Sullivan."
I glare at him.
He smiles an evil smile. "Knew you couldn't do it. Good day ladies, and I use that term loosely---for one of you."
He smirks at us and then turns around, then back again. "Oh, and I'm sending you the dry cleaning bill this time for setting it up."
He turns back and is walking away, when I start to run after him. "I did not set it---uuuup---"
I falter on a crack and the cup in my hand splashes coffee down his jacket.
He turns back around and walks up to me. "You did it again."
"It was an accident, Luthor. Just like the last time."
He growls out, "I'm getting out of here before I do something I won't regret."
He then turns back around and stomps away.
"Well, that went well."
"You think, Lana."
~
The Next Day - Still at the Scene of the Crime
It's hump day---Wednesday---and of course, it's raining. And of course, I have time on my hand since my interview went south---since it's supposed to be outside, and it's raining.
I let out a sigh, sitting at the table---watching the drips come down---wondering where the big drip is.
I smirk. Like I'm going to pay that bill he sent me for his dry cleaning---I'll take him to court---I've got Lana on my side. She knows I didn't set him up and she knows the other thing was an accident.
"More coffee?"
I look at the waitress and smile. "Thanks---pays to get regular rather than speciality sometimes, doesn't it?"
"Yes, but not too much---I've heard you're a coffee hound who can get in trouble with a cup, like some can with a loaded gun. Especially with a certain billionaire."
I laugh. "That's me---just point me to a Luthor and I'll get him drenched in coffee."
She gives me a smile and then looks up. "Hey, the rains stopped."
I look outside and smile. "Well, it's a wasted day anyway. I'll just finish my coffee and leave."
"No Luthor out there---it's okay to take it with you."
"Thanks, Sarah," I state, getting up and leaving a tip for the refill. "See you tomorrow."
"Bye, Chloe."
I walk towards the door and go out, smelling the sweet smell of grass of a nearby parkette, after the rain.
"You, again!"
I look towards the voice and sigh. "What are you---a stalker, Luthor?"
He's not moving so I walk over to join him. "Cat got your tongue, Lex?"
He's staring at the cup. I shake my head and laugh.
"Okay, I'll get rid of the weapon---then you can move, cry baby."
I walk over to the garbage can and drop it in. Then I join him again, standing in front of him.
"So?"
He grins at me. I walk towards him, as he moves away. I don't know his intentions until my foot lands in a puddle and the other one joins it soon after.
"You JERK!" I yell, turning around to look at the grinning devil.
"Hey, I owed you and still, we're not even."
"You, you---you jackass! I am so going to get you for this, Luthor."
He just gives me an evil grin and then his eyes widen.
"Chloe---get out of the way."
"Why? Another prank, Child Boy?"
"No---it's---"
Before he can get another word in, a car comes along and I'm soaking wet.
"Uuuuugh---you jerk! You didn't warn me!"
"Hey, I tried too. You just thought it was another prank," he states, walking towards me.
I start to brush off the water off my pants and then get indignant again, when he starts brushing off my top, with a hanky.
"Hey---stop trying to cop a feel, Luthor!"
"I'm just trying to---God, Chloe, you can be so---"
He stops talking and moves back.
I glare at him. "What are you looking at?"
"Somebody who's so stubborn she would rather catch a cold then have somebody help her dry herself off."
"I'm not a baby."
"Well, then stop acting like one."
"I am not acting like a baby."
He sighs. "Listen, if it doesn't fracture your female ego, I would like to offer my home as a place to dry off."
"Okay."
"Okay?"
"I might be a little angry at the moment but I'm not stupid."
"Okay."
"Okay?"
"Yes, okay. Now let's go, shall we?"
He offers his arm to me and I take it, as we start walking, my head held high.
"No trying anything, Luthor," I say under my breath, smiling the whole time.
"You're not my type."
"Oh, right, you're into bimbos and air-heads; I forgot."
"And you are obviously into long nights alone with no dates."
I stop and turn to look at him. "That was mean."
He gives me an apologetic look. "I'm sorry---can I make it up to you, Queen of the Drips."
I snort. "Sure---give the magazine an interview."
"Done by you?" he asks, as we reach his building.
The doorman opens the door and we walk in, making our way to the elevator. It opens and we walk in, not saying anything until it closes.
"Of course."
"Well, then I'll have to get that thing out to wear---tomorrow okay?"
"Why not now?"
"You have to prepare."
"Got the questions all ready and---they're at the office. Okay, tomorrow it is."
The elevator opens and we walk out. He opens the door to his penthouse and we walk in.
"Watch you don't drip on the carpet."
"Ha ha," I snort, as his man servant comes towards us and stares at me.
"Shall I get the lady a towel or just lead her to the bathroom so she can use several of them?"
"Bathroom, James. And make sure she doesn't steal any soap."
I smirk at him before I join James on the trip to the bathroom.
Then I stop and turn quickly. "What time?" I ask him.
"How about 4---we can have dinner afterwards."
"Just the interview---no dinner---I have other plans."
"Oh?"
"Yes, my father and I have dinner at least once a week and its Thursday this week, since Friday is a dinner with my friends."
"And they asked if you would bring a date---I accept."
I roll my eyes. "No, I'm just explaining why I can't have dinner with you tomorrow night, you idiot."
"Sir---I believe the young lady is shivering a bit."
"Yes, I see---go---I wouldn't want a reporter to catch their death in my presence."
"Since when?" I quip, leaving him behind, laughing.
~
Thursday - Finally An Interview
It's four o'clock and I'm waiting outside of the door to his penthouse. Supposedly, reporters and magazine journalists aren't allowed inside Luthorcorp since the debacle with the elevator and one of them almost losing their finger, thanks to Lionel.
I'm about to knock on the door when it opens up; James, Lex's man servant is there.
"Welcome, Ms. Sullivan."
I walk in and turn around, to watch him close the door.
"Can't you call me Chloe?"
"No, Ms. Sullivan."
"How about Miss Chloe, instead of Ms. Sullivan."
"All right."
I turn away and look around. "Okay, so where's Lex? Hiding from me?"
He chuckles. "No, Miss Chloe. He's waiting in the library for you."
"All right."
"Should I bring in coffee?"
"What and tempt fate?" I quip.
"So, no coffee."
"Nawww---let's tempt fate," I reply.
He smiles at me before leading me to the library and opening the door.
"Miss Chloe is here, Master Lex."
He backs away and I walk in, looking at the back of a chair in front of his desk.
"Lex---being rude again, are we?" I quip.
"Close your eyes."
"Why?"
"Just close them, Sullivan."
"You aren't going to be naked when I open them, are you?"
"Do you want me to be?"
"Actually, I like to get to know a person better inside before I look at his outside."
"Just close your eyes."
"All right---but you better not be setting me up for coffee or anything else, all over my face."
He snickers. "No---just trust me."
"Yeah, right."
"Please."
"All right."
I close my eyes and feel the air move, as he gets up and comes towards me. There's a bit of heaviness to his walk and I'm intrigued.
"Can I open them now?"
"Yes."
I do and then I find myself doubled over in laughter, scant seconds later.
He's smiling at me, wearing a rain coat that's green and a pair of boots that a fisherman would wear. I just can't stop laughing at this unique and never before seen fashion statement done by this Luthor who's always on top of the latest fashions.
I finally get myself under control and ask the obvious question:
"You finally joined a fishing crew, have you, Luthor?"
He gives me a smirk. "No---just taking precautions in case coffee shows up in this room."
I sigh, wiping the tears away and walking over to sit on a nearby couch in his library.
"Oh, you really know how to catch a girl off guard."
He chuckles as he stomps over to where I am and sits down.
"Nice color."
"Reminds me a little of your eyes, Sullivan."
"Wow, a compliment from a Luthor---that's gotta be---good or bad? Are you buttering me up? You don't want to do the interview, right?"
"Oh no, we'll do the interview."
"But aren't you hot enough without that thing."
I clamp my hand over my mouth---oh my God, what the hell did I say that for?
His eyes are startled---that's why you did it---to catch him off guard.
"Ah---I didn't mean to say that."
He leans in and my nose crinkles in disgust.
"What's wrong?" he whispers to me.
"That coat stinks."
"I know---it's my fathers."
He backs away, getting up and taking it off----he places it on a chair before the desk and then takes off the long boots. He comes back and sits down.
"Better?"
"Much."
He moves closer and my eyes widen. He's about to be almost on top of me when:
"Sir---coffee is served."
"Saved by the man servant," I quip.
Lex sighs. "James?"
"Yes, sir?"
"Could you take it back to the kitchen and keep it warm. Bring it back in an hour."
"Yes sir," he states, walking backwards out of the room.
Lex gets up and closes the door. Then he looks at me.
"Now where were we?"
I've taken that short time to get my recorder out. "We were about to do an interview."
He sighs. Ha---thought you could seduce me out of it, eh, Luthor? Not going to happen.
He sits beside me again. "All right---since this is a magazine article, and not hard news, it's about me, right?"
"Yes."
He moves closer. "I don't usually do personal interviews."
"I know. Don't worry, I won't ask anything too personal."
"Really?" he asks, right beside me now, looking into my eyes.
Women fall for this crap---are you kidding me? I just stare him down, not giving him an inch. Then I see it.
A spark of humor---a dash of honesty---he really doesn't like to reveal much of himself. I don't want to take away the mystery now. Better to leave it alone.
"Lex?"
"Yes?"
"I don't want to do it anymore."
"Why?"
"What's the good of telling somebody how to do a trick---it takes away all the mystery."
He gives me a small smile. "You are a very intelligent woman---if not a clumsy one too."
"Thank you---I think."
"So, what shall we do for an hour, Chloe?"
He's leaning in closer and then I see it---humor again in his eyes---he's playing with me---or playing along with me. Whichever, he's good and I'm pissed again.
"Okay---this was a set up---you used my compassion to make sure this wouldn't happen, you jerk."
I push him away and get up, seething mad at him. Then I smile.
"Okay, one question?"
He gets up. "Fine. One question---off the record?"
"Of course."
"Fine---what is it?"
"Does this actually work on women?"
"What?"
"This seduction to get them to do what you want them to do? I mean, I wanted to do the interview---then your eyes played with me---and now, I know it was a way to get it going your way, not my way."
"Excuse me?"
"I wanted to do the interview---you didn't---so you used your persuasion to get me to not want to do it, you idiot."
"I have no idea what you are talking about, Ms. Sullivan."
"Like hell you don't, Luthor!" I rant, putting my recorder away and then glaring at him.
"Really, I don't."
"Oh, you're good. You have even convinced yourself you've done no wrong. I don't ever want to see you, smell you, or look at you ever again. Goodbye, Mr. Luthor. Have a crappy life."
I open the door and make my way to the front door, hearing him walking behind me---that is until there's a crash and some expletives thrown out.
I turn around to see him drenched in coffee again---guess James is a little early with it---maybe he heard the argument and thought coffee would stop it.
"Not again---Sullivan, you are such a jinx when it comes to coffee."
"Sir, I'm so sorry. I mean, I heard the argument and---"
He brushes off the coffee and gives his servant a slight grin.
"I don't blame you---I blame her!"
He picks up the silver coffee urn and Lex starts to pick up the pieces of broken china. I kneel down to help him and get pricked by one of the pieces.
"Ouch!"
He looks over at me and instead of grinning, leans over to check out my finger.
"It's okay---it's just a---"
My words stop when he leans in and licks the blood away---places a soft kiss afterwards on it. Then he gets up, leading me up too and towards the bathroom.
He closes the door and brings out the medical supplies needed to fix me up. Afterwards, I lean against the door, watching him put the stuff away.
"Thanks."
He looks at me. "You're welcome."
"I'm sorry."
"About what?"
"About the coffee thing---I am a jinx."
He moves to me, smiling. "Well then, when we're together, we'll just have to have tea instead."
"Or make it ice coffee."
He chuckles and then turns serious. "You still can't stay for dinner?"
"No---but you can have dinner with me tomorrow night if you want too."
His eyes darken, not with rage but with want---with desire---something changed from the moment I entered his inner sanctum---or maybe it was the fact I got slightly hurt. Whatever it was---maybe the anger we felt before was just the flipside of attraction and being scared to take that chance.
He's had bad times; so have I.
"Chloe?"
"Yes?"
"Are you hurt anywhere else?"
I point to my lips and he leans forward, kissing them lightly until I pull him closer, demanding more.
He backs away. "Still going?"
"I can't let my father down---he's nice."
He nods his understanding, placing a kiss on my lips once more and then helping me to back away from the door, so he can open it.
He leads me to the front door, both of us noticing the scene of the crime is all cleaned up. He opens the door and I go out. I turn back.
"Oh, you want me to come here and then we'll go?"
He nods.
"4 okay?"
He nods again.
"So, till tomorrow---"
"---parting is such sweet sorrow, Chloe."
I lean in, whispering, "I can't go yet. You have my bag in there."
He gives me an evil grin. "Maybe I won't give it to you until you have dinner with me."
"Then I'll just stay out here until you deem to give it to me---and trust me, I really snore."
"I can't have that going on."
He leaves and goes to get it, coming back and handing it to me.
"Night, Lex."
"Good night, Chloe."
A whisper of a smile is what I see before he closes the door. And I have one too, as I walk towards the elevator
~
Friday Night
"Uuuuugh!"
"Chloe, what's wrong?"
I look at Lana, frustrated. "Nothing to wear."
"Ooo, good---that means he can get to the fun part faster."
"Lana!"
She smiles, walking in, something behind her back.
"What's that?"
"Something new from the store---for you. Are you wearing jeans tonight?"
I nod.
She pulls it from behind her back, nicely folded. "Than this will be a nice addition."
She unfolds it and I stare at the top before me.
It's purple; not dark---a medium color. It's got short sleeves and dips a bit around the neck, but not too much. It's made of satin, not to clingy with the material. It's just---
"---beautiful. And will go perfect with your shawl."
I smile. "You know what I like---in clothes."
"Hey, we weren't roomies for nothing for years."
I grin more, walking over and tossing the top to the bed. I lean in, hugging Lana. "Thanks."
I back away. "Hey, you introduced me to Clark---it's the least I could do."
I smile and turn away from her, looking at the top.
"Lana?"
"Yes?"
I turn back around. "Did you and Clark---"
"---act like you and Lex did at first?"
I nod.
"Yes, we did."
"So, I'm not crazy in thinking he might be the one."
"Nope."
"Thanks---now---"
"Could I leave you to get dressed and go over to his place?"
I nod.
"Okay---we'll see you later."
I nod and then she's gone.
End of Part 1