NS Advent Calendar 2007 - Gifts of Meaning - Complete

[Julie]

This is for those of you who feel like leaving longer, quoted reviews of the fanfiction Gifts of Meaning. You can only find the story at the Advent Calendar, so check it out ;)

[Kit Merlot]

I just read the first chapter, and the story is wonderful!

But it does kill me that Chloe has somehow convinced herself that she isn't enough of a challenge for Lex, and that he is going to leave her.

I can't wait to see what happens next:grin3:


Oh, and the new Chloe icon looks gorgeous as well;)

[Kit Merlot]

JUst read the second chapter, and Lex's wanting too build Chloe her own greenhouse for her coffee beans is an incredibly sweet gesture.

Can't wait to see what Dec. 3rd brings!

[Linda]

Sorry, I just found this thread and didn't know that you could leave feedback here as well, that's what happens when you don't take the time to read things properly!!!!Thank you for taking the time to write this amazing story and create the fantastic icons and wallpaper. I love them all especially the black and white Naughty Seduction that was posted tonight.I'm really loving this story as I said it's making me go all gooey! Your Lex is just so sweet and loving and all the things every girl wants for her own.I just hope that Chloe chills out before she does anything rash like breaking his heart cause it will be a blue Chirstmas for both of them is she does.The advent Calendar is a superb idea.

[hfce]

I just read the past three days They were great. I can't wait until day 4. Chloe girl you are a challenge to Lex and he loves it. :D

[Kit Merlot]

Just read Dec 4th, and I feel so badly for Chloe--she is making herself sick from all of this stress, and it's completely unnecessary.

And on a sidenote, I visited a coffee plantation when I was on vacation in Hawaii and it was damn impressive what the coffee growers have to go through:grin3:

[skauble]

nonky, I didn’t get a chance to tell you how much I loved this yet, so here it is. :)

This part was wonderful! I love the misunderstanding that’s happening here. Watching the two of them working at complete cross purposes seems like such a Chlex thing to happen.

Both Lex and Chloe have been really hurt before and had their worth doubted for years; never feeling good enough, always seeming second best. Even though they’ve been together for a while, I think that it’s natural that they still have some lingering insecurities.

I know that we’re seeing Chloe’s here, but I think that we’re also seeing Lex’s, too.




She was Chloe Abigail Sullivan, and what she had to offer wasn't hidden or exaggerated. She was barely twenty-one, had a long way to go before she accomplished anything as brilliant as her lover, and she was holding him back. He deserved to have someone more like himself and maybe she would do better with someone more ordinary than Lex Luthor.


I find it very realistic that if Lex became vague and secretive one of Chloe’s first thoughts would be that he might be tired of her. Clark always left her feeling second best, so with a man who seems to have his pick of any woman in the world, there’s got to be some fear in Chloe that Lex will wake up one day and realize that she isn’t what he really wants.

Add to that that Chloe’s a journalist – a great journalist. She’s probably even more sensitive to the fact that Lex is hiding something from her than a normal person would be. With her self-esteem issues, it’s not surprising that she’d take the view she took, IMO.

Also, is the fact that Lex’s issues are clearly coming to the forefront. Sure, his are manifesting in an adorably sweet way, but they’re still there. He feels like he needs to do these things for Chloe, not because he thinks she needs the grand gesture, but to prove to her that he’s committed to her and their life together. I think that Lex has been told he’s not good enough for or at relationships so often that he really feels the need to give Chloe some kind of tangible proof of his devotion.

I actually really felt bad for both of them here. Lex is so happy that he’s going to be able to show Chloe how much he loves her and Chloe is so sad thinking she’s loosing him. They’re both so desperately in love.

The way that Lex took care of her when he thought she was sick was so tender and loving. I love to see Lex when he’s caring for someone he loves.




Once the door was opening she couldn't bear it, and Chloe sat up.

“Lex? I missed you. I didn't say it earlier, but I did.”

His voice was smiling when he replied. “I love you.”


This was perfect. Even though Chloe thinks he probably doesn’t want her anymore and even though her heart is breaking, she can’t stand the thought of him leaving without knowing that she missed him.

Wonderful update, nonky. The revelation of what Lex is doing is going to be so much sweeter because of the confusion. I can’t wait. :)

~Sarah~

[hfce]

I love part 4. I can't wait to read the next installment. :)

[somethingeasy]

Chapter Five
I was ROTFLMAO at how Lex was constantly being thwarted in his determination to build the greenhouse with his own (LOL) ‘carpentry skills’ and his own two hands. ROTFL! The ridiculous madman really expected that he would be able to build a greenhouse from scratch without ANY prior experience in carpentry. I once tried to build a chair, and after completion I was afraid to sit in it for fear that it will collapse and leave me injured with a punctured lung from a wrenched metal armrest rod (I’m serious!).

AT least Lex’s glass suppliers were cautious (and sensible) enough to REFUSE to sell huge panes of glass to the mad billionaire unless he guaranteed that he would be using professional help (of the glass workers variety, although I’m sure they would have been happy to suggest some professional help of the psychiatric kind as well, LOL).

It was hilarious how Lex kept getting wooden splinters from every time he touched the boards. The stupid, STUPID man. Did he learn nothing from his bout as a digger, and he STILL has not figured out the value of appropriate protective gear. I bet he didn’t even think of getting gloves or protective eye wear.

Thank HEAVENS he stopped before he got too far along and really did some serious injury to himself. Chloe is going to have a hell of a time screaming at his foolishness, and then laughing at his naivety, LOL!


He picked up the phone and called the building supply. He ranted about substandard products and generally made the manager antagonistic, until the man sniped, “If it's impractical to sand down the entire structure, it's pretty impractical to have a billionaire novice building the thing! Why don't you do us all a favour and start with a bird house or something?”

LOL! I loved how the manager finally lost his patience, and just let Luthor ‘have it’ with his lost temper. And it’s hilarious how Lex responded to the snippy, snarky tone much better than when the manager was trying reason and logic. I guess Chloe has created in Lex the habit to capitulate ‘only’ in response to a snarky, sarcastic, mocking tone. Heh, let’s hope that Lex’s business colleagues never discover this ‘conditioning’ of Lex, LOL!

The finshed greenhouse sounded beautiful. It turned out to be a good thing that Lex was finally forced to utilize professional help for building it. And I really loved how he ran through all the various proposal techniques, locations, times, and everything.


She'd probably be too distracted by the coffee. I could ask her in bed, but I'd be too distracted. Maybe I'll ask her under the Christmas tree.

ROTFLMAO! Hilarious! Loved this part. And I can’t wait to see how it goes… I look forward to the rest of the story through the rest of the month… Good luck, Nonky.

[somethingeasy]

Chapter Six
I finished reading your latest chapter, and it was fantastic. I really loved how Chloe is mood-swinging between grief and a determination to be cheery and MOVE ON. Heh, poor Chloe! If only Lex was really that easy to get over.

I loved the gift basket and Chloe’s sharp, cynical assessment on what it means to get this ‘seemingly’ impersonal gift from Lex. I have to admit, Lex is not doing a lot in making himself look good if he’s sending over a generic gift basket for Chloe. Of course I’m sure there had been a personal touch in there ‘somewhere’, if only Chloe had been able to work up the strength to look through the poor misunderstood basket, LOL!

I was ROTFL at the way Chloe was even more peeved by the way the basket had nothing ‘useful’ like strong, mind-numbing liquor to help her deal with her pain. LOL! That would actually be a more practical gift for Lex to have presented to all his exes instead of diamond earrings, ROTFL!


Lex had tried his usual gift-giving routine with her three and a half years ago. When their relationship was decided to be a stable thing he had flowers sent every week, along with a little present. Sometimes the present was wonderful and sometimes it was just puzzling. Chloe didn't wear silk scarves and she carried a backpack instead of a purse; Lex sent her purses and scarves. She asked him about it and he claimed to think they were safe gifts, ones she would like and he knew how to choose. She told him presents weren't necessary, he said he liked giving her things and she was charmed.

Two months passed before she received a duplicate present and realized Lex didn't do anything except have someone else send her things. She made herself wait until their next date and told him she didn't want any presents. His face had fallen, and she stood her ground. If she wanted a token of his butler's affection she could date his butler. A long, tedious explanation had convinced him it wasn't the quality or variety of presents bothering her. He insisted he liked giving her presents and even when he couldn't do it personally he took pleasure from knowing she would be opening a token from him that day.

“Buy me something from here,” she had said, stopping him in front of a newsstand. “Something you think I'll like. I don't care that nothing here costs more than $10 or is meant to last longer than a month.”

He asked her to wait and came back four minutes later with chocolate covered almonds and a news magazine. She smiled and marveled at his over-gifting. He had taken three magazines and spent $20. He held out the top magazine to her and the candy.

Squeeee! I loved this part. It was fascinating seeing how Lex had this ‘idea’ on what constitutes ‘gift giving’ in a relationship. The poor idiot dope! He’s really had a BAD education when it comes to dealing with real-people relationships if he thinks that expensive presents delivered on a regular schedule is the best way to keep a girl feeling ‘special and loved’. Poor, POOR idiot sap! I truly feel sorry for him if THIS is the standard and quality of girlfriends he had become used to. No wonder he fell for and latched onto Chloe so hard and fast, if he had been used to THOSE kind of women before her. She must have appeared like an absolute divine angel compared to his former dates.

It was fabulous how Chloe explained (undoubtedly using small and easy-to-understand words) to Lex about how ostentatious, but impersonal gifts are not as special and well-received as the simple, cheap gifts that are bought with thought and care and PERSONAL attention. LOL! At least Lex grasped the concept quick enough.. LOL, so quickly that he rushed off immediately to buy the gift that fitted this new ‘definition’ of gift. His ‘get up and go’ attitude was illustrated in such a darned cute way over here, ROTFL!


The more she thought about it the names came easily. Dozens of guys had shown interest in her, but she was taken and happy. She saw them but never gave them any encouragement. A lot of them were still around, and maybe they were waiting for the day she smiled differently or looked into their eyes. She didn't need to be dating someone. Schoolwork and the newspaper kept her amply busy. Her free time was limited.

Chloe was pretty, smart and fun. She was brave and her expectations were reasonable. She liked pizza and burgers. A date didn't have to be anything more than walking around. She was used to Lex working all the time and never being interested in student functions. There was no arguing the appeal of Lex's designer clothes but she liked casual clothes. She was just as impressed when someone brought her coffee as if he picked her up in a town car.

She'd worked very hard on her self esteem and it was stronger. Lex wasn't the only person she could love. He wasn't the last man who would want her.

I really enjoyed this part as well. It was lovely how Chloe is going through this determined attitude to be ‘happy’, desirable and wanted, no matter how miserable, rejected and lonely she really feels. It’s actually good to see that Chloe ‘could’ have been able to get over Lex relatively easily… once she gave herself sufficient time to get over him. She knows how lovely, attractive and desirable she is… and just because one guy has (seemingly) rejected her, yet again, doesn’t mean that she’s going to think that he life is over. LOL! Although I think there will be quite a few stupid rebounds she’s going to make before moving on for real to another worthy guy.


Jumping up from the bed, Chloe wrote a quick note and taped it to the basket inviting people to help themselves to anything from it. She dragged it off the desk and kicked it into the hallway, locking it out.

LOL! Bye, bye gift basket. I hope there was nothing especially important and irreplaceable in you. Dear heavens I hope Lex didn’t have the bright idea to stick a wedding ring in there, ROTFL!


She was going to look until she saw someone who appealed to her. As it was it seemed like she was months behind Lex in moving on.

Squeeee! This is going to be SO much fun… Let’s find out who the lucky rebound guy is… and how Lex is going to react once he finds out that Chloe has jumped some other man. I can’t wait until tomorrow… Good luck with the update :D

[somethingeasy]

Chapters Seven and Eight
LOL! The fic is still as hilarious as ever. Although I still feel both so frustratingly irritated with as well as sincerely sorry for poor, idiot Lex. On one hand, it’s so sad seeing him working so hard for a present, trying to make his Christmas proposal as perfect as possible, not knowing that his relationship is falling to pieces while his back is turned. The poor, oblivious sap! I hope he enjoys this ignorance of the upcoming disaster as long as possible, because it’s going to be devastating for him to find out that Chloe has rebounded to another guy because he wasn’t paying her the right kind of attention.

It’s really ironic, but very plausible on how such a thing could have happened. Lex has a tendency to become very blind-sided and single-minded when faced with a challenging task. And THIS is something that going to be very important to him, to get it as wonderfully sublime and perfect as possible. The problem is that Lex thinks a big, extravagant gesture is what’s needed… it’s the flamboyant showman in him that pressurizes him to make a huge dramatic presentation of ‘everything’, LOL!

You’ve captured that aspect of his obsessively single-minded personality perfectly, Nonky! Excellent work! I can really see how Lex ‘could’ allow his wonderful relationship to fall apart, not from lack of attention and appreciation, but because of lack in attention in the right places. Poor Chloe.


Lex's nose itched at the dusty and poorly ventilated smell of old books. The room he stood in was only a small shop, but it was supposed to have what he was looking for. In the 1950s there had been a publishing firm called Chloe, and they produced hardback copies of classic books in green velvet so near Chloe's eye colour he had been amazed when he saw a picture of one. The company had long been defunct, and their books were only available in far flung second hand shops.

He was unlucky enough to have found them only in Europe, where a single collector seemed to have brought them and sold them by individual volumes. There were one hundred titles in the complete set and he wanted it for Chloe. To make life more difficult, he had made a rule that he needed to go and get the books for the gift to count. He had to go to the bookstore, look around and buy them without any assistance.

This was a BRILLAINT present for Lex to give to Chloe. It seemed custom made for her… LOL, actually, it WAS custom-made for her.... Nonky really knows how to dangle the perfect temptation to distract and lead Lex away from Chloe during her most dire time of need, LOL! Sneaky Nonky!


Hoping his ears were failing, the younger man leaned in. “I'm sorry, did you say sorted by colour? As in the colour of the book jacket?”

After a nod that spanned a decade, the man turned back to his work. The thousands of books, perhaps edging up to tens of thousands, were sorted by colour. Not author, year, publisher or title. There were red books filling one shelf, the next white, the next shades of yellow or gold. Somewhere in the back there were green books, every green book they had, apparently. Lex shrugged out of his jacket and picked up a basket, heading into the musty unknown.

He kicked over a stack of books with every step into the gloom that was 'the back.' Wishing for a flashlight, Lex strained his eyes glancing between one large and shadowed bookcase and the one next to it. After getting nose to nose with a shelf he decided the left was green, albeit a very dark forest green, and the other was black. And he assumed he still had five fingers on each hand, despite not being able to see them directly in front of his face.

ROTFLMAO! Oh dear me! No WAY! Rare, dusty, collectable books in a second hand book store sorted out by COLOUR??!!? As if I needed further proof on how much Lex loves Chloe, but THIS??!! This really goes above and beyond. This was a brilliant, hilarious, cruel and unusual kind of punishment Nonky devised for her latest Lex. Isn’t it lovely when she starts torturing him for all of our amusement? ROTFL!


London rain dripped off his face as he entered the bookstore later that night. It was near closing, but they only had three books he needed. It couldn't take that long to find three books. He was happy to see labels on shelves, and multi-coloured hues. The books weren't arranged by colour.

He didn't bother speaking to the bored twenty-something clerk, just followed the helpful labels. The new books were out front where they could sell more and the older, rarer volumes sat further back waiting to be discovered. It made sense from a business standpoint and Lex could appreciate that. He was also pleased there was adequate lighting and a true sense of organization.

LOL! London weather is horrible, the service is terrible and the food is always something that has to be choked down… but the books almost always make up for everything :D I like the way you captured London, Nonky! It was as if you had actually been there, LOL!


He followed the corridors of books logically, thinking the 1950s would be near the 1940s and 1930s. He was wrong. There were more classics in Latin, Greek classics, Gothic novels, and finally a case devoted to The Bible. Lex retraced his steps, found the 1950s and headed in the only other direction he could go. He passed the encyclopaedias and reference books. He found a section of romance novels. His shoulder knocked an illustrated volume of Kama Sutra down to a page so artistically sexual he took the book with him to buy. He counted his steps, tried to think of an overview of the store by picturing the layout from above. He scanned for the Chloe green and felt his eyes burning. There were barely enough hours of the day for the travel he'd done, and his schedule hadn't included four hours in a single store.

Darn, now I want a copy of that beautifully illustrated volume of Kama Sutra that caught Lex Luthor’s eye. I can see that the book browsing is a little bit easier over here than at the store where everything was organized by (ROTFLMAO) colour, but it’s still hard, dusty work… and I don’t want to imagine the paper cuts he might have gotten, lol!


“I'm looking for the Chloe books,” he nearly screamed.

A pair of headphones pulled leisurely down, the guy spoke in a London drawl. “These th'uns ere?”

He picked up three books in green, gold seals reading Chloe across the spines. Lex took them and turned to the title pages, making sure they were the right ones. He smiled. There were 11 books in Hamburg and 46 in Paris. He would be able to continue that night and sleep on the plane. He was reaching for his wallet when he felt the first twinge.

It was too easy, he thought.

ROTFLMAO! If only he had thought to ask the clerk before spending all those hours browsing through the shelves. Oh well! At least he found a lovely copy of the Kama Sutra through all his searching.


“Canlytekash.”

The clerk pushed the credit card back to Lex with the baffling statement. Perhaps his piercings were getting in the way.

“I'm sorry?”

The pseudo-punk shrugged and said more clearly, “We c'nly take cash.”

The books weren't expensive, less than $75 dollars each, but Lex didn't have it. He had cash before he arrived in Amsterdam and had to have it converted to buy the first forty books. He asked for some British pounds, but only enough to get a taxi to the store and back to the airport. He wasn't intending to stay long and didn't bring his employees with him. Usually they would have made maps and local currency available. It was their role to make his life seamless.

LOL! I should have expected that Nonky would be putting in this bit of tortured complication in Lex’s life. Even AFTER he finds the merchandise, he finds out he can’t pay for it. Now that’s a problem that I can imagine Lex has never faced before… it will do him some good to understand how ‘regular folk’ feel when they can’t instantly purchase whatever fulfills their heart’s desire, LOL!


It wasn't that the books were an expensive present. They represented Chloe's love of the written word, his sincere belief that one day her name would be on a novel or a full-length investigative book instead of a newspaper column. He respected her tenacity to dig back through time and attempts to hide to fill her articles with reliable information. He loved her work ethic. The velvet coverings of the books even felt like her; softness with strength and longevity underneath.

ROTFL! Loved this! It was hilarious seeing Lex liken Chloe to the book in such a besotted, smitten, poetic fashion. It’s so much fun seeing how ridiculous and ‘stupid’ Lex can become when he’s in love, ROTFL! Lovely writing, Nonky! I really enjoyed your portrayal of Lex Luthor in this fic. It was lovely, sweet, heartwarming and also so darned hilarious, ROTFLOL!


It hurt to hand the books back to the disgruntled youth, but Lex stayed civil. He asked for them to be held until the next day, and he flicked up his collar to walk to the taxi he had paid to wait for him. At least at The Savoy they would take his credit.

LOL! Ouch! I remember that heart-wrenching emotion one feels when you find the ‘perfect buy’ in some store, but you have to hand it back to the clerk, or put it back on the shelf after seeing the price-tag. It’s a horrible feeling, and I’m feeling a nasty sense of malicious satisfaction in seeing Lex Luthor also suffering from this ‘new and alien’ feeling of merchandise denial, LOL!


Lex slept only as long as he could justify and called for room service early in the morning. He was insistent there would be no more delays. He would pay in cash, move quickly and efficiently, and he would not strangle the irritating people he was likely to meet.

At least it's too early for muggers, he thought, looking around at the foggy morning that could pass for twilight.

ROTFL! Don’t count on it Lex. It’s London, AND you have Nonky watching your every move just waiting for a chance to inflict misfortune, LOL! Actually, I’m impressed that Nonky managed to abstain from throwing a gang of muggers at Lex on his way to the book-store… Perhaps later when he’s leaving the book-store? ;)


He checked out of his hotel and called the pilot to have the plane readied. The bookstore opened on time, and he was waiting outside when the elderly owner arrived. She looked him up and down, saw he was cold and took an extra few minutes to dig her keys from her purse. Her eyes narrowed under blue shaded lids, and she lit a cigarette.

“S'only five to,” she said, and strolled away to pollute her lungs.

Heh, sadly enough, this is actually typical of the kind of sales service one gets in London, :P


Lex gritted his teeth. He was not going to let himself be shaken. There was time for a five minute delay. He leaned on the building and imagined Chloe's reaction when she had her own selection of novels taking up a shelf in his library. He had no qualms about giving her part of his space because she would be so happy. She might go into one of her rare giggling sprees and need to be kissed out of it.

He was smiling to himself when the woman came back to unlock the store. She ducked inside quickly, presumably to punch in an alarm code, then eyed him unkindly. Thinking his brooding was making her suspicious, Lex smiled with as much warmth as he could. Her mouth twisted into a maroon sneer, and she walked away from the door. Lex took that to mean he was allowed inside, so he let himself in.

Again, it was so hilarious, cute, heartwarming, sweet and FUN to see how incredibly happy Lex becomes even from the thought of Chloe. No matter how miserable his situation, Chloe always manages to lift his spirits. No wonder he needs her so much. He adores her too much to be able to live without her… yikes! Heartbreak warning up ahead? Excellent!


She stared for so long he felt obliged to explain himself, sincerely regretting the impulse buy. The influence of an elderly British woman was making him feel like a pervert trying to buy girlie magazines. He was an educated man and he did occasionally enjoy erotic literature, but it was literature first and foremost. He was not a pervert. She was really making him angry and he didn't have to justify himself to her. His personal life was quite full without having to drool salaciously over strange women.

ROTFL! Oh poor Lex! And now he feels like a perverted lech. It’s so much FUN seeing Lex experience this sensation of being ‘ashamed and embarrassed’ over his sexual inclinations and preferences. I can imagine Lex has indulged in all kinds of depravities without apologizing to anyone, but this one time… he bought a classic piece of literature and he’s embarrassed about it, ROTFMAO! That was brilliant, Nonky! Love it! And I don’t think I’ll be getting these two chapters of Lex’s book-buying escapades out of my head for a very long time, LOL!


She took Lex's money, gave his change back, and put the books neatly into a bag. As the receipt was printing he mentally rolled his eyes. All the sneaking around was making him paranoid and crabby. He would be much happier once Chloe knew everything and was making fun of all his troubles. She always enjoyed that and made him laugh at things.

Awww, so sweet and cute. I really enjoyed how Lex is looking forward to being mocked by Chloe. He really does enjoy every single aspect of her personality, even when she’s turning that personality against him.


He said a polite goodbye and took a taxi to the airport. He was trying to make Hamburg the quickest stop yet, so he paid exorbitant interest to have his money exchanged at the airport. Chloe was back in Metropolis and she hadn't been feeling well. From her voice on the phone he could tell she wasn't fully recovered. He hoped the gift basket had helped until he could be there in person.

It was about Chloe, otherwise he wouldn't have left her at all.

Heh, Lex is in for a nasty surprise on his homecoming. AND he’s going to be getting some nasty lessons on the value of prioritizing when he gets home too. I loved the ending sentence, Nonky! It summed up everything that Lex is doing wrong, and even WHY he’s doing wrong. Excellent work! I look forward to seeing how future chapters turn out. Good luck!

[skauble]

I totally put the feedback for this story in the wrong thread. *facepalm*


This is the greatest story in the history of EVER!!!

It is a wonderful premise, it has delicious humor, compelling angst, and amazing writing. But this…this…there are no words for the heights this story has reached.

Chip!

Wonderful amazing Chip has made an appearance. It’s like Christmas has come early. *sniff*

Poor, poor Lex. Why must his life be so hard? All he wants to do is conclusively prove his love by doing extraordinary and often difficult and demanding things. It should be easy, no?

I loved how defensive he was in the bookstore.



She stared for so long he felt obliged to explain himself, sincerely regretting the impulse buy. The influence of an elderly British woman was making him feel like a pervert trying to buy girlie magazines. He was an educated man and he did occasionally enjoy erotic literature, but it was literature first and foremost. He was not a pervert. She was really making him angry and he didn't have to justify himself to her. His personal life was quite full without having to drool salaciously over strange women.


LMAO He is so a perv. I bet he has a special safe for porn at the penthouse…and probably two in the mansion.

Is it wrong of me to enjoy everything going so wrong for Lex? It’s just that he’s usually so good at everything, but all the things that he decided were the most important…not so much. lol



She stared for so long he felt obliged to explain himself, sincerely regretting the impulse buy. The influence of an elderly British woman was making him feel like a pervert trying to buy girlie magazines. He was an educated man and he did occasionally enjoy erotic literature, but it was literature first and foremost. He was not a pervert. She was really making him angry and he didn't have to justify himself to her. His personal life was quite full without having to drool salaciously over strange women.


I was glad to see that the gift basket was an intentional choice by him and not that he asked one of his staff to send her something to cheer her up. It was a personal gift; it just felt generic to poor Chloe.



It was about Chloe, otherwise he wouldn't have left her at all.


Irony is really a bitch sometimes, huh?

Excellent work, nonky. Still loving the misadventures of Lex’s and waiting for the misunderstandings of Chloe’s. And with the inclusion of Chip you have clearly surpassed even the good book as the greatest story ever told!

I’d say please update soon, but I know that you have to so I have no need to beg. :p

~Sarah~

[somethingeasy]

Chapter Nine

At least my looks are getting me somewhere, he mused. My brain alone isn't up to bringing me where I need to be.

He leafed through all 46 before turning to carry his basket to the front of the store. The audience had grown and a camera flash blinded him.

“For our scrapbook,” he was told.

Despite the puzzling statement, Lex agreed to pose with them. They introduced themselves as Jean-Jean; Jean-Pierre and Jean-Louis, and he had no idea why they'd want to merge into a conglomerate name, but he used it because he had no idea who belonged to which Jean moniker. He posed shaking hands with them, reading one of their books, and signing their scrapbook. If he wasn't careful he thought he'd be invited to do a dramatic reading of Les Miserables. Luckily it didn't come to that and he dodged the farewell kisses.
ROTFLOL! I'm glad to see that Lex got a little bit of a break in Paris. Although it must have been disconcerting to go from a country where the sales staff barely tolerated your presence to a country where they absolutely fawned over you. LOL! Not that I blame them... French people are very sensitive and appreciative of everything that is pretty and sexy, and Lex is VERY pretty and sexy! I'm surprised they let him leave the country, ROTFL!


He showed the address again and the driver nodded, pointing to the warehouse. He tapped the meter. Lex stared for a few seconds, cursing himself for feeling calm and optimistic. He should know better. He asked the taxi driver to wait, but he didn't speak German and the man pretended not to understand with exaggerated facial expressions.
I've never been to Germany, so I don't know anything about the people or service available over there, but I thought Nonky's interpretation of this place (of ALL the places) seemed very apt and hilarious. LOL! So we've gone back to surly and unfriendly locals who hate tourists. Poor Lex. Is it against the rules of gift giving for him to have hired translators to accompany him everywhere? Or perhaps just huge bodyguards to initimidate 'friendliness' from the locals? lol!


“What the – It's a warehouse!”

Lex yelled it, but his dismay was hardly satisfied with the outburst. Instead of a stuffy little cubby, or a modern marketplace bookstore, he was looking at crates packed on scaffolding. He was standing next to a forklift. The man next to him was wearing a hard hat and offered one to the devastated billionaire. It was lime green, perfectly clashing with the brown parka.

ROTFLAMO! Lovely, Nonky! Yet another way to devastate Lex's romanticized view of buying rare, second hand books, LOL! A warehouse? He's been forced to go for his exquisite books in a huge, cold warehouse? oh, the disilllusionment if it all, LOL! I just loved how Lex's metrosexual vanity shone through when he was so peeved about wearing a hard hat that clashed horribly with his very expensive, stylish parka, LOL!


The man wrote a code down, and pointed to the left of the huge space. It was not the kind of adventure buying books normally required.

It nears repeating... OH, the disillusionment of it all, ROTFL!


He jammed the hard hat on and called his flight crew. He would be keeping them from their families one more night, but he would make it up to them, he promised. He called a very expensive hotel and made sure all the rooms had room service, mini bar, spa treatments and movies billed to him. He really didn't want to have to hire a new pilot. The current one was very understanding.

heh, I've been worrying about Lex neglecting his relatiosnhip with Chloe, and I spared no consideration for the entourage that is accompanying him. Surely THEY are also feeling guilty about being away from their spouses, partners and families this close to Christmas time. I hope Lex has been giving them plenty of money to go shopping in all these lovely places so THEY can also make huge extravagent gestures to make up their absence to THEIR loved one, lol! It was heartening to know that Lex is taking pains to take care of them and compensate them for all their over-time. Spa treatments too? wow! What a GREAT boss :D


The flurry of German in response seemed to boil down to the man staying behind with the forklift, where he was sitting. He pulled out a paper bag and started setting his lunch out. Lex thought about yelling or bribery, but the man was so relaxed and nonchalant. Not knowing the German word for eviscerate was making things impossible.

ROTFLMAO! Oh poor Lexie! He's really torn himself out of his element during all these trips. He's been exposing himself to environments where his money and influence counts for nothing. Poor thing! Still, it will do him good to stretch out his experiences like this.


“I should have driven the forklift,” he mumbled. “I know I can after that damn loader.”

LOL! I just loved how PETULANT he sounded over here. He's so cute when he's being sulky, lol!


He hit a corner and turned right again, finding another section of the warehouse. It was mildly interesting to see the different things stored there, including a beautiful Porsche he was tempted to buy himself. He was beginning to think it was either an illegal operation or a tax shelter, but he was getting Chloe's books.

ROTFL! I would have said Lex was being cynical, but it actually sounds like a plausible explanation for the existence of this warehouse. How the heck did Lex get wind of a place like this?!


He turned again and it was a dead end, so Lex spun around. He sighed. He was lost, the careful memorization of turns lost somewhere in his irritation. He was lost and Chloe would only know he was going to marry her when someone found his skeleton clutching his proposal ideas.

“What's German for 'come find me, you idiot,'” he asked the emptiness.

Dear sweet hopeless, hapless man! It's so much FUN seeing him being tortured by being made to seem foolish and helpless, ROTFL!


Back and to the left didn't take him anywhere recognizable. If he could find that sweet car he could get back to the front and yell at the cheerfully uncomprehending workman. He tried right and peered into the distance. It was worst than the time Chloe took him to a discount department store, then lost him in the electronics section. He had to have her paged.

oh dear me! How on earth did Chloe get Lex to set foot in a discount electronic store in the first place? I'm going to bet that was the first and absolute LAST time that happened, and Lex refused to follow her around to department stores again. And he probably held firm to this resolve for an entire week until Chloe realized she needed cutlery or something, LOL!


He smiled, Chloe's voice working immediately to make him happy. “Hi, sweetheart, how are you?”

She sighed. “I'm okay, busy. I was wondering if you're still getting back tomorrow morning?”

He kept walking, and a flash of a bumper caught his eye. He lowered the phone and ran toward it, but it was another car, not the Porsche. He brought the phone to his ear and suppressed the urge to tell her his troubles. It was her surprise he was trying to achieve.

“I ran into some difficulties, so I think it will be another day,” he growled, glaring at the warehouse. “I'm really confused, Chloe. I have no idea where I am. Can I call you later? I need to think right now.”

She nodded slowly, absorbing her idiocy. At least he was admitting something was wrong.

“Okay, but I want to talk soon. I hope you figure it out,” she said quietly.

heh, it wasn't a rescue party, but it was so darned cute how Lex perked up immediately from the sound of Chloe's voice. He was lost, alone, helpless and frustrated beyond all measure, but Chloe's voice brught that dazed, happy look right back into his eyes. lol, he's such a smitten-kitten, lol!
*sigh* he might have been cheered by the phone call, but his brusque manner only confirmed Chloe's mounting fears about an upcoming breakup. Poor girl, and idiot man! But I understand where this behaviour is coming from... Lex is focused completely on completing this task right now, and is incapable of seeing how badly Chloe needs attention and reassurance. I feeling equal parts dread and equal parts gleeful anticipation to seeing his reaction when he finds out how badly he screwed things up in his obsessive compulsive need to 'prove' his love to her.


She hung up first, and Lex shook himself back into action. He would follow a wall, get back to the front and scream nonsensical insults until he felt better. Then he would pay a million dollars for that guy to find the books for him, because everyone seemed to get the idea of a large wad of cash.

He guessed at a direction, strode quickly, and turned, bumping into his old friend lazy German guy. He glared magnificently, but the man only slapped him on the back, and pointed. There were the books, in a nice little box all ready for him. His name was printed in block letters if he needed one more sign.

Lazy German guy was not getting a tip.
ROTFLAMO! This was a hilarious ending to Lex's adventures in the warehouse jungle. But at least he's finally got hold of all the books now, right? Now he can return home... and find Chloe in bed with someone else?

heeee, it's going to be so much fun! Let's get ready for fireworks in the next few days. I look forward to seeing tomorrow's update, Nonky. Good luck!

[Kit Merlot]

Just caught up, and while Lex is being sweet, Chloe is completely freaking out. Lois gave her some good advice, and I like that she is listening to her big cuz:grin3:

And orange soda is one of my favorites, too--Chloe has great taste in soda;)

[hfce]

I just read day 10.

Chloe you need a new friend because Lois sucks. That was God awful advice. What the hell. What the heck was that crap. What she should have said is Chloe you need to talk to him tell him how you feel. All this wondering is driving you crazy. Lex has been good to you. He deserves the chance to tell his side. That Lois is what is called good advice.

God I really hate Lois. She is a waste. :wth:

[hfce]

Part 11:

Lex in a mall Lord that was funny as heck. :rofl: He was so cute at how scared he gets. I love how he knew exactly what Chloe needed for her journalism career. He is just to sick and sweet for words. :D

[superag]

This is all so freaking hilarious. And all for the woman of his dreams that apparently doesn't think that of herself. Oh well, won't she be embarrassed when she finds out how much trouble he's been too. The mall....funny...Lex, just buy the mall and fire all the idiots and hire only people that can get what Chloe needs.:rofl:

[somethingeasy]

I apologize for the lateness of the review, but it’s been a very busy couple of days, and I don’t think the rest of the week is going to get much better. Fortunately it’s been busy in a good, fun sense of the word ;)

Chapter Nine
I really enjoyed seeing the Lois and Chloe bonding session. It was so sweet, cute and funny. And the interaction rang true… it seemed as real as any close family interaction that I’ve ever been a part of. I loved how it started with Chloe and Lois snarking at each other in their playfully-hostile kind of way. I can easily imagine a pair of dominant, volatile pair of females like Lois and Chloe having fun in a mock-vicious kind of way… like a pair of lionesses hitting and batting at each other with their claws drawn in.

LOL! I wonder what it’s like when Lex is drawn into these cousinly bonding session. Does he jump right in and fit perfectly with all the playful flying barbs, or just he just duck his head and hope that he doesn’t get hurt? LOL!

Awwww, and I LOVED the description on how Lex has become a comfortable accepted part of the Sullivan and Lane family. Even if Lois had not mentioned it, it would have been obvious that he’s already accepted as Chloe’s ‘husband’ even if they have not taken official vows yet. It actually seems like Lex enjoys being part of a huge family now. He LIKES spending time with his wife’s relatives (as much as it’s possible for someone to enjoy spending time non-blood family), and that is such a lovely thing to see.

Heh, I wonder what Lionel thinks of Lex bonding with another family? Does he feel jealous that HIS only son is spending family holidays with other people? Does he resent the Sullivan-Lanes for taking his own only family away from him? Heh, has Lionel ever tried to drop in during any of these Sullivan-Lane get-togethers to find out what’s going on? Now ‘that’ would have been a fun party, LOL!

Where is Lionel in this fic anyway?


“'I'm really confused. I have no idea where I am right now.' That's what he said,” Chloe quoted dully. “He's going to be out of town more than he's here right until Christmas. What do I do?”

oh dear, OUCH! I didn’t fully appreciate how horrible these words sounded when Chloe didn’t realize where they were coming from, but I can see how easily and naturally they can be misconstrued into meaning that Lex is rethinking his relationship status and he wants a break from Chloe. Poor Chloe! Lex said the absolute worst thing possible at the worst time possible… and the truly tragic thing is that the idiot is completely oblivious to the kind of damage he’s inflicting on his relationship.

That was good advice from Lois though… it was a great deal more sensible and reasonable that I would have given her credit for being capable of. I would have expected her to give Chloe advice to go to a male strip club and drink her self-pity away… instead she’s told Chloe not to panic and just to take care of herself. It’s great to know that Chloe has someone rational and reasonable on her side during this time of emotional breakdown.

Chapter Ten
Oh dear heaven!!! WHAT the heck is Lex doing? First the home-grown coffee beans in the personally created greenhouse, then the obsession with the Chloe books in their beautiful green hard covers, and now THIS?!

I serious think Lex must have suffered a nervous breakdown after he first thought of the idea to propose during Christmas. This obsession with showering Chloe with the a lifetime’s worth of the most meaningful, heartfelt gifts EVER is a symptom of his broken-down mind. He’s skipped over being attentive and sweet and gone into SK-Lex levels of insanity and obsession.

ROTFL! Fortunately, GoM-Lex’s insanity is a great deal more amusing (and safer) than SK-Lex’s way of expressing affection, LOL! But that doesn’t make it any less psychotic.

It was immensely funny to see the chapter beginning with Lex trying to calm himself down from a minor anxiety-attack. He panics if he ever has to go to the mall? I can’t imagine what kind of a reaction he would show upon setting foot in a dollar store, ROTFL!

Snob! I’m sure all those stores (and the warehouse) he went to in Europe were no more ‘classy’ than the mall, but just BECAUSE they were European, that made it more bearable? ROTFL!

I really loved the part where Lex had a list of all the ‘silly little things’ that Chloe prefers in her day to day life. Such as the kind of manila folders she prefers to work with, or the kind of key-chains she likes… He still keeps on surprising me with the meticulous attention he pays for Chloe… and then I just giggle again thinking about how, for all the attention he pays to all the details about her, he CANNOT see how he’ driving her to breaking up with him. LOL! Poor sad little fools.

ROTFLMAO! Oh, that clerk was hilarious! I didn’t think anyone could have beat the surly Londerner, the lazy German or those annoying French sales persons…but the sheer stupidity of this American clerk? That beats all of them, ROTFL!

Heh, at least the manager, even though he didn’t look impressive, was competent enough to deal with Lex’s orders quickly and efficiently. That is yet another check on Lex’s obsessive ‘stuff I have to get to prove to Chloe I’m good husband material’ list. Now he has to go get nail polish? Oh the poor masochist! ROTFLMAO!

These were an excellent, fun pair of chapters, Nonky. I look forward to tomorrow’s update. Good luck!

[hfce]

LMAO!! :rofl: This is to funny for words. Lex you just make me LOL!!! I love your mini adventure to the mall just for your love Chloe. You are so sweet but anal as heck! LOL!!:rofl:

[somethingeasy]

Chapter Eleven
I was ROTFLMAO throughout this entire chapter. It was a LOT of fun to read through, and I honestly believe it was good for Lex to broaden his experience in this manner. And I think he really enjoyed this ‘plebeian’ experience of shopping in ‘common supermarkets’, purchasing goods worth less than his pocket lint, and meeting all kinds of ‘common folk’ who didn’t fawn all over him for being Lex Luthor, LOL!

It was just adorable how he was intimidated by all the nail-polish colours available on the shelf… and how he was so darned grateful that he only had to concern himself with shades of whites for Chloe.


“White, plain white,” he muttered to himself. When she had a day off Chloe pulled a pillow from the sofa, sat in front of the television and gave herself French tips. Her meticulous painting with the little brushes was mesmerizing, and Lex had fallen into an unaccustomed nap many times watching her.

I really loved the description of this scene. It was a beautiful glimpse into how Lex takes delight in domestic intimacy with Chloe. I loved the idea that he finds just watching Chloe to be so soothing and relaxing… a way for him to release all the tension that is always present from being a corporate animal-shark of billionaire proportions. I love catching all these little glimpses into how Chloe has improved his life in all these little, tiny, careless ways, just by being present in his life. It’s beautiful!

I adored the drag queen shopping companion Lex became acquainted with. The interaction between them was adorable and funny. And I was really pleased to see that even Lex himself was amused by the whole experience, especially since the experience included being mistaken for an impersonator of himself, ROTFL!

LOL! Green skittles! I caught the reference! :D

Oh, and the poor naïve man. He really went into the store having NO idea about the variety of shampoo choices available to the average consumer? LOL! Poor Lex… Thank heaven he memorized, not only the brand, but also the graphics and colours of Chloe’s favourite shampoo. If he had JUST found out about the brand… he would have been driven into a breakdown wondering whether Chloe needed something for ‘dry, normal or oily’ hair. And then proceeded to go nuts wondering about whether she needed something for Curly, Sleek and Shiny or Damaged, LOL!


Smiling ironically, Lex took slow steps and looked for foxes. “I woke up one day looking like Lex Luthor and thought there's no reason not to make a living on it,” he replied.

I loved this answer. He spoke the complete truth while giving the drag queen whatever impression he wanted to derive from it. LOL, I love it when Lex is being verbally evasive, LOL!

LOL! I really enjoyed how Lex fell short of the challenge of selecting Chloe’s make-up for her. Which was a wise decision, even the average woman would never be able to pick makeup for her closest friend without getting explicit instructions… A man picking out his girl-friend’s makeup? That’s just ludicrous! LOL!

Actually it would have been more fun to see him try to pick out feminine hygiene products for Chloe. Did he forget about that? Or did he decide to go by the same decision made for the make-up and not even bother trying, LOL!

And I was LOL at the idea of Lex picking out a lump of coal for the MB! I personally think Lionel would be very pleased by such a gift… he delights in being thought of as evil, and the coal would have validated his efforts to being ‘naughty’ this year, LOL!

It was fascinating seeing Lex stocking his penthouse full of Chloe’s stuff. He’s really intent on making sure Chloe sees the apartment as ‘home’ before he proposes she comes in and lives with him. This is actually a good idea! To stock the penthouse with all of Chloe’s stuff so that the transition of moving in with Lex wouldn’t be very jarring. If only Lex realized it would have been SO much better if he had brought her along for this shopping spree instead of doing it while keeping her completely in the dark about his going ons.

LOL! The last sentence was a killer, Nonky! His life was full of hope? LOL! You’re a cruel, CRUEL person who is taking special ironic delight in building up his happiness and optimism before leading him down the inevitable fall towards despair, ROTFLMAO! I can’t wait to see how it turns out… ooooh, the pain, the anguish! LOL!

[hfce]

By the way for future reference you are not allowed to say butt on the advent calendar feedback. It is a bad word. Not ass but you can't write b-u- t - t. ::/:

Part 12 & 13 Review:

Lex I love you but you are horrible when it comes to lying about surprises. You could have said I have your present in there so you can't come in. But nope you looked and acted guilty as hell. I don't know what to do with you.

Chloe I have some advice for you.

Chloe what is your problem? Come out and say it are you cheating on me? Or it's over something. All of this pity garbage is just stupid. You need to sit your butt down and ask Lex to explain. He never cheated on you for all the time you been together and now you want to betray him?You are a reporter use it and find out what he is hiding. God you are so UGH!!!!!! :wth:

[somethingeasy]

These were a wonderful pair of chapter, Nonky! I find it hilarious how he’s nearly killing himself going crazy finding the most extravagant and ostentatious presents for Chloe. ANY other person in the world would have considered any ‘one’ of the items to be more than enough to set the scene for a beautiful marriage proposal. But no, Lex has to have the shelf of meaningful collector’s edition books, the personally home grown coffee, and the lifetime supply of office supplies. ROTFL! It’s so much FUN seeing him acting unhinged and insane, and not be the slightest bit aware of his psychotic break. And none of his staff members are going to warn him either, because they haven’t reached the level of bold impertinence to tell their boss he’s acting crazy, LOL!

The ONE person who would be able to tell him he’s cracked is the one person who he’s keeping all of this a secret from… oh the irony, LOL!

Chapter Twelve
It was hilarious seeing Lex trying his hand at something that ‘seemed’ so simple like wrapping presents, only to horribly fail at it. It’s just so darned funny seeing Lex so completely out of his depth like this. But it was even more fun seeing how determined he was to ignore his own trepidations and feelings of humiliating inadequacy to carry on by himself, no matter what. LOL!

I loved how the staff was (quietly) laughing at him at how persistently he was humiliating himself. They can probably stand seeing their employers act crazy as long as it’s in the name of love… it’s almost understandable, and nothing to panic about, LOL!

It was so cute the way he kept stalling before bringing himself to facing the mountain of presents, paper and ribbons and dealing with the daunting task of combining all three things into a pretty package. He’s really taking this whole ‘give it a personal touch’ thing WAY too seriously. I don’t think this is what Chloe had in mind when she told that she wanted Lex to put some of his own personality into the gift giving process rather than just letting his secretary pick everything out. LOL, that ridiculous man, he HAS to take everything to extremes.

And speaking of taking everything to extremes… oh dear heavens, I was ROTFLMAO at the way he spent so MUCH time obsessing on wrapping the little bottle of nail polish. Considering how many presents he has, it probably would have taken him another three to five months to finish wrapping everything at that pace, LOL!


“I'm not wrapping all of these, but I'll do an example of each type of thing, and you can follow them,” she said. “I think you'd want to save some trees for your nosy, blond children to run around.”

She pointed out what she would need and Lex brought it to her at the coffee table, taking her gruff kindness with absolute good humour. Mrs. Grimaldi once tried to instruct him how to tie his boots, and she made no secret that she didn't think much of his genius level intellect since he couldn't operate the can opener. But she thought Chloe would marry him and have his children.

“I'm a whiz with the can opener now,” he proclaimed cheerfully. “And Chloe loves me.”

The housekeeper looked up to humour him with a nod. “That ring better be a nice big one,” she said coyly. She used a long roll of wrapping paper to push his half-eaten candy cane away, wrinkling her nose in disgust.

I LOVED the interaction between Lex and Mrs. Grimaldi. He’s so lucky that she was around to help with his inept efforts. I really enjoyed how Mrs. Grimaldi felt absolutely no fear or intimidation for Lex… that she actually felt feeling like amusement, contempt and pity for the poor man… the same kind of feelings one feels for particularly stupid and clumsy pets belonging to other people. Of course, if they’re your own pets, you make allowances for their stupidity... Lex is really lucky that Chloe regards him as HER pet, LOL! (at least, she ‘used’ to).

That wry retort from Mrs. Grimaldi about the ‘ring had better be a nice one’… that has be ROTFLMAO! I loved it! And I thought it spoke well of Lex that he didn’t take offence. He’s really grown up, and is able to take comments like this without bristling with overly sensitive indignation or plotting bloody vengeance. Chloe laughing at and mocking him on a regular basis has obviously been very good for him, LOL!

Chapter Thirteen
The next chapter was also great fun. It was fantastic seeing Mrs. Grimaldi taking charge and supervising Lex. She set the designs and procedures, and he followed her instruction, and they both saved several acres of forest by not letting Lex go crazy with using miles of paper on a single nail polish bottle, ROTFL!

I actually thought Mrs. Grimaldi had VERY good ideas about how to wrap and present Chloe’s gifts. The idea of putting a single notebook with a single pen and pencil inside a little bag was a very subtle and surprising way of letting Chloe know about the lifetime’s supply of office goods waiting for her… But it’s typical that Lex wanted to insist on making a huge, overblown, over-dramatic presentation by shoving all 480 notebooks at Chloe in a single go. LOL! The silly, ridiculous man! He’s REALLY worried about making a good impression on Chloe before proposing to her.

I also liked the way Grimaldi compromised by letting him put the notebooks away in bags, fifty at a time. She’s extraordinarily efficient… the way she carefully weighed and tested the bag’s integrity, and warned Lex not to go over the limit… I LOVE the way she bossed Lex around as if he was a dullard who needed constant supervision and careful, slow instructions to perform the simplest of tasks. LOL! I bet he doesn’t get that a lot… I’m sure it’s good for him to experience this, LOL! If not, it’s immensely fun for the readers!

The quick efficient instruction she gave for the lumps of coal, and for the books on the shelves was also very nicely handled. I suspect there’s going to be a substantial bonus for her by Christmas day… provided Lex has not had his heart broken before signing the check, LOL!


“Yes, we do, and it's a good thing, otherwise we'd be known as crazy rather than eccentric. I'm a weeping sore on the greedy fat rear end of society, but please don't hold it against me. I wasn't raised any better.”

The truth struck a chord, and she sighed. “That's true. I'm surprised you don't pick your teeth with a dagger and swing around like a pirate in the movies.”

He smirked and said, “My masseuse would kill me for the swinging around.”

ROTFL! I loved this part. It was so cute how Lex played his ‘poor little stupid, rich boy’ card to gain sympathy for himself over here. AND the housekeeper fell for it too, ROTFL!


Her coat snagged on the doorknob because he wasn't letting her go any further into the penthouse. Lex's face was pink and his mouth was light red, smearing slightly in the corners. She didn't see a lot of passion in his eyes, but his skin was showing the marks of a romantic evening with someone else. She wanted to make him explain himself, explain the heartache ripping through her chest, but she felt too unfairly self-conscious. She hadn't done anything wrong, but Lex was treating her that way, pushing her out of his life as surely as he had once drawn her closer.

“I forgot my book in the living room,” she said. “I need it to study. I'll just pick it up and leave you to . . . your evening.”

A split-second of panic told her his guest was in the living room, probably drinking heavily and spouting all the gold-digger classic lines to convince him she was a genuine, loving person instead of one step up from a prostitute. Chloe moved to walk around him, a surge of bravery making her quick, but Lex grabbed her gently.

Oh dear GOD! I know Lex is distracted, but he’s being blind to the point of sheer stupidity! He’s not noticing Chloe’s heart is breaking right on front of him… he’s too busy rushing her right out of his life… the poor, idiot fool! It’s going to be SO much fun seeing the state he’s in when he reflects on all his actions, how they must have appeared to Chloe, and all the lost opportunities to set her straight about what was REALLY going on. It’s going to be SO much FUN seeing him suffer, MWAA HA HA HAAA!


He nearly ran down the hallway and returned with the book, seemingly eager to be rid of her and on to the bimbo. Chloe dodged his kiss so it landed with a sticky feeling on her cheek, and she didn't meet his eyes when she said goodnight.

She proceeded calmly to her car and sat in it, no lights or heat to keep her warm. She would have preferred to catch him cheating, just to make it more closed off to any idea of reconciliation. It was less concrete, but she knew lipstick. He wouldn't be tasting hers again, but he wouldn't be lonely. He could fill his bed three times over with groupies.

Oh poor Chloe! I wanted to cry for her. I can see how easy it must have been for her to have misinterpreted what was happening… ESPECIALLY considering her shaky, desperate and stressed out state of mind. The poor girl saw evidence of Lex, not only distancing himself from her, but moving on (in such a callous, fast, cruel, inconsiderate and uncaring fashion) right onto another woman… pr perhaps a group of women. It’s just so sad that Chloe doesn’t believe she warrants a proper break-up scene from Lex… just a hurried ‘please get out while I chat up this other woman, I’ll dump you later’. How horrible!!!

LOL! I'm a mean, sadistic person who is actually having a great time seeing Chloe being tortured like this… AND drooling in anticipation about how Lex is going to be broken once he realizes what’s going on with his (former) girl-friend. I can’t wait to see the chapter of ‘The Big Revelation’. Please post soon.

[hfce]

Part 15 & 16:

I love both updates. I am so glad Chloe got to see after her pizza with another guy she loves Lex. The fact that she feels guilty tells me Lex is the man she wants. I am glad she is willing to wait it out. She won't be disappointed when she finds out what he has been doing. She is going to feel so stupid. LOL! :rofl:

[superag]

The first update was so sad. I was ready to strangle Chloe and then go tell Lex what a schmuck she was being behind his back. So, it was just a pizza but the thoughts were there. Good for Lois to covince her to wait it out!

[somethingeasy]

Chapter Fourteen
These were an awesome couple of chapters, Nonky! I loved them! HOW do you manage to combine humour and heartbreak within the same sentence. I kept laughing, and then sighing in sympathy for Chloe, and then laughing again… it was a very weird cycle.

I really appreciated how the chapter began with Chloe berating herself for not confronting Lex when she believed he was trying to get rid of her because he was entertaining another woman in his apartment. I liked how Nonky showed it was part of a pattern that Chloe has indulged in whenever she felt rejected… Confrontations were the last thing she did… she would mostly run off, cry and brood, and then greet the heart-breaking bastard the next morning with a big friendly smile.


He was a chronic womanizer, and for all she knew a habitual philanderer as well. It shouldn't surprise her as much as it was. She had believed she knew him, and she did; she knew he was ultimately an insecure man traumatized by every intimate relationship he'd ever had. He might only be able to carry on a normal courtship for so long before he either had to have a disastrous marriage or a spectacular breakup. He craved power and she didn't let him boss her around. He wanted control, though to be fair he had never tried to control her. He wanted a woman who could live in his world full-time, replete with manners from Victorian England and an ability to ignore any controversy surrounding his dinner guests. She had never fit, would never get the chance to try.


Chloe knew Lex could confide in her and she would never tell anyone else what had been said, but she didn't think he knew. He didn't like to see her reading his bad press, even when she was critiquing the writing and finding it biased. He hesitated before saying he'd be in a meeting, as if she would accuse him of being the evil CEO caricature running a plot to take over the world.

It was both funny and sad seeing Chloe moping as she kept finding reasons on why she and Lex were never as serious a couple as she might have initially believed. She’s seriously trying to convince herself about how she should have ‘seen it coming’ and how it was ‘inevitable’ for Lex to dump her and move onto someone else… Poor dejected Chloe! I would have thought that dating Lex would have been GOOD for her ego.


There was a divide between his life and the life anyone else might lead whether they were rich or poor. She did her best to work around it, but had found only Lex's effort could allow her to understand how he was feeling and what he was thinking. Successful couples needed to be able to pry into each other and find the hurts so they could make it better and lend support. She had missed him moving on to another woman, so it was unlikely she ever knew Lex that well.

I really liked this observation about relationships and what makes them work. I think it’s true that nosiness is another feature of being in a strong, honest and open relationship… If you’re not interested in your partner’s dealing, chances are that you will never get full disclosure on what your partner is up to.

I liked the picture painted of Bobbo! I was ROTFL at the nick-name… poor guy! But I liked him, he seemed like a nice, average guy… nothing spectacular and impressive about him, but nothing offensive or weird either.


He laughed. “Our rooms are okay. The bathrooms are arctic. You step in and the water from the previous shower is frozen in drops on the tiles. It's getting to be a bit rank while maintenance puts off fixing it. The only guys showering every day are the ones getting laid.”

She and Robert ate pizza and traded college stories, and he walked her to her car before going back to the newsroom. She had told him there was no need, but he had grinned.

“I'll probably just play internet poker, but if anyone else asks I was typing that story on scholarship funding,” he said, bumping her shoulder with his own.

LOL! He might not have been capable of Lex-like witticisms, but he was amusing and charming in his own way, and I enjoyed the conversation between the two of them. Nice wholesome fun dialogue :D


She had smiled and as she was driving away she realized she had tried to pay for her half of the pizza and been refused. Robert had paid, and he had been friendly. She didn't know if he thought it was a date, didn't even know if he had a girlfriend.

It had been nice, and one of her options, but she didn't feel any better. She suspected when she woke up she would feel guilty of something. She had run out of anger and was filled with self-pity.

I should have gone drinking, she thought. Dancing stupidly with Lois isn't cheating.

ROTFLMAO! Oh poor obsessed, pathetic, pitiful Chloe! She’s been driven to new lows where she can’t even hang out with some guy ina purely platonic way without becoming obsessed about Lex in a whole new way. She’s concerned about CHEATING?! Because she split a pizza with some guy?! ROTFLMAO! I guess Lex is not the only one who cracked this December, LOL!

Chapter Fifteen
I was really pleased that this chapter started with Lois mocking Chloe’s concerns about ‘accidentally cheating’ on Lex. I was really happy with Lois throughout this entire chapter because she gave Chloe some heave-handed, upside the head slaps to reality. Chloe has been floating in this obsessed paranoid haze for too long, and she needed someone to boot her back to real life… And Lois fulfilled that need perfectly. YAY Lois!!! LOL!


“Do you leave a hairbrush at his place, because that's probably where he got your DNA,” she said. “Maybe he's using your clone to breed. That's it! He's cheating on you with a pregnant copy of yourself!”

ROTFLMAO! Oh dear me! Am I the only one who thinks this would make an AWESOME fanfic on it’s own?! I can very easily imagine Lex going to these levels of crazy, LOL!


Lois spent biology classes in high school flirting with a classmate, and she wasn't much of a student during her short time at Met. U. Chloe forgave her for not understanding the difficulties of cloning a functioning being and the impossibility of Lex having a clone of her older than six. Unless Lex liked vacant gazing into the distance a clone wouldn't work.

LOL! I suppose this was meant to be a poke at the ridiculousness of the clones that keep popping up in canon SV, LOL! If only the producers and writers could also appreciate this little dose of reality :P


“Well, he's not at it with some brunette bimbo, because he's all glowy and smiley when you're around. He held your hand through dinner and neither of you could cut your food!”

ROTFLMAO! No wonder Lois is so sceptical of Chloe’s theories about imminent dumping. I imagine it must have been absolutely sickening for everyone else to see the saccharine sweetness of the Chlex couple during the Thanksgiving dinner, ROTFL!


“I don't feel like that's what I'm doing. He's different around me, and I have no idea how he spends his time,” she said slowly. “He used to make a bigger effort to call me and meet up even if he was traveling or busy. I've never had a normal boyfriend, but doesn't lack of interest mean there's a problem?”

“Chloe, is it possible you're sending him a vibe that he's not welcome. I hate to be a member of the Woobie Lex Club, but he's kind of sensitive for a guy,” Lois said. “If he felt you wanted space he'd probably move to Cleveland. You've been sort of crabby for a while now.”

squeeee! I love how Lois is driving these home-truths straight through Chloe’s paranoia. It’s fantastic seeing someone talk Chloe down from insanity and back to rhyme, reasons and sense again. I liked the comment Lois made about Chloe searching for excuses to announce herself broken off from Lex… She IS doing that!

And I was ROTFLMAO at the comment of Lex moving to Cleveland if he thought Chloe needed some time and space to herself. LOL! Lois really knows Lex REALLY well. How wonderful, he really has become part of the Sullivan-Lane family.

LOL! Woobie-Lex! Nonky, you actually used that awesome term, ROTFL!


“I'm going to feel so stupid if I've done this to myself,” she muttered. “Okay, so do I call him? I call him, right?”

It’s miraculous! she sees the light! And all it took was some well-phrased sarcasm and mockery from Lois. I should have known that Chloe would have responded better to snark rather than sympathetic reasoning, LOL! Actually, MOST people respond better to mockery of their melodrama rather than gentle reason and sympathy.


She wrinkled her nose and slapped herself on the forehead. Her brain was stuffed with schoolwork and there was no energy left to think of personal things. She was either a huge, masochistic moron or she was being cheated on and about to be dumped.

EXCELLENT! We have made tremendous, wonderful, amazing progress in this one chapter. Chloe bubble of self-pity has been punctured, and now she’s ready for reasonable explanations and/or confrontation. Fantastic attitude adjustment, and it happened perfectly and naturally.


“His name is Bobbo,” Lois reflected. “Maybe you should just not mention him to anyone else.”

ROTFLMAO! Oh dear me! Hilarious! So mean, and hilarious, ROTFL!


Chloe let her head thump onto the desk and her cousin made an uncertain noise in her ear. “Chloe, unless you want out, I think you should do you best with Lex every day. If he's setting up to leave you can't change his mind by whining, but you can show him what he'll be missing. At least you'll have another Christmas with him, and that's a pretty good deal if you love him.”

The blond put her hand under her forehead and thumped it on the desk several more times to beat back tears. She hated this but she knew she was going to wait out whatever Lex was doing because she did want another Christmas in his arms.

“I already bought his stupid present, so I guess I'm hanging in for whatever stupidity is next. Boys suck."

YES! Now THERE is the proper attitude to be approaching this with, Chloe! Yay Lois for digging Chloe’s head out of her self-pitying behind. Heh, the scene is set for reconciliation, but I think Nonky is just teasing and yanking our chains with ‘hope’ for reconciliation before she finally destroys the Chlex relationship. Hold onto your hats everyone! LOL!

[daria_103]

I'm really enjoying this story, so glad to see another chapter up. I loved that Lex taped his conversation with Gabe, and that Gabe had a son in law tape, both knowing that Chloe would be itching to know the whole story.

Lex making sure there was someone there for Chloe incase she said no was the sweetest thing I've ever read.

This whole fic has been great to read, I can't wait for more.

[somethingeasy]

Chapter Sixteen

Hopefully she'll laugh, he thought. She wouldn't laugh at me and say no. So if she laughs she'll have to say yes. I'll take the yes any way it's offered.

Lex stopped, let his arms fall to his sides, and stared at his reflection. “Stop being pathetic or she'll leave you for Clark.”

ROTFL! Oh, Lex! You passed Clark’s level of ‘pathetic’ a long time ago. And if it helps, I’m ‘pretty’ sure that when Chloe leaves you, it won’t be for Clark specifically :P

It was adorable how he was fussing over his appearance before meeting up with Gabe. So many shared family functions, and he still gets nervous around Daddy-in-law… it’s adorable, LOL!


“Yessir,” the billionaire slurred, feeling his face start to crack into panic. He had never called any father of his girlfriends 'sir,' and he found it oddly humiliating he had just done so. “Gabe. I was hoping to speak to you about her, without her adding her commentary.”

He had just insulted her, practically calling her irritating and prone to never shutting up. He backpedaled mentally, but his future father-in-law was chuckling.

ROTFLMAO! I just love how frightened Lex is over here. He’s gone past nervous and into actual terror, ROTFL! I love seeing him so flustered.


A double of several hard liquors would be perfect, but Lex shook his head. He was going to be treated fairly and kindly, and he had been very good to Chloe once he realized he loved her. He had tried to keep the world a safe place for her to wander and investigate. He refilled her windshield wash because she was too lazy to do it between scheduled dealership appointments.

awwww, *swoon* He even fills her windshield wiper wash? THAT is true dedication. And it’s wonderful to see the kind of attention he gives to Chloe on a regular, casual basis as well as the obsessive shopping he’s devoted himself to this past month.


He unfolded a tabletop tripod and Gabe paused. “I have no idea how to phrase this, so I'll be very blunt. Am I going to have to kill you for some reason, and you feel the camera would prevent it?”

ROTFL! I adore Gabe. It’s great fun to see where Chloe got her snark from. I have little doubt that Lex loves Gabe for the same reason too.


Chloe is making me sarcastic, he thought. I'm proud of her for it, but it really is not the time to discover this. Be humble, and gracious, and appreciative. Compliment him.

“I like your chest hair,” he blurted, pointing at it poking out the top of Gabe's casual sweater.

:rofl:
Oh dear Heavens! Lex’s brains have fried out under all the nervous tension. The suave, sophisticated smooth-talker has completely disappeared, ROTFL!


Pulling the neck of the sweater higher, the older man frowned and crossed his arms over his chest. “Did you impregnate my daughter?”

“NOSIR!” Lex stood tall with such an aggressive show of veniality even he was impressed by himself. “I love your daughter.”

Relaxing, Gabe nodded. “Then it's the thing with the small metal circle for her finger. Okay. I'll make coffee and get my notes.”

ROTFLMAO! Oh WOW! Gabe jumped four steps ahead of Lex’s plan, and he left Lex floundering in his dust, LOL! It’s fun to see that the whole Sullivan family is capable of making Lex seem and feel like a buffoon, LOL!


“I like you with Chloe, and you know that, but I need to get some information. Are you an illegal drug user?”

Lex shook his head no. He really hoped this interview stayed in the present or he might not be able to deny honestly.

“Are you abusing prescription drugs, alcohol or other substances?”

He was addicted to Chloe, but didn't think it would count, so Lex shook his head.

“Are you asking me for permission to marry Chloe?” There was a hint of chagrin in the question, and Lex knew it would be difficult to explain his reasons. He felt it was right to talk to her father, but not enough to scrap the engagement if he didn't approve.

“Not really. I'd go ahead anyway,” he paused, embarrassed at his unintended rudeness. “I need her permission. But I'd feel better knowing that she has someone who will be able to comfort her if she says no.”

ROTFLMAO! And I thought Lex was an obsessive planner. I can’t believe that Gabe had these cards ready and prepared for this day. He probably did it just to yank on Lex’s chain and assert his authority as the father in law, LOL! Sneaky Gabe! The Sullivans blend perfectly with the Luthors.


“I couldn't comfort her. She'd feel guilty. The last thing she'd be able to do is take my comfort and feel better. I want someone to be able to help her if she can't say yes.”

“So you're not sure about getting married,” Gabe suggested gently.

“I am,” Lex said calmly, “But she doesn't know I'm planning this and she is going to be surprised by it. If she's not ready I'll wait, and I'd appreciate if you could tell her that in case she won't let me.”

I loved Gabe’s questions. I can’t believe he had written all of these years in advance in preparation for this day. The questions are spot-on perfect. And even more the questions, I loved Lex’s beautiful, considered answers to the interrogation. He’s a dream of a future son-in-law.


“We're agreed then. I'll be ready for anything, and you'll be ready if she needs some space from me,” he said. “That's the last of what I needed. Thank you, Gabe.”

heh, so Gabe also knows about Lex’s plans for this holiday? I wonder whether he’s going to spill the beans to Lois, and whether Lois is going to be able to reach Chloe in time before Chloe does something horribly stupid. The tension’s only drawing tighter now, and I can’t wait to see what happens when the dust clears. I look forward to the next chapter.

[hfce]

Lex is so cute. I love nervous Lex. Chloe you have a gem. :)

[lj715]

What' s going on with this fic? It's been stuck on ch17 for over a week & Christmas has come & gone. Are you not updating it anymore?

[hfce]

What' s going on with this fic? It's been stuck on ch17 for over a week & Christmas has come & gone. Are you not updating it anymore?

I was wondering that myself. ;)

[bluengreenswmer]

What' s going on with this fic? It's been stuck on ch17 for over a week & Christmas has come & gone. Are you not updating it anymore?


Me as well.

[Julie]

Nonky was having some RL issues to take care of, but she's still trying to finish off this story :)

[bether05]

Was the story ever finished? If it was can some one post a link it, I can't figure out how to get to the advent page? I love the story so far and I really need to know how it ends!!!

[Julie]

Was the story ever finished? If it was can some one post a link it, I can't figure out how to get to the advent page? I love the story so far and I really need to know how it ends!!!

The story hasn't been finished yet, but you can read what has been written so far here:

http://network.naughty-seduction.net/advent/

[kitten]

Gifts of Meaning
PG

General Spoilers only

Disclaimer: I don't own Smallville. I don't own Lex or Chloe. I've made no money from this.


Prologue

Santa himself would be proud, Mrs. Claus even moreso as the unlucky woman who had to shop for old Kris, Chloe Sullivan told herself.

She was entitled to bragging rights for finding something for the man who had literally everything. She pushed bubble wrap off the gift she had chosen for her boyfriend months before, wondering if she would still be dating Lex Luthor by Christmas. Her hands cupped the jewelry box with tenderness they would rather show to her lover.

She sighed and popped open the box. The $400 coin nestled in velvet, a thin wafer hardly as large as her thumbnail, and not even pure gold. But it was authentic, a shipwreck coin found in the Mediterranean, a part of history lost and found by modern treasure hunters in 1992. It had taken about fourteen years for all the permits and studies to be completed to allow the men who had found it to sell the artifacts. By the time she tracked down a coin she could afford, they had also published a book chronicling the long journey from cash-starved amateurs to prominent figures in the world of archaeology. She had bought the book as well, and read it before stowing the items away to wrap them nearer to the holidays. She had been moved to find Christmas wrapping paper in August just to be ready. A shiny purple bow sat in the corner of the box, waiting to be the topper of the much-anticipated gift.

Her enthusiasm held up right until the middle of November, when she had dragged herself to the penthouse after a marathon study session. Lex had ordered in for them, and she had curled her exhausted body next to him as they waited for the food. His hand had been warming the back of her neck, soothing the wind-chapped result of forgetting her scarf. He had kissed her sweetly and looked into her eyes with the momentous love she felt increasing between them every day.

“I'm traveling off and on for the next few weeks,” he told her. “I have a series of international meetings and I'll be in two or three different time zones each week. You might not hear from me often.”

He was being considerate by telling her. They continued to live separately, more or less, and Chloe had plenty of school work to keep her busy. She wasn't a simpering fool who couldn't fend for herself in the big, bad world or a believer in keeping a boyfriend on a leash. If he had been a little down about not being with her she would have tried to minimize it and make sure he didn't feel guilty.

She swallowed over the nausea of remembering his cheer. She knew him too well not to see it. Even as suspicions built she felt bad for doubting his loyalty. Lex was faithful to a fault and up to that moment she was blissfully happy with the way he treated her.

His mouth had a twitching mischief as he gave his regrets she couldn't go with him. She was lowered softly to the cushion as he stood up to get the door, but it felt abrupt to her. She noted the spring in his step as she went to pay for the delivery. While he ate heartily she picked at her plate and made an excuse to go back to her dorm for the night.

In her solitude, Chloe cried and raged. Her resolve was one moment entirely intent on fixing whatever problem Lex thought was the fatal one in their relationship; the next second she was making a list of rebound guys and forming insults. She had asked him questions to draw out the cause for the change in his feelings, to no avail. He treated her well, the sex was amazing, and there were no other hints he wouldn't be entering the new year with her on his arm once again.

She just knew and was too cowardly to break things off first.

Lex needed a quest and a challenge, and she had given him everything without a struggle. It wasn't her way to create problems just to fix them or to be difficult in order to make a man prove himself. She couldn't play it coy and become his quest, so she'd have to move on.

Chloe sat up on his bed, his pillow hugged to her aching chest. It had taken her a full year to accept that they were in a serious relationship he intended to last. She wondered how long it would take to believe it was over. She hoped he made it official soon. One more night imagining him in the arms of other women might convince her studying for the second last round of exams wasn't worth the trouble.

They had been together four years. Logically she knew it wasn't an eternity, but it was a chunk of her young life. Her home was the penthouse because he lived there. Her favourite place was tucked into his bed, sated and warm next to him.

Her heart might as well be packed in his suitcase and lost in transit for the broken beats it made.


Chapter One

It was a gorgeous day. The sun was bright and cheerful. Birds reigned the sky gracefully, their wings outstretched in freedom and joy. It was beautiful weather to be on vacation, a state exempt from the current circumstances of the man observing all the natural wonders.

He should have worn a lighter coloured shirt. The charcoal linen held in the heat of the sun on his back and clung to his muscles as they flexed to shovel dirt. Lex Luthor was beginning to doubt he could manage the job by himself. It was for Chloe and he wanted it to mean something, for every moment of annoyance or drop of sweat to build into a tangible aspect of his love for her. He would be less fulfilled if he knew he had cheated part of the effort. He could pay for other people to do a lot of things for him, but he wanted to do this for her with his own two hands.

He hadn't really considered the magnitude of digging up over eleven thousand cubic feet of the dark, heavy soil used to grow Chloe's favourite coffee. He had made up an excuse about a business trip and flown to the big island of Hawaii. His tour of the coffee farm had ended in a big cheque and a handbook in growing and preparing coffee beans. The owner had somewhat whimsically provided him with a shovel, wheelbarrow and vacant area of fertile soil to be transplanted to a greenhouse in Smallville that Lex had yet to build. He felt the shovel handle slide just enough to know there were blisters forming on his palms. He had to fill the wheelbarrow, dump the wheelbarrow into one of the crates, then start over again. Doing the math he had anticipated it would take a leisurely 15 hours spread out over two days. In the evening he'd get a good meal and drive around looking at the beautiful scenery.

In reality, Lex was starting to think filling the wheelbarrow 200 times an hour wasn't going to happen. He was fit and able but it wasn't the kind of work he was used to doing. And he had to remember that once he got home with his many boxes of dirt he was going to have to build the greenhouse and shovel all the dirt into that. It wouldn't be a very merry Christmas for Chloe if she had to visit him in traction and spoon feed him soup.

She had to love coffee, he griped inwardly. Had to love Hawaiian, grown on the side of a freaking mountain coffee. Because she was just a difficult, cantankerous blight on his existence. And he loved her completely.

He propped the shovel blade into the ground and leaned on it, rolling up his sleeves with a sigh. He might have to add a third day and call Chloe to postpone his return. She was busy with exam preparation, but he had asked her to dinner on his first night back. Lex turned around when someone tapped his shoulder, to find one of the workers smiling at him.

“Boss says you don't want any help because you want to take all the credit,” he said with amusement, and Lex bristled. His goal wasn't silly – not to himself, nor would it be to Chloe. “I thought the rules might let you use the digger if we teach you to use it.”

He pointed at a relatively small front end loader, the bucket encrusted with dirt. Lex nodded and shook the man's hand. “I'd appreciate that. I'm Lex.”

The other man offered a work worn hand and the billionaire envied his textured callouses. He could probably shovel just as well without the machine's assistance. He was Polynesian, his bronze skin ideal for the sun that beat down on other, paler complexions. He looked relaxed and cool in his bright red shirt and khaki shorts. His sandals held much better on the soil than dress shoes.

“I'm Ahe, softly blowing breeze,” he translated. “You are doing this for a woman?”

After four years with Chloe, Lex was well aware of his comic potential, so he smiled amiably. “What else?”

“I gave up my Cadillac and bought a minivan. It was worth it,” the other man said complacently. He grimaced. “But I won't tell you it didn't hurt to do it. You know how to drive a stick shift?”

Lex nodded and followed him to the loader. Sweating himself into dehydration wouldn't impress Chloe. He had been professionally trained to drive before getting the keys to his first sports car. He would watch Ahe, memorize the controls and give himself twenty minutes or so to learn the fine points of operating the machine.

Four hours later, Lex strained as he eased the lever back, hoisting a bucket of dirt above the ground. He bit his lip and tried to keep his hands steady. Using a second control, he turned the upper part of the rig toward the open crate. He was almost there when his hand slipped and he managed to both dump the dirt back to the ground and swing the bucket dangerously. Cursing, he watched Ahe and several other workers dive to safety and sit up, laughing as the loader stilled.

He couldn't coordinate the controls at all. If he got the bucket in place to dig the loader slid because he had forgotten to brake. If he successfully dug up some earth he couldn't hold it up and get it to the container. As a heavy equipment operator, Lex Luthor was forced to admit he was nothing but detrimental.

He put the brake on carefully, fumbled as he climbed over the large tracks and jumped down. He wasn't used to being horrible at anything, and the fact that it was happening just when he wanted to prove he was capable was grating. He had to learn how to be the best loader operator the coffee plantation had ever seen, and he had to do it in three days. Four days, maximum.

“Ahe, do you think you could call your wife and tell her you'll be getting home late today,” he asked politely.

The man looked up at the darkening sky, now empty of birds, and shrugged.

Lex looked at the rest of his audience. “All of you guys, stay for a while and I'll treat you to dinner and a few rounds after you laugh at me. It's better than television.”

With their nods and poorly hidden smiles, Lex had his training team. He wrinkled his nose, cracked his neck and climbed back into the wretched loader to try again.


Chapter Two

If he had to make a living as a labourer on daily wages, Lex would be a much skinnier version of himself.

Progress finally arrived before the lunch break on Lex's third day. He had received a standing ovation with his first complete series of operations to drive up to the digging site, lower the bucket, dig with it, tilt it up, drive to the crate and dump it in. Afterward he was so happy he laughed out loud. Ahe, the unofficial foreman of the one-man show, called for a break and a celebration.

Trying to be convincingly cool about his victory over the horrible machine, Lex joined the other men. He had suffered a nasty sunburn on the first day, so the only benefit to the loader was the roof keeping the sun off as he stripped down to a t-shirt. He had worked as long as he was allowed, most of the time embarrassing himself. He had managed very early to prevent the bucket from swinging out like a huge arm to injure his audience. It was pathetic how long it took to coordinate his hands and be able to dig.

Sitting at a picnic table, Lex accepted a soda. He drank deeply and sighed. Now the hard work was still ahead of him, but he had the means and skills to do it in decent time. Thought not quickly, so his dinner with Chloe would be pushed back a day.

“We've been talking, and we've decided it must be a very beautiful woman making your ruin your suits, and we want to see her,” Ahe said jovially. “George thinks she's a famous model.”

Lex laughed as they threw out a few names. He shook his head at all of them. “She's not a model, she's not famous. She's just my girlfriend.”

Mike tapped his soda can against Lex's. “Good for you, but we want to know. What colour is her hair?”

Smiling, the billionaire glanced down at his hands, imagining them running through her hair and over her face. “She's blond, very energetic, very happy, green eyes. Huge imagination and she writes. She's doing a journalism degree.”

In cheerful lechery, Ahe suggested. “She must be very tall and busty then?”

Lex reminded himself these men were honestly curious and shook his head again. “Kind of short, pretty busty, and she's put up with me for years now. Realistically, without saying we'll never fight or have problems, Chloe is perfect for me.”

He saw one man nudge the other, as if to say 'I told you so.' Ahe nodded. “You're going to marry her then? Proposing at Christmas?”

Suddenly feeling a little insulted, Lex shrugged as if it was a casual thing to him. “I'm not sure. I think if I put too much planning into it I'd give myself ulcers. Let it happen when it happens, right?”

He had vacillated about the clichéd Christmas proposal, but it felt right. She would be at home for a few weeks, splitting her time between the castle and her father's house. Work would be slower to allow his employees their vacations. He would have all the presents prepared, ready to impress upon her the effort he was willing to give not just to the proposal but to every day of their marriage. Knowing she didn't need the huge display of devotion made him more determined to give it to her.

Taking out his wallet, Lex handed a photo of Chloe to the man on his right, a giant named Tiny. A huge mitt patted him on the back and the picture was passed around the table as the men ate their lunches. The site was in a relatively untouched part of the plantation, and it looked to be more of a hang out than the small, tidy break room Lex had been shown on the tour. He had been aware of many people stopping to stare for a few minutes as he struggled with the loader, and fewer as he got better at using it.

I guess seeing someone do it properly isn't as entertaining, Lex thought without malice. If Chloe was here she would have been the first and loudest to offer mockery.

He couldn't wait to tell her about his failures bordering on pratfalls from a Charlie Chaplin movie, and hear her laugh. Lex had been an object of laughter and mockery many times in his life, but Chloe always made sure her eyes were smiling at him with love so he didn't have to take offense. She was practiced and natural at it, but she was careful with his feelings and she meant what she told him. He felt incredibly secure with her, but they had plenty of humour, a feat any woman without her generous heart would fall flat attempting.

He had always enjoyed talking with her, but he wanted to share every detail of his life with her. He looked for funny things to tell her and only counted his successful projects once they had been related to her and praised. Knowing Chloe loved him altered his being in some way he was better for experiencing.

Put more simply, he loved her and who he was when she loved him. He wanted to make it official in a way only a wedding could, and he was feeling that so often it was worth any risk of hurt feelings if she wasn't ready. He was ready to hear her say no, and that was what had finally made it okay to ask her.

He would wait years more for Chloe if she didn't say yes, but he didn't think it would be necessary. She was graduating and by summer would have decided on her first newspaper. They had time. Her photo was given back and Lex brushed his thumb over it before returning it to his wallet.

“You have a beautiful girlfriend,”Ahe complimented. “You should bring her back a picture of your new friend.”

The group laughed as Ahe pointed to the loader, but Lex stood up. He was doing all of it for Chloe, as a surprise, but there was no reason not to tell her all about it once he'd proposed. Her curiousity to see him doing grunt work could be satisfied fairly easily.

“Pictures would be great.”

As Lex posed by the loader, he was smiling genuinely despite the heat of the day and his sore muscles. She was worth it.



Chapter Three

Chloe asked to be picked up at the university before dinner, not wanting the hassle of driving if she was too upset. Lex had returned that day from Hawaii and called her in the afternoon to invite her out for the night. She was tempted to say no to spite him, withhold her company the way he had by leaving, but he would be getting on another flight in a few days. She didn't know if the physical or emotional distance was more disheartening.

He was practically gleeful, overly happy even if he'd doubled his fortune. She knew he hadn't done anything that important, though LuthorCorp might be expanding outside the continental U.S. She was happy for him, really. It didn't feel like something she was part of, so she didn't know what to say about it.

I'm glad you'll have more obscene wealth to spend on your new girlfriend, Lex. Let's remain friends forever, she sneered in her mind. Name your first daughter after Aunt Chloe.

She didn't like or trust her friends and had no desire to pine for another male 'buddy' in her life. That part of the Chloe Sullivan melodrama was done. No quantity of mutual orgasms made her a slave to a man. She was going to ride out her last few days as the comic relief, knowing she had been a good girlfriend and done her best. She would get dumped bravely, because she was experienced and that had to count for something.

Lex pulled up in one of his sports cars and she got in before he could come around to open her door. He was left standing awkwardly outside, his arms out from his body in a halted hug. He grinned through the windshield to her instead and got back in to lean over to her side and kiss her. Chloe kept her eyes open and her mouth closed, and was nearly unaffected.

“It's kind of chilly,” Lex said, and he really had no idea. She smiled and made an assenting noise. “I missed you. How are doing with studying?”

“It's fine.” The last time she had been able to read and remember words on a page was a week ago, but Chloe couldn't talk to him about it. She was eager to be heartbroken if that was where things were headed, so she could start putting herself back together. She was relieved it was almost over.

Lex signaled and pulled into traffic, driving them to the restaurant in silence at first. Chloe looked tired and her clipped answers told him she was stressed. He wished he could help, but previous years had taught him she carried an unavoidable distraction before her exams that he shouldn't try to fix. The day of her last exam she always returned to a happy mood. Obviously her grades weren't much of a problem but it was normal to worry.

“I visited a coffee plantation,” he said, glancing over. “It was pretty interesting. You wouldn't believe all the steps the coffee has to go through before it's fueling your hyperactivity.”

His smirk told her he was joking and she jerked in her seat to point her face out the window. She couldn't do this. The tears were flooding her and she didn't even get dumped yet. She was hyperactive and young – too young for the society he kept. So Lex was the one to compromise his schedule and his tastes. She couldn't leave Metropolis more than a few times a year without missing too many classes, acting as his anchor in the city she didn't know if he even liked.

She was Chloe Abigail Sullivan, and what she had to offer wasn't hidden or exaggerated. She was barely twenty-one, had a long way to go before she accomplished anything as brilliant as her lover, and she was holding him back. He deserved to have someone more like himself and maybe she would do better with someone more ordinary than Lex Luthor.

Breathing hurt like pulling in fire, and the tears were falling. She leaned her face to the cold glass and sniffled. She just wanted one last dinner with him so she could remember him well. She was screwing it up.

“Sweetheart, are you crying,” Lex asked her sharply. He reached over and she huddled away from his hand, covering her face. “Chloe, I didn't mean – you're not hyperactive. I was joking.”

If only she had tissues in her purse. Who went to a date expecting to get dumped without bringing tissues? Chloe let out a sob she managed to muffle, but he was pulling the car over and taking off his seatbelt. He crowded her, taking her away from the coolness of the door and hugging her as well as he could over the center console. Her body foolishly folded up to let him comfort her, forgetting he was the source of her pain and couldn't heal it as well.

“I'm sorry,” she gasped. “I just wanted to go to dinner with you but I'm so tired and there's too much to do, and I feel like I'm going to throw up.”

Lex pressed his lips to her forehead chastely, and it was hot. She was shaking and tears were squeezing unwillingly from her eyes to wet her face. He thought she might be a little skinnier than he remembered as well.

“Don't be sorry. You should have told me you weren't feeling well.”

He humiliated her further by taking out a handkerchief and ruining the silk with her tears. Chloe was left with his jacket over her shoulders, being driven back to her dorm. She had longed for one more night with Lex in his penthouse, to stay awake while he slept and memorize it for the miracle it was. She was going to get nothing to remember clearly now. Everything before felt sour.

Lex, ever the gentleman, brought her to her dorm room and came in to make sure she was okay. He fixed the covers on her messy bed and put a bottle of the overpriced vending machine orange juice on the desk with some pills for her fever.

Chloe ducked into the bathroom and cried harder for a few minutes before making herself stop. She washed her face and pulled on pajamas to convince him she was going right to sleep. Her eyes looked huge and frightened but she couldn't help that.

“Feeling better,” he asked when she emerged.

“Yes, I'm sorry, I'm fine now. You should go get some food. I feel so silly already,” Chloe said hoarsely.

She let him watch her take the pills and crawl into bed, and he put his coat on. She sighed in relief.

“I could bring you some soup and ice cream while you take a nap. It would make you feel better.”

To Chloe's horror he sat on the edge of her bed and put a hand on her stomach to rub soothingly. Real nausea curdled as she felt her body start to sweat. If she was going to be swallowing back her near panic it would come out in physical discomfort.

“No. Thank you. I just need some sleep. Thank you, though, and thank you for dinner we didn't eat.”

He studied her, decided something from how she looked, and nodded. “I'll call you tomorrow, and you'll let me know if there's anything you need?”

She said “Yes,” just as he lowered his mouth to hers and their kiss lasted for several heated minutes before she pushed him back. Chloe shivered as he brushed another kiss over her forehead and covered her with another blanket.

“Get some rest,” Lex said softly. He stood up and walked to the door, flicking off the light.

Once the door was opening she couldn't bear it, and Chloe sat up.

“Lex? I missed you. I didn't say it earlier, but I did.”

His voice was smiling when he replied. “I love you.”

The door shut behind him and she curled up into a ball.

It did seem like he loved her, but that was just the heat of his body held in the blankets. She had cried on him and given him very little choice except to take her home like a sick child. She made Lex tuck her into bed and give her medicine like she hadn't even expected her father to do in years. It might be that he was reluctant to leave her, but that didn't feel like the right reason to be together. Waiting for something bad was purgatory.

So much for dignity and cancel Christmas, she despaired.

Chapter Four

He had a hammer in one hand and his cellphone in the other, and Lex Luthor really didn't want to waste the day building walls for a glass shack. He had found out unless he accepted help no reputable glass company would give him multiple large panes of glass, for liability sake. The greenhouse wouldn't be completely constructed with his hands, but his hands wouldn't be severed either.

Likely that would be Chloe's preference, he thought wryly.

He knew he had an overly complicated mindset. Most men just proposed, taking time to buy a ring and book a nice restaurant. He was building a small-scale gourmet coffee plantation and paying royalties to use a renowned Hawaiian variety of bean. Not to mention all the shoveling once he had a finished greenhouse.

He had plans carefully marked with clarifications of anything he didn't quite grasp from seeing it on the blueprint. He had tools, lumber, nails and paint. He had insulation, and even a lead liner to prevent the Smallville soil from getting anywhere near the coffee plants. Diligence would be too late once his wife started glowing in the dark, and her coffee consumption was far from insignificant.

He frowned and raised the cellphone, tempted to let the hammer fall to the ground so he could visit Chloe. She had called him early that morning, saying she was much better and apologizing unnecessarily. He didn't mind taking care of her, though her discomfort made him worried. He was honoured to be one of the few people she allowed into her life. He liked quiet homebody Chloe when she appeared.

Chloe said she wouldn't have time to see him the rest of the week. She insisted she didn't need a doctor and was feeling much better after catching up on sleep. She promised she would eat every meal and rest. She was refreshing self-sufficient and he didn't want to change that, so he didn't offer to have food delivered. He only asked once about seeing a doctor because she had seemed very fatigued. A rough patch during a stressful time was unfortunately normal and she bounced back quickly once she was on vacation.

His plans for her winter break included every garish Christmas observance and plenty of spoiling, so Lex felt he could make up for the current neglect. She said she was fine and he was being nervous to think otherwise. He put the phone down nearby in case she called, and tested his grip on the hammer. He wasn't feeling in top condition and might have to take days longer than professional carpenters, but he was going to build her greenhouse.

The first board he picked up gave him a splinter, but he shrugged it off. When it happened twice more, Lex squinted at the lumber with distaste. He had asked for very high quality wood, surely that wouldn't be falling into splinters so easily? Chloe was somewhat accident prone and he wasn't going to have her scraped and bleeding from one of his gifts.

He picked up the phone and called the building supply. He ranted about supstandard products and generally made the manager antagonistic, until the man sniped, “If it's impractical to sand down the entire structure, it's pretty impractical to have a billionaire novice building the thing! Why don't you do us all a favour and start with a bird house or something?”

Dead silence had fallen, and Lex stopped himself from hanging up. It was true he had no idea what he was doing, but he'd expected to be able to pick it up. He had the building designed to be simple, and the carpenter had explained the tricky parts of the job. The hardware store had every tool remotely necessary. But when Lex looked at the lawn littered with equipment he admitted he was overwhelmed.

“Mr. Luthor, I'm sorry. I was out of line and I'd be happy to replace the lumber,” the manager said.

Lex looked at his project and made a decision. “No need to apologize, I think I was taking out my frustration on you, Mr. Samms. I would like to return this lumber for something less likely to splinter, but I'm going to get a carpenter to do the building and I'd like an expert opinion of what type of wood it should be.”

There wasn't enough time in the day to waste on work he wasn't sure about, and Lex had moved to plan B. He wouldn't build the greenhouse himself, but he would supervise the building. He would make sure it had all the little touches that Chloe would enjoy now that he didn't have to limit the design to simplicity.

It would be ridiculous to take her out to her wonderful greenhouse only to find a pile of collapsed boards and broken glass, he mused. I'd never hear the end of it.

Three days later, Lex Luthor took a final walk through the greenhouse behind the castle in Smallville. The carpenter had done a fine job and in very little time. There were large boxes for the soil Lex still intended to shovel himself, benches so comfortable it was hard to believe they were made of laquered wood, and a cabinet for the gardening stuff. If Chloe would ever be moved to botany the greenhouse would inspire it.

A warm feeling ran through him as he imagined proposing there, her hands shaking in his as he led her to the bench.

She'd probably be too distracted by the coffee. I could ask her in bed, but I'd be too distracted. Maybe I'll ask her under the Christmas tree.

His blue eyes widened slightly as he anticipated another overwhelming task. He had as much experience with Christmas trees as he did with building or digging. And if he was crippled by a tree Chloe was going to be merciless.

Chapter Five

Chloe stared at the gift basket on her desk, hating it more than any essay or boring interview she'd ever been assigned. She wanted to hurl it out the window, but her window wouldn't open wide enough. It was a very large basket, filled with fresh fruit, chocolates and fancy toiletries. It probably cost more than she could afford on her end of semester cash flow. She didn't really think she could lift it.

Her roommate had accepted the delivery, otherwise it would have been returned to Lex. At least it would have to be trotted up to his office in LuthorCorp for his assistant to deal with. The card was signed 'Lex.' Lex had not written it, and there was no personal message. He delegated her to an employee.

She could call and say thank you, but she couldn't pull off the gratitude. He had emailed her from Smallville to say he'd be in Europe for a few days, and she had replied with a mention of the gift basket then. 'You forgot the liquor.' He would think she was joking.

She would hate the gift basket a lot less if it had liquor. She might even open the wrapper and try to be friends

Lex had tried his usual gift-giving routine with her three and a half years ago. When their relationship was decided to be a stable thing he had flowers sent every week, along with a little present. Sometimes the present was wonderful and sometimes it was just puzzling. Chloe didn't wear silk scarves and she carried a backpack instead of a purse; Lex sent her purses and scarves. She asked him about it and he claimed to think they were safe gifts, ones she would like and he knew how to choose. She told him presents weren't necessary, he said he liked giving her things and she was charmed.

Two months passed before she received a duplicate present and realized Lex didn't do anything except have someone else send her things. She made herself wait until their next date and told him she didn't want any presents. His face had fallen, and she stood her ground. If she wanted a token of his butler's affection she could date his butler. A long, tedious explanation had convinced him it wasn't the quality or variety of presents bothering her. He insisted he liked giving her presents and even when he couldn't do it personally he took pleasure from knowing she would be opening a token from him that day.

“Buy me something from here,” she had said, stopping him in front of a newsstand. “Something you think I'll like. I don't care that nothing here costs more than $10 or is meant to last longer than a month.”

He asked her to wait and came back four minutes later with chocolate covered almonds and a news magazine. She smiled and marveled at his over-gifting. He had taken three magazines and spent $20. He held out the top magazine to her and the candy.

“The other two are mine,” he said, and took her hand.

It was a million years from the gift basket of impending rejection, and she deliberately turned her back to it. Chloe propped her study notes on her pillow and closed her eyes. She would take a little nap before she did some work. She would ignore everything else.

There was a guy in Literature who always had to borrow her pen, but her returned it to her with a huge smile like he was only using it as an excuse. His name was Grady and he wore t-shirts with funny puns she enjoyed. He brushed her fingers once in a while and she pulled back quickly. She wasn't his to touch, only Lex's. Chloe had been proud of being faithful.

If she could get over being with a guy named Chad he was an acquaintance she thought was a possibility. Henry was nice to her when she got him to help her find books in the library. He was geeky and sweet. He wouldn't be thinking about doing better than a blond journalism student with her own car. If she was reading him right he'd be grateful.

The more she thought about it the names came easily. Dozens of guys had shown interest in her, but she was taken and happy. She saw them but never gave them any encouragement. A lot of them were still around, and maybe they were waiting for the day she smiled differently or looked into their eyes. She didn't need to be dating someone. Schoolwork and the newspaper kept her amply busy. Her free time was limited.

Chloe was pretty, smart and fun. She was brave and her expectations were reasonable. She liked pizza and burgers. A date didn't have to be anything more than walking around. She was used to Lex working all the time and never being interested in student functions. There was no arguing the appeal of Lex's designer clothes but she liked casual clothes. She was just as impressed when someone brought her coffee as if he picked her up in a town car.

She'd worked very hard on her self esteem and it was stronger. Lex wasn't the only person she could love. He wasn't the last man who would want her.

Jumping up from the bed, Chloe wrote a quick note and taped it to the basket inviting people to help themselves to anything from it. She dragged it off the desk and kicked it into the hallway, locking it out.

She was going to look until she saw someone who appealed to her. As it was it seemed like she was months behind Lex in moving on.

Chapter Six

Sinuses disliked long plane trips and second hand bookstores. The second half of that was new information.

Lex's nose itched at the dusty and poorly ventilated smell of old books. The room he stood in was only a small shop, but it was supposed to have what he was looking for. In the 1950s there had been a publishing firm called Chloe, and they produced hardback copies of classic books in green velvet so near Chloe's eye colour he had been amazed when he saw a picture of one. The company had long been defunct, and their books were only available in far flung second hand shops.

He was unlucky enough to have found them only in Europe, where a single collector seemed to have brought them and sold them by individual volumes. There were one hundred titles in the complete set and he wanted it for Chloe. To make life more difficult, he had made a rule that he needed to go and get the books for the gift to count. He had to go to the bookstore, look around and buy them without any assistance.

He was in Amsterdam, with four more cities to visit. The proprietors swore the books he needed were there, so all he had to do was show up.

“Good morning,” he greeted the man sorting dusty paperbacks. “Where are the Chloe brand books?”

The look in response was so lacking in energy that Lex nearly asked if he was choking. When his mouth finally moved in words he said, “Back with the old hardcovers – sorted by colour.”

Hoping his ears were failing, the younger man leaned in. “I'm sorry, did you say sorted by colour? As in the colour of the book jacket?”

After a nod that spanned a decade, the man turned back to his work. The thousands of books, perhaps edging up to tens of thousands, were sorted by colour. Not author, year, publisher or title. There were red books filling one shelf, the next white, the next shades of yellow or gold. Somewhere in the back there were green books, every green book they had, apparently. Lex shrugged out of his jacket and picked up a basket, heading into the musty unknown.

He kicked over a stack of books with every step into the gloom that was 'the back.' Wishing for a flashlight, Lex strained his eyes glancing between one large and shadowed bookcase and the one next to it. After getting nose to nose with a shelf he decided the left was green, albeit a very dark forest green, and the other was black. And he assumed he still had five fingers on each hand, despite not being able to see them directly in front of his face.

Tilting his list to a window near the ceiling, Lex decided to just start in order. He would run his fingers along every book spine and hope he picked up braille along the way. It was sunset before he hauled the full basket to the front, four hours after he started. All forty of the titles he had been told were there dragged on his right arm, and he sighed.

None of the other bookstores could be as difficult. It wasn't possible.

London rain dripped off his face as he entered the bookstore later that night. It was near closing, but they only had three books he needed. It couldn't take that long to find three books. He was happy to see labels on shelves, and multi-coloured hues. The books weren't arranged by colour.

He didn't bother speaking to the bored twenty-something clerk, just followed the helpful labels. The new books were out front where they could sell more and the older, rarer volumes sat further back waiting to be discovered. It made sense from a business standpoint and Lex could appreciate that. He was also pleased there was adequate lighting and a true sense of organization.

He found the books printed in the 1950s and quickly realized they were first printings of books copyrighted in that decade. He moved on, watching for the distinctive green and gold seal proclaiming his love's name. There was a shelf of classics, but those were the Greek classics in Latin. He leafed through a couple before putting them back.

“Three books,” he told himself. “Three little books. They can't be that hard to find.”

He followed the corridors of books logically, thinking the 1950s would be near the 1940s and 1930s. He was wrong. There were more classics in Latin, Greek classics, Gothic novels, and finally a case devoted to The Bible. Lex retraced his steps, found the 1950s and headed in the only other direction he could go. He passed the encyclopaedias and reference books. He found a section of romance novels. His shoulder knocked an illustrated volume of Kama Sutra down to a page so artistically sexual he took the book with him to buy. He counted his steps, tried to think of an overview of the store by picturing the layout from above. He scanned for the Chloe green and felt his eyes burning. There were barely enough hours of the day for the travel he'd done, and his schedule hadn't included four hours in a single store.

The lights flickered off and back on, as if in warning of closing time. Lex looked at his watch. He had been wandering for twenty minutes. He walked back to the counter forcefully, determined to get some answers from the somnolent clerk.

“I'm looking for the Chloe books,” he nearly screamed.

A pair of headphones pulled leisurely down, the guy spoke in a London drawl. “These th'uns ere?”

He picked up three books in green, gold seals reading Chloe across the spines. Lex took them and turned to the title pages, making sure they were the right ones. He smiled. There were 11 books in Hamburg and 46 in Paris. He would be able to continue that night and sleep on the plane. He was reaching for his wallet when he felt the first twinge.

It was too easy, he thought.

“Canlytekash.”

The clerk pushed the credit card back to Lex with the baffling statement. Perhaps his piercings were getting in the way.

“I'm sorry?”

The pseudo-punk shrugged and said more clearly, “We c'nly take cash.”

The books weren't expensive, less than $75 dollars each, but Lex didn't have it. He had cash before he arrived in Amsterdam and had to have it converted to buy the first forty books. He asked for some British pounds, but only enough to get a taxi to the store and back to the airport. He wasn't intending to stay long and didn't bring his employees with him. Usually they would have made maps and local currency available. It was their role to make his life seamless.

It wasn't that the books were an expensive present. They represented Chloe's love of the written word, his sincere belief that one day her name would be on a novel or a full-length investigative book instead of a newspaper column. He respected her tenacity to dig back through time and attempts to hide to fill her articles with reliable information. He loved her work ethic. The velvet coverings of the books even felt like her; softness with strength and longevity underneath.

It hurt to hand the books back to the disgruntled youth, but Lex stayed civil. He asked for them to be held until the next day, and he flicked up his collar to walk to the taxi he had paid to wait for him. At least at The Savoy they would take his credit.

Chapter Seven

Lex slept only as long as he could justify and called for room service early in the morning. He was insistent there would be no more delays. He would pay in cash, move quickly and efficiently, and he would not strangle the irritating people he was likely to meet.

At least it's too early for muggers, he thought, looking around at the foggy morning that could pass for twilight.

He checked out of his hotel and called the pilot to have the plane readied. The bookstore opened on time, and he was waiting outside when the elderly owner arrived. She looked him up and down, saw he was cold and took an extra few minutes to dig her keys from her purse. Her eyes narrowed under blue shaded lids, and she lit a cigarette.

“S'only five to,” she said, and strolled away to pollute her lungs.

Lex gritted his teeth. He was not going to let himself be shaken. There was time for a five minute delay. He leaned on the building and imagined Chloe's reaction when she had her own selection of novels taking up a shelf in his library. He had no qualms about giving her part of his space because she would be so happy. She might go into one of her rare giggling sprees and need to be kissed out of it.

He was smiling to himself when the woman came back to unlock the store. She ducked inside quickly, presumably to punch in an alarm code, then eyed him unkindly. Thinking his brooding was making her suspicious, Lex smiled with as much warmth as he could. Her mouth twisted into a maroon sneer, and she walked away from the door. Lex took that to mean he was allowed inside, so he let himself in.

He approached the counter and saw the four books were still waiting for him. Producing his wallet, he pretended the woman hadn't been rude. It didn't matter as long as Chloe's books were for sale.

“I was here last night,” he said, “But I didn't have cash. I had these books.”

The woman read the titles of the Chloe books with disdain, but when she got to the illustrated Kama Sutra her face turned up to him blankly. He leaned back and cleared his throat, holding out his money.

“I believe that was the total, correct me if I'm wrong.”

She stared for so long he felt obliged to explain himself, sincerely regretting the impulse buy. The influence of an elderly British woman was making him feel like a pervert trying to buy girlie magazines. He was an educated man and he did occasionally enjoy erotic literature, but it was literature first and foremost. He was not a pervert. She was really making him angry and he didn't have to justify himself to her. His personal life was quite full without having to drool salaciously over strange women.

“Listen-” he began, a rant Chloe would be proud of bubbling up.

“This'un s'half off,” the woman told him. “Chip never checks it out in m'book. He's my grandson. Should sack him, though.”

She took Lex's money, gave his change back, and put the books neatly into a bag. As the receipt was printing he mentally rolled his eyes. All the sneaking around was making him paranoid and crabby. He would be much happier once Chloe knew everything and was making fun of all his troubles. She always enjoyed that and made him laugh at things.

He said a polite goodbye and took a taxi to the airport. He was trying to make Hamburg the quickest stop yet, so he paid exorbitant interest to have his money exchanged at the airport. Chloe was back in Metropolis and she hadn't been feeling well. From her voice on the phone he could tell she wasn't fully recovered. He hoped the gift basket had helped until he could be there in person.

It was about Chloe, otherwise he wouldn't have left her at all.

Chapter Eight

Paris had been kind. Lex was greeted with the kind of warmth he was almost repulsed by, and his cheeks were kissed and pinched. Lipstick smears of two different shades marked his face and he was walked, personellement, to the shelf of Chloe books. The two men who ran the bookstore stroked his shoulders and left him to his purchases. He could hear them discreetly snapping pictures as he bent down to inspect the quality of the books, but it wasn't too distracting. They had almost half of the set in one location on a brightly lit dream of a bookcase.

At least my looks are getting me somewhere, he mused. My brain alone isn't up to bringing me where I need to be.

He leafed through all 46 before turning to carry his basket to the front of the store. The audience had grown and a camera flash blinded him.

“For our scrapbook,” he was told.

Despite the puzzling statement, Lex agreed to pose with them. They introduced themselves as Jean-Jean; Jean-Pierre and Jean-Louis, and he had no idea why they'd want to merge into a conglomerate name, but he used it because he had no idea who belonged to which Jean moniker. He posed shaking hands with them, reading one of their books, and signing their scrapbook. If he wasn't careful he thought he'd be invited to do a dramatic reading of Les Miserables. Luckily it didn't come to that and he dodged the farewell kisses.

He rewarded himself by picking up some exquisite take out and eating it with his pilot and co-pilot before they flew to Hamburg. Germany was cold, and Lex had bought a parka. He zipped himself into the puffy coat and waddled with self-satisfaction to his cab. He was prepared now. He had cash, he was dressed properly, and he only had eleven books to find in this last store.

I wonder if Chloe is going to be able to come to my place this weekend, he thought. I can't bring her to Smallville because she'd find the greenhouse.

His driver stopped in front of a huge building.

“I don't think this is it,” Lex told him. “I'm looking for a bookstore.”

He showed the address again and the driver nodded, pointing to the warehouse. He tapped the meter. Lex stared for a few seconds, cursing himself for feeling calm and optimistic. He should know better. He asked the taxi driver to wait, but he didn't speak German and the man pretended not to understand with exaggerated facial expressions.

There was a doorbell, so he rang it, ignoring the roar of the taxi as it abandoned him. If he was in the wrong place he was going to need a hotel room for the night anyway. His pilots couldn't clock more air hours that day unless he got back quickly. The door slid up like a garage, and a portly man looked out. He nodded.

“Luthor, ja?”

He continued talking as Lex stepped inside and squinted in the dimness. He looked at his watch and said something in an approving tone, presumably that Lex was right on time for their rescheduled appointment. He showed the list of books they were supposed to have and watched as light switches were turned on.

“What the – It's a warehouse!”

Lex yelled it, but his dismay was hardly satisfied with the outburst. Instead of a stuffy little cubby, or a modern marketplace bookstore, he was looking at crates packed on scaffolding. He was standing next to a forklift. The man next to him was wearing a hard hat and offered one to the devastated billionaire. It was lime green, perfectly clashing with the brown parka.

The man wrote a code down, and pointed to the left of the huge space. It was not the kind of adventure buying books normally required.

“I can't find anything here,” Lex said, shaking his head . He took the hat when the man shook it at him, insistent. “Fine. I need to make a phone call.”

He jammed the hard hat on and called his flight crew. He would be keeping them from their families one more night, but he would make it up to them, he promised. He called a very expensive hotel and made sure all the rooms had room service, mini bar, spa treatments and movies billed to him. He really didn't want to have to hire a new pilot. The current one was very understanding.

“Okay, let's go,” he said, waving for the man to lead the way.

The flurry of German in response seemed to boil down to the man staying behind with the forklift, where he was sitting. He pulled out a paper bag and started setting his lunch out. Lex thought about yelling or bribery, but the man was so relaxed and nonchalant. Not knowing the German word for eviscerate was making things impossible.

Lex set out in the vague direction of right. He walked for a few minutes, trying to get his bearings. He could see where there were codes marked on the shelves, but he didn't know if he was getting near.

“I should have driven the forklift,” he mumbled. “I know I can after that damn loader.”

He hit a corner and turned right again, finding another section of the warehouse. It was mildly interesting to see the different things stored there, including a beautiful Porsche he was tempted to buy himself. He was beginning to think it was either an illegal operation or a tax shelter, but he was getting Chloe's books.

He turned again and it was a dead end, so Lex spun around. He sighed. He was lost, the careful memorization of turns lost somewhere in his irritation. He was lost and Chloe would only know he was going to marry her when someone found his skeleton clutching his proposal ideas.

“What's German for 'come find me, you idiot,'” he asked the emptiness.

Back and to the left didn't take him anywhere recognizable. If he could find that sweet car he could get back to the front and yell at the cheerfully uncomprehending workman. He tried right and peered into the distance. It was worst than the time Chloe took him to a discount department store, then lost him in the electronics section. He had to have her paged.

He had to admit his sense of direction rarely got a workout anymore, and he was just blundering around. There was no order he could tell to the shelf markers, no particular type of items stored together.

His phone rang and he thought for a second it might be a rescue party. At least that was an option if he really couldn't get out.

“Hello?”

“Hi, Lex.”

He smiled, Chloe's voice working immediately to make him happy. “Hi, sweetheart, how are you?”

She sighed. “I'm okay, busy. I was wondering if you're still getting back tomorrow morning?”
He kept walking, and a flash of a bumper caught his eye. He lowered the phone and ran toward it, but it was another car, not the Porsche. He brought the phone to his ear and suppressed the urge to tell her his troubles. It was her surprise he was trying to achieve.

“I ran into some difficulties, so I think it will be another day,” he growled, glaring at the warehouse. “I'm really confused, Chloe. I have no idea where I am. Can I call you later? I need to think right now.”

She nodded slowly, absorbing her idiocy. At least he was admitting something was wrong.

“Okay, but I want to talk soon. I hope you figure it out,” she said quietly.

“I will. Bye.”

She hung up first, and Lex shook himself back into action. He would follow a wall, get back to the front and scream nonsensical insults until he felt better. Then he would pay a million dollars for that guy to find the books for him, because everyone seemed to get the idea of a large wad of cash.

He guessed at a direction, strode quickly, and turned, bumping into his old friend lazy German guy. He glared magnificently, but the man only slapped him on the back, and pointed. There were the books, in a nice little box all ready for him. His name was printed in block letters if he needed one more sign.

Lazy German guy was not getting a tip.

Chapter Nine

Chloe burst into Lois' apartment, her face set in depressed pep. She produced a bag of snacks as a preemptive peace offering for the ranting her cousin would be suffering, and she had rented a DVD for winding down after she had spilled her guts.

Lois had been cautious of Lex's interest in Chloe all along, but she had warmed up to the idea as the dating turned into exclusivity and permanence. She didn't call Lex a friend, but she found him funny and admitted she could see why he was a good boyfriend. She still thought the bald thing was gross, and Chloe tolerated her tolerance.

“I expected you to be studying like crazy,” Lois said. “Which tells me you either went insane and burned down your dorm and your books along with it, or you've stressed yourself out.”

Planting her hands on her hips, she looked the blond up and down and nodded sternly. “Stress.”

Sheepishly, Chloe put the goodies on the coffee table and nodded. “A lot of it, but I haven't been studying that much. Lex said something to me yesterday and I want you to help me decide what he meant.”

Lois had taken to wearing her hair in an Amy Winehouse bouffant, and the high pouf wiggled dangerously as she sat down. She rifled through the bags and pouted.

“Little cousin, I guide you all these years, I give you my best advice, I tell you what I know-”

“Not that much,” Chloe interjected teasingly.

Lois glared mildly. “I keep you safe until the age of 21 when you can buy booze for us both, and what do you bring me? Orange soda. Orange. Soda. It's a slap in the face.”

Ducking her head in mock shame, the blond swung her arm up and landed a very light slap to Lois' face. She was rewarded with a return slap from her cousin, just as light and ending in a grab to her chin.

“We could do the chick fight thing, but you wanted to talk about your husband,” Lois said. “So I'm going to be the bigger person here.”

Green eyes strayed up to the dancing ball of hair and Chloe replied, “You do have the bigger hair.”

Their truce established, the young women unpacked the junk food, poured soda and kicked off their shoes. Once it was time to actually speak her nervous suspicions Chloe started to feel mean about it. She didn't have any evidence except her strong feeling of some barrier and distance.

Lois had been calling Lex her husband since he gave her a ring for her twentieth birthday. He had changed his behaviour then as well; his bonding with Gabe had been a project for a few months until both father and daughter complained of how little time Lex was spending with his girlfriend. The ending of her teen years seemed to symbolize a new level in their relationship. He was officially expected at Sullivan-Lane family events, without it having to be said. He had drinks with General Lane and Chloe's father on Christmas, and he helped in the kitchen on Thanksgiving. He was comfortable with the blunt, sometimes insulting conversations that occurred over family dinners. He held his own and was able to be relaxed and joking.

Chloe thought back to her birthday and Thanksgiving, both only a month previous. He had been loving toward her and the gift of a necklace was sweetly done inside a limo on the way to her birthday party. He talked politics with the men, brought her cake and drank a champagne toast. It was only when he was dropping her off at the dorm she felt him pulling back. He was happy, but he wasn't trying to extend the evening with her. He kissed her and wished her many happy returns before he walked her to her door. Usually when he had a night of being surrounded by people he was reluctant to be alone again. He hadn't seemed to care, and the same thing happened after Thanksgiving.

“What's up?”

“I've been getting this feeling from Lex that maybe he's sick of me,” Chloe said, her voice pitched like a question. “He just didn't seem to be having fun at my birthday or Thanksgiving.”

Crossing her eyes comically, Lois reapplied her lipstick. “And? Those were family dinners, frankly I'd worry if he was having too much fun. I don't think he was sick of you, but being sick of us as a group I can believe. Sometimes I have to fake it. You're being a big sill.”

She wished she was being silly, but Chloe had Lex's own words to tell her differently. He felt as odd and shaken as she did, and his time away from her was an attempt to think where they were headed and if it would be together. He said it to her, sadly, but he said it.

“I called him earlier, and he answered the phone like he was happy it was me, but then he got all quiet like he was realizing something else. He sounded . . . tired. I asked him when he'd be back and he said there were some difficulties.”

Lois waved a hand. “Business stuff, you know he can't tell you everything about some of the deals he does.

“'I'm really confused. I have no idea where I am right now.' That's what he said,” Chloe quoted dully. “He's going to be out of town more than he's here right until Christmas. What do I do?”

Her cousin's mouth was held in a straight line, and her eyes were sympathetic.

“Doesn't mean it's over,” Lois proclaimed. “He's thinking about things, and you like them with brains, so that's good. He's having a moment where his life is messing with him; everybody does. Do what you're doing, talk if he wants to talk, but take care of yourself first. If he's not being the boyfriend you want you should find someone else.”

It was sensible and reflected the way Lois tried to keep her family members safe. She liked Lex but Chloe's welfare came first. It wasn't as reassuring as being told she had nothing to worry about, but the blond was happy to have vented. She knew she wasn't imagining things.

“Okay. Do you want to watch the movie now?”

Obviously relieved there wasn't going to be crying, Lois picked up the DVD cases and yelled, “Smut! My favourite.”

Chloe gave her a small smile. “Just no drooling.”

The brunette squinted at her with horror. “I would never! It's all about respect for the beauty of the human form getting all sweaty and ripply. Hey, maybe Lex will pull himself together and take you to the Swiss Alps to ski during Christmas. Maybe he's just really traumatized by Christmas shopping.”

It was a nice hypothetical, and Chloe didn't want to be rational anymore. She would be cautious about Lex but she wouldn't throw herself at some rebound guy. She would watch sweaty movie sex, and she would stop obsessing.

Chapter Ten

Lex swallowed hard and reminded himself he was safe. He could call for help and someone would come. There were places he could sit down and rest, places to get food and drinks. There were places he could be alone, though not comfortable. He was fine. He had a purpose. He could leave if he needed to leave.

He didn't like the mall with Chloe and without her he felt even worse. His right hand, the hand she usually held and swung cheerfully as they walked, was cold. He was too hot, the lights hurt his eyes and he was jet-lagged. He opened his list, panicked a little and closed it, sitting down on a bench. The potted plant tickled the top of his head, but if he ducked down he was hidden.

There wasn't anyone to hide from, really, but he felt better, and Chloe put a lot of emphasis on his feelings. He had felt very awkward about it for a long time, before realizing she wasn't using it to judge a weakness. She believed he was a good person who should be comfortable when possible, and tried to consider his feelings. She asked him which movies he would like before giving her preference from among them. She suggested they alternate the choice of restaurants. She massaged his knotted muscles, rubbed his bruises, and carried his headache medicine in her purse.

The list came out and Lex fished a pen from his pocket. He was doing this, and it wasn't difficult unless he psyched himself out. He knew everything he had to buy and where to get it. They were commonplace items for once; Chloe's favourites. He saw them daily when he was in the penthouse, sitting on his dresser and in his cupboards. She liked keychains that doubled as puzzle books, and shampoo with a fox on the bottle. She like chocolate covered almonds and forest green liquid pens. She liked the paper in a certain brand of notebook, and colour-coded file folders instead of the manila coloured ones. Her hair brush she used when drying her hair had little cut outs, and the one she carried around was stuffed with a lavender oil sachet.

Lex had a list of brand names, and he was ready, but he wanted to start with the store he felt he could navigate best. The office supply store was familiar, and he walked up to the counter with confidence.

“Hello, I'm going to need 480 Heliotrope notebooks, green covers, 200 pages. In the cases, if you have them. I also need 3000 forest green liquid ink Toreador pens, and 4000 Smithson number two pencils.”

The freckled young man standing behind the counter smiled grimly. “Welcome to Papermatic, where we have everything your place of business needs to file smart,” he chirped. “How can I help you today?”

Lex gamely repeated his order, making himself wait patiently as the boy scribbled it on a postage sized stamp of paper with a dull pencil. “You won't be able to read that,” he commented. “Why don't we do an order form.”

“An order form is only called for with telephone orders and you're right here, sir.”

Lex nearly rolled his eyes. “I will call you on my cellphone.”

He wasn't buying office supplies so it wasn't optional to get this done. He wanted to show Chloe he supported her goals and would continue to do so after she was a working journalist. She had told him she wanted to work in newspapers for at least a decade, so he was getting her a decade's worth of pens, pencils and notebooks.

The kid punched keys on the cash register, and his eyebrows nearly leapt off his head when he saw the total. “Sir, this is quite a large sale. I think I might need the manager for this.”

Lex nodded, hoping for someone capable of sprouting facial hair. It would be different if the kid was capable, but he seemed remarkably surprised that a lot of things cost a lot of money. He strolled around, browsing, until he received a tap on the shoulder.

“Hello sir, Milton asked me to help you with a large purchase. Lex repeated himself for a third time to a teenager who looked even younger than the first one. With a swift movement, the guy leafed through his clipboard and pointed out a few things.

“I have those cases brought up front. Would you like to use our delivery service? If not Milton can go with you to your vehicle.”

Lex looked at the freckled young man, who waved awkwardly and went back to stacking boxes on a dolly. Spending a few minutes with Milton was such a bad idea, he could feel it. And Chloe told him his feelings were important.

“I'll take delivery,” Lex stated firmly. “Delivery is great.”

He signed his receipt and said his goodbyes, happy for the first few steps. Then Lex realized his next item was nail polish, and his spirits fell. It was going to be a long day and he hated the mall.

Chapter Eleven

Lex stepped into the store and scanned the other customers. There were more of them than he would like, but it wasn't what Chloe would call 'packed and panicked.' It was a weekday and there was still time before Christmas. He could deal badly with a normal volume of people, but a large volume would kill him. She had made him promise never to go to a mall on Saturday for any reason.

He picked up a plastic basket and walked up the middle aisle, trying to work out how things were organized. One he found the nail polish he took a moment to be glad he didn't have to match a shade other than white. It had to be excessive the rainbow of colours that were displayed, especially the ones he'd never seen anyone wearing. The bottles of white had names like Bone, Ivory, Pristine, Snow, Sheer, and Purity. He rolled his eyes.

“White, plain white,” he muttered to himself. When she had a day off Chloe pulled a pillow off the sofa, sat in front of the television and gave herself French tips. Her meticulous painting with the little brushes was mesmerizing, and Lex had fallen into an unaccustomed nap many times watching her.

He picked up a bottle of clear, thankful it was named Clear. Taking a chance on his eyes being adequate, he picked up one of the white bottles named Ivory. He put them in the basket and sighed.

“I know, my nails are eating me out of house and home,” a male voice piped up from beside him.

Lex glanced over with a polite smile, ready to brush off this strange man, only to see a very tall, large-bicepped woman in an evening gown and heels.

“I should just go to a salon, but who has time,” the cross-dresser lamented. “I use this and it's pretty good.”

He handed an orange box to Lex, who had recovered enough to smile ironically. He'd been mistaken for many things in his life, but not a drag queen. Maybe the was the bald head. He wasn't offended, just oddly amused. It was a side-line he could look into if he ever needed a new kink.

“Thanks,” he said. “There are too many colours right next to each other.”

He picked up a horrific green shade and read it was called Green Skittles. Cringing, Lex put it back quickly. He found a sheer pink and set it in the basket. Next he had the dubious honour of buying shampoo, something he'd done exactly zero times. He had memorized the sticker on Chloe's shampoo and it had a fox. There couldn't be as many choices there as in the nail polish.

He walked a few aisles over, and looked up at the shelves in despair. There was an aisle of shampoo, an entire aisle. His new friend was wandering nearby and Lex shook his head. “This just seems excessive,” he said.

“I use baby shampoo on my wigs, not this expensive stuff. It's only getting rinsed out again. So did the Lex Luthor thing just happen when you shaved your head, or did you think you'd look like him even when you had hair? I've been told I could pass for Al Gore when I'm dressed straight.”

Smiling ironically, Lex took slow steps and looked for foxes. “I woke up one day looking like Lex Luthor and thought there's no reason not to make a living on it,” he replied.

He received a nod from the other man, and smiled to himself. He didn't blend in, but no one had called the paparazzi, so it was falling about even in misery. But he still hated the mall.

“Too true.” In an oddly masculine gesture from a man in a dress, the drag queen shook his hand. “I'm off to the Purple Pussycat Club. Come see my act sometime. I need some famous fans.”

“Break a leg,” Lex said sincerely. He was rarely treated to meeting a genuinely different person.

He continued the painstaking study of shampoo bottles, finding both the shampoo and conditioner side by side. Dropping them cheerfully in the cart, he carried on down the list, picking out the exact hairbrushes Chloe already owned. He didn't know how to buy her makeup, and was nervous about the message it sent to give her cosmetics. For all he knew it was the universal gift for 'I think you're an uggo, honey,' or 'I'm a secret drag queen.'

He stopped at the magazine rack, looked around, and pulled subscription cards from their pages. He saw no reason why Chloe couldn't enjoy her favourite magazines delivered to the penthouse.

Standing in line for the checkout, he looked at the racks of gum, candy and small toys. He selected some varied fruit flavoured gum, not sure of Chloe's favourite. There was a box selling lumps of coal, apparently a plastic case with candy inside. He bought one out of curiosity, and picked up another one with a sly smile.

I'll send it to Dad, he thought. I might even tell him Chloe and I are getting married, seeing as he's all the way in Prague and can't screw it up. I'll just have the private jet put up for maintenance as a precaution first.

Lex forgot his thoughts of his semi-retired father as he saw the last person ahead of him pick up her bags. He put the basket down on the counter and looked at the harried cashier. She smiled weakly, “Hello.”

“Hi,” he said distractedly. He pulled his items from the basket and walked away to put it back. The repeated sharp beeps of the scanner hurt his ears and he was glad to be finished with his shopping.

“That's $23.77,” he was told.

He set two twenties on the counter, and sent the cashier a friendly smirk. “Keep the change.”

Lex Luthor walked out of the mall, proudly carrying a drug store bag, his eyes sparkling with what might have been Christmas spirit. He had survived, and his life was very full of hope.

Chapter Twelve

Looking over the presents sorted on the floor in front of the fireplace – at a safe distance - Lex could say it was all worth it. He had what he needed to buy, and was relieved to be finished with shopping. He still had to wrap each present, but it was paper and tape. He refused to be intimidated by rolls of plastic with glue and recycled pictures of holly berries. He refused.

In his refusal, he was taking time out for a relaxing chapter of A Christmas Carol as he drank a hot toddy beside the fireplace. The seeping cold panic and weather-related cold was banished from him, his mind was at ease, and he felt accomplished. He had delegated nothing but the transportation and building. He had even lugged the bags himself, to the amusement of his butler.

The announcement that he would be spending the evening in the rarely used living room, wrapping presents, had nearly made stoic William burst into laughter. Everyone had been underestimating him lately, and Lex had shrugged it off. He would rise above by wrapping Chloe's gifts beautifully. He didn't have time to learn how to shop for Christmas this year.

He had asked for the appropriate materials to be picked up, as well as a suitably large tree and ornaments for the castle. Chloe would be going to Smallville to visit her father once the school term was over, so decorating the penthouse didn't make much sense. She would hardly be there which made it the ideal staging area for his surprise.

Lex finished his drink and licked his lips in pleasure. He wasn't immune to good food, but he dared say he was feeling an unaccustomed Christmas spirit. He frowned, thinking back to the mall. Maybe he should hold off on declaring himself jolly until he finished with the presents.

He read to the final word of the chapter and paused. He had all evening, but he wasn't inclined to leave it until the last minute. That would look like reluctance, and he was confident he could wrap presents quite well. It was an orderly, repetitive task he wouldn't want as a full-time pursuit, but he was doing it for Chloe and she deserved his best effort.

The book was marked at his place, and put down on the table so he could continue at his leisure. His cup was delivered back to the kitchen and rinsed before Lex put it in the dishwasher. He stopped by his bathroom to brush his teeth. Once he'd brushed his teeth the minty flavour reminded him of candy canes and he went to the foyer and snagged one from the bowl there. Unwrapping the straight end, he enjoyed the candy as he surveyed his supplies. He had tape that claimed to be invisible, which he thought was a bit silly. He had rolls of metallic paper, flat sheets with trees, teddy bears and angels. He had sheer paper that was labeled tissue. There were bows, and boxes.

Lex nodded to himself, brave on sugar and recent victory. He understood what all the items should be in the gift wrapping, so all he had to do was replicate it. He received and unwrapped many presents, doing the reverse should only be a matter of getting to work. He rewrapped the unfinished candy and put it on the table.

He took the first gift he could reach and sat on the floor. The little bottle of nail polish glinted at him expectantly, and Lex stared it down. He couldn't wrap it as it was. It would be the easiest-guessed present ever given, and might spill. He saw bubble wrap and decided a few layers of that would do nicely. He cut off a section, rolled the nail polish into a puffy cylinder, and studied it. It didn't look like anything he'd ever been given before. She would never guess just one little bottle was inside. Once it was further rolled into some red wrapping paper, taped together and stuck with a large bow, he could honestly say it was decent, but seemed like an extravagant use of paper. It was roughly the size of a wine bottle, but light as a feather.

The first one is usually the roughest, he told himself. I'll carry on and smooth out the details. Once I'm at the end I'll come back to this one and rewrap it much better.

He chose a case of notebooks, tipped it onto its side and unrolled a large amount of paper. The teddy bears dented and creased as he tried to wind them around the box. A corner popped through the paper and he cursed. The box was poorly designed for wrapping. Did no one else buy cases of notebooks for a spouse?

Lex pushed the box away. He would have to come up with another way to wrap those, perhaps taking them out of the cases and splitting them into smaller quantities. He was going to need more paper.

He stood up and walked out into the hallway, looking for the housekeeper, Mrs. Grimaldi. She had been kind enough to buy his wrapping supplies and he needed her to make another trip, that night if possible. She was in the kitchen, her apron on as she wiped the counters. Her short, bustling figure pushed around him as he stood in the middle of the room.

“Mrs. Grimaldi, I wonder if you wouldn't mind buying more wrapping paper for me,” he said meekly.

She had been hired by Chloe after a last minute meeting had called Lex away from the penthouse, and Lex had been surprised and displeased to find his new housekeeper ran her job with little tolerance for his interference. She did what he asked, and also what needed to be done above and beyond what he asked. She was the reason everything was museum quality pristine in every room except his office. He had an agreement with her that his office was under his control, she pronounced it ugly anyway, and Lex assumed the matter was closed as peacefully as he could expect.

He kept Mrs. Grimaldi around because she was the first to refer to Chloe as his wife, and deferred to her perfectly. If all else failed, he could ask his wife to ask his housekeeper to do things his way, and it would work as long as Chloe would play along.

She won't, he mused, but that is half the fun.

The middle-aged housekeeper was shaking her head, preparing to answer in her own time. He waited, and in a few minutes she had finished the counters and was wringing out the sponge.

“You didn't use all of it,” she said firmly. “That could last me four years' worth of Christmas. Let me see what you've done.”

She walked faster than he did, and Lex nearly had to run. He didn't know how she did that, but he started babbling about disguising presents and the importance of surprise in his overall strategy.

“She'll take the ring and cry and marry you,” Mrs. Grimaldi said grudgingly. “But she shouldn't have to deal with whatever mess you've made of her presents.”

She burst into the living room and shook her head for a long time at the gift-wrapped nail polish bottle. She poked at the ends, and wiggled the bow. She shook it and finally unwrapped it to reveal the small item. Then she looked at him with something like pity.

“I'm not wrapping all of these, but I'll do an example of each type of thing, and you can follow them,” she said. “I think you'd want to save some trees for your nosy, blond children to run around.”

She pointed out what she would need and Lex brought it to her at the coffee table, taking her gruff kindness with absolute good humour. Mrs. Grimaldi once tried to instruct him how to tie his boots, and she made no secret that she didn't think much of his genius level intellect since he couldn't operate the can opener. But she thought Chloe would marry him and have his children.

“I'm a whiz with the can opener now,” he proclaimed cheerfully. “And Chloe loves me.”

The housekeeper looked up to humour him with a nod. “That ring better be a nice big one,” she said coyly. She used a long roll of wrapping paper to push his half-eaten candy cane away, wrinkling her nose in disgust.

Lex was too happy to be offended, so he sat on the sofa next to her and watched closely as she wrapped the nail polish into a decorative plume of metallic paper and ribbon. It looked much better than his idea, but he thought Chloe might be able to guess what it was. Of course, she was pretty amazing.

Chapter Thirteen

The tutorial had moved on from bottles to large boxes, and was in something of a stall at the notebooks. They were heavy, numerous and identical. Mrs. Grimaldi felt one dropped into a gift bag with one of the pens and one of the pencils was a good way to avoid long hours of wrapping presents she would be bored opening.

“She really likes these notebooks,” Lex insisted. “It will make a very important statement having 480 of them under the tree. She'll understand what it means.”

The older woman scoffed. “You bought 480 notebooks and you want to wrap them all up? Do all rich people have too much money?”

He waited for a sign that it was a rhetorical question, but she was staring at him as if she demanded an answer.

“Yes, we do, and it's a good thing, otherwise we'd be known as crazy rather than eccentric. I'm a weeping sore on the greedy fat rear end of society, but please don't hold it against me. I wasn't raised any better.”

The truth struck a chord, and she sighed. “That's true. I'm surprised you don't pick your teeth with a dagger and swing around like a pirate in the movies.”

He smirked and said, “My masseuse would kill me for the swinging around.”

Garnering a suspicious look, he stacked notebooks in front of her and brushed imaginary dirt off the top cover. The housekeeper picked up five and pushed them to the very bottom of a large gift bag. She lifted the bag by the handles, testing the weight. Once she was satisfied it would hold she put in five more notepads, repeating the testing. It took a few minutes before she lifted the bag, winced and shook her head.

“Fifty per bag,” she told him, “Not one more. Crumple tissue on the top so she has something to unwrap. Use the top few notebooks to hold it down, then some tape. Make sure you get both handles when you move the bag. It's going to groan under the unnecessary weight.”

She stepped away to pick up one of the smaller items, and Lex heard her mutter something about his brain being unnecessary weight on his neck. He was alarmed to be smiling about that. Usually he was able to shrug off the comments, but lately he was almost basking in the ill-mannered, unkind and unjust ways he'd been suffering. Christmas might be making a martyr of him.

He pinched himself and the pain was annoying. So he wasn't a martyr. The other explanation was the anticipation of future happiness was so great he was able to live with any discomfort he currently felt. That had to be it. Despite his tiring errands and haranguing by Mrs. Grimaldi he was in a bright, optimistic mood. It would be a liability to be so cheerful if he had to discipline any of his employees. He'd ruin his speech about responsibility and consequence by smiling.

The lump of coal caught his eye, and Lex picked it up to show it to his housekeeper. “How would I wrap something like this,” he asked, mischeiviously.

She took it in her hands, weighed it, and looked at the choices of wrapping papers. “Heavy paper in a box for mailing, then tissue around it for padding. Give me a challenge.”

He pointed to the 100 book set of Chloe novels, and she didn't even blink. “Put them on a shelf, drape paper over the shelf, put a bow on top. You're not even trying to catch me up,” she complained.

He laughed and snagged his half candy cane, sucking on it. The doorbell rang, and the butler had gone out for his time off. He put down the candy. Mrs. Grimaldi would normally answer the door, but she was wading into the presents. Lex hoped she might wrap a few more for him in her neat, efficient way.

“I'll get that,” he said, getting a vague wave over her shoulder in reply. He closed up the living room and went into the foyer, putting his eye to the peep hole. Chloe was there, looking beautiful and stressed. He opened the door hurriedly.

“Chloe, what are you doing here? We weren't doing anything tonight,” he said uncertainly.

She used the living room more than he did, and there was no time to get things put away. He could ask for a few minutes to put up her presents, but he didn't want her to feel any pressure to give him anything near what he was planning for her. One little token meant more than a big price tag from someone he barely knew. Lucas bought his Christmas gift with money his brother was giving him while in hiding, so the delivery of a speedboat in December just made Lex look at his credit card statements.

Her coat snagged on the doorknob because he wasn't letting her go any further into the penthouse. Lex's face was pink and his mouth was light red, smearing slightly in the corners. She didn't see a lot of passion in his eyes, but his skin was showing the marks of a romantic evening with someone else. She wanted to make him explain himself, explain the heartache ripping through her chest, but she felt too unfairly self-conscious. She hadn't done anything wrong, but Lex was treating her that way, pushing her out of his life as surely as he had once drawn her closer.

“I forgot my book in the living room,” she said. “I need it to study. I'll just pick it up and leave you to . . . your evening.”

A split-second of panic told her his guest was in the living room, probably drinking heavily and spouting all the gold-digger classic lines to convince him she was a genuine, loving person instead of one step up from a prostitute. Chloe moved to walk around him, a surge of bravery making her quick, but Lex grabbed her gently.

“Hey, you're all dressed from outside, and you don't need to go all that way. I'll get it for you.”

He nearly ran down the hallway and returned with the book, seemingly eager to be rid of her and on to the bimbo. Chloe dodged his kiss so it landed with a sticky feeling on her cheek, and she didn't meet his eyes when she said goodnight.

She proceeded calmly to her car and sat in, no lights or heat to keep her warm. She would have preferred to catch him cheating, just to make it more closed off to any idea of reconciliation. It was less concrete, but she knew lipstick. Her wouldn't be tasting hers again, but he wouldn't be lonely. He could fill his bed three times over with groupies.

She had some options to follow as well.

Chapter Fourteen

This is my lamest option, Chloe decided a few hours later. I chickened out. Lois would kick me all the way to the campus pub and make me give some strange guy a lapdance.

She was a little disappointed in herself for going to the office of the Metropolis University newspaper. Her desk was comforting and familiar, but working herself into distraction was hiding. Reporters didn't cry at their desks, so she was at her desk and would stay there as long as she could stay awake. It was an old plan, her getting over Clark plan, and she hated it as much as she hated the scarred feeling on her cheek where Lex had kissed her.

He was a chronic womanizer, and for all she knew a habitual philanderer as well. It shouldn't surprise her as much as it was. She had believed she knew him, and she did; she knew he was ultimately an insecure man traumatized by every intimate relationship he'd ever had. He might only be able to carry on a normal courtship for so long before he either had to have a disasterous marriage or a spectacular breakup. He craved power and she didn't let him boss her around. He wanted control, though to be fair he had never tried to control her. He wanted a woman who could live in his world full-time, replete with manners from Victorian England and an ability to ignore any controversy surrounding his dinner guests. She had never fit, would never get the chance to try.

Lex created a little pocket of his life for her to be a part of, making his penthouse her hangout for watching movies and relaxing without having to deal with all the drama and noise of dorm life. He let her move in for weekends, and they played at being a serious couple. They were happy with each other, probably in love equally, but she had wondered if it would last. She would be a working reporter and he would be big news.

Chloe knew Lex could confide in her and she would never tell anyone else what had been said, but she didn't think he knew. He didn't like to see her reading his bad press, even when she was critiquing the writing and finding it biased. He hesitated before saying he'd be in a meeting, as if she would accuse him of being the evil CEO caricature running a plot to take over the world.

There was a divide between his life and the life anyone else might lead whether they were rich or poor. She did her best to work around it, but had found only Lex's effort could allow her to understand how he was feeling and what he was thinking. Successful couples needed to be able to pry into each other and find the hurts so they could make it better and lend support. She had missed him moving on to another woman, so it was unlikely she ever knew Lex that well.

“Hey,” a voice said from the doorway. Chloe rubbed at her face nervously, but she had been brooding instead of crying.

“Hi, Bobbo,” she replied. “I was just getting out of here.”

She closed her laptop even though nothing was open but the screensaver. It was lucky she was often in the newsroom late, usually with the lights off except for her desk lamp. She didn't look like a depressive idiot. Bobbo, really Robert, was another reporter, and she knew how emotionally stunted that made him. He would take in the facts, see everything as it usually was and ignore any emotions from her.

He wasn't a particularly nice guy, their actual conversations numbering in the dozens over a few years, but he walked over to her desk instead of going to his own. “What's up?”

Chloe shrugged. “Nothing. I was just going to pick up something to eat.” She got her coat on and grabbed her cellphone from the desk.

He took her messenger bag and put it over her shoulder for her. “You want to split a pizza,” he asked. “It's $7 night, but I can't eat the whole thing.”

The offer wasn't heartfelt, and she didn't feel any real interest for or from him, but Chloe nodded. She would take a little time out from billionaire and eat some pizza with someone her own age. They could talk about journalism and their majors. She would crawl into bed on a full stomach and try to sleep away the dread.

He led the way out, and she thanked him when he held the door for her. Robert was very average looking, fit in a non-athletic way, and she learned he intended to be a lawyer. He dressed in layers of long and short sleeved t-shirts and she tried to think of something to say to him.

“Is your dorm as cold as McArthur? We have the heat all the way up and only ever get the room to warmish,” she said.

He laughed. “Our rooms are okay. The bathrooms are arctic. You step in and the water from the previous shower is frozen in drops on the tiles. It's getting to be a bit rank while maintenance puts off fixing it. The only guys showering every day are the ones getting laid.”

She and Robert ate pizza and traded college stories, and he walked her to her car before going back to the newsroom. She had told him there was no need, but he had grinned.

“I'll probably just play internet poker, but if anyone else asks I was typing that story on scholarship funding,” he said, bumping her shoulder with his own.

She had smiled and as she was driving away she realized she had tried to pay for her half of the pizza and been refused. Robert had paid, and he had been friendly. She didn't know if he thought it was a date, didn't even know if he had a girlfriend.

It had been nice, and one of her options, but she didn't feel any better. She suspected when she woke up she would feel guilty of something. She had run out of anger and was filled with self-pity.

I should have gone drinking, she thought. Dancing stupidly with Lois isn't cheating.

Chapter Fifteen

Lois' take on Chloe's nondate was very specific. She had scoffed at any guilt her cousin might be feeling, and pronounced Lex so thoroughly whipped he would only cheat on Chloe with her clone.

“Do you leave a hairbrush at his place, because that's probably where he got your DNA,” she said. “Maybe he's using your clone to breed. That's it! He's cheating on you with a pregnant copy of yourself!”

Lois spent biology classes in high school flirting with a classmate, and she wasn't much of a student during her short time at Met. U. Chloe forgave her for not understanding the difficulties of cloning a functioning being and the impossibility of Lex having a clone of her older than six. Unless Lex liked vacant gazing into the distance a clone wouldn't work.

“I don't think that's it,” she argued wearily.

“Well, he's not at it with some brunette bimbo, because he's all glowy and smiley when you're around. He held your hand through dinner and neither of you could cut your food!”

Chloe grinned, thinking back to Thanksgiving. Her hand had been under the table on his leg, his fingertips drawing patterns on her skin as they picked at their food. He had been affectionate like he normally was, but it hadn't gone anywhere sexual. Sex was the only aspect of relationships he had mastered, so she didn't understand.

“He went home alone that night,” she grumbled. “I weaseled my way out of going home with my father and Lex just dropped me off there anyway. And I'm getting really confused by what's going on with me now; I had pizza with a guy.”

There was silence on the line, and Lois' expression would be something like sympathy and disdain mixed together. “You had pizza, that's not cheating. It didn't end in a kiss, you didn't make further plans. It was just a meal. I'm starting to think you're looking for ways to dump Lex.”

About to argue, Chloe stopped and thought about it. She was feeling negative overall toward Lex, but she didn't know if it had happened as a result of the odd behaviour lately or had been there before and only started compounding. She was lonely and irritable, partly Lex's fault and partly her schedule and workload. She didn't have much energy to figure out his quirks, and since she was used to knowing him better than anyone else that was humbling. Had she been giving up on Lex and looking for excuses to do so?

“I don't feel like that's what I'm doing. He's different around me, and I have no idea how he spends his time,” she said slowly. “He used to make a bigger effort to call me and meet up even if he was traveling or busy. I've never had a normal boyfriend, but doesn't lack of interest mean there's a problem?”

“Chloe, is it possible you're sending him a vibe that he's not welcome. I hate to be a member of the Woobie Lex Club, but he's kind of sensitive for a guy,” Lois said. “If he felt you wanted space he'd probably move to Cleveland. You've been sort of crabby for a while now.”

The automatic rant that she had exams, papers, Christmas shopping and a part-time job rose before Chloe even formed the thoughts. She wondered if she had been too prickly about her packed schedule for Lex to feel comfortable asking her out. She was busy, but she had made time for him. She didn't make a point of saying so because he wasn't shy once in a relationship. He could make demands of her.

“I'm going to feel so stupid if I've done this to myself,” she muttered. “Okay, so do I call him? I call him, right?”

“When was the last time you made a date with him – all your idea,” Lois asked.

Chloe searched her memory and couldn't recall. She saw Lex regularly, and since they were an official couple she didn't keep track of how many times they went out. They saw each other at least once a week unless they were both too busy, and then they tried to catch up by living together.

She wrinkled her nose and slapped herself on the forehead. Her brain was stuffed with schoolwork and there was no energy left to think of personal things. She was either a huge, masochistic moron or she was being cheated on and about to be dumped.

“I don't tell him about the pizza with the guy, do I,” she asked helplessly. “I don't think it's a date, but he might and that would be lousy. Or lousier. Depending on how much of an idiot I'm being. Or if I'm right then telling him about the pizza with the guy won't do anything worst.”

“His name is Bobbo,” Lois reflected. “Maybe you should just not mention him to anyone else.”

Chloe let her head thump onto the desk and her cousin made an uncertain noise in her ear. “Chloe, unless you want out, I think you should do you best with Lex every day. If he's setting up to leave you can't change his mind by whining, but you can show him what he'll be missing. At least you'll have another Christmas with him, and that's a pretty good deal if you love him.”

The blond put her hand under her forehead and thumped it the desk several more times to beat back tears. She hated this but she knew she was going to wait out whatever Lex was doing because she did want another Christmas in his arms.

“I already bought his stupid present, so I guess I'm hanging in for whatever stupidity is next. Boys suck.”

Chapter Sixteen

Lex Luthor straightened his tie in the mirror, sighed and ripped it off. He loosened his collar, took off his jacket. Then he rebuttoned his collar, put his jacket on and topped it all with his tie. He should have bought a new suit and tie. He needed to make himself a responsible, respectful future son-in-law, without appearing to assume approval.

Gabe Sullivan liked him and didn't denounce his daughter dating him, but Lex wasn't taking any chances. He needed to speak to the man before he asked Chloe anything, and he needed to do it on film.

Hopefully she'll laugh, he thought. She wouldn't laugh at me and say no. So if she laughs she'll have to say yes. I'll take the yes any way it's offered.

Lex stopped, let his arms fall to his sides, and stared at his reflection. “Stop being pathetic or she'll leave you for Clark.”

He drove himself to the Sullivan house, feeling an irrational disappointment when Chloe's car wasn't in the driveway. She was much better with dealing with encounters in the Luthor family than he was dealing with her father. On the bright side that probably meant he'd be more relaxed when Gabe tried to strangle him for even considering marrying his only daughter.

He carried the small case up to the door like a salesman, thinking wryly he was trying to be persuasive. But he wasn't selling anything, nor was Chloe someone to be bought. He just didn't know if he had earned her in her father's estimation. He rang the doorbell and tried to be appropriately alert and cheerful without looking manic. From Gabe's reaction upon opening the door, Lex surmised he had failed.

“Hello, Lex. You know Chloe is in the city, right,” he asked uncertainly.

“Yessir,” the billionaire slurred, feeling his face start to crack into panic. He had never called any father of his girlfriends 'sir,' and he found it oddly humiliating he had just done so. “Gabe. I was hoping to speak to you about her, without her adding her commentary.”

He had just insulted her, practically calling her irritating and prone to never shutting up. He backpedaled mentally, but his future father-in-law was chuckling.

“She does have something to say about just about everything,” he said. “Would you like something to drink?”

A double of several hard liquors would be perfect, but Lex shook his head. He was going to be treated fairly and kindly, and he had been very good to Chloe once he realized he loved her. He had tried to keep the world a safe place for her to wander and investigate. He refilled her windshield wash because she was too lazy to do it between scheduled dealership appointments.

“I have to set up the camera first,” he said. “But help yourself. I will only take a few minutes.”

He unfolded a tabletop tripod and Gabe paused. “I have no idea how to phrase this, so I'll be very blunt. Am I going to have to kill you for some reason, and you feel the camera would prevent it?”

His voice nearly sarcastic, Lex replied, “Noooo, and you'll have to listen to my prepared words before I'll tell you any thing else.”

Chloe is making me sarcastic, he thought. I'm proud of her for it, but it really is not the time to discover this. Be humble, and gracious, and appreciative. Compliment him.

“I like your chest hair,” he blurted, pointing at it poking out the top of Gabe's casual sweater.

Pulling the neck of the sweater higher, the older man frowned and crossed his arms over his chest. “Did you impregnate my daughter?”

“NOSIR!” Lex stood tall with such an aggressive show of veniality even he was impressed by himself. “I love your daughter.”

Relaxing, Gabe nodded. “Then it's the thing with the small metal circle for her finger. Okay. I'll make coffee and get my notes.”

Thrown, the young man kept setting up. He knew Chloe hated being left out of anything, and he acknowledged she deserved to know what was said about her marrying him. He couldn't bring her and ruin the surprise, but he could show her later.

Taking a cup of coffee his host offered, Lex sat on one side of the sofa. He cleared his throat and watched as Gabe set out a stack of notecards and picked up the first one.

“I like you with Chloe, and you know that, but I need to get some information. Are you an illegal drug user?”

Lex shook his head no. He really hoped this interview stayed in the present or he might not be able to deny honestly.

“Are you abusing prescription drugs, alcohol or other substances?”

He was addicted to Chloe, but didn't think it would count, so Lex shook his head.

“Are you asking me for permission to marry Chloe?” There was a hint of chagrin in the question, and Lex knew it would be difficult to explain his reasons. He felt it was right to talk to her father, but not enough to scrap the engagement if he didn't approve.

“Not really. I'd go ahead anyway,” he paused, embarrassed at his unintended rudeness. “I need her permission. But I'd feel better knowing that she has someone who will be able to comfort her if she says no.”

“You wouldn't comfort her?”

Thinking about it, Lex was unaware of his face softening into concern and love. He had no ulterior motives beyond his own happiness. Chloe loved him and she would probably be happy to marry him, and her happiness worked very well with his own. It was ideal, however, not perfect. He didn't know if his timing matched with hers.

“I couldn't comfort her. She'd feel guilty. The last thing she'd be able to do is take my comfort and feel better. I want someone to be able to help her if she can't say yes.”

“So you're not sure about getting married,” Gabe suggested gently.

“I am,” Lex said calmly, “But she doesn't know I'm planning this and she is going to be surprised by it. If she's not ready I'll wait, and I'd appreciate if you could tell her that in case she won't let me.”

“Are you trying to pressure her?”

He could wait forever or give up the idea of marriage entirely, but he didn't think it would come to that. At the outside, Chloe might want to graduate before she was engaged. She was looking at jobs and hadn't said anything about relocating. She mentioned their future fondly, expectantly, and they had tentative conversations about children and their ambitions for parenthood.

“No. But I'm trying to cover all my risks. The only thing I've been sure about in every situation is that Chloe will surprise me. How long have you had notes?”

Standing up, Gabe walked to the cabinet next to his television and opened it. He looked through movie cases for a moment before he came up with Son-in-Law. Lex remembered it vaguely from leaving the television on as he worked, but the cover was fairly self-explanatory.

“She gave me this two Christmases ago,” he said. “The same year I gave her a five year engagement calendar. I marked one thing in that calendar, and it was the day she graduated. I didn't want to see any white dresses or maternity wear before then. Beyond that I told her I trust her decision to be with you. For what it's worth I'd want her to marry you, but if she can't right now I'll also accept that and talk to her about it. I've been anticipating this, so have you, and so has she.”

Filled with confidence, Lex suddenly wanted to tell his father-in-law all the presents he had bought, but he wanted to save the surprises for Chloe to reveal. She would tell the story better, anyway.

“We're agreed then. I'll be ready for anything, and you'll be ready if she needs some space from me,” he said. “That's the last of what I needed. Thank you, Gabe.”



Chapter Seventeen

Lex nodded silently at Chloe's roommate, and let her inch out the door as he tiptoed in. He put the case of bottled water under his girlfriend's desk and slid it out of the way. Opening the cupboard next to her bookshelf, he hid two bars of chocolate and a bag of chips. With her study food topped up, he ducked outside the door and picked up the bag of food he brought for breakfast.

Her first exam was in three hours, and he knew she would have set the alarm to go off within the next ten minutes. She had studied but she would want to review, and give herself time to get to the proper room. She had tried to be the lazy freshman who wore various pajamas to exams, toting her coffee and barely awake, but the attempt at quelling her natural work ethic was more of a strain. Lex turned off the alarm before it could start and lay down next to her, intending to wake her more comfortably.

He pushed her hair back from her face and kissed her lips gently. She was sprawled, and he nudged her more to one side so he could fit on the little bed. He folded her up to his chest and her hand moved unconsciously over his abdomen before tucking into his naval.

“Chloe, it's time to wake up,” he whispered. “I brought coffee, your favourite.”

She wiggled as if to turn away and drift deeper into sleep, and Lex tickled her side. “I can't let you go back to sleep, you'd kill me for making you late. Open those eyes,” he asked.

His mouth found hers, her neck slanting back. The light, soft kiss warmed her face and she touched his shirt buttons. The vague, sleepy motions became halting, and her eyes opened as she pushed away from him.

“Lex? What are you doing? What time is it?”

He smiled gently. “It's not even time for your alarm. Relax for a few minutes and then we can eat breakfast together,” he said. “I brought some coffee and croissants, some yoghurt for you, and a berry sundae because you'll be working hard this morning. You have the literature exam today, don't you, the one with the long essay?”

She rubbed her face and slipped out of his arms and off the bed. Her rumpled pajamas were yanked savagely down as she looked at the bed across the room. “Susan let you in? She said she was sleeping until noon today.”

Lex sat on the edge of the bed and nodded. “We colluded a little. I'm paying for her to take a limo to breakfast at her favourite restaurant, and she's getting out of our way so we can spend some time together. But I won't keep you from studying if you like. I'll just put the food out and you can read your books while I read the paper.”

The sour look on his girlfriend's face was intense. She tried to run her fingers through her hair and failed, getting them stuck on tangles. As Lex walked past her she noticed her underwear was riding up, and her body felt a little sweaty. She didn't have time for him, but he was bringing a huge bag over to the bed and taking out plastic containers. Watching as he tidied the bedding that had gone too long without being washed gave her a panicked sensation, and she wanted to lock herself into the bathroom.

“Did something happen,” she asked hoarsely. “Something bad?”

Lex turned to see her staring, and reached for her. She took his hand but kept distance between them.

“Nothing is wrong, but I'll be working out of Smallville until Christmas, so I won't see you until you're on break. I wanted to make sure you have everything you need and that you know where to find me. As an added bonus I got to smell your neck just as you were waking up.”

He rubbed her knuckles and she grinned. She wasn't getting dumped that day.

“You perverted neck sniffer. And yes, I have everything I need and I know where to find you in Smallville. It's the castle in the middle of nowhere, rising four stories high, right?”

Lex nodded and reeled her in to sit back on her pillows. She crossed her legs and he handed her a napkin. Her coffee poured from the thermos was piping hot and she opened her notebook to read as she ate.

“I have something big planned for Christmas,” he told her. “It's a surprise. Do you think you could stay away from the castle until that morning?”

Her mind grasped it only as a passing thought, and she glanced up to smile. “Sure. Do you want me to bring anything?”

Lex shook his head, smiling at her mischievously. He balanced a plate with her pastry on her knee. When all of the mini buffet was in reach, he opened the newspaper flat on the bed. His eyes darted between Chloe and her food. She ate slowly, getting distracted by her notes, but she did finish her croissant and coffee. The leftovers could be a snack during her exam or stored in her fridge for a day or two. He had put out some food for himself but was only touching his coffee.

“You know I need to be prepared if the big thing is a party,” she asked him. “I don't have ball gowns in my glove compartment.”

He was feeling very confident, and her incorrect guess didn't faze him. “We'll just be doing holiday things. You can show up in your pajamas if you like.”

Her nose wrinkled as she brought her cup to her mouth and found it empty. “You don't like holiday things.”

Lex folded his newspaper and helped her pack the food. Chloe stood up and sent crumbs flying down into the stiff dorm carpeting.

“I liked holidays once, and a lot of that was ruined for me. I think it's worth trying again. Your family seems to survive celebrating,” he said.

She rolled her eyes.

“Our eggnog is so full of rum it should be renamed rum punch. We get through holidays alive; don't think there aren't emotional scars. And fat, so much extra belly by the time we're finished eating.”

He knew the only answer to that muttered comment, and Lex even meant it. He had never seen Chloe looking less than wonderful since they'd started dating. “I've never noticed any fat on you,” he said.

She stroked down his cheeks and pecked his mouth. “Cataracts so early, too bad. At least I can eat all I want apparently,” she said. “You have to get out so I can get ready. Thank you for breakfast. I'll see you at Christmas and you'll hear from me before then.”

She shoved him out her door with his coat in his hands, and from her footsteps away he knew she went back for her notes. She would do fine but Chloe insisted on giving her full attention to her work. He was happy to get out of her way so she could.

Lex pulled on his coat and left with a swagger. He would be a good husband and Chloe was a fair, loving person who gave him as much praise as she could justify. She would write exams; he would shovel dirt and decorate a tree. They would meet on Christmas morning and never be apart again.

[hfce]

Yeah you finally updated. It was good. At least Chloe was nicer to him this time. I can't to see what happens next. This is actually chapter 18 not 17. Chapter 17 was already posted over at the Advent calendar.

I hope you feel better Nonky. :)

[Julie]

Hope, I haven't checked the calendar, but the chapter numbers doesn't match with the actual day, because Nonky wrote a prologue for day one :)

[hfce]

Hope, I haven't checked the calendar, but the chapter numbers doesn't match with the actual day, because Nonky wrote a prologue for day one :)

Ok. Because the last update said 17. So I thought it meant chapter 17. LOL!!:rofl:

[Julie]

Ah, no :) Part 17 on the advent calendar is in fact chapter 16 :)

[Linda]

Glad to see that you are going to finish this fantastic story. Sorry to hear that you haven't been well and have had all the hastles of a new job and a new house to contend with as well! Hope things are settling down for you now. Everything seems to happen at Christmas time!!!!!

Great update! Glad that Chloe didn't give Lex the cold shoulder and that he told her he wanted to celebrate the holidays with her. Which should be a weight off her mind! Is Chloe going to try to find out and ruin her surprise or is she going to be too busy with her exams?

Can't wait for the next update. Thanks!

[somethingeasy]

Lex nodded silently at Chloe's roommate, and let her inch out the door as he tiptoed in. He put the case of bottled water under his girlfriend's desk and slid it out of the way. Opening the cupboard next to her bookshelf, he hid two bars of chocolate and a bag of chips. With her study food topped up, he ducked outside the door and picked up the bag of food he brought for breakfast.

oh WOW!! Best. Boyfriend. EVER!!! He actually brought Chloe a supply of study-snacks when she might not have time to go shopping for herself?! That is going WAY above and beyond typical male consideration. Chloe is truly depressed and blinded if she thinks that this guy is getting ready to dump her!


“Chloe, it's time to wake up,” he whispered. “I brought coffee, your favourite.”

She wiggled as if to turn away and drift deeper into sleep, and Lex tickled her side. “I can't let you go back to sleep, you'd kill me for making you late. Open those eyes,” he asked.

His mouth found hers, her neck slanting back. The light, soft kiss warmed her face and she touched his shirt buttons. The vague, sleepy motions became halting, and her eyes opened as she pushed away from him.

LOL! Best. Alarm. Clock. EVER! ROTFL! This was a beautiful way for anyone to be woken up. HOW does Chloe manage to keep herself from spending every night with Lex? How does she keep returning to the dorm when she has the option of spending the nights, and waking up in the mornings beside Lex?


He smiled gently. “It's not even time for your alarm. Relax for a few minutes and then we can eat breakfast together,” he said. “I brought some coffee and croissants, some yoghurt for you, and a berry sundae because you'll be working hard this morning. You have the literature exam today, don't you, the one with the long essay?”

I am in awe of the level of attention and devotion Lex spends on Chloe. He not only brought her the perfect breakfast, but he even knew all the details about her exams and the kind of questions that would be asked in it. In fact, he even knew her special wake-up schedule for exam days. That is remarkable!


Lex sat on the edge of the bed and nodded. “We colluded a little. I'm paying for her to take a limo to breakfast at her favourite restaurant, and she's getting out of our way so we can spend some time together. But I won't keep you from studying if you like. I'll just put the food out and you can read your books while I read the paper.”

ROTFL! Niiice! Extensive overdone bribery to get the room-mate out of the way. Dear God, if I can’t be Chloe, can I at least be Chloe’s room-mate?!


“Did something happen,” she asked hoarsely. “Something bad?”

Lex turned to see her staring, and reached for her. She took his hand but kept distance between them.

“Nothing is wrong, but I'll be working out of Smallville until Christmas, so I won't see you until you're on break. I wanted to make sure you have everything you need and that you know where to find me. As an added bonus I got to smell your neck just as you were waking up.”

Poor Lex… he went through so much trouble to provide the perfect romantic wake-up call, and he got himself a grumpy, suspicious girlfriend. So much for the fantasies about Disney Sleeping Princesses, LOL!

But he’s still being so sweet, cute and romantic despite her crabbiness. In fact, he even broke through her suspicious mood….


He rubbed her knuckles and she grinned. She wasn't getting dumped that day.

“You perverted neck sniffer. And yes, I have everything I need and I know where to find you in Smallville. It's the castle in the middle of nowhere, rising four stories high, right?”

ROTFL! And the snark has returned. It’s nice to see her smiling at Lex again. I guess his romanticism this morning provided her with a ‘little’ bit of reassurance about his feelings towards her. If ONLY she could let go of the conviction that she’s on the threshold of being dumped.


“I have something big planned for Christmas,” he told her. “It's a surprise. Do you think you could stay away from the castle until that morning?”

heh, let’s hope that Chloe’s overly-paranoid state of mind doesn’t lead her to believe that Lex has planned a special cruelty of the ‘dumping of her’ as his ‘Christmas Surprise’.


Her nose wrinkled as she brought her cup to her mouth and found it empty. “You don't like holiday things.”

Lex folded his newspaper and helped her pack the food. Chloe stood up and sent crumbs flying down into the stiff dorm carpeting.

“I liked holidays once, and a lot of that was ruined for me. I think it's worth trying again. Your family seems to survive celebrating,” he said.

She rolled her eyes.

I’m still hoping that Chloe is NOT going to go down the paranoid thought of thinking the worst of Lex’s possible surprise… But I really wouldn’t be shocked if she did jump to the wrong conclusion :rolleyes:


He knew the only answer to that muttered comment, and Lex even meant it. He had never seen Chloe looking less than wonderful since they'd started dating. “I've never noticed any fat on you,” he said.

She stroked down his cheeks and pecked his mouth. “Cataracts so early, too bad. At least I can eat all I want apparently,” she said. “You have to get out so I can get ready. Thank you for breakfast. I'll see you at Christmas and you'll hear from me before then.”

ROTFL! That was a Good Answer from Lex, and it was all the lovelier because it was sincere. And Chloe snarky response was hysterical, LOL!


Lex pulled on his coat and left with a swagger. He would be a good husband and Chloe was a fair, loving person who gave him as much praise as she could justify. She would write exams; he would shovel dirt and decorate a tree. They would meet on Christmas morning and never be apart again.

heh, Lex is really going all out in proving what a loving, devoted life partner he can be. His devoted attention this morning should have gone a long way towards soothing away some or most of Chloe’s insecurities. If he can keep himself from repeating the mistake of neglecting her ‘for her own sake’, they might be able to breeze through this troubled patch in their relationship with neither of them getting hurt. LOL! But then again, this IS a Nonky fic, and I’m sure she has something terrible in mind to crush Lex before she deems him worthy of a happy ending, LOL! Have fun, Nonky!

[Lillian]

But...where is the rest of this fic? :confuse2:

Please, update soon.

[Julie]

But...where is the rest of this fic? :confuse2:

Please, update soon.

Relax! Nonky is doing her best updating this! You have to remember her real life is really hectic now, so give her some time. She'll update when she has something written to post.

[bether05]

I'm still holding out hope for another ch or even the finish of this story!!

[starmoon]

please come back and finish i really can't wait for more.

[kitten]

Chapter Eighteen

Digging was back-breaking but straightforward, Lex discovered. It took little skill other than to ignore the discomfort in his upper body. It went faster when he tried to block out all ideas of deadlines and boredom and just did the work. He didn't do any math to tell him when he should expect to be finished. He told the kitchen staff not to bother making lunch. The bottle of water he brought out with him had long since dripped away any real coldness, but it was cooler than his skin.

The greenhouse had enclosed boxes of different shapes. The one in the centre was round and the walls were lined on two sides with semi-circular boxes. He had known for a while he wasn't capable of building anything nearly as artistic, but when he took a closer look Lex had to chuckle at his earlier misconceptions. He had been thinking in terms of nails and lining up the edges of boards. There was a whole lot going on he didn't get at all. He would have to look up whether wood could be bent or if it was carved into the identical curves of the outer boxes.

His next shovel of soil had a worm wiggling on top and he paused with morbid distaste. What were the coffee plants going to make of a worm? He personally hadn't encountered one since elementary biology class and that one was dead. Worms created tunnels that ventilated soil. Plants took in oxygen. Unless it was a grub that would gnaw on the plant. If it had teeth it was a grub, but Lex didn't know how to tell. If he waved some leaves in front of it would it try to eat them?

He hefted the shovel with one hand and took a sip of water. Environmentalists loved worms, so it was probably welcome. Also, he was fine with shoveling dirt, but didn't feel like touching anything squirmy. He dumped the shovel and kept going. Hopefully Chloe wasn't afraid of worms, too.

He paused and straightened his shoulders. He wasn't afraid, though a lot of people were. Worms were disgusting. He finished filling the box and patted the soil into smoothness, only remembering the worm was down there afterward.

“Sorry,” he muttered. “That couldn't have felt good.”

He had filled the outer boxes and the middle section was empty. It seemed like he might be able to set up a ramp and dump the wheelbarrow straight in. Lex found a sturdy lid from one of the crates and propped it up with cans of lime. He stepped carefully as he tested it out, and sighed with relief when nothing broke. He had too much work to be in a cast.

Gleefully, he was able to dump the remaining soil in record time. Lex put down PH testing strips and closed up the greenhouse. He had to decorate the library and put up the tree that should have been delivered.


He looked the opponent up and down, slowly, threateningly. Lex squared his shoulders, slid his hands into his pockets as if he didn't have a care in the world, and then he turned his back.

"You're green," he said calmly. "You're green and I'm not. I'm the winner here, and you're not going to beat me. This isn't for me, this is for Chloe, and she likes-"

He whirled suddenly, charged the tree and started wrestling it upright from where it was leaning on the wall. All he had to do was get it standing and beautifully decorated.

"-Christmas! She likes Christmas, and I don't but I'll do this because she likes it. You're going to stand up straight, and be impressive, and then, so - am I!"

He strained to hold up the tree and wondered how his request for a big Christmas tree had been interpreted as 'cut down a redwood and put it in my library.' He was excessive and even he could see it was a monster. Maybe it was a not-very-subtle hint that someone thought he was losing his grip. He would show them.

Lex gave it a shove and ran over to the other side to catch it before it could fall into his pool table. He held it upright and kicked off his shoe to tighten the bolts on the tree stand with his toes. His head and shoulders were covered in loose needles glued on with sap.

Next year I'm going artificial, he mused tiredly. Those must be so light in comparison.

[westwingwolf]

I guess Lex never had to do so much hard work in his life. I happen to love playing with worms but I can see where he'd be disgusted by it. Though, it was sweet that he felt sorry for it later. The hardest part of Christmas has to be putting up the tree. He really shouldn't have attempted it by himself. I fear how crazy he'll be driven when he has to decorate it. He might break down crying if the lights get tangled up in a knotty mess. If Chloe doesn't accept his proposal after all this, he'll definitely end up in Belle Reve.

[Julie]

What? Am I seeing correctly? An update on the advent calendar fic?


lol... Well done ;) Keep it up. Not much to go!

[superag]

Oh Christmas Tree Oh Christmas Tree, How green? Green in July? Oh well, I love Christmas in July too! I'm SSSSOOOOOOOOOO happy that AC Lex is not dead. His incredible Niceness rolled over all the other Lexes and got to tell his story. Hopefully, he'll come back from hiding once more and tell us more of his tale. BTW, I still so totally want to own AC Lex.

[daria_103]

I'm so happy to see an update to this fic, I was checking obsessively for updates everyday at Christmas and was sad to see it go on hiatus. I love this Lex, it's wonderful and comical to see everything he's going through for Chloe.

I had to stop reading for a minute to laugh at the visual of him charging a Christmas tree. I can only imagine what he'll have to go through to get it decorated. I'm looking forward to seeing what happens next.

[kitten]

Chapter Nineteen

Chloe stepped out of her father's house and pulled her coat over her new sweater. She was wearing a nice pair of black jeans and the red sweater from Lois. A necklace from her father spelled out her name against her throat. It wasn't really her style, but she would wear it when she visited. Lex's limo had pulled up outside at ten minutes before nine a.m. She got her father's blessing and left him pondering the new novels she had given him.

Lex stayed in the car and let his driver open the door for her. Wearing pajamas and a robe to pick her up was a fit of whimsy he was regretting. The car was cold, and he felt like an idiot in pajamas. They flopped where his normal clothes draped, making him feel puny.

Chloe sat down and slid along the seat, grinning. She took the two gifts the driver handed in, and thanked him. “Did you oversleep,” she asked humorously. “Up all night waiting for Santa?”

He had been up all night, fussing with decorations, eating too many candy canes and rearranging her presents under the tree. Lex had a late night ambition to string lights along the doorway, but had given up when he caught himself hoping he would fall off his chair and strangle. He had no idea how brand new light strands could be so tangled, and he only wanted to forget the whole thing. The tree was decorated and the presents were ready. He was happy to have done that much without injury.

“I thought I'd follow tradition and get right out of bed to open gifts,” he told her, cuddling her to his side. “Are those for me?”

She clutched the smaller box to her chest and nodded. “Yes, but you can only open one now. It's for the limo.”

Lex chuckled. “I had no idea you thought so highly of the limo. And here the limo didn't get you anything,” he teased.

He pulled off the paper and read the box. “Car pong. Play on the go,” he read.

Chloe ducked her head, and told him, “It's just a weird thing I saw. You attach it to the top of a chair or a car seat and you can play ping pong. It solves the problem of Mitch's lousy bluffing without forcing you to lower yourself to Go Fish.”

He had opened the box and was holding one of the paddles. “You must have played ping pong,” she said uncertainly.

“I have,” Lex assured her, and leaned in to whisper, “Mitch gets all worked up and throws his cards down. I'm wondering if I'll need spare paddles. He's a sore loser, which is odd because he's always the one who pulls out the deck of cards in a traffic jam.”

She nodded and hid the other present in her jacket. Lex gave her a soft kiss and whispered, “Is that one for the limo, too?”

Her cheeks flushed and she batted him with the belt of his robe. “I got shy. It's your present and I don't want you to make a big deal over it. So you'll get it once you don't want it anymore,” she insisted.

Lex nodded and picked up the ping pong set. He switched to the bench on the other side of the car and tapped on the divider. The driver lowered it and glanced back

“Yes, sir,” he asked.

“Mitch, Chloe solved our Texas Hold 'Em dilemma for good. Now we can play ping pong,” Lex told him proudly.

The blond rolled her eyes as the car stopped at a light and Mitch turned back eagerly. “No betting, and no fighting over points. You're both going to have to play as gentlemen.”

They didn't even look at her, but Lex mumbled something in the affirmative and Mitch said, “Of course.”

[skauble]

More Christmas Lex. Yaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay!

Although I feel bad because the influence of the Lexes Imperius is certainly showing to make you write not one, but *two* chapters of this Lex.

I decided to review this chapter first and I’ll be reviewing the next part soon. See how I have mastered chronological order? *sniff* I’m so proud.



Digging was back-breaking but straightforward, Lex discovered. It took little skill other than to ignore the discomfort in his upper body. It went faster when he tried to block out all ideas of deadlines and boredom and just did the work. He didn't do any math to tell him when he should expect to be finished. He told the kitchen staff not to bother making lunch. The bottle of water he brought out with him had long since dripped away any real coldness, but it was cooler than his skin.

The greenhouse had enclosed boxes of different shapes. The one in the centre was round and the walls were lined on two sides with semi-circular boxes. He had known for a while he wasn't capable of building anything nearly as artistic, but when he took a closer look Lex had to chuckle at his earlier misconceptions. He had been thinking in terms of nails and lining up the edges of boards. There was a whole lot going on he didn't get at all. He would have to look up whether wood could be bent or if it was carved into the identical curves of the outer boxes.

Look at Lex getting in touch with his inner construction worker! Actually I did quite enjoy that mental picture. I think that he’s just happy here to feel validated in not doing absolutely all the work himself.



His next shovel of soil had a worm wiggling on top and he paused with morbid distaste. What were the coffee plants going to make of a worm? He personally hadn't encountered one since elementary biology class and that one was dead. Worms created tunnels that ventilated soil. Plants took in oxygen. Unless it was a grub that would gnaw on the plant. If it had teeth it was a grub, but Lex didn't know how to tell. If he waved some leaves in front of it would it try to eat them?

LMAO It’s a good thing that Lex wasn’t recording this process for Chloe, ‘cause he’s kind of a doofus.



He hefted the shovel with one hand and took a sip of water. Environmentalists loved worms, so it was probably welcome. Also, he was fine with shoveling dirt, but didn't feel like touching anything squirmy. He dumped the shovel and kept going. Hopefully Chloe wasn't afraid of worms, too.

He paused and straightened his shoulders. He wasn't afraid, though a lot of people were. Worms were disgusting. He finished filling the box and patted the soil into smoothness, only remembering the worm was down there afterward.

Of course you’re not afraid, Lex. (OMG, the Lexes are afraid of worms. I should never have cryogenically frozen you, nonky. Then, when we brought you back, you would have had worms and could have ruled them all!!!)



“Sorry,” he muttered. “That couldn't have felt good.”

:rofl: Okay, I think that it’s insanely cute that Lex just apologized to the worm. It’s almost a pet now. What should he name it?



He had filled the outer boxes and the middle section was empty. It seemed like he might be able to set up a ramp and dump the wheelbarrow straight in. Lex found a sturdy lid from one of the crates and propped it up with cans of lime. He stepped carefully as he tested it out, and sighed with relief when nothing broke. He had too much work to be in a cast.

I wonder what it says about me and Lex that we’re both so genuinely happy that he found a shortcut that totally worked. lolol



Gleefully, he was able to dump the remaining soil in record time. Lex put down PH testing strips and closed up the greenhouse. He had to decorate the library and put up the tree that should have been delivered.

Wow. I’m gonna go ahead and put that last sentence on my list of Things That Don’t Bode Well.



He looked the opponent up and down, slowly, threateningly. Lex squared his shoulders, slid his hands into his pockets as if he didn't have a care in the world, and then he turned his back.

"You're green," he said calmly. "You're green and I'm not. I'm the winner here, and you're not going to beat me. This isn't for me, this is for Chloe, and she likes-"

He whirled suddenly, charged the tree and started wrestling it upright from where it was leaning on the wall. All he had to do was get it standing and beautifully decorated.

Holy crap!!! ROTFLMFAO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

He used the lull on a tree??? *dies laughing* :rofl:

You know, your Lexes are pretty much always various shades of crazy, but this one is neon pick and olive green in a paisley pattern.



"-Christmas! She likes Christmas, and I don't but I'll do this because she likes it. You're going to stand up straight, and be impressive, and then, so - am I!"

Poor Lex; he really believes that he’ll only be impressive everything is perfect. And you know that Chloe would be just as happy with a Charlie Brown Christmas tree.



He strained to hold up the tree and wondered how his request for a big Christmas tree had been interpreted as 'cut down a redwood and put it in my library.' He was excessive and even he could see it was a monster. Maybe it was a not-very-subtle hint that someone thought he was losing his grip. He would show them.

That’s right, Lex. You prove yourself to those people…you pay?

You know Lex, I don’t want to make you feel bad, but Lionel would never feel the need to prove himself. Of course, he doesn’t have a Chloe, so carry on.



Lex gave it a shove and ran over to the other side to catch it before it could fall into his pool table. He held it upright and kicked off his shoe to tighten the bolts on the tree stand with his toes. His head and shoulders were covered in loose needles glued on with sap.

Next year I'm going artificial, he mused tiredly. Those must be so light in comparison.

LMAO! This Lex *really* deserves his Chloe. I’m glad it won’t take him too much longer to get her.

I’m also glad because I think all of this trying new stuff is making him Lex bright than we know he can be. Why didn’t he just put a rope around the tree, tie it off so it was straight and then tighten the stand?

All I know is that Chloe had better say yes. Many times. And maybe bake him a “yes” shaped cake…well, maybe order one. Lex shouldn’t be punished for being so sweet.

Great chapter, nonky! I’m so excited for Christmas to come. :)

~Sarah~

[somethingeasy]

Digging was back-breaking but straightforward, Lex discovered. It took little skill other than to ignore the discomfort in his upper body. It went faster when he tried to block out all ideas of deadlines and boredom and just did the work. He didn't do any math to tell him when he should expect to be finished. He told the kitchen staff not to bother making lunch. The bottle of water he brought out with him had long since dripped away any real coldness, but it was cooler than his skin.

The greenhouse had enclosed boxes of different shapes. The one in the centre was round and the walls were lined on two sides with semi-circular boxes. He had known for a while he wasn't capable of building anything nearly as artistic, but when he took a closer look Lex had to chuckle at his earlier misconceptions. He had been thinking in terms of nails and lining up the edges of boards. There was a whole lot going on he didn't get at all. He would have to look up whether wood could be bent or if it was carved into the identical curves of the outer boxes.

In a way, it sounds like Lex is rather enjoying his experience at being a labourer and working by using pure strength and body while shutting OFF his mind.


His next shovel of soil had a worm wiggling on top and he paused with morbid distaste. What were the coffee plants going to make of a worm? He personally hadn't encountered one since elementary biology class and that one was dead. Worms created tunnels that ventilated soil. Plants took in oxygen. Unless it was a grub that would gnaw on the plant. If it had teeth it was a grub, but Lex didn't know how to tell. If he waved some leaves in front of it would it try to eat them?

ROTFLMAO! Shutting off his brain didn’t work too well. Now he’s gone right back to overanalyzing everything in that ridiculous, fuzzy way that has characterized ALL of his decisions ever since he made the Big Decision to propose to Chloe, LOL! Just LOOK at him trying to analyse the virtues of that one worm, ignoring the thousands of other insects, bugs and creepy crawly creatures that he CAN’T actually see, LOL!


He paused and straightened his shoulders. He wasn't afraid, though a lot of people were. Worms were disgusting. He finished filling the box and patted the soil into smoothness, only remembering the worm was down there afterward.

“Sorry,” he muttered. “That couldn't have felt good.”

ROTFLMAO! Oh dear me! I agree with Skauble completely that he was one step away from naming the worm and declaring it to be a Luthor pet, LOL! Good thing BB-Lex wasn’t around, otherwise he would have thrown himself on the path of the shove to protect the new little squirmy buddy that has been discovered.


He looked the opponent up and down, slowly, threateningly. Lex squared his shoulders, slid his hands into his pockets as if he didn't have a care in the world, and then he turned his back.

"You're green," he said calmly. "You're green and I'm not. I'm the winner here, and you're not going to beat me. This isn't for me, this is for Chloe, and she likes-"

He whirled suddenly, charged the tree and started wrestling it upright from where it was leaning on the wall. All he had to do was get it standing and beautifully decorated.

ROTFLMAO! Oh heavens! He’s really lost his mind! He didn’t! But he DID! He actually launched a surprise attack against the tree expecting THAT tactic to give him an advantage?! I think it’s time to break out the straightjacket from the attic. You KNOW it’s lying up there, probably recently fitted, oiled and ready for usage!


He strained to hold up the tree and wondered how his request for a big Christmas tree had been interpreted as 'cut down a redwood and put it in my library.' He was excessive and even he could see it was a monster. Maybe it was a not-very-subtle hint that someone thought he was losing his grip. He would show them.

ROTFL! Right, Lex! Show those laughing enemies how sane you are! Put on a show of stability for ALL the people who are watching you at this very second!


Lex gave it a shove and ran over to the other side to catch it before it could fall into his pool table. He held it upright and kicked off his shoe to tighten the bolts on the tree stand with his toes. His head and shoulders were covered in loose needles glued on with sap.

Next year I'm going artificial, he mused tiredly. Those must be so light in comparison.

OR… perhaps next year you can hire help for all the back-breaking labour projects? Even if it IS soooo much fun doing it all yourself, LOL!


He had been up all night, fussing with decorations, eating too many candy canes and rearranging her presents under the tree. Lex had a late night ambition to string lights along the doorway, but had given up when he caught himself hoping he would fall off his chair and strangle. He had no idea how brand new light strands could be so tangled, and he only wanted to forget the whole thing. The tree was decorated and the presents were ready. He was happy to have done that much without injury.

LOL! Poor Lex! I’m beginning to think that he believes that marriage life brings an inordinate amount of suffering to a person’s life (can you blame him, he’s been trained to believe that!). So he’s trying to prepare himself for misery in all forms so that he can be ready for the challenge. If he can survive preparing the Perfect Christmas for Chloe, he can survive anything!


She clutched the smaller box to her chest and nodded. “Yes, but you can only open one now. It's for the limo.”

Lex chuckled. “I had no idea you thought so highly of the limo. And here the limo didn't get you anything,” he teased.

LOL! the sense of humour is a good sign. Perhaps it’s not time to break out the straightjacket just yet?


“I have,” Lex assured her, and leaned in to whisper, “Mitch gets all worked up and throws his cards down. I'm wondering if I'll need spare paddles. He's a sore loser, which is odd because he's always the one who pulls out the deck of cards in a traffic jam.”

awww, that is actually a lovely and perfect present! It’s sweet, thoughtful, considerate as WELL as useful and fun. It’s fulfils all the requirements of the perfect gift… and under twenty dollars, LOL! As far as efficiency goes, Chloe has Lex beat when it comes to gift-giving. No wonder he had to bet his hopes on sheer, gargantuan extravagance to match up to her cleverness.


Her cheeks flushed and she batted him with the belt of his robe. “I got shy. It's your present and I don't want you to make a big deal over it. So you'll get it once you don't want it anymore,” she insisted.

ooooh, I’m intrigued! What it is? what is it?!?


The blond rolled her eyes as the car stopped at a light and Mitch turned back eagerly. “No betting, and no fighting over points. You're both going to have to play as gentlemen.”

They didn't even look at her, but Lex mumbled something in the affirmative and Mitch said, “Of course.”

ROTFL! I bet Chloe wasn’t fooled for a minute! Let’s hope Mitch doesn’t get suckered into handing over his yearly salary to Lex. It would be just embarrassing for Lex to have a driver working under a slave contract.

I was so pleased to see an update on this fic. LOL! TWO updates no less. Awesome! I look forward to whatever the future brings for our dimwitted holiday themed couple, LOL!

[kitten]

Chapter Twenty

Chloe hurried him into the house and rubbed his cold ears. “Okay, you know it's Kansas out there, right? If you don't want a knitted cap you're going to have to at least wear a coat with a collar you can turn up.”

Lex shivered and kicked snow off his completely inadequate slippers. The pajama thing had been a cute idea that was never to be repeated. He was glad Chloe didn't take him up on it. He took her hand and led her to the stairs, and up to his library. The double doors were shut so she could be surprised when they entered. She was still holding the mysterious second gift and he made a playful grab at it.

“No! I think you'll hate it, now,” she protested. “And compared to the awesome gifts you always buy I'm sure it will look like crap.”

He stopped and looked at her kindly. “You know that's not true. Your presents are wonderful,” he said, giving the package a little squeeze. “It feels like a book. I never have time to shop for new books. Can I please open it?”

Her golden head ducked bashfully and she let him take it from her. He unfolded the purple wrapping paper carefully and stuck the purple bow to his robe like a boutoniere.

“Hmm, I sense a theme. Purple for your lover's frequent bruises?”

Chloe pursed her mouth. “Purple for my favourite Luthor,” she corrected. “Stop stalling.”

He lowered the gift and leaned on the wall casually, faking a yawn. “So now you're in a hurry. You're going to rush me through opening my present and ruin the wonderful memories I could be saving of every precious moment,” he asked wryly. “How unkind.”

She frowned and tried to grab it back. “Too much pressure! It's not that great. You can open it when you're expecting absolutely nothing good.”

Lex ripped the paper and let it drop to the floor. “Oops,” he deadpanned.

He turned the book over and read the back with interest, reaching out a hand for Chloe to hold as she fidgeted. When he flipped open the velvet case she nearly jumped. Lex read the certificate and traced the small metal coin with a fingertip. “I love it, Chloe. Thank you. Come here.”

She cuddled to his chest and met his soft kiss with a hint of embarrassment. Lex kissed her pink cheeks and quirked an eyebrow. “I'm going to make the limo so jealous when it sees this.”

Chloe giggled and looked at the ceiling awkwardly. “Yeah, yeah, and I don't have a present yet,” she told him. “There's no hint of holiday stuff either. I feel misled.”

He glanced at the doors and shrugged. “It's been pointed out to me that I have no sense of proportion. I know I went crazy, so we don't have to make big deal about it. We can just nod and humour me, okay?”

She nodded, but the dubious look on her face made him pause. He hoped she liked the library and it looked like his memories of Christmas. It would be a bad day for a psych evaluation considering his quaking stomach and pre-proposal jitters. He opened the doors anyway and stood back so she could take in the room.

Chloe stared at the massive tree in front of the windows, glittering evenly with decorations up to the angel at the top. The small lights flickered in complicated patterns and she blinked rapidly. Garland surrounded the windows and electric candles sat on the sills. The fireplace was roaring and more garland followed a line around the room. Poinsettias sat on the piano and red bows decorated the legs of the pool table. Even Lex's desk had an artistic pile of small gifts on one corner.

Lex went to the coffee table and poured her a cup, watching her look around. He smiled as she took in the volume of presents under the tree and turned to glare his way.

[hfce]

You actually update wow. I don't like the glare that she gives him. Oh boy. :P

[kitten]

Chapter Twenty-One


“LEX! You spent too much money! Some of these had better be for disadvantaged children,” she chided him.

He gave her the coffee and went over to the desk to pick up a certificate recognizing his donation to a toy drive. She rolled her eyes and huffed before taking a massive swig of her beverage. “Mmm, Hawaiian. You know I'm going to take forever to open all these.”

He nodded easily, and took two pillows to throw down next to her monutain of unwrapping. “Get going, then.”

Chloe grinned broadly and put her coffee safely out of the way. Lex grabbed the wastepaper basket and put it behind his back as he sat next to her. “While you're unwrapping these, appreciate all my tidy efforts. Mrs. Grimaldi made me learn origami to wrap some of these. She rapped my knuckles when I did something wrong,” Lex said sadly. “She's an unkind woman.”

She picked up a box and peeled off paper with a roll of her eyes.

“If you hire the nice ones they fall in love with you. Your knuckles are tough, and Mrs. Grimaldi would be able to take down assassins,” Chloe replied. “That's much more important for you than how nice she is to you.”

He sat back and watched her strip the cellophane off a box of chocolates she'd just unwrapped. He took one when she extended it to his mouth and grimaced as she swirled hers in her coffee. “They're already coffee filled,” Lex pointed out.

She ate it and smiled with a smear of chocolate on her upper lip. He got it with his thumb.

“Not your first chocolate of the day, is it?”

Chloe shook her head, threw the ball of wrapping paper at him and kept digging around for the oddest shaped presents. She came up with a tiny object in a tall plume of paper, and unraveled it to find a nail polish bottle. She unwrapped funny socks, tiny sculptures, a new watch, a pair of knee high leather boots and a matching coat in a green to offset her eyes. Lex dutifully gathered up the trash and took it out of her way as she went for new presents.

“You bought too much stuff,” she said periodically, muffled by a mouthful of chocolate covered strawberry or a candy cane. Her coffee became a place to park her candy when she needed two hands. Her face glowed with combined excitement and hyperactivity

Lex pointed to her bookshelf and she ran over to rip off the Christmas paper, running back promptly to hug him. She opened the luggage set he had made with her initials and didn't even notice they were C.S.L. And she opened every bag of notebooks and case of pens with glee, which Lex reminded himself to tell Mrs. Grimaldi later.

As he anticipated, Chloe gave the tiny things as much enthusiasm as the big ones. She spent ten minutes playing with a keychain with laser cut trenches of a maze and a tiny bead to guide through them. She stopped to do a sudoku puzzle and took her green silk pajamas to the bathroom to change into them. When she came back she sat on his lap on the sofa.

“I really like everything, but I was serious about this being too much,” Chloe told him. “This took way too much time for you and all your elves.”

He shifted and stroked her cheek. “I did all the shopping. I found the stuff and went to get it. Three different European countries for the books and I looked for other things to pick up while I was there. I went to the mall, alone.”

Her eyes widened and she moved off his lap. “I don't understand, Lex. I thought you were traveling for work and you were shopping?”

“I wanted you to know that I'm willing and capable of taking care of you even without my employees. I'm never going to push off being there for you on someone I'm paying,” Lex told her gently. “And if you'll marry me I won't forget that.”

And she ran.

[daria_103]

No, no running away, not after everything Lex has done to make it the perfect Christmas. I know Chloe is probably totally blindsided after thinking they were breaking up but I want her to come back quickly so they can get back to having a perfect hoiday and being engaged.

It was well worth the wait to be getting all these updates at once, it's very appropriately like Christmas come early. I can't wait for the last few chapters and a hopefully happy Chlex.

[hfce]

NOOOO!! Why did she run? I want more please.... :beg:

[somethingeasy]

Chloe hurried him into the house and rubbed his cold ears. “Okay, you know it's Kansas out there, right? If you don't want a knitted cap you're going to have to at least wear a coat with a collar you can turn up.”

LOL! I think it’s beyond a Luthor pride to accept wearing a knitted cap… he’d sooner surrender his ears to frostbite. But the idea of a turned up collar sounds good. In a pinch, it can even look ‘sinisterly cool’ enough for a Luthor to tolerate.


“No! I think you'll hate it, now,” she protested. “And compared to the awesome gifts you always buy I'm sure it will look like crap.”

awww, Chloe’s being shy about her present. Don’t worry, Chloe! It truly doesn’t matter what you give to Lex, because he’ll genuinely adore anything that has been given to him by his beloved Chloe Sullivan. Just the fact that SHE chose it especially for him is enough to guarantee he’ll love it.


“Hmm, I sense a theme. Purple for your lover's frequent bruises?”

Chloe pursed her mouth. “Purple for my favourite Luthor,” she corrected. “Stop stalling.”

He lowered the gift and leaned on the wall casually, faking a yawn. “So now you're in a hurry. You're going to rush me through opening my present and ruin the wonderful memories I could be saving of every precious moment,” he asked wryly. “How unkind.”

She frowned and tried to grab it back. “Too much pressure! It's not that great. You can open it when you're expecting absolutely nothing good.”

Lex ripped the paper and let it drop to the floor. “Oops,” he deadpanned.

ROTFLMAO! They really are so cute! And I love scenes where LEX is the one teasing and playing around while Chloe gets embarrassed. It’s such a rare occurrence, and it’s always a lot of fun to watch, LOL!


He turned the book over and read the back with interest, reaching out a hand for Chloe to hold as she fidgeted. When he flipped open the velvet case she nearly jumped. Lex read the certificate and traced the small metal coin with a fingertip. “I love it, Chloe. Thank you. Come here.”

awwww, I forgot about that coin! I remember how she spent so much time agonizing over it while trying to find it and then waiting to give it to him. LOL! and even then she kept on worrying about whether or not he’s going to like it. It seems like gift-exchanges are a stressful time for BOTH members of the Chlex couple… they really won’t be able to survive many more Christmases together at this rate.


She cuddled to his chest and met his soft kiss with a hint of embarrassment. Lex kissed her pink cheeks and quirked an eyebrow. “I'm going to make the limo so jealous when it sees this.”

ROTFL! You screwball nut!


He glanced at the doors and shrugged. “It's been pointed out to me that I have no sense of proportion. I know I went crazy, so we don't have to make big deal about it. We can just nod and humour me, okay?”

ROTFLMAO! Well at least he gave her some warning beforehand. That was very considerate, thoughtful as well as wise of him, LOL!


Lex went to the coffee table and poured her a cup, watching her look around. He smiled as she took in the volume of presents under the tree and turned to glare his way.

“LEX! You spent too much money! Some of these had better be for disadvantaged children,” she chided him.

He gave her the coffee and went over to the desk to pick up a certificate recognizing his donation to a toy drive. She rolled her eyes and huffed before taking a massive swig of her beverage. “Mmm, Hawaiian. You know I'm going to take forever to open all these.”

It was hilarious reading about ALL the sights that greeted Chloe’s eyes when she entered the room. It must have been particularly disconcerting to go from the ‘Christmas-bare’ halls of the mansion into the North Pole explosion in the library.

ROTFL! I loved that Chloe took one look at the mountain of presents lying waiting all for herHerHER… and she actually glared at Lex for his insane extravagance. LOL! Well, he DID warn her that he went a little overboard, didn’t he?

LOL! And then, when she scolded him that she might have preferred it if he had donated money to charity on her behalf instead of spoiling her with a shower of presents, he showed her a certificate proving that he HAS made significant ‘Christmasy’ donations this year. LOL! he predicted how she was going to react, what she line of attack she was going to choose, and he created a special defence for it beforehand, ROTFLMAO!


“If you hire the nice ones they fall in love with you. Your knuckles are tough, and Mrs. Grimaldi would be able to take down assassins,” Chloe replied. “That's much more important for you than how nice she is to you.”

LOL! I see what Lex was talking about when referring his ‘purple bruises’ earlier. Chloe has no sympathy for her beloved, LOL! tsk, tsk… poor woobie Lexie! ROTFL!


He sat back and watched her strip the cellophane off a box of chocolates she'd just unwrapped. He took one when she extended it to his mouth and grimaced as she swirled hers in her coffee. “They're already coffee filled,” Lex pointed out.

Perhaps she’s just giving her coffee a chocolate flavouring rather than the other way around? Mocha everywhere!


“You bought too much stuff,” she said periodically, muffled by a mouthful of chocolate covered strawberry or a candy cane. Her coffee became a place to park her candy when she needed two hands. Her face glowed with combined excitement and hyperactivity

Lex pointed to her bookshelf and she ran over to rip off the Christmas paper, running back promptly to hug him. She opened the luggage set he had made with her initials and didn't even notice they were C.S.L. And she opened every bag of notebooks and case of pens with glee, which Lex reminded himself to tell Mrs. Grimaldi later.

As he anticipated, Chloe gave the tiny things as much enthusiasm as the big ones. She spent ten minutes playing with a keychain with laser cut trenches of a maze and a tiny bead to guide through them. She stopped to do a sudoku puzzle and took her green silk pajamas to the bathroom to change into them. When she came back she sat on his lap on the sofa.

Awww, it was so sweet and so much FUN seeing the delighted pleasure Chloe was taking in all of her presents. She might have complained that it was ‘too much’, but it was great to see that she wasn’t allowing Lex’x extravagance get in the way of her enjoyment. LOL! I loved the idea of her taking time to coo over every single present, making every single one feel ‘special’. LOL! It wouldn’t have been nice to have made the shampoo bottles feel ‘hurt’ for not getting as much attention as the chocolates. After all, it’s not IT’S fault that it doesn’t contain addictive endorphins within.


“I really like everything, but I was serious about this being too much,” Chloe told him. “This took way too much time for you and all your elves.”

Oh my, Chloe has not even yet realized the FULL extent of the obsessive trouble, time and expense that Lex went through to secure her presents. She has assumed (naturally, because the alternative might be true but it’s insane) that Lex only made a list of the items and sent his assistants on multiple shopping expeditions throughout the whole of December. LOL! She’s about to find out the true depths of insanity that Lex descended to secure this ‘perfect Christmas Experience’ for her, LOL!


“I wanted you to know that I'm willing and capable of taking care of you even without my employees. I'm never going to push off being there for you on someone I'm paying,” Lex told her gently. “And if you'll marry me I won't forget that.”

And she ran.

She ran? She ran off?!?? Chloe, Lex was acting insane when he was ‘fairly certain’ that he was going to receive a yes on his marriage proporsal… what kind of craziness is he going to get into when his beloved runs out of the room?

Erm… perhaps she went to inform everyone about her engagement? Yeah! That’s it! She just couldn’t WAIT to tell everyone that she’s about to become Mrs. Sullivan-Luthor. She was so enthusiastic that she forgot to actually accept… :D See! Perfectly logical explanation!

(erm… or Chloe finally acknowledged that she’s involved with a crazy-man, and she should get out while the getting out is good?)

*points handgun* QUIET, you!

(sorry)

LOL! This was a fun couple of chapters, Nonky! I look forward to the next instalments, Good luck!

[kitten]

Chapter Twenty-Two


Chloe was furious with him. Furious. She was more likely to strangle the life out of him than marry him. He was the biggest jerk- the most selfish loser-a childish, pathetic, sniveling excuse for a man. Marrying his spoiled, jerkwad sourpuss was only going to encourage him to be worse than ever.

She went as far as the nearest guest room and locked herself in the bathroom. As she ran cold water on a face cloth, she stared herself down in the mirror.

You won't cry over this. You will not cry. You have to think of a way out of here and you were so stupid to put on pajamas and let your guard down, so this is your fault. Do. Not. Cry.

She turned around and jammed the cloth over her eyes just in time to tell herself she wasn't. He had left her for most of a month, with little in the way of explanation or contact. He let her suffer endless nights of waiting for the breakup that didn't happen. He let her hang on a thread until he was ready, then he just showed up in her bed.

And he asked her to marry him very, very sweetly, at a time when he knew she was sappy. He softened her up expertly and used the moment to sweep her into a proposal. It wasn't fair. She was always reasonable with him. She told him where she was if he asked. She told him when she would be absent and why. She told him her troubles and her thoughts and if she was going to toss him into turmoil she would give him some warning.

You didn't just pop the question! You let it out as a hypothetical, and tested the water. You gave the other person a chance to tell you to cool it. You didn't just blurt it romantically in front of the fireplace like some big, arrogant billionaire reformed playboy.

Saying 'no' would kill them. Chloe didn't think it had crossed Lex's mind that she might not jump at the chance. He was arrogant but he had gone through the proposals before. He had LOTS of practice. Naturally, he expected her to say 'yes' like everyone else. And when she didn't he would be wounded.

At least he didn't have a ring hidden in his hand all ready to slap it on her and call it a done deal. She was grateful for that. Her ringless hands were shaking badly enough. Chloe took a deep breath and let it out, slowly turning back to the mirror. She inched the face cloth down and looked at herself grimly.

“You have to tell him one way or the other,” she whispered hoarsely. “You have to go back and apologize for being a drama queen – even if he is a bigger drama queen. He doesn't know that about himself, so today is probably not the day to bring it up. Ohhhh, I have to ask for a ride home. And I have to ruin his Christmas.”

It felt worse to know that Lex wouldn't be mean or even impolite at her refusal. He would say he understood and there were no hard feelings. They could keep going as if nothing had happened, but she knew they would both be miserable.

It was the kind of thing that really sad love songs were written about. She didn't want to be a sad love song, and maybe he wasn't that arrogant. He never complained about her busy schedule. He never put pressure on her to be classy or dressed up and go with him to his company parties. He didn't really ask for much of her attention. And he was a really good boyfriend.

The white face in the mirror flushed, and she nodded slowly to herself. Chloe wiped her face once more and left the bathroom to make the long walk back.


Chapter Twenty-Three


Lex didn't have an action planned for after the proposal. He had expected to be wrapped up in emotion, which he was, though not the cold shock of rejection he was feeling. He had moved only enough to lie down flat with his arm over his eyes, scrubbing his sleeve back and forth. He wasn't crying; he had to work very hard before he could cry and release the pent up emotions. He was trying to rub out the part of his memory that included Chloe literally running from his love.

He and Gabe had talked about the risk of this, but Lex had thought she would burst into babbling and let him calm her down. He had a list of reasons why they should get married. He had a lot to say about any misgivings. He was fine with a long engagement. He really didn't have a lot of demands that she could deny.

His timing was so utterly wrong, and he didn't understand how he was so blind after so many women. Chloe was young and ambitious. She knew the downside of marrying him. She was too smart not to get the strings attached by his father, his job and his public persona. Much to his grief, Lex couldn't cut those strings for his own sake. Mrs. Lex Luthor was stalked by violent freaks and paparazzi alike. She was the subject of smear campaigns and kidnapping attempts. She was universally assumed to be a gold digger.

He groaned softly, realizing the large pile of gifts had only rubbed it in for her. He had done everything wrong and he deserved to be in pain.

Chloe padded timidly into the library and shut the door. She wiped her eyes a final time. He was flat on the sofa and she fought a pang of guilt. She didn't know if he wanted to be alone. He hadn't said so, and she had to answer him.

She stepped around the piles of wrapping paper and up to the edge of the sofa. He didn't look at her, but his stillness told her Lex knew she was there. She put her knee next to his leg and lay down on top of him. Their matching silk pajamas nearly made her slip off. Lex put a hand lightly on her waist and she snuggled in with a deep sigh.

“I'm sorry. I wasn't expecting that,” she told him. “After not seeing you most of the month I thought you'd dump me. I got angry when I found out you were off buying presents instead of doing business. I couldn't believe you took a month off and spent virtually none of it with me.”

“I would rather have had the time with you instead of all these things. And I would have liked to have some discussion about getting married before you made it all official and stuff.”

She patted over his heart and he sucked in a hopeful breath. She didn't sound angry or insulted. She didn't even sound depressed. He was about to launch into his routine of calming her worries, when she sighed again. “Yes.”

His arm slid off his eyes and toward the floor, boneless. Lex tilted his chin down and looked at Chloe's bowed head with disbelief. “Yes,” he asked. “After everything else, that's all you have to say?”

Chloe reached down and brought his arm up, putting it neatly behind her back so he was hugging her.

“I've decided to have a quiet freak out. There are high-pitched shrieks dying to get out, but I'll hold them until I get on the phone with my girlfriends. I'm going to pretend I'm all mellow like you.”

He was anything but mellow. He might actually have been calmer before she came back into the room.

“You can put your hand on my butt if you want,” Chloe told him. He did and it helped considerably.

“Thank you, Chloe,” he said softly. “I'm glad the coffee greenhouse won't have to be filled with concrete or something drastic. I'd do badly with a cement mixer.”

She popped up and looked down on him with pure glee. “I want to see my coffee greenhouse. Hurry up!”

Lex let her wrestle him off the sofa and into warm clothes. They returned from the lengthy tour with cold hands and feet, and Chloe pulled him down to the rug. “That stupid fire finally does something useful,” she said, wiggling her toes toward the grate.

He leaned back and curled around her body, pulling her into his lap. “I have a ring around here somewhere. I wrapped it though. You'll have to open the rest of the presents to find it,” he told her.

She shook her head. “I think I need a nap first. I'm on a sugar rush and engagement high. Bling might give me the giggles for the rest of the day.”

“Chloe?” He rubbed his cold nose on her golden hair.

“Yeah?”

“Don't say 'bling,'” he requested, sending her into the threatened giggling.

THE END

[hfce]

That was a good ending but scary when she ran off. :rofl: I am so happy that this story is finally completed. YEAH!! Even though it took a long time to finish I am glad you finally did. :clapclap:

[somethingeasy]

She turned around and jammed the cloth over her eyes just in time to tell herself she wasn't. He had left her for most of a month, with little in the way of explanation or contact. He let her suffer endless nights of waiting for the breakup that didn't happen. He let her hang on a thread until he was ready, then he just showed up in her bed.

And he asked her to marry him very, very sweetly, at a time when he knew she was sappy. He softened her up expertly and used the moment to sweep her into a proposal. It wasn't fair. She was always reasonable with him. She told him where she was if he asked. She told him when she would be absent and why. She told him her troubles and her thoughts and if she was going to toss him into turmoil she would give him some warning.

This was a BRILLIANT look into Chloe’s mind, Nonky! I loved it! I have to admit, I was really surprised by Chloe’s reaction to Lex’s proposal. She just never struck me as the type of person who would run away like a melodramatic heroine because of an emotional overload. She would scream, babble and possibly become violent… but running off… it didn’t seem like a very ‘Chloe-like’ thing to do.

But THIS explained beautifully why ‘running away’ under these circumstances were a perfect and apt response for Chloe. This is how she’s dealing with her anger over Lex… In fact, this is a very smart way for her to deal with her anger. She knew if she stayed she would have snapped and said something (or done something) horrible, nasty and painful to her boyfriend. So she took some space for herself to regroup. VERY smart! :D


You didn't just pop the question! You let it out as a hypothetical, and tested the water. You gave the other person a chance to tell you to cool it. You didn't just blurt it romantically in front of the fireplace like some big, arrogant billionaire reformed playboy.

LOL! She’s just so exasperated and irritated about Lex taking such a clichéd route to proposing marriage. She would have preferred something practical and sensible, and he has to make a huge romantic stage production out of it, LOL!


Saying 'no' would kill them. Chloe didn't think it had crossed Lex's mind that she might not jump at the chance. He was arrogant but he had gone through the proposals before. He had LOTS of practice. Naturally, he expected her to say 'yes' like everyone else. And when she didn't he would be wounded.

At least he didn't have a ring hidden in his hand all ready to slap it on her and call it a done deal. She was grateful for that. Her ringless hands were shaking badly enough. Chloe took a deep breath and let it out, slowly turning back to the mirror. She inched the face cloth down and looked at herself grimly.

“You have to tell him one way or the other,” she whispered hoarsely. “You have to go back and apologize for being a drama queen – even if he is a bigger drama queen. He doesn't know that about himself, so today is probably not the day to bring it up. Ohhhh, I have to ask for a ride home. And I have to ruin his Christmas.”

heh… Chloe is absolutely right actually. Lex set up the situation where he’s (idiotically and inadvertently) gave her an ultimatum. Marry me NOW and make me happier than I’ve ever been in my entire life… or refuse this immediate offer (even if it is by telling me you want to ‘think about it’), and it will break my poor, delicate little heart.

Oh dear… I didn’t realize how very dangerous and on-the-spot it can be to have a marriage proposal from a besotted Lex Luthor. Unless you say ‘yes’ immediately, he’ll start tearing himself apart wondering what’s wrong with him. NICE, Nonky! LOL!


Lex didn't have an action planned for after the proposal. He had expected to be wrapped up in emotion, which he was, though not the cold shock of rejection he was feeling. He had moved only enough to lie down flat with his arm over his eyes, scrubbing his sleeve back and forth. He wasn't crying; he had to work very hard before he could cry and release the pent up emotions. He was trying to rub out the part of his memory that included Chloe literally running from his love.

He and Gabe had talked about the risk of this, but Lex had thought she would burst into babbling and let him calm her down. He had a list of reasons why they should get married. He had a lot to say about any misgivings. He was fine with a long engagement. He really didn't have a lot of demands that she could deny.

ROTFLMAO! Oh dear me… Chloe’s analysis of Lex was SO completely spot on. He’s already beginning to break when she hasn’t even officially refused his yet. I loved the admittance that Lex wasn’t really prepared for a rejection, despite his assurance to Gabe that he’ll accept whatever answer Chloe would give him. It hasn’t even occurred to him that Chloe might want to have a nice practical discussion about marriage, a life together and all the technical details of such a commitment… He’s seeing it all as a ‘yes’ or ‘no’, ‘all or nothing’ situation. Chloe didn’t jump at his proposal, therefore she doesn’t love him, never loved him, and is planning on leaving him tonight! LOL! That miserable helpless baby! Let’s hope Chloe takes pity on him.


His timing was so utterly wrong, and he didn't understand how he was so blind after so many women. Chloe was young and ambitious. She knew the downside of marrying him. She was too smart not to get the strings attached by his father, his job and his public persona. Much to his grief, Lex couldn't cut those strings for his own sake. Mrs. Lex Luthor was stalked by violent freaks and paparazzi alike. She was the subject of smear campaigns and kidnapping attempts. She was universally assumed to be a gold digger.

He groaned softly, realizing the large pile of gifts had only rubbed it in for her. He had done everything wrong and he deserved to be in pain.

Chloe was even right that Lex would NOT blame HER the slightest for the rejection. All of his hatred and loathing will be directed purely and completely at himself!


“I'm sorry. I wasn't expecting that,” she told him. “After not seeing you most of the month I thought you'd dump me. I got angry when I found out you were off buying presents instead of doing business. I couldn't believe you took a month off and spent virtually none of it with me.”

“I would rather have had the time with you instead of all these things. And I would have liked to have some discussion about getting married before you made it all official and stuff.”

She patted over his heart and he sucked in a hopeful breath. She didn't sound angry or insulted. She didn't even sound depressed. He was about to launch into his routine of calming her worries, when she sighed again. “Yes.”

Oh wow! ROTFL! I guess you decided to take pity on the poor couple, huh, Nonky? LOL! Enough confusion, misery and circular trauma for them. I liked that you had Chloe succinctly listed out the reasons why she was peeved off at Lex… and then immediately after listing her grievances, she accepted. LOL! That was awesome!


His arm slid off his eyes and toward the floor, boneless. Lex tilted his chin down and looked at Chloe's bowed head with disbelief. “Yes,” he asked. “After everything else, that's all you have to say?”

ROTFLMAO! Oh dear me! :rofl:
Is he seriously complaining now that Chloe accepted his proposal without him needing to give a speech declaring promises of eternal devotion? LOL! I can sense most of the Lexes will be short sheeting his bed and giving him major wedgies this evening.

Hmmm, actually, is there a special rite of passage that every Lex has to go through once they get a Nonky-happy-ending? I’d imagine these IS something that Lexes do to tortur… erm… congratulate the lucky guy for his good fortune…?


Chloe reached down and brought his arm up, putting it neatly behind her back so he was hugging her.

“I've decided to have a quiet freak out. There are high-pitched shrieks dying to get out, but I'll hold them until I get on the phone with my girlfriends. I'm going to pretend I'm all mellow like you.”

He was anything but mellow. He might actually have been calmer before she came back into the room.

“You can put your hand on my butt if you want,” Chloe told him. He did and it helped considerably.

ROTFLMAO! Oh dear! He is definitely getting pranked and tortured by the Lexes tonight. He not had Chloe accepting his marriage proposal, despite having good and valid reasons for being peeved off at him… but she even had to pull and heave his arms into groping her! LOL! What kind of a Lex needs help and instructions in groping Chloe?!?? ROTFLMAO!


She popped up and looked down on him with pure glee. “I want to see my coffee greenhouse. Hurry up!”

ok, NOW we have complete forgiveness! He should have mentioned the greenhouse first, and THEN proposed to her after showing her the coffee-bean seeds.


She shook her head. “I think I need a nap first. I'm on a sugar rush and engagement high. Bling might give me the giggles for the rest of the day.”

“Chloe?” He rubbed his cold nose on her golden hair.

“Yeah?”

“Don't say 'bling,'” he requested, sending her into the threatened giggling.

LOL! is it not ‘Luthorly dignified’ to call your jewelery bling? This was a cute, adorable ending to a cute adorable fic. I loved it, Nonky! And my most sincere, heartfelt congratulations on finishing this fic :D :D Yayyyy!!! Shall we have a cocaine party in honour of the occasion? (everyone brings their favourite brand of coke, and we pass it all around. Party ends when the first weakling overdoses, fairies are invited!).

[lkedino]

I love this story and glad that was complete :coffee:

[Fouzia]

Can someone pleace give me the link to read it^^ thank you

[lexie]

Can someone pleace give me the link to read it^^ thank you

The story begins on page 4 of this thread. Look for post #35, darling.

[Fouzia]

Sorry to ask question without looking but i though it was in a other part^^
Thank you!!