"My Luck Has Changed" (PG-13) - 11/05/2010

Well, I'm back. Sorry, I've been off for a while---darn those PNR's---so addicting. : ) Enjoy.

Title: "My Luck Has Changed"

Author: PMD

Rating: PG-13

Category: Friendship, Chlex, Chloe's POV, AU

Spoilers: Anything is fair game in Smallville.

Summary: Chloe is having a birthday.

Disclaimer: To whomever owns Smallville, its characters, Prince Charming, and Mr. Clean, I'm just borrowing them, will give them back, not making any money with their use in this piece, so don't sue me.

Archive: At BT2, Electricchlex, N.S. Forums, and SPP for the time being. If anybody else wants it, all they have to do is ask.

Feedback: Yes I would love feedback.

Author Notes: I dedicate this to my friend, Jay, who always finds the time to help my pieces shine a little bit brighter. Thanks, dude. And to David and Esther, one of whom I got into writing a little Chlex here and again, when it comes to his wonderful Clana pieces. And the other, who loves to have her Squee moments in fanfics. Enjoy, everybody.

"My Luck Has Changed" - by PMD

Nighttime - Smallville - Side of the Road

"Yeah, you better drive like a bat out of Hell before I send a certain superhero or bald billionaire after you, you moron."

As the fast car races down the road, I sigh. Great---another date gone bad. Clark and Lana are definitely not cupids.

I pick up my purse and dust it off.

What a jerk and stupid to boot---I mean, really. 'I'll pay for both of us if you put out' before we even get to the restaurant?

Like that was ever going to happen. I stood my ground and now I'm walking back to Smallville. Thank goodness for flats.

I open my purse and get out my flash light. I close it and start walking, whistling so I'm not so alone---and thinking of ways to get back at Clark and Lana.

~

Chloe's Apartment - 45 minutes later

I try not to slam the door to my apartment---which surprisingly I do, considering how angry I am. But I do slam the keys and throw the purse at the couch. Which causes my cell to ring.

I run over and get my cell out:

"Hello?" I ask, sitting down.

'Chloe?'

"Lex?"

'You sound out of breath.'

"That's because I walked home from a 10 minute date---again."

'You really do have the worst taste in men.'

"So, says the guy who married two women who wanted to murder him," I gripe.

'Wow---what did the guy say to make you so angry?'

"Oh, just---if you put out on the date, I'll pay for both our meals."

'What!' I hear him growl.

"Back down, Wolfie---I took care of him."

'So I wouldn't go to jail?'

"Yeah, right. It's always about you---oh, God, I'm sorry, Lex. I know you aren't like your father---thinking of only of yourself. Forgive me?"

'It's okay.'

"Okay."

There's silence for a few minutes and then:

"You didn't call about my date, did you?"

'No---I called to say I won't be able to make it back for your birthday.'

"Lexxxxx," I whine.

'Chloe, I'm sorry but---'

"---business comes first."

'Especially when I'm trying to save a company from going under.'

I sigh. "Okay---you don't have to be at my birthday---you know, you just don't play fair, Lex."

'Learned from the best.'

"Me, right? Not your father."

'He would have let the company sink. So, we're okay?'

"Solright."

'Good. Well, I'll see you when I get home. You pick the restaurant and we'll go out and have a belated birthday dinner.'

"It'll cost you."

He chuckles, knowing I'm kidding. I'm into his friendship, not his money.

'Good night, Chloe.'

"Night, Lex."

I sigh, putting my cell phone down---this just keeps on getting better and better.

The doorbell rings.

I get up, mumbling, "Coming Mr. Serial Killer."

~

2 Hours Later

Well, no serial killer---they would have been more welcomed. Nope---it was Lana, wondering why I was home so early. Great to have her across the hall---her and Clark. And to have Clark's 'super hearing' telling her I'm home.

I shake my head as I close the door after her. She did it again---talked me into a dinner date with her and Clark, on my birthday---with a surprise date for me too.

I told her no---no date---I'm not doing it anymore---or at least for a year. She said come on---it'll be great. Then I went into a play by play with tonight's date. She said she was sorry---that this one would be much better. Uuuugh.

Okay, I finally said, and she left, with a smug look, promising me a great time once more. Sure, sure, been there, had people say that. Expectations lowered again---even more.

I turned off the lights and headed into my bedroom, not feeling like eating at all now. I get ready for bed in record time and sigh, as I get into the soft and safeness of it.

Lex, buddy---wish you were here to tell Lana I wasn't interested at all---and to pick up the pieces, if it didn't go so well.

~

Nighttime - Chloe's Birthday

I look at my jeans and top---oh how I want to wear them and not the dress beside it. Why bother putting it on---I'm just on another date with two friends---and one idiot.

I sigh, sitting down on my bed. Jimmy really did a number on me---I just don't seem to really trust men anymore in the romantic arena. Friendship---sure---romantic---duds all. When will my luck change? When will Prince Charming sweep me off my feet? When will I get it through my head---there is no Prince Charming. Uuuugh.

Save it for your book writing, Chloe. No wonder Lex fired me from the Planet---I was waxing poetic with too many stories---or going into too much gory detail that even I felt like running to the washroom. Course, my heart really wasn't into it anymore---I think he noticed that too. But he did give me an opportunity to write novels when he signed me up with the publishing company he owned---and I was pretty good at it.

I sigh again, looking at the dress beside me.

It was beautiful. I touched it reverently---the silky feel making me sigh.

It had spaghetti straps and the shade of purple shimmered in the light---like the moon on the lake. The skirt was full---the waist line tight but not too tight. It showed me off to my best---if Lex ever saw me in it---he'd either be speechless or taking off his jacket to hide me from the idiots in this world.

I sighed again---he wouldn't see it---well, he would when we had dinner. Or would Lana allow me to do that. She's like---you wore it once---the guy missed his chance.

I get up and walk to the bathroom to get ready. Then I head back into my bedroom, picking up the dress and going back into the other room. Once more into the breech.

Restaurant - 8:00 o'clock

"May I help you?" the girl hostess asks me, after I walk into the restaurant.

"Yes, I'm Chloe Sullivan."

"Ahhhh----Ms. Sullivan. Your party is right in the back room. Come with me and I hope you enjoy your dinner."

"Thank you."

I follow her and she opens the door---I notice the light is out. I walk in and then turn on the light:

"Surprise!" I hear from one voice.

I snarl. "Jimmy!"

He walks over to me. "Happy Birthday, Chloe."

I back away or try to---the door is in the way, and closed now.

"What the hell is going on here?"

Before I get an answer, I turn around to open the door. It won't budge.

I turn to him again. "Okay---talk!"

"I can't---you are so beautiful."

"And you are so full of crap that I should send you directly to Lex's old company."

He's standing before me, putting out his hand to touch my face but I duck and move to his back. He turns around.

"Don't play hard to get."

"Honey, if I was playing hard to get---you would be on the ground, in pain. No---this is just trying to keep you from touching me so I don't turn into stone."

He smiles. "Always the rapier wit."

"Uuuuugh---Jimmy, let me out of here or I will scream so loud that you will need hearing aids."

"No need to do that, sweetheart," I hear another male voice say.

I look from Jimmy to the open door and Lex standing there.

His whole body is rigid with fury. He walks into the room, Clark and Lana right behind him, doubly furious.

Jimmy turns around just in time to see Lex and he moves towards the wall.

"Hi, Boss."

"Ex-boss," Lex growls.

"What---you are firing me for trying to get Chloe back."

"No---I'm firing you for trying to make time with my girl."

"I'll sue you."

Jimmy is against the wall now, his bravado slowly seeping out. Lex is in front of him, his glare deep and dark.

"Leave now and I'll give you severance pay and a recommendation good for sleazy magazines."

"But---I did nothing wrong."

Jimmy is denser than Clark ever was. Well, he's going to find out that Lex is no pushover for this type of density.

He glares at him---Jimmy squirms like a worm about to be hooked. He backs away from the slime ball---Jimmy lets out a breath. Then Lex grins at him.

"Clark---could you take out the garbage for me---it stinks in here."

"Say pretty please?" I say to Lex.

He turns to me and raises an eyebrow. "Why?"

"I just think you should do it because you said you weren't going to be here."

He sighs. "All right---I deserve that. Clark would you please escort Mr. Inane out of the building?"

"With pleasure," our friend states, walking up to him and turning around.

He glances at Lana. "Honey, would you like to help?"

She smiles. "Of course."

She walks up, turns around and grabs one arm, as he does the other, dragging Jimmy out of the room and finally, out of my life. Then I turn to Lex.

"How did you know?"

He walks over. "How did I know what?"

"That Jimmy was coming---that this was the room he would be in---that---wait a second---this was a trap for him and I was the bait?"

He places his hand on my cheek and smiles. "And they said that I wouldn't find my equal in smarts ever."

I push him away and glare. "You could have told me."

"Well, you aren't always the best actress around when you know a plan."

"Excuse me!"

He sighs. "This isn't going right."

"Ya think!"

He gives me that grin.

"That isn't going to work, Luthor."

He sighs again and then pulls something out of his pocket. "Would this help?"

I stare at the box and then back at him. Then as fast as I could, I grabbed at it and opened it up, staring at it and then giving him a glare.

"You don't like it?" he asks.

"Well, I've seen better."

"Excuse me," he growls.

I take it out and look at the bracelet---platinum I believe by the weight---with peridots, the color of my eyes. And amethysts---his favorite color. I stare at it and back at him.

"It's okay."

He glares at me. "It's perfect---it's like you---it shines with the essence of beauty and grace."

He rambles on for a moment until he stops, when he sees my smirk.

"You were kidding."

"And you said I wasn't a good actress."

He walks up, taking the bracelet from my hand. "I said you aren't always the best actress."

"Ahhh," I state, as he puts the bracelet on my wrist.

I look at it, the gems sparkling and then look at him, his eyes full of mirth.

He takes my hand and kisses it.

"Happy Birthday, Chloe."

He takes his hand away and allows me to come into his arms for a hug. Then it hits me.

I back away. "My girl?"

"Ah hmmmmm."

I smile. "Well, I guess we know who is the best actor in this duo most of the time."

He raises an eyebrow and then I see this slight tinge around his ears.

He turns from me and walks away. I come from behind and touch his arm. He turns and looks into my hazel eyes.

"I didn't want to push you into something you might not want. I didn't want to lose what we have right now. I didn't---"

I put a finger over his mouth. "Enough with didn't---what did you really want to do?"

I back away and he takes my hand. "I want to take you in my arms and never let you go."

I smile. "Would be hard to work."

"Chloe," he growls.

"Sorry---go on."

"I want to take you to my home and have you never leave my side. I want to have your humor and sarcasm to keep me buoyed in life. I want to---"

"I want you to kiss me before you lose your nerve. And I want to tell you before I lose mine---I love you, Lex. And it's about time you said the same to me."

I see it---his eyes say it all. And they are glistening with unshed tears. I sigh.

"Lex?"

"Yes?"

"You really didn't believe your father when he said real men don't cry, right?"

"I did."

"Remember, this is the same man who said you would turn evil like him."

He smiles. "True. And I did cry a couple of times in my life."

"Oh---when?"

"When my mother died and when I thought I would never see you again, after the safe house incident."

"And yet, you never came to rescue me."

He backs away, walks to the table, and leans against it.

"Why didn't you, Lex?"

"Because Clark and I weren't getting along at that time. And I felt it was important for him to find you. And---"

"And?"

"I let you down---I didn't protect you as I promised. Chloe---I wish you had taken my advice and stayed out of it."

I walk towards him and look up into his eyes.

"I wouldn't be the person I am if I didn't help myself, my friends, and the man I came to understand."

"And the man you came to hate at one point."

"Now, now, don't put words in my mouth. I disliked you a bit---was disappointed--- but I never hated you with the passion I did with your father."

"Who could," he chuckled and then turned serious.

"You never hated me?" he asks.

I smile. "No, Mr. Clean, I never hated you."

"Mr. Clean?"

"You want me to stroke your ego and call you Sexy Lexy?"

He cringes and I giggle. "Thought so. Now what were we about to do before we got started on this long discussion about tears, jeers, and hatred?"

He gives me that classic smirk and leans down. I meet him halfway and our lips touch, sending a tornado of emotions flowing through my mind, body, and heart.

Yes, it's finally true. As I revel in this kiss, deepening it until we are both moaning, I think, my luck has changed---for the better. And so has his---for now he has friends and a girl by his side, who believes in him, no matter what.

The End.

Really great read.

I love the part when Chloe calls Lex "Mr. Clean" and acts casual about the bracelet to prove she can be a good actress.

Hope you can write more.

great little story. lex should have hit jimmy, creepy bugger in the fic. "i want chloe back..." otherwise good to have you back PMD.

What a romantic story!!!! I love this very much and think it is a great fic! I think it is well done! :)

I got this one in my e-mail inbox a few days ago. Lovely ficlet, Peggy. It's good to have you back.

i realy loved this story it was funny, sweet, and romantic.

Ahahaha! Mr Clean XD :D :D :D

and aaawww... great read. Nice break from all the long stories with winded script.

I want my own billionaire to get me gifts :love2:

As always... great job! Love the story :wub:

Keep up the great work! :)

Loved it