Infatuation (PG-13) 09/22/08

Title:Infatuation
Author: ChloeLovesLex
Rating: PG-13 (for language)
Disclaimer: I own nothing from Smallville...just the thoughts my head makes up and my own personal experiences.
Summary: Chloe's infatuated with Lex Luthor, but does she really know him?
A/N: This isn't the Lex you are used to and it's not meant to be. It may not make sense to you why he does the things he does, but it's my therapy and it makes perfect sense to me. Just be entertained.

Infatuation

She'd had a crush on him for what seemed like forever. While other teen girls were drooling over Prince William and the like Chloe found herself picking up magazines that featured him instead. At a young age he was a powerful force to be reckoned with in the business world and she found his image intoxicating. She loved his maturity and she fantasized about living with him in Metropolis and their future together. About being the girl a sophisticated and ever classy Lex Luthor would choose to marry.

She was a bit older now and heading off to college, but today she couldn't help the thoughts creeping into her head. Her home while in school would be in Metropolis. What if she actually got to meet him. It wasn't as if he was an actual celebrity with throngs of girls chasing him everywhere he went. Would it be too far of a stretch that she might see him somewhere around the big city?

"Ready to go Chloe?" Lana's voice drifted into her thoughts and snapped her from her reverie.

"I think so. How about you?" Chloe had a few boxes packed and ready along with her luggage sitting by her door.

**********************************************

The two of them finished upacking their belongings and situating themselves in their new dorm room together then collapsed onto their beds giggling with excitement. Even with all of the issues that had occurred with Clark they had remained close and it was good to have a college roommate that was an actual friend.

"Who's up for coffee?" Chloe asked as she bounced on her bed once. "I want to familiarize myself with the campus and I definitely need to scope out the best location in the city for my morning fix."

Lana smiled at her "Sounds like a plan."

The two walked through the campus exploring the new territory on their way out and into Metropolis. They investigated the streets nearby noting little cafe's and finally a coffee shop. It wasn't quite the size of the Talon that they were used to, but it was quaint and classy and the two decided it was perfect. Especially after they each held a warm cup in their hands.

"Now THIS is an excellent cup of coffee." Chloe announced and Lana nodded in agreement.

They sat and talked for a while and left when their cups had finally emptied.

As they pushed the door open Chloe eyes darted around the street and then straight up to the tower a block away. LuthorCorp. Her heart did a flip flop and she laughed internally as her teenage crush crept back into her psyche and attempted to take over reason.

Lana noticed the building too. "Ah, LuthorCorp." She elbowed Chloe and wiggled her eyebrows at her. "You think he's there right now?"

Chloe's cheeks flushed for a moment and she shook her head. "I don't know and stop teasing me. I outgrew that little infatuation years ago."

"Of course you did" Lana smiled widely to her. "Then you should have no problem walking over there with me. I hear they do tours and seminars for students occasionally."

Of course she had outgrown her infatuation, but the prospect of possibly spotting him in the distance made her heart hammer in her chest. She was in college now and she had no delusions of Lex coming and whisking her away into his world. Her body just hadn't figured that out yet.

"Sure. We can go."

*************************************************

The girls entered the doors into the massive lobby floor. People hustled about and it looked as if one could easily get lost in just this spot alone. They surveyed the area and browsed around briefly. It wasn't long before Lana had found what she was looking for way in the back corner. The area seemed almost secluded and Chloe sighed in relief at getting a moment to collect her thoughts and convince her body that he WAS NOT there and even if he was there would not be an encounter.

Lana perused the various leaflets searching for the next student seminar and tour. Both girls leaned over the table and it was obvious to Chloe that Lana wasn't really interested in ever becoming a LuthorCorp employee. This was more of a quest to irritate and chide her further about her ridiculous crush.

"If you are going to be at the next seminar leaning over that table I'll be certain to make an appearance." The voice was calm yet boomed behind them and both girls heads whipped around to meet the gaze of a tall well dressed and bald young man.

Chloe nearly gasped, but collected herself quickly and managed to remain composed and appear calm. Internally her heart had leapt straight into her throat.

"Mr. Luthor!" Lana breathed out.

"Please, call me Lex" he responded to her greeting with a smirk.

The girls turned slowly to him. "W...we weren't really sure we were going to go to one" Chloe managed to stammer out.

"That would be a shame. I'd hate to miss the opportunity to get to check out your asses again" he smiled warmly at them as he nodded and walked away.

Chloe stood stunned in silence for a moment watching his form move through the large room and into the crowd. Obviously Lana was just as surprised because she hadn't yet spoken either. Finally the two looked at each other.

"Well, that was.....unexpected" Chloe remarked.

"Uhm, yeah. Definitely. Still want to go to a seminar?"

"I have no idea. I hadn't planned on it to begin with." She hadn't. It was Lana's idea to come here and frankly Chloe was still processing the encounter.

************************************************** *****

Chloe sat on her bed going over the event in her head again. She had sort of met Lex Luthor. The man of her fantasies and he had commented on her and her friends ass. It didn't seem to fit the mold or description of the man she had obsessed about. Maybe he was having an off day. Maybe he was just trying to be funny. Either way her interest was piqued and her body was relaxing back into her Luthor obsession easily. She wanted to see him again. NEEDED to see him again.

Lana had resigned that they were going out their first evening in Metropolis. Although neither she nor Chloe were old enough to drink or even wanted to they would be allowed into the clubs with a special wristband on so they could at least dance and mingle a little. It really wasn't Chloe's idea of fun, but she decided it was better than sitting in and obsessing over Lex and their earlier encounter some more. She needed to clear her head and return to the reality of adulthood.

They arrived at Metopolis' hottest club and were thrilled that they had arrived early enough to get in without waiting in any significant sort of line. They mingled around after retrieving two cokes from the bar then spotted a high top table in the distance. As they were making their way over to it someone barreled between the two of them then turned and stopped in front of them blocking their way. Chloe was about to lash out, but stopped quickly. Frozen suddenly.

"Hello ladies. I wasn't expecting to see the two of you again so soon, but it's a nice surprise." His expression almost taunting and his action clearly on purpose. He was dressed in jeans and a button up shirt. Although it seemed uncharacteristic of the Lex she had known by what she had read. He still looked good enough to eat. "I didn't catch your names before" his eyes were on Lana as he spoke.

"I'm Lana Lang" her voice was overly sweet "and this is my friend Chloe Sullivan."

Lex nodded at them. "It's nice to meet you both...again" He was smirking and Chloe was suddenly uncomfortable under his gaze. His eyes seemed to be undressing the two of them for a moment.

"We were just heading over to that table for a seat." Chloe raised her hand up to show him where she meant, but Lex didn't turn his head to look he simply took her hand and kissed it then smiled as he let it go.

Lana seemed to be enjoying the attention from Lex. She began rattling on about her normal nonsense and Lex listened intently as if he were truly interested in anything the brunette had to say. Chloe did hear her mention that they had come to dance and then Lex's response to her statement. It was something about thinking the view would be memorable of that same ass from earlier in motion. She wanted to roll her eyes, but excused herself instead and made her way over to the table they had spied earlier.

Lana made good on her promise to Lex and was out on the dance floor moving to the music and his eyes never left her body as he walked distracted over to the table Chloe had secured and sat down uninvited. There was a time she might have fainted at that prospect, but now it was just some guy named Lex sitting across from her.

"Your friend is lovely." Lex's eyes were raking over Lana's wriggling form as he spoke.

"Yes, I suppose she is." Chloe was unenthusiastic.

"Do you know her well?"

"We're roommates and yes I know her very well."

"Lucky girl. Have you slept in the same bed with her?"

"WHAT?!" Chloe was stunned and taken aback. This definitely WAS NOT the Lex Luthor her mind had envisioned. He wasn't that sophisticated and he certainly was lacking a bit of class. Then she snickered at her next thought. It was something her mother had said a long time ago. 'You can't buy class.' Apparently not because for a man with so much wealth he certainly seemed to be lacking some.

"I'll bet you have" he continued ignoring her exasperation. "I'll bet it was hot."

"Lex!" she half laughed as she shouted at him. Then she got it. He wasn't at all what people knew of him. He may be a rich business man who was a force to be reckoned with in his profession, but outside of that he was just a guy. And Chloe found it increasingly clear why he was still single. He was pig. Funny. But a pig nonetheless.

He smiled at her as the tension melted between them and they relaxed into casual conversation. They spoke like old friends and it was nice. He even put his arm around her a couple of times. Made crude jokes to make her laugh then he said something strange. "We'll have to stay in touch after tonight. He slid her his card and wrote his personal email address on it. Maybe you'll send me some pictures? I'd love to see more of you and your friend." He had emphasized the word 'more' implying something very different than a snapshot.

Chloe's eyes widened. Lex Luthor had basically just asked her to send him naughty pictures. She was in hysterics inside. This powerful man was looking for free porn. It was absurd and kind of pathetic.

Lana had returned to the table and Lex slid his arm around her waist. "That was excellent Ms. Lang. Beautiful. Amazing."

Lana giggled then took a seat with them at the table on the opposite side of Lex. They sat for hours just talking about everything under the sun, but nothing terribly important. Lex did silly impressions and the girls roared with laughter at his increasing state of inebriation.

Chloe had spotted some friends across the club and excused herself leaving Lana alone with Lex. Her obsession definitely squelched. Part of her was sad the other part uncertain. It was beginning to look like she had gained a friend. His presence felt like that of a brother. Gone were the butterflies in her stomach. Gone was the twinge between her legs. The attraction had waned to something else. Something unexpected.

From across the room she could feel his eyes raking over her. His face almost expressionless. Unreadable. It bothered her. It wasn't once. Not even twice. It was so often that it was unnerving and if she could have she would have reached out and slapped him. After an hour of it she went back to the table and his gazes had ceased when she was close.

They relaxed back into their conversations and Lex grew more and more comfortable with them. Putting his arm around one or the other in an act of possession of some sort as he spoke. Continuing to down drinks and make cracks.

It was so hard to believe. This was him. This was the man of her infatuation. It paled in comparison to what she wanted. She wanted him to live up to her standards. She wanted him to be the suave businessman. The unattainable debonair bachelor. She wanted her body to ache for him. It wouldn't. Not ever again and it hurt in a strange way.

It had grown late and Chloe and Lana had agreed it was time to leave. Lex reluctantly said his goodbyes and repeatedly placed kisses on their cheeks and squeezed each of them into a hug as they parted. Chloe was distant during it all. Going through the motions, but her thoughts were far away.

Lana had walked away and began to make her way to the entrance when Lex grabbed Chloe's arm turning her to him. "It was really nice to meet you." Then he smiled. Genuinely. It wasn't tainted with a hint of sexual innuendo. It wasn't a large toothy fake grin. It was a real smile. One you gave to someone you trusted. One you gave to a friend. Chloe softly smiled back at him and shook from his grasp on her arm. "It was nice to meet you too Lex." He clasped her hand in his and squeezed it for a moment. Their eyes connected and slowly Chloe's hand slid from his as she walked from him, but Lex held on until he very last moment when the contact finally ceased. She could feel his eyes on her. Watching her move from him.

**********************************************

It was strange. She couldn't seem to get her life back into routine. Something was openly wounded in some way. Things weren't right even though her days were exactly what they had always been. It wasn't her new classes or even just starting out in college. She couldn't put her finger on it, but it bothered her extensively.

Sitting at her computer she pulled out the card and stared at it. It had been two weeks. Her fingers traced over the address scrawled quickly onto the card that night. She definitely wasn't planning to send him naughty pictures and it occurred to her that maybe that was just how he did things. Maybe he had no clue how to speak to women. Or maybe he just really was a pig, but she missed him somehow. Missed talking to him as silly as that sounded.

So she typed the email address into the 'send to:" line then stared at it. She didn't even know if the address was real at this point so she settled on keeping it simple.

Send To: lxlthr@luthorcorp.com

Message:

Hi.

Chloe

She hit send before she could convince herself it was stupid and actually felt relief after she had done it. Even managed to forget about if for a couple of days until an answer came. It had taken over 36 hours for a response.

From: lxlthr@luthorcorp.com

Message:

Hey Chloe. I'm so glad you took a moment to email me. I had a lot of fun that night and I wasn't certain I'd hear from you again. Do me a favor. Please stay in touch.

Lex

She sat back in her chair and smiled. He hadn't mentioned the lack of pictures. Although brief he asked her to stay in touch. She wanted to so she responded right then.

Send To: lxlthr@luthorcorp.com

Message:

Lex it's good to hear from you. I'm sure you are a busy man, but I figured if I emailed you then you'd have my address to use whenever you wanted. Send me dirty pictures or whatnot. :D
By the way...if you ever stare at me across a room again like you did that night I actually will slap you. It's unnerving. What on earth DOES that look mean anyway?

Chloe

Satisfied with her message she sent it. Her attitude was starting to shape to a semblance of what she had known. She was feeling a little better. It only took 12 hours for a response this time.

From: lxlthr@luthorcorp.com

Message:

Thank you for getting your address to me. I'll certainly use it.
The look? That's the look I get when I can't get my mind off of sex. Is it that obvious? Sorry. You and Lana are a little too easy on the eyes. Sorry if it bothered you. I promise to behave in the future. Send pictures even if they aren't naughty.

Lex

Chloe smiled. This was going to be Ok. It's not what she expected and things had changed, but it was definitely Ok. Her next email dove right into telling him about her first semester so far at college and other mundane things in her life. She attached a cute picture of her and Lana smiling.

He had responded within only a couple of hours with a comment about how beautiful they were and then regaling her with what was going on in his life as well. After a few weeks things fell into a comfortable friendship and Chloe liked it. Her fantasies were long gone, but it was replaced with something better. She found him revealing more and more about himself and he even seemed to get irritated at her if she took too long to get back to him.

The wound had almost healed and she slipped back into her old life. The one she had the day she left Smallville with one tiny detail changed. Lex Luthor wasn't her infatuation. He was her friend.

THE END.