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Orchestrato (Chlex) NC-17, Season 3-4 Safehouse Summer fic - completed 22.11.13
Hi Chlexers! *waves*
My name is BabyDee, and some of you might know me as BabyDee1 on LiveJournal. I've been writing Smallville fanfiction for about 3 years now, and this is the first time I'm trying my hands on Chlex. I've always been a fan of the pairing, and it'll be interesting to finally put my spin on the intrepid pair.
So this is the first chapter of my first ever Chlex fic, and even though I think I have a great premise, I’m nervous as heck. I’m sure I’ll be more comfortable writing Lex in a romantic situation as I go along, though.
Hope you all like it, and I’d love to know what you think! *bites nails* :\
Here goes! Banner by the awesome ctbn60 at LiveJournal.
http://pics.livejournal.com/babydee1/pic/0014a2qf
Title: Orchestrato
Author: BabyDee1
Pairing: Chlex
Rating: PG13 for now, NC-17 later
Warnings: Chloe & Jimmy never got it on, so Chloe’s still a V. ;-)
Timeline: Safehouse Summer of Love, End of Season 3/Beginning of 4
Disclaimer: All characters belong to the CW & DC comics.
Summary: Lex inexplicably bonds with Chloe whilst keeping her survival a secret from the world
Feedback: …makes me squee. :)
Author’s note: written for the lovely Kit Merlot, who won a Chlex story from me in an auction and has patiently waited for this story for almost two years! Sorry it’s taken me so long, Petal. I hope you like what I come up with. :-)
Orchestrato: Taken from the verb Orchestrate; to plan, arrange or cleverly manipulate diverse elements (usually of a piece of music) to achieve a desired effect.
Chapter 1
The unexpected knock on the door made Chloe Sullivan looked up sharply from the article she was working on. She swallowed, her heart pounding furiously as it had done the day she and her father had been hurriedly bundled underground and hustled into this secret location.
“Who is it?” she queried fearfully.
“It’s me, Lex,” she heard from the other side of the door, and heaved a sigh of relief.
She could relax; it was just Lex. It usually was, but after feeling the heat from the last safehouse singeing her hair as the building exploded, she could never be one-hundred percent sure.
“I know we’ve gone through your witness statement with a fine toothcomb,” he was saying, “…but we only have a month until the trial, so I just want to go over it again with you; make sure we haven’t missed anything.”
“Uh…sure,” she replied, getting to her feet and verifying his identity through the spyhole before opening the deadbolts. “Come on in.”
There were three manned security entrances to get through before reaching the main door of the safehouse, so she was pretty certain it was safe to let her benefactor in without fear that he might have been followed. Lex stepped into the room holding a slim briefcase, and she quickly glanced out into the hallway before bolting the door shut behind him.
“No Williamson today?” she asked, referring to the stern attorney that always accompanied him when they were running lines.
Lex shook his head with an amused grin. “No. I got the feeling on our last visit that your tolerance for his smarmy mock cross-examinations was wearing thin.”
“Gee, ya think?” she replied snarkily. Williamson had questioned her about her Daily Planet internship and the computers that Lionel had given her for the Torch. He’d referred to them as expensive gifts and preferential treatment, and to her intense embarrassment had proceeded to impugn her integrity in Lex’s presence by implying that there’d been more to her ‘relationship’ with Lionel than met the eye.
She’d been horrified – and nauseated. “Mr Williamson, what you’re insinuating is creepy and disgusting,” she’d retorted sharply. “Not to mention completely untrue.”
“We have to be prepared for any and all eventualities that the other side might produce, and I don’t want any ‘surprises’ in court,” was the curt reply.
“But I never had anything to do with Lionel Luthor like that, and I can prove it!” she’d protested.
“Virginity is not per se proof of innocence, Ms Sullivan,” the lawyer had dryly replied, making her face heat up in embarrassment. “Didn’t you ever hear of Monica Lewinski’s infamous blue dress?”
Lex had managed to keep a straight face but his eyes had glittered with amusement. Needless to say, Chloe had been very displeased, and when the coffee she’d prepared for Williamson had ‘accidentally’ contained two spoonfuls of salt instead of sugar, he’d realised just how much.
Lex chuckled, no doubt remembering the undignified arc of coffee that had sprayed from Williamson’s mouth after the first and only sip. “I didn’t want to wear down your good nature before we get to court,” he remarked jovially. “It’s just me today; is that okay?”
“It’s fine,” she said with a shy smile. “More than fine.”
He smiled back. “Good.” His silver eyes narrowed as a small frown furrowed his smooth brow. “You look troubled; are you alright?”
She gave him a rueful glance. “I’m okay.”
Lex folded his arms and gave her a disbelieving look. “Really, Chloe?”
She sighed. “I miss my Dad,” she finally replied glumly. “And my freedom, but it is what it is, I guess.”
He sighed. “Chloe, you know it’s not safe for you if anyone thinks you’re alive.”
“I know,” she said resolutely. “I understand that, Lex, I really do; and I know Dad was taken to a separate safehouse to better protect us, but I just…” she trailed off, mortified to realise that she was on the verge of whinging. Here she was, alive but by the good grace of God and Lex Luthor…and she was metaphorically stamping her feet and throwing her toys out of the pram.
God, he must think she was an ungrateful brat.
She looked up at him and smiled. “I’m sorry, where are my manners? I was about to make a fresh pot of coffee; would you like some?”
He nodded. “Please. The good stuff, if you have any.”
“Hey, you stocked the place; it’s all good stuff,” she murmured, and he laughed, his grey eyes twinkling with controlled humour.
“Well, I know you like your coffee,” he joked, surveying her with a searching gaze. “Just make sure you remember to eat something once in a while.”
Chloe’s skin tingled as he studied her, his piercing eyes seeming to penetrate her layers of clothing. She folded her arms across her suddenly achy breasts and managed to maintain her poise as she went to the kitchen. As soon as she was out of his sight, however, she took a deep breath and rested her hands on the counter.
Lex had a way of…unsettling her. Something about those storm-coloured eyes and the way he looked at her as if he was looking through her had her tingling in places she’d rather not think about. She’d never really thought about Lex that way, but having spent a lot of time in close quarters with him over the recent weeks, she’d begun to notice things about him; inane things, like how his eyes appeared to have silver flecks in them in bright sunlight, or how firm his chest muscles looked when the fabric of his shirt stretched across them, or how his trousers clung softly to his firm thighs…
She shook her head and forced her brain back onto a safer topic. What was she doing in the kitchen, anyway? Right – coffee.
She took her time filling the percolator, then placed two cups on the marble workstation while she waited for the water to heat. Outside she could hear Lex opening his briefcase followed by the soft sound of rustling paper as he sorted out the necessary documents.
Chloe sighed. It had been a monotonous two months. After the shock of almost getting turned into human fertiliser, she and her father had been sequestered in this safehouse for six weeks before her father was moved to a separate location for safety. She’d been pretty much living solo for the last two weeks, save for the weekly check-ins by her Uncle Sam and the scheduled appointments with Lex and her attorney; and during those brief sessions it was all business.
So it was a pleasant surprise to have Lex drop by solo this afternoon. Not that it meant he was here to keep her company on a social level, but it was nice to see another human being every now and then without being interrogated or mock cross-examined. And, she thought with a blush, it was nice to have someone look at her with blatant male appreciation in his eyes. It wasn’t something she was accustomed to, but she could definitely get used to it. It felt…good.
The percolator hissed, and she turned it off and poured two cups of coffee; one with cream and sugar for herself. She placed the mugs on a tray with a plate of assorted cookies and carried them back out to the living room.
“Here you go,” she said brightly, handing him a steaming mug. “Arabica; black, no sugar, right?”
“You remembered,” he murmured with a smile as he took the mug from her hands.
"Meh, there’s little else to stimulate my brain these days apart from your coffee preferences, even if I do tend to forget when it comes to Williamson’s,” she said with a cheeky grin. “Cookie?" She held the platter of assorted treats out to him, and he plucked one off the corner of the plate with a smile.
"Thank you. I'm quite fond of these ones."
She glanced at the cookie in his hand. "You like gingernuts?"
A wry smirk lifted his lips. "I prefer the term 'ginger biscuits', personally."
Automatically her gaze dropped to his groin and she quickly looked away, her cheeks flushing a deep scarlet. "Of course." Inwardly, she burned with embarrassment. It was no secret that Lex had had bright red curly hair before his accident. Why, oh why did she have to make her errant thoughts obvious by glancing at his crotch? God only knew what he must think of her by now.
But he seemed unfazed by her brief scrutiny. “And you? What are your favourites?” he queried to diffuse the tension as he bit into the biscuit.
“Oh, I’m trying not to encourage that train of thought,” she said with a shudder as she daintily patted her hips. “Not until I can get to a gym, at least.”
“There’s nothing wrong with the way you look, Chloe,” he said, his voice deepening as his gaze lazily ran over her curves. “I actually quite like it.”
And just when she thought the sexual tension in the room couldn’t possibly get any higher, he had to go and say something like that. She could feel her nipples tingling and tightening beneath her sweater, something that was now happening far too often whenever Lex was in the room.
Quickly she took a huge sip of her coffee, scalding her throat as she swallowed. There. Better for her throat to scald with coffee than her loins to burn with lust. She’d been on her own for far too long, that was the problem.
“Can we get started on the witness statement?” she suggested hesitantly.
Lex raised a pale brow at the sudden change of topic but didn’t object. Chloe steeled herself for the barrage of questions due to follow, thankful for the distraction. At least, for the meantime.
***
To be continued…
***
Okay, first question. How do I preserve the formatting of my posts? As soon as I pasted the text into the window, all my lovely formatting disappeared, and it's taken me ages to put it all back in! :(
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Re: Orchestrato (Chlex) NC-17, Season 3-4 Safehouse Summer fic
Great way to start everything and i can't wait for more please update soon.
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Re: Orchestrato (Chlex) NC-17, Season 3-4 Safehouse Summer fic
Interesting start! Wish it happened in canon :(
Thanks for sharing :)
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Re: Orchestrato (Chlex) NC-17, Season 3-4 Safehouse Summer fic
Great start. I can't wait to read more. :)
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Re: Orchestrato (Chlex) NC-17, Season 3-4 Safehouse Summer fic
Lovely start! I can't wait to see where you go with this.
I already love the basic premise, so I'm really looking forward to the next chapter.
And as always I love your style of writing! :)
-Marija
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Re: Orchestrato (Chlex) NC-17, Season 3-4 Safehouse Summer fic
I really like the beginning of this story. I hope to read more soon.
I'm also glad that you're writing chlex stories because I love your chlollie stories.
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Re: Orchestrato (Chlex) NC-17, Season 3-4 Safehouse Summer fic
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Re: Orchestrato (Chlex) NC-17, Season 3-4 Safehouse Summer fic
Really enjoyed the first chapter..looking forward to more!!
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Re: Orchestrato (Chlex) NC-17, Season 3-4 Safehouse Summer fic
i liked the first chapter looing forward for updates and to see where you go with this story.i liked the part of the story where chloe says that what lawyer was suggesting was creepy
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Re: Orchestrato (Chlex) NC-17, Season 3-4 Safehouse Summer fic
Great beginning. Can't wait to hear what's next for Lex and Chloe.
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Re: Orchestrato (Chlex) NC-17, Season 3-4 Safehouse Summer fic
wicked beginning, I loved the part about scalding her throat with coffee to get rid of the sexual tension! It does sound like Lex is having fun building up that sexual tension in the first place though!
I really enjoy your writing with Chollie so I am very excited to see where you take this and that you have given into the Chlex, even if it is due to an auction!!
Thank you!!
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Re: Orchestrato (Chlex) NC-17, Season 3-4 Safehouse Summer fic
I love it so far! Just please do not stop writing until you'll end this ok? I was reading a couple of Chlex stories about the safehouse and there were all left without the proper ending, I hope this one will be finished because I reallllyyyy want to read something like that:)
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Re: Orchestrato (Chlex) NC-17, Season 3-4 Safehouse Summer fic
great start!! can't wait for more!!
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Re: Orchestrato (Chlex) NC-17, Season 3-4 Safehouse Summer fic
I really enjoyed the first chapter and can't wait to see where you go with it. Your current Chloe/Lex characters are both great and I am interested to see how you will write their relationship as it continues.
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Re: Orchestrato (Chlex) NC-17, Season 3-4 Safehouse Summer fic
Really enjoy the story. Can't wait to see what will happen next. Maybe after Lionel is officially in jail, Chloe and Lex finally get together and Chloe will finally lose her virginity.
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Re: Orchestrato (Chlex) NC-17, Season 3-4 Safehouse Summer fic
i really liked the beginning. can't wait for more.
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Re: Orchestrato (Chlex) NC-17, Season 3-4 Safehouse Summer fic
This is a fantastic start. Thanks for penning it. I can't wait to read more.
As for formatting...I wish I had the answer for you. Been here for years and I experience the same issues. I stopped bothering to format until I pasted it in and then edit it to what I want it to look like then. It's a huge pain, but eh, what are ya gonna do?
Update us soon? Pretty please?
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Re: Orchestrato (Chlex) NC-17, Season 3-4 Safehouse Summer fic
Nice! Been reading your stories since forever. Haha! :D Can't wait for the rest! :D Thank you!
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Re: Orchestrato (Chlex) NC-17, Season 3-4 Safehouse Summer fic
Nice Start, can't wait to read more.
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Re: Orchestrato (Chlex) NC-17, Season 3-4 Safehouse Summer fic
Hey BabyDee! It's great to see you here at the forum :D I've been a fan of your darker Chlark work for a while, and I can't wait to see what you do with a Chlex piece.
I really liked the start of this fic. The whole 'safehouse season' was a fascinating time for Chlexers, and there's just so much possibility and potential into everything that might have happened between Chloe and Lex during their time together. I loved the camaraderie and repartee that the two of them have in this fic. It was fun seeing the gentle teasing that they both engaged in, as well as the sympathetic bond that had obviously formed up... not to mention their very strong, smooth working relationship as well. Overall, they were already showing signs of being a perfect match in partners on many different levels.
Heeee! But, most of all, I loved the suggestions of Chloe looking at Lex, seeing him as a healthy, strong, attractive, sexy man, and feeling the 'sexual tension' between the two of them.
And, I have to admit, I would LOVE to see this attraction explored further... although it might be interesting to see Chloe examine this attraction and wonder whether she's suffering through some weird sort of Stockholm Syndrome. After all, all the elements required for 'capture bonding' are all there... plus there's the whole 'gratitude factor' as well, where Chloe is fully aware that she's being kept sequestered and 'imprisoned' in this safehouse purely for her own safety.
heh... then again... Lex could just as easily start wondering whether HE'S suffering through the relatively rarer Lima Syndrome. lol!
Great fic, BabyDee. I look forward to seeing what future chapters bring.
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Re: Orchestrato (Chlex) NC-17, Season 3-4 Safehouse Summer fic
Egads, I completely forgot to subscribe to my own thread!!! :eek: I pop in for a quick look-see, and there's scores of comments from you all - thank you so much!!! :D
I'll respond to each and every one, starting now:
Quote:
Originally Posted by
starmoon
Great way to start everything and i can't wait for more please update soon.
Thank you, starmoon! The second chapter is almost ready to be posted, but I need to show some love to my other WIPs first. Will return to this very soon! :)
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Re: Orchestrato (Chlex) NC-17, Season 3-4 Safehouse Summer fic
Quote:
Originally Posted by
mama_kat
Interesting start! Wish it happened in canon :(
You and me and the rest of Chlexdom, Mama_Kat! :p
Quote:
Thanks for sharing :)
A pleasure! :)
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Re: Orchestrato (Chlex) NC-17, Season 3-4 Safehouse Summer fic
Quote:
Originally Posted by
hfce
Great start. I can't wait to read more. :)
Thanks, I'm so glad you like it! Hope to post again in about a week, or so. :)
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Re: Orchestrato (Chlex) NC-17, Season 3-4 Safehouse Summer fic
Quote:
Originally Posted by
ChlexOwnsAll_
Lovely start! I can't wait to see where you go with this.
I already love the basic premise, so I'm really looking forward to the next chapter.
And as always I love your style of writing! :)
-Marija
Thank you so much for your kind words, Marija! Hope to continue soon, next week at the very latest. :)
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Re: Orchestrato (Chlex) NC-17, Season 3-4 Safehouse Summer fic
Quote:
Originally Posted by
karila
I really like the beginning of this story. I hope to read more soon.
I'm also glad that you're writing chlex stories because I love your chlollie stories.
Oh, Chllollie grew on me so fast, and I love those blondes to bits. I've been dying to try my hands on Chlex, but I've been scared of writing Lex because he's so nuanced. But I'm pleased with what I've done so far, and I'm glad you're all liking it, too! :)
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Re: Orchestrato (Chlex) NC-17, Season 3-4 Safehouse Summer fic
Quote:
Originally Posted by
zho9
Looking forward to more.
Thanks, zho9 - much appreciated, and I hope to update again soon! :D
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Re: Orchestrato (Chlex) NC-17, Season 3-4 Safehouse Summer fic
Quote:
Originally Posted by
carebear30
Really enjoyed the first chapter..looking forward to more!!
Thanks, carebear - glad you like! :p
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Re: Orchestrato (Chlex) NC-17, Season 3-4 Safehouse Summer fic
Quote:
Originally Posted by
cbrunberg
i liked the first chapter looing forward for updates and to see where you go with this story.i liked the part of the story where chloe says that what lawyer was suggesting was creepy
Well, she sure showed him! :D
Glad you like cbrunberg! Thanks so much for commenting. :)
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Re: Orchestrato (Chlex) NC-17, Season 3-4 Safehouse Summer fic
Quote:
Originally Posted by
trckyrcky
Great beginning. Can't wait to hear what's next for Lex and Chloe.
Many thanks, trckyrcky! I'll update by next week, fingers crossed. :)
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Re: Orchestrato (Chlex) NC-17, Season 3-4 Safehouse Summer fic
You already know that I think this is a great start but I need more:D
Please update as fast as you can!
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Re: Orchestrato (Chlex) NC-17, Season 3-4 Safehouse Summer fic
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Kit Merlot
You already know that I think this is a great start but I need more:D
Please update as fast as you can!
I hear ya, babes! Working on it, hope to post again latest by next week. So glad you like it! *huggles* :)
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Re: Orchestrato (Chlex) NC-17, Season 3-4 Safehouse Summer fic
Quote:
Originally Posted by
dkfuryan
wicked beginning, I loved the part about scalding her throat with coffee to get rid of the sexual tension! It does sound like Lex is having fun building up that sexual tension in the first place though!
Hee! Poor Chloe, she doesn't stand a chance here. Lex knows the ways of the world, and knows all the right buttons to push! ;)
Quote:
I really enjoy your writing with Chollie so I am very excited to see where you take this and that you have given into the Chlex, even if it is due to an auction!!
Ah, the good thing is I put more care and attention into my Auction Stories than I do the others, because I know there are expectations - and I want to at least match or exceed said expectatinos! :p
Thank you, dkfuryfan, for your lovely review! :)
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Re: Orchestrato (Chlex) NC-17, Season 3-4 Safehouse Summer fic
Great start, I can't wait to see where this is going.
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Re: Orchestrato (Chlex) NC-17, Season 3-4 Safehouse Summer fic
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Re: Orchestrato (Chlex) NC-17, Season 3-4 Safehouse Summer fic
Great start to a new story! I always loved the time period where Lex was hiding Chloe. I can't wait to see what you have in store for Chlex.
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Re: Orchestrato (Chlex) NC-17, Season 3-4 Safehouse Summer fic
Quote:
Originally Posted by
TrinityR
I love it so far! Just please do not stop writing until you'll end this ok?
I promise to never leave a WIP unfinished! :D
Quote:
I was reading a couple of Chlex stories about the safehouse and there were all left without the proper ending, I hope this one will be finished because I reallllyyyy want to read something like that:)
No worries, TrinityRose, I have this all mapped out and fully intent to bring it to its Chlexy conclusion, even if it means creating sequels! ;)
Thanks so much for commenting, hun! :)
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Re: Orchestrato (Chlex) NC-17, Season 3-4 Safehouse Summer fic
Quote:
Originally Posted by
dannibfree
Great start, I can't wait to see where this is going.
Thank you, Danni - I'm so glad you like it so far! :)
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Re: Orchestrato (Chlex) NC-17, Season 3-4 Safehouse Summer fic
Working on it, Trinna, hope to post it latest by tomorrow! :D
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Re: Orchestrato (Chlex) NC-17, Season 3-4 Safehouse Summer fic
Quote:
Originally Posted by
tatie87
Great start to a new story! I always loved the time period where Lex was hiding Chloe. I can't wait to see what you have in store for Chlex.
Thanks, tatie! I loved that timeframe as well, and I was gutted when Chloe all of a sudden started hating him after Lionel's trial was completed. Here's hoping I can provide a story that does it justice! :)
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Re: Orchestrato (Chlex) NC-17, Season 3-4 Safehouse Summer fic
Quote:
Originally Posted by
ghaziak
great start!! can't wait for more!!
Working on it, ghaziak - thanks for commenting! :)
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Re: Orchestrato (Chlex) NC-17, Season 3-4 Safehouse Summer fic
mwuahahaha! i am so glad you are posting here too. welcome to the dark side hunny. Come and play often!!!
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Re: Orchestrato (Chlex) NC-17, Season 3-4 Safehouse Summer fic
Quote:
Originally Posted by
pompeypearly
mwuahahaha! i am so glad you are posting here too. welcome to the dark side hunny. Come and play often!!!
I fully intend to, Pompey! ;)
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Re: Orchestrato (Chlex) NC-17, Season 3-4 Safehouse Summer fic
Quote:
Originally Posted by
pezgirl
I really enjoyed the first chapter and can't wait to see where you go with it. Your current Chloe/Lex characters are both great and I am interested to see how you will write their relationship as it continues.
Thanks for your kind words, pezgirl! I just need to edit the next chapter, and should hopefully post it latest by tomorrow. :)
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Re: Orchestrato (Chlex) NC-17, Season 3-4 Safehouse Summer fic
Quote:
Originally Posted by
trckyrcky
Really enjoy the story. Can't wait to see what will happen next. Maybe after Lionel is officially in jail, Chloe and Lex finally get together and Chloe will finally lose her virginity.
We'll see how it goes, hun. One things for sure; Chloe Will definitely be losing her virginity. ;)
...to Lex, of course. :p
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Re: Orchestrato (Chlex) NC-17, Season 3-4 Safehouse Summer fic
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Annie13
i really liked the beginning. can't wait for more.
Thank you, Annie! I shall be posting Chapter 2 after work today. :)
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Re: Orchestrato (Chlex) NC-17, Season 3-4 Safehouse Summer fic
A thousand apologies, O Patient Ones - I fell asleep yesterday before I could post Chapter 2. :(
This evening, without fail. Thanks for all the amazing comments, I really do appreciate it! :D
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Orchestrato, Chapter 2 - 15.06.12
Hi everyone! Back with Chapter 2 as promised...sorry for the wait. Yesterday was my birthday, and the Hubby had plans. ;)
Enjoy! Feedback, as always, is welcome. :o
Brilliant banner by ctbn60 at LiveJournal. :D
http://pics.livejournal.com/babydee1/pic/0014a2qf
Title: Orchestrato
Author: BabyDee
Pairing: Chlex
Rating: PG13 for now, NC-17 later
Warnings: None
Timeline: Safehouse Summer of Love, End of Season 3/Beginning of 4
Disclaimer: All characters belong to the CW & DC comics.
Summary: Lex inexplicably bonds with Chloe whilst keeping her survival a secret from the world
Feedback: …makes me squee. :)
Chapter 2
An hour and three cups of coffee apiece later, and they were all done.
“I don’t think we’ll have any surprises or slip-ups with this, you’ve done really well,” Lex said as he packed his files back into his briefcase. “I’ll pop in again with Williamson in a weeks’ time, just to refresh your memory.”
Her face fell. A whole week? “Oh. Okay,” she said lamely.
Lex noticed her reticence and frowned. “Unless…you’d rather we came by sooner..?”
“No, that’s fine,” she said hurriedly, taking the coffee cups back to the kitchen. “A week is fine.”
She put the cups in the dishwasher with a sad sigh and folded her arms. She hadn’t realised how starved for company she actually was, and the thought of Lex leaving her alone for a whole week…
“Chloe,” he groaned loudly from the other room. “Damn it, I should have known…”
Chloe frowned. “Should have known what?” she queried as she walked back into the living room. His back was to her, but as soon as he turned around and she caught sight of her laptop in his hands, she froze.
“That you were the elusive Sentinel,” he said sternly, tapping a finger on the screen which housed her anonymous online newsblog. “Chloe, what part of ‘no contact with the outside world’ did you not understand?”
Chloe gulped and tightly squeezed her eyes shut.
Busted.
***
She gnawed on her bottom lip and stared silently at Lex, who was clearly waiting for an explanation.
“Well?” he prompted.
“Okay, I know how this looks…” she began.
“Really?” he asked, putting the laptop down and folding his arms, his steely eyes grim. “Tell me how this looks, Chloe. I’m all ears.”
She wrung her hands nervously. “I, um…look, I know I took a huge risk, setting up a newsblog, but there are issues going on in the city that need to be addressed, and…”
“…and you’re the only person in the world who can sort it out?”
“I never said that!” she protested.
“Or, you tried to resist your inner journalist for all of two seconds, but failed miserably,” he finished flatly.
She swallowed and stared at the ground, and Lex gave a heavy sigh.
“You just risked jeopardising this entire operation, Chloe.”
She sighed heavily. “I’m sorry,” she said quietly. “But in my defence, Lex, it’s an anonymous blog; nobody knows it’s me, and I deliberately changed the way I write to make doubly sure.”
“The hardest thing in the world is to try and hide who you really are, even in print,” he pointed out gently, and gestured to the screen. “I mean, look at this; it wouldn’t your friends too long to discover who The Sentinel is, all they’d have to do is read a couple of lines.”
“Well, Lana’s all the way over in Paris, so she’ll probably never read this,” she declared. “And as for Clark…” she trailed off, her eyes tearing up as they always did when she remembered that her best friend was still missing and unaccounted for.
“He’ll come home, Chloe,” he said gently. “I’ve got private investigators scouring the state for him as we speak, okay?”
She nodded, but for some reason she didn’t think they’d have much success locating him. Every instinct she possessed told her that Clark’s disappearance was down to one of the many supernatural oddities that cursed this stupid town, and it was killing her that she couldn’t go out there, track him down and bring him home herself.
“In the meantime…no more blogging,” Lex said, bringing her back to the present as he snapped her laptop shut with an air of finality.
Chloe’s brows drew downward in a stubborn frown. “We just established that none of my friends are likely to find me, so what’s the harm?” she demanded.
“It’s not your friends tracking you down that I’m worried about,” he replied, pinching his brow with a tired sigh. “What if someone else recognises your writing style; say like my father, and uses it to locate your whereabouts?”
“He can’t,” she replied triumphantly. “I put the IP address on an international piggy-back and looped it, so it changes source every five minutes. I covered my tracks, no problem.”
“And you don’t think the fact that you’ve taken so much trouble to protect your identity isn’t a clue in itself that you’re probably still alive?” he countered.
Chloe exhaled in frustration. “I can’t win with you, can I?” she grumbled.
“You’d be surprised,” he murmured with a knowing smile. “So what great evil are you taking down today?”
“Improper use of state funds,” she replied, opening her laptop to show him the article. “Too much money has been sunk into the city sewer refurbishment project, and I have a feeling that Mayor Gillingham has his hands on a golden goose construction contract that he wants to keep flourishing. It’s the perfect cover for siphoning hard-earned tax dollars.”
His eyebrows went up. “You have proof of this?”
“I’m very close to getting it; why?”
“Because I know all about this project; Gillingham’s contractors outbid me for it by less than five thousand dollars,” he said. “He must have had an insider in my camp. If you take him down, I stand to pick up on that contract where he leaves off.”
“Well, you look for the leak in your department, and I’ll do what I can to hand you the smoking gun,” she said with a smile.
Lex tapped the computer again. “And you’re sure this can’t be traced?”
“Positive.”
“Then I have only one thing left to say…” he handed the computer back to her with a smile. “Sentinel’s a good name for you. You’re certainly looking after my interests.”
She blushed and took the laptop from him, her fingers brushing his as she did so. That tingly feeling ran up her spine again, and her knees shook slightly. She clenched her fingers tightly around the edges of the laptop to stop it slipping from her grasp.
“You might want to go easy on the thesaurus, though,” he advised as he settled down on the sofa.
“How do you mean?”
“Let’s see… ‘Despite constant reassurances from the councilman that the project would be completed on time and within budget, there has been little activity on the site,” He quoted.
Wow. He remembered all that?
“Good memory, Lex, but I don’t see why you thought I went overboard on the tech terms,” she said.
“I’m getting there,” he promised, and went on. “Worse, a most odoriferous aroma continues to emanate from the sewage pipes, which wafts leisurely over the city like a controlled cloud.’” He stopped and gave her a sardonic look. “Odoriferous, Chloe? Really?”
She shrugged a dainty shoulder. “It works.”
“It’s too much,” he shot back. “You’re a brilliant writer, but you do tend to run a little garrulous at times.”
“I’m no more loquacious than the next journalist,” she replied sweetly.
He rolled his eyes. “Please. You’re the most verbose person I know!”
“Who’s throwing the thesaurus around now?” she smirked, and he laughed.
“Just meeting you on your own playing field,” he joked. “Unless your knowledge of unfamiliar words isn’t as vast as I’d previously assumed…”
Chloe folded her arms and grinned. “You don’t know who you’re getting into a battle of words with, Lex. I know pretty much every tricky word there is out there.”
“On the contrary,” he replied. “I know exactly who I’m getting into a battle of words with, and that’s what makes it fun. Very few people can challenge me intellectually.”
“And you think I’m one who can?”
“That depends on the success you achieve in your sedulous juxtaposition of words, Chloe,” he smirked. “Challenge me you may, but I assure you…I will win. I always do.”
“Oh, I am so taking you down!” she exclaimed, sitting down next to him. “And for the record, sedulous juxtaposition was way too easy.”
“Agreed,” he replied. “Okay, Chloe; you give me a word, I’ll tell you what it means, and vice versa.”
She grinned. “You’re on.”
He made a gallant gesture in her direction. “Ladies first.”
Chloe nodded and cleared her throat. “Coruscate.”
“Glittery,” Lex replied without hesitation, gazing into her eyes. “Dazzling, sparkly; kind of like your personality.”
Oh, he was a smooth talker. Chloe felt her cheeks growing warm under his ardent gaze, and tried to ignore the warmth spreading through her insides.
“Your turn,” she whispered.
“Osculate.”
“Osculate, that’s um…” her cheeks grew redder. “That’s…kissing, isn’t it?”
“Correct,” he murmured, and leaned forward slowly until his face was so close she could feel his breath on her cheek. “Your turn again.”
“Huh?” she whispered, mesmerised.
“I said it’s your turn,” he replied with a knowing smile.
“Oh. Oh!” She cleared her throat and thought hard. “Estival.”
“Estival…” he paused. “That’s something seasonal…spring, summer…?”
“Summer,” she nodded. “Nicely done. Your turn.”
They went on trading words for another five minutes before Lex finally came up with a winner.
“Pulchritudinous.”
She blinked. “Polka-what?”
“Pulchritudinous,” he repeated and smiled. “Any clues?”
“I, um…” she thought hard for several seconds and eventually gave a deep sigh. “I hate to admit defeat, but this one’s way over my head.”
He smiled. “It means beautiful.”
“Really?” she said, surprised. “No wonder it isn’t more widely known, it’s the ugliest word for pretty that I’ve ever heard. So…does this mean you win?”
“Not until I’ve given you an opportunity to draw level,” he said, and folded his arms. “Give it your best shot.”
She thought hard, and then grinned as the perfect word came to her.
“Lunula,” she said.
“That definitely has something to do with illumination, light; most likely moonlight,” he guessed. “Am I right?”
She shook her head. “Nope.”
He frowned. “Am I close?”
She thought for a moment. “There’s kind of a clue in there, but…” she pondered, and then shook her head. “Nah, not really.”
Lex folded his arms and smiled. “Now you’re deliberately being vague, Chloe.”
“I’m not, I promise you,” she laughed. “But I can honestly say that none of what you’ve guessed so far is actually right. Peripheral at best, but far from correct.”
“Consider the towel thrown in, then,” he conceded. “What’s the answer?”
Chloe smiled and quietly reached out and took his hand. Lex regarded her curiously as she held it between hers and just studied it for a moment.
His palms were smooth, his fingers long and tapered. Artist’s Hands, she thought, as she traced his palm with her fingertips. One would be mistaken for thinking his manicured hands reflected a lack of skill. Lex was a trained martial artist, an excellent swordsman and a supremely gifted pianist. There was a world of talent within those hands.
She noticed he’d gone very still; probably questioning her fascination with his hands, she thought, surprised to realise she wasn’t at all embarrassed. For some reason she actually enjoyed touching him. Carefully she turned his hand so that his palm was down over her left one and with her right forefinger slowly trailed a path up the back of his hand until she got to the tip of his manicured thumbnail.
“This,” she whispered.
He cleared his throat loudly. “Uh…what?” he said, his voice gravelly and low.
She tapped his thumb. “That pale, crescent moon at the base of your thumbnail,” she explained softly. “That’s your lunula.”
Lex lifted his head and met her gaze, and she blinked in surprise at the expression in his eyes. Their stormy depths more grey than black, and he was breathing heavily, his chest rising and falling as if it was suddenly something that required conscious thought.
“That’s why I said your clue was kind of a clue, because it’s a moonlike-shape, and it’s pale in colour, but it has nothing really to do with light,” she babbled, trying to fill the suddenly intense silence.
“Right,” he whispered, then suddenly straightened, took his hand out of hers and quickly got to his feet. Chloe frowned and was about to ask what was wrong when he spoke.
“I’m sorry, but I’m late for a meeting,” he said shortly as he strode to the table and gathered his belongings. “I’ll see you later this week.”
And then he was gone, out the door before she could even respond to his parting words.
***
To be continued…
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Re: Orchestrato, Chapter 2
Excellent chapter:) I wonder... do you know all of those diffucult words or you were just having great fun with finding them out?:p
Love the banner!
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Re: Orchestrato, Chapter 2
LOL! I love their banter but man Lex ran out like his pants were on fire. LOL!
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Re: Orchestrato, Chapter 2
Quote:
Originally Posted by
hfce
LOL! I love their banter but man Lex ran out like his pants were on fire. LOL!
Actually... maybe there really was something wrong in his pants:D
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Re: Orchestrato, Chapter 2
They have such awesome chemistry!!!
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Re: Orchestrato, Chapter 2
That. Was awesome.
It's my birthday today and this was a lovely gift :)
Happy belated to you!
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Re: Orchestrato, Chapter 2
Quote:
Originally Posted by
TrinityR
Excellent chapter:) I wonder... do you know all of those diffucult words or you were just having great fun with finding them out?:p
Love the banner!
I knew Osculate and Coruscate. The rest, I had to go looking for. ;)
So glad you like it, Bebe! :D
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Re: Orchestrato, Chapter 2
Quote:
Originally Posted by
hfce
LOL! I love their banter but man Lex ran out like his pants were on fire. LOL!
Which is probably not too far from the truth!!! ;)
Thanks for commenting, hun! :)
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Re: Orchestrato, Chapter 2
Quote:
Originally Posted by
TrinityR
Actually... maybe there really was something wrong in his pants:D
There definitely was, babes. Definitely! :D
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Re: Orchestrato, Chapter 2
Quote:
Originally Posted by
tatie87
They have such awesome chemistry!!!
Don't they just? :)
Thanks for commenting, hun! :p
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Re: Orchestrato, Chapter 2
Quote:
Originally Posted by
ChloeLovesLex
That. Was awesome.
Glad you approve, m'dear! :p
Quote:
It's my birthday today and this was a lovely gift :)
Many Happy Returns, my fellow June Bug!!! Glad I could make your day shine a little brighter! *smishes you* :D
Quote:
Happy belated to you!
Thanks, babes! I had a brilliant day. :)
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Re: Orchestrato (Chlex) NC-17, Season 3-4 Safehouse Summer fic
Quote:
Originally Posted by
ChloeLovesLex
This is a fantastic start. Thanks for penning it. I can't wait to read more.
Glad you like it so far! :)
Quote:
As for formatting...I wish I had the answer for you. Been here for years and I experience the same issues. I stopped bothering to format until I pasted it in and then edit it to what I want it to look like then. It's a huge pain, but eh, what are ya gonna do?
I guess I just have to follow suit. It's a bit of a bugger, though. :(
Quote:
Update us soon? Pretty please?
Already done, as you very well know, and will work on Chapter 3 soon! :D Thanks so much for your kind comments, hun. :)
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Re: Orchestrato (Chlex) NC-17, Season 3-4 Safehouse Summer fic
Quote:
Originally Posted by
ladyfayerie
Nice! Been reading your stories since forever. Haha! :D Can't wait for the rest! :D Thank you!
My pleasure! So glad you like my stories, and I'm so thrilled to be posting my first ever Chlex fic! :D
Next chapter is now posted. Enjoy! ;)
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Re: Orchestrato (Chlex) NC-17, Season 3-4 Safehouse Summer fic
Quote:
Originally Posted by
paolamhc
Nice Start, can't wait to read more.
Thanks paolamhc! Glad you like it so far, and the next chapter is ready. :)
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Re: Orchestrato (Chlex) NC-17, Season 3-4 Safehouse Summer fic
Quote:
Originally Posted by
somethingeasy
Hey BabyDee! It's great to see you here at the forum :D I've been a fan of your darker Chlark work for a while, and I can't wait to see what you do with a Chlex piece.
Somethingeasy! *hugs* So glad you're giving my Chlex work a shot. I'll try not to disappoint! :D
Quote:
I really liked the start of this fic. The whole 'safehouse season' was a fascinating time for Chlexers, and there's just so much possibility and potential into everything that might have happened between Chloe and Lex during their time together. I loved the camaraderie and repartee that the two of them have in this fic. It was fun seeing the gentle teasing that they both engaged in, as well as the sympathetic bond that had obviously formed up... not to mention their very strong, smooth working relationship as well. Overall, they were already showing signs of being a perfect match in partners on many different levels.
Completely agree, the Chlexy potential at that time was colossal. Such a shame the show let it all go to waste. :(
Quote:
Heeee! But, most of all, I loved the suggestions of Chloe looking at Lex, seeing him as a healthy, strong, attractive, sexy man, and feeling the 'sexual tension' between the two of them.
*strokes jaw conspiratorially* Ah yes, there is that. ;)
Quote:
And, I have to admit, I would LOVE to see this attraction explored further... although it might be interesting to see Chloe examine this attraction and wonder whether she's suffering through some weird sort of Stockholm Syndrome. After all, all the elements required for 'capture bonding' are all there... plus there's the whole 'gratitude factor' as well, where Chloe is fully aware that she's being kept sequestered and 'imprisoned' in this safehouse purely for her own safety.
That would be an extremely interesting spin to put on things! I hadn't consciously thought of approaching it from that angle, but we'll see where the Muses take us now that the seed has been planted. :p
Quote:
heh... then again... Lex could just as easily start wondering whether HE'S suffering through the relatively rarer Lima Syndrome. lol!
Ah, the Fates are already conspiring against them, providing ready-made excuses to explain away their budding attraction! :o
Quote:
Great fic, BabyDee. I look forward to seeing what future chapters bring.
Thanks, hun! So glad you like it so far, and I hope Chapter 2 (which is now posted) continues to put a smile on yer face. :)
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Re: Orchestrato, Chapter 2
This is why I fell in love with these two at the beginning. Their compatibility.
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Re: Orchestrato, Chapter 2
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Gaia
This is why I fell in love with these two at the beginning. Their compatibility.
Completely agree with you, their connection & chemistry was off the charts!!!
Glad you like Gaia, and thanks for commenting! :)
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Re: Orchestrato, Chapter 2
This was an awesome update!
I do like how flirty and bantery they were both being and I liked that he was thrown by Chloe's reaching for his hand, and I freely admit to not knowing any of the words Chloe and Lex were throwing around--they could both easily kick my butt;)
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Re: Orchestrato, Chapter 2
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Kit Merlot
This was an awesome update!
Huzzah!!! *dances a merry jig* :D
Quote:
I do like how flirty and bantery they were both being and I liked that he was thrown by Chloe's reaching for his hand, and I freely admit to not knowing any of the words Chloe and Lex were throwing around--they could both easily kick my butt;)
They've always been too smart for their own good, those two. ;)
So glad you like it, Kathy! :)
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Re: Orchestrato (Chlex) NC-17, Season 3-4 Safehouse Summer fic
that was great! ..loved it!!! can't wait for more! :)
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Re: Orchestrato (Chlex) NC-17, Season 3-4 Safehouse Summer fic
I'm liking what I'm reading...
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Re: Orchestrato (Chlex) NC-17, Season 3-4 Safehouse Summer fic
Quote:
Originally Posted by
ghaziak
that was great! ..loved it!!! can't wait for more! :)
Thanks again, ghaziak - so pleased you're enjoying it! :D
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Re: Orchestrato (Chlex) NC-17, Season 3-4 Safehouse Summer fic
Quote:
Originally Posted by
qazwsx
I'm liking what I'm reading...
And I'm liking that you're liking what you're reading! :D Hope you'll continue to do so!
Thanks so much for your comments! :)
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Re: Orchestrato (Chlex) NC-17, Season 3-4 Safehouse Summer fic
can't wait for the update.loved there banter
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Re: Orchestrato (Chlex) NC-17, Season 3-4 Safehouse Summer fic
Quote:
Originally Posted by
cbrunberg
can't wait for the update.loved there banter
Thanks, cbrunberg! I really appreciate your comments, and I'm so glad you like it so far! :)
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Re: Orchestrato (Chlex) NC-17, Season 3-4 Safehouse Summer fic
Awesome :)
I never realized a simple wordplay can be so stimulating, but then leave it to Chloe & Lex. The UST just burns LOL!
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Re: Orchestrato (Chlex) NC-17, Season 3-4 Safehouse Summer fic
Quote:
Originally Posted by
mama_kat
Awesome :)
I never realized a simple wordplay can be so stimulating, but then leave it to Chloe & Lex. The UST just burns LOL!
I know, right? It's like Nerd Porn with an edge!!! :D
Glad you like, babes!
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Re: Orchestrato, Chapter 2
Wow. That was...cool! :D I can't wait to know what would happen when they see each other again! :D
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Re: Orchestrato, Chapter 2
Quote:
Originally Posted by
ladyfayerie
Wow. That was...cool! :D I can't wait to know what would happen when they see each other again! :D
It's just getting interesting. ;) I guarantee that their chemistry will be off. the. CHAIN. :D
Glad you like, ladyfayerie! Thanks for commenting. :)
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Re: Orchestrato, Chapter 2
enjoying this one so far. Can't wait for the next one! :D
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Re: Orchestrato, Chapter 2
Hey BabyDee! I forgot to mention to you before about the titling format. Don't forget to put the chapter you are on, and the date in the title when you update.
Jules gets onto you and gives a warning infraction if you don't.
I tried to PM it to you, but I'm not a paid subscriber here anymore, and it wouldn't let me. No message space left. Sorry to put it in the open.
Like this:
Orchestrato, NC-17, Chapter 2, 6/15/12
Hope that helps :)
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Re: Orchestrato, Chapter 2
Quote:
Originally Posted by
chicablue
enjoying this one so far. Can't wait for the next one! :D
Working on it, chikablue . Glad you like, and thanks for commenting! :)
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Re: Orchestrato, Chapter 2
Quote:
Originally Posted by
ChloeLovesLex
Hey BabyDee! I forgot to mention to you before about the titling format. Don't forget to put the chapter you are on, and the date in the title when you update.
Jules gets onto you and gives a warning infraction if you don't.
Ooh, we can't have that! Thanks for the heads-up, hun! :)
Quote:
I tried to PM it to you, but I'm not a paid subscriber here anymore, and it wouldn't let me. No message space left. Sorry to put it in the open.
No problem whatsoever! :D
Quote:
Like this:
Orchestrato, NC-17, Chapter 2, 6/15/12
Hope that helps :)
It does indeed, and I really appreciate all your help! *huggles* :o
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Re: Orchestrato, Chapter 2
Love this story. Chloe and Lex are the best. Great word play!
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Re: Orchestrato, Chapter 2
Quote:
Originally Posted by
ermelindis
Love this story. Chloe and Lex are the best. Great word play!
Thanks, ermelindis! I'm having such a blast writing them. :)
Sorry I haven't updated in a while, I've had a lot going on in real life (have a job interview tomorrow - wish me luck!) and a lot of other family stuff as well...but I'll get back to it and hopefully post the next chapter before the end of the month!
Thanks again for commenting, it means a lot. :D
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Orchestrato, Chapter 3 - 20.07.12
Sorry it took me so long to get back to this, everyone!
Enjoy. :)
http://pics.livejournal.com/babydee1/pic/0014a2qf
Title: Orchestrato
Author: BabyDee
Pairing: Chlex
Rating: PG13 for now, NC-17 later
Warnings: None
Timeline: Safehouse Summer of Love, End of Season 3/Beginning of 4
Disclaimer: All characters belong to the CW & DC comics.
Summary: Lex inexplicably bonds with Chloe whilst keeping her survival a secret from the world
Feedback: …makes me squee. :)
Chapter 3
As soon as the door closed behind him, Lex dropped his suitcase and stumbled, his knees suddenly wobbly. He reached for the wall to steady himself with one hand and clutched at his heart with the other, breathing harshly and gritting his teeth as intense pain clawed at his insides.
The pain. It had been like this ever since he’d sipped the brandy from that poisoned chalice all those months ago; his father’s punishment for handing him over to the authorities to face justice for the murder of his own parents. Lionel had meant to kill him as surely has he’d meant to blow Chloe up, and he’d very nearly succeeded on both fronts. But Chloe was alive, and so was he; only now, anything which elevated his heart rate too quickly and caused the blood to pump faster than normal through his veins - the chief culprit of which was sexual arousal - activated the toxin which otherwise lay dormant is his blood stream and caused him intense pain, almost killing him.
“You’re a very lucky man, Mr Luthor,” his doctor had told him the first time he’d filtered his blood. “Anybody else would have died within hours, but the mutation of your white blood cells is extraordinary; it enables your body fight disease and infection ten times faster and more effectively than those of normal people. It’s practically…regenerative.”
Not as accelerated a regeneration as he’d like, he thought wryly as he reached into his jacket pocket for the pain-relieving antidote. He was an assured young man, well-used to schooling and controlling his emotions in the presence of beautiful women. Instead, he’d been forced to flee Chloe’s innocent touch like a terrified teenage boy experiencing his first hard-on.
He took his time, sliding his jacket off his arms and lifting his left sleeve to bare his arm so he could inject himself directly into the vein as instructed. The medicine worked in conjunction with his white blood cells and immediately levelled the effects of the toxin, and to his relief, the pain instantly receded.
Lex took several deep breaths and relaxed. He knew he was courting suicide letting himself get turned on, but he found Chloe Sullivan very intriguing and incredibly hard to resist. Most of the women who surrounded him tended to be shallow, vapid types whose confidence came from their physical appearance and prettiness; not so with Chloe. That wasn’t to say she wasn’t beautiful, because she was, very much so; in fact, her unconventional beauty was one of the things that he liked about her. But her self-assurance came from the confidence in her knowledge and skill; and for him that was a huge turn on all by itself. He hadn’t been joking when he’d said that she was one of the few women he felt could challenge him intellectually, and he’d greatly enjoyed their verbal sparring the other day. And so had she. Knowledge, it seemed, was her aphrodisiac.
He narrowed his eyes as he retrieved his belongings, exited the building and seated himself in his Porsche. From what he knew of her, how she behaved and the boyish way she dressed, he was almost certain she wasn’t aware of her beauty, and probably didn’t even believe herself to be so. He had no proof of it, but he would bet that she was actually still a virgin. A wry smile tilted his lips. It would be interesting and challenging to peel back those layers and get her to acknowledge to woman within.
A twinge of pain gnawed at his heart, and he immediately steered the direction of his thoughts onto safer territory as he fastened his seatbelt and turned on the engine.
Flirting with Chloe had started off as a form of amusement to him. He'd been playing her, just light-hearted banter designed to keep her on-side until the trial was over. He hadn’t counted on the intense effect she would have on him - an effect that, in his vulnerable and weakened state, could quite easily kill him. It wouldn’t do him well to continue in that vein, nor visit her alone more often than was necessary.
Which was why it made absolutely zero sense for him to be standing outside her door the following afternoon with a brand new Scrabble board to hand, and why he categorically refused to question himself on it.
“Lex!” Chloe exclaimed as she opened the door for him. “I didn’t expect to see you until later on in the week.” She peered into the hallway in search of Williamson just as she’d done the last time, and he was smugly pleased to see how delighted she was that the other man wasn’t in attendance.
“It occurred to me that we neglected to tally score on yesterday’s verbal challenge, so I’ve declared it a draw,” he said. “However, I do feel a decider is in order, which is why I come bearing this.” He pulled the Scrabble out of the bag, and Chloe’s eyes lit up in pure delight.
“You really haven’t spent much time around me, have you?” she mused, taking the box out of his hands and tearing of the cellophane. “My Scrabble skills are pretty legendary around these parts.”
He folded his arms and gave her an indulgent smile. “That’s funny; so are mine.”
“Another impasse, huh?” she drawled, setting the game up on the carpet with admirable speed. “Ah, well…so be it. Hope you like the taste of failure.”
Lex frowned at her venue choice. “Something wrong with the table?”
“Nope. I just prefer the floor.”
He raised a pale brow at her suggestive words, smirking when he saw her cheeks redden.
“That’s not what I meant, and you know it!” she protested.
“Of course not,” he said with a grin. “The floor’s fine. Wouldn’t be my first choice, but I’m remarkably…flexible.”
Chloe’s cheeks went and even brighter shade of red, and they both sat down cross-legged on either side of the board. Fortunately for him he’d administered a dose of the antidote just before walking in, which should keep his blood balanced for a few hours at least.
She dipped her hand into the felt bag to select her tiles at the same time that he did, and their fingers brushed together in the tight confines. He saw her throat moved as she swallowed.
“No cheating!” she accused, flicking his finger with hers.
His eyes went wide. “I was not!”
“You were, too, you were feeling for the blank tiles!”
“You could only know that if you were doing the exact same thing,” he said smoothly, and she narrowed her eyes in defiant challenge.
“Break out the official Scrabble dictionary, Lex,” she said softly as she selected seven random tiles and lifted her hand out of the bag. “You’re gonna need it.”
***
She hadn’t been lying.
Chloe Sullivan was truly gifted when it came to Scrabble word construction. Either that, or she could detect letters by touch and was feeling her way through the bag.
“How old were you when you learned to read?” he asked as she placed the letters A, R and T on a fairly harmless spot close to the centre of the board.
“About three, I think,” she said as she lay on her tummy and picked three replacement tiles. “My Dad said I gave myself an early start.”
“I see.” He placed the letter T in front of her word so that they connected to form TART. “I can’t remember exactly how old I was when I acquired that skill, but I seem to recall it being rather early.”
“Chloe frowned down at his word. “As in pastry, or trollop?”
He blinked. “Hmm?”
She nodded at the board. “Tart.”
“Oh, that,” He grinned. “Whatever you want it to be. Just know, though, that it bears no reference to you whatsoever.”
“Of course not,” she replied sweetly before dropping the letters A and AN after TART to form TARTAN. “My N’s on a double word score box, by the way.”
“So it is. Good effort.” He tallied up the points and watched with a shrewd eye as she selected new tiles.
“What colour’s your family tartan?” she asked suddenly.
“My family tartan?” he repeated.
“All Scottish families have their own custom-made tartan,” she said. “I’d assumed you’d have one, seeing as you’re the proud son of a fine, upstanding family of Scottish heritage.”
“Well, as we’ve recently found out, my heritage is neither fine nor upstanding,” he replied quietly.
Chloe squeezed her eyes shut and sighed. “I’m sorry, Lex. I didn’t mean…I forgot.”
“It’s okay, it’s no problem. I’ve accepted the fact that I’m descended from a Scottish career criminal rather than highland nobility. Guess my father believed his own lie.”
“How could he do it?” Chloe asked in a quiet whisper. “Your father, what he did to his parents…?”
Lex’s jaw clenched. “As far as he was concerned, they were nothing more than sewer rats who were interfering with his great financial destiny.” He snorted in disgust and placed his letters on the board. “I’m no fan of either my father or his methods, but no matter how non-existent my feelings are towards him, I’d never do to him what he did to my grandparents.”
“Well, you wouldn’t have to,” she said gently as she formed the word NUT using the N from TARTAN. “You already have financial stability and security; anything more is just icing on an exceedingly rich cake.”
“Are you defending his decision to murder his parents for fraudulent insurance money?” he said, surprised. Quickly he used all seven tiles to create the word STRUMPET, utilising the first T in TARTAN.
“I wasn’t defending him, not by a long shot,” she quickly reassured him. “But the jury will hear how as a deprived child he fought off daily vermin for a piece of bread, and how when presented with the opportunity, the lure and temptation of lifelong wealth proved too great to resist.”
He nodded, understanding. “So you’re just playing devil’s advocate?”
“Pretty much.” She stared in awe at STRUMPET and nodded. “Nice.”
He smiled. “Thank you, and once again it bears no correlation to you whatsoever. Oh, and don’t forget to add my extra fifty points for using up all my letters.”
“You’re catching up, she noticed. “I can’t have that.” She studied her tiles and the board for a few seconds, then her eyes sparkled in triumph.
“What?” Lex queried. “What have you got?”
“This.” With a smug smile she added the letters G, I, N, G, E and R ahead of the N in TARTAN, then placed an S beneath the T from the NUTS she’d spelt earlier.
Lex stared at the board and did a double-take. “Gingernuts? Really?”
She grinned, and once again her gaze dropped briefly to his groin. “Please believe me when I say it holds no correlation to you whatsoever,” she chirped. “Oh, and don’t forget to add my fifty extra points…”
“Yeah, yeah,” he drawled.
“…and multiply it by 3 for dropping my ‘S’ on a triple-word score,” she finished triumphantly.
He gaped. “No way! Seriously?”
“Yep.”
He frowned. “Gingernuts isn’t a real dictionary word, I’m sure of it.”
“No problem - feel free to challenge,” she said smoothly as she deftly she handed him the Scrabble Dictionary. “Just remember that in the event of my victory, you miss a turn. Not very helpful to your already dismal score.”
She was right. He waved away the dictionary and tallied up the numbers, wincing at the massive gap between them. “I need to step up my game,” he said worriedly.
“Gee, ya think?”
He fixed her with a challenging look and then studied his own. Eventually he opted for the three letter word ERE, unconnected to the previous letters.
“That doesn’t get you much,” she pointed out.
He grinned. “I’m well aware.”
“Biding our time for the big win, huh?” she asked. “Well stand in line, sucker!” And she quickly added C, T, I, O and N to his ERE.
“Erection?” Lex exclaimed with a groan. “What is it with you and male genitalia today?”
“I can’t help it if all the good letters come to me,” she said petulantly.
“Don’t bet on it.” He placed his tiles and formed the word NIPPLE using the N from ERECTION as the starting point.
Chloe saw his word and flushed, automatically folding her arms to cover her breasts. “You just had to, didn’t you?” she accused.
He shrugged. “Hey, I can’t help it if the good letters…”
“Whatever.”
They played on in silence, the next several words being fairly innocuous until once again Chloe arranged her letters to create a word that made Lex raise a brow in concern.
“Well well, Chloe,” he said, staring blankly at the word TUMESCENCE. “I didn’t realise we were playing that kind of Scrabble.”
“I honestly didn’t plan this, Lex!” she protested with a giggle.
“Really?” he said. “Erection, Gingernuts, Tumescence…all just a coincidence?”
She shrugged. “No more so than your Tart, Strumpet and Nipple.”
“Ah.” He glanced at the board and smiled. “You can't count Tart; it got written off when it became Tartan.”
She tilted her head and gave him an odd look. “You ever worn a kilt?”
“We’ve just established that there’s no Luthor family tartan,” he reminded her. “Ergo, no; I’ve never worn a kilt.”
“You’d look good in a kilt.”
He smiled. “Have you been checking out my legs, Chloe?”
“No!” she insisted. “I just…I think…” she paused in her floundering and then continued. “I’m surprised your father didn’t have one commissioned when he hit the big time, I guess.”
“My father didn’t care for such posturing,” he explained as he spelt GY_SY along the top line, using the G from Gingernuts. “The blank’s a P, by the way, and the first Y’s on a triple letter score.”
“I gathered.” She frowned. “That doesn’t make sense. I’ve seen Luthorcorp Tower outside and in, and believe me - your father’s all about the posturing.” She nibbled on her bottom lip and spelt the word YEARN from the end of Gypsy. “I think it’s personal.”
“Whatever the case, the fact remains that there is no Luthor Tartan, nor will there ever be.” Lex played his last tiles and tallied up the score. “You win, Chloe.”
She flashed him a bright smile. “Told ya.”
He glanced at his watch; he wasn’t ready to go back to the big, sprawling, empty Mansion just yet.
“Will you at least offer me a rematch?” he ventured.
She nodded with a bright smile and swept all the tiles back into the bag. “We’ll make it best of three.”
***
To be continued…
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Re: Orchestrato, Chapter 3 - 20.07.12
poor Lex with that poison:( I hope his body will eventually fight it off.
I enjoy this chapter very much!
PPMS!
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Re: Orchestrato, Chapter 3 - 20.07.12
Quote:
Originally Posted by
TrinityR
poor Lex with that poison:( I hope his body will eventually fight it off.
Lets hope so, hun! ;)
Quote:
I enjoy this chapter very much!
PPMS!
Glad you approve, and I'm working hard on the next chapter. Thanks so much for commenting! *hugs* :)
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Re: Orchestrato, Chapter 3 - 20.07.12
LOL! Just finished reading this chapter. That scrabble game was hilarious. I loved the detail provided, showing how all the words connected and layered on top of one another. I felt like I was watching a real game! The realness of the game brought a whole new level of realness to the snark and dialogue between Lex and Chloe.
Loved it! Thanks for writing! :D
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Re: Orchestrato, Chapter 3 - 20.07.12
awesome chapter!!! loved them playing scrabble and it turning dirty!;) LOL ... can't wait for more!! :)
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Re: Orchestrato, Chapter 3 - 20.07.12
Quote:
Originally Posted by
somethingeasy
LOL! Just finished reading this chapter. That scrabble game was hilarious. I loved the detail provided, showing how all the words connected and layered on top of one another. I felt like I was watching a real game! The realness of the game brought a whole new level of realness to the snark and dialogue between Lex and Chloe.
Hee! Glad you liked it, somethingeasy. I actually plotted the letters out on my Scrabble board to make sure they were all possible...must confess, I cheated a bit on how many of them landed on double/triple letter/word scores! :\
I can easily see Chloe and Lex bonding over their shared intellect, and it's such a joy bringing this 'ship to life. I'm so glad you like it! :)
Quote:
Loved it! Thanks for writing! :D
Always a pleasure, and thanks for commenting! :p
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Re: Orchestrato, Chapter 3 - 20.07.12
Quote:
Originally Posted by
ghaziak
awesome chapter!!! loved them playing scrabble and it turning dirty!;) LOL ... can't wait for more!! :)
When the two most intelligent people in Kansas play Scrabble, the earth shakes. Fact! :D
So glad you liked it, ghaziak! Working on the next update as we speak. :)
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Re: Orchestrato, Chapter 3 - 20.07.12
I love Lex and Chloe playing dirty scrabble while bantering.
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Re: Orchestrato, Chapter 3 - 20.07.12
Quote:
Originally Posted by
tatie87
I love Lex and Chloe playing dirty scrabble while bantering.
If any two people could turn a simple game of Scrabble into something intellectually stimulating, It's Chloe and Lex . :)
Glad you like, babes! :D
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Re: Orchestrato, Chapter 3 - 20.07.12
great part. can't wait for more.
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Re: Orchestrato, Chapter 3 - 20.07.12
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Annie13
great part. can't wait for more.
Glad you liked it, Annie! :p
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Re: Orchestrato, Chapter 3 - 20.07.12
please update soon i really can't wait for more.
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Re: Orchestrato, Chapter 3 - 20.07.12
Quote:
Originally Posted by
starmoon
please update soon i really can't wait for more.
I have a lot on my plate, but I'll do my best not to keep y'all waiting too long, starmoon!
Glad you like it, and many thanks for your kind comments. :)
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Re: Orchestrato, Chapter 3 - 20.07.12
Quote:
Originally Posted by
starmoon
please update soon i really can't wait for more.
I have a lot on my plate, but I'll do my best not to keep y'all waiting too long, starmoon!
Glad you like it, and many thanks for your kind comments. :)
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Re: Orchestrato, Chapter 3 - 20.07.12
I have said this before, but Chlexy banter will always be my weakness!
Dee, I need to ask for more as soon as you possibly can--if you can tear yourself away from the Olympics;)
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Re: Orchestrato, Chapter 3 - 20.07.12
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Kit Merlot
I have said this before, but Chlexy banter will always be my weakness!
Dee, I need to ask for more as soon as you possibly can--if you can tear yourself away from the Olympics;)
You've discovered my weakness. How on earth did you guess? I've been camped in front of the telly since last Friday!!! :p
I hope to return to Orchestrato soon, my sweet. I've had a bit of a breakthrough on Crisis, so I wanted to work that through my system before the Muses turn on me. :) Plus, I have 2 Big Bangs to work on, and very little time within which to prepare them, so my time is very stretched. But I'm hoping inspiration remains, so that I can make the best use of my time and update all my WIPs at least once more before going underground to focus on the Big Bangs. :)
Thanks so much for the lovely comments, Kathy! Much appreciated. :D
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Re: Orchestrato, Chapter 3 - 20.07.12
LOL! Those two need to get laid. I can't believe I missed this update. It was a great read. :)
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Re: Orchestrato, Chapter 3 - 20.07.12
great fic, loving it, can't wait to read more
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Re: Orchestrato, Chapter 3 - 20.07.12
Quote:
Originally Posted by
hfce
LOL! Those two need to get laid.
And how! :D
Quote:
I can't believe I missed this update. It was a great read. :)
Sorry I'm just acknowledging your comment now, it's been a busy couple of weeks.
Thanks so much, I'm so glad you like it! I hope to update before it gets.to the one-month mark. :)