Notes: How is it going out there N~S? Here we are in 2019 and things are just a mess in the real lives of some of our Smallville favorites (Really AMack?). I had this story and never did much work on it until recently. I still love this pairing and had some time to revisit their never realized on screen love story. I know I have graveyard work that never got its due so maybe I’ll look at those too. Music keeps me going. So chapter titles are songs I think of when ChLex met up. All Chloe POV.
Title: Broken Song
Author: Letia84
Rating: NC-17 For adult language, sexual content, and some violence
Disclaimer: I do not own these characters. Own by DC and Warner Brothers
Summary: It is eight years post Season 3 of Smallville. Chloe and Lex have broken up. To move on Chloe has run off to California and she is married. After Lex reintroduces himself into her life Chloe has to decided to stay married or repair the broken song she shares with Lex.
Part 1: Hello (Song by Adele)
Chloe was on high since boarding the plane to arrive in Metropolis. She was getting an award. A top honor from the Daily Planet that lead many investigative reporters to the Pulitzer Prize.
“You’re looking good Chlo.” Caleb pulled her flush against him as she tried to pin in her earring. “This dress looks amazing.” He breathed in her sent and they were going to be late if he kept going. His hands smoothed down the floor length gown and she had to stop him.
“Stop messing with me.” Chloe wiggled in his grasp trying to get away. Turning to look at him he was smiling ear to ear.
Caleb Huntsman was always smiling and it was one of the things she loved about him. Her husband was a fiction writer, a lover of baseball, and he always smiled. She attributed his joyful nature to being raised in the California sun. After meeting through a dating website for coffee they hadn’t been apart for the last two years. Married after only six months of dating seemed crazy at the time, but looking at him smiling Chloe knew she had made the right choice.
He looked too good at the moment in his only tux. It was the same one they got married in. He had smoothed his normally wild sandy hair down and shaved showing off a baby face.
“You look good too.” Chloe reached up to kiss the tip of his nose and turned back to check herself in the mirror.
“Lois and Clark are meeting us, right?” He spoke moving to lean against the sink of the hotel bathroom they were in.
Chloe nodded. Mrs. Lane promised to leave her jealousy at home. She may have been the one working at the Daily Planet, but it was Chloe's investigative work at the Star City Registrar that had been picked by the Planet. Lois had nothing to be upset about. She had won this award and the Pulitzer Prize when Chloe was still in college for her in depth reporting on Superman. As it stood reporting on Superman was all Lois did these days.
“We better get going.” She poked Caleb's midsection and darted out for her shoes.
“Don’t start that game.” He caught her arm before she could make an exit. “You know you can’t run from anyone in this dress.” A swift motion and he pulled her in for a kiss. It was just the right amount of pressure and a little tongue before she pulled away.
“Will play when we get back.” Chloe spoke through hooded eyes.
“Yes, because I have always wanted to have sex with someone with a Pulitzer Prize.” Another smile formed on his lips.
Chloe couldn’t help but return his grin. “I don’t have it yet.”
The night progressed just as it should. Three awards were going out to journalist for investigative reporting, feature writing, and feature photography. Chloe would receive hers last. It wasn't unusual for the Daily Planet to single out someone that didn’t work for them, but they had to be extraordinary to be honored by them.
“Thank you all again for coming tonight to celebrate our Daily Planet Reporters Awards.” Perry White took the podium in the over-sized banquet hall of the M hotel. “We all know the people selected for this award are on the short list for the Pulitzer Prize and our final awardee is very deserving of both awards. She has been an invaluable asset to Star City uncovering the corrupted police forces human trafficking ring. In this age of the superhero we often look to a Dark Knight in Gotham, or an Archer in Star City, or our very own alien in red tights to save the day.”
Chloe looked over to her old friend Clark Kent and he was adjusting his glasses. Whenever someone talked about Superman he checked his disguise.
“However this time it was a reporter. Someday I hope she realizes she belongs at the Daily Planet and not the Star City Register, but right now please help me give a hand to our recipient for excellence in investigative reporting, Mrs. Chloe Sullivan.”
Seated at her round table Chloe stood while everyone applauded. Here biggest fans were surrounding her. Her father the proudest hugged her before she walked up the podium. He looked stronger than ever and she was so happy he could make the long flight into Metropolis from Star City.
Shaking hands with Perry White, Chloe looked at the crowd and knew exactly what she was going to say. “Thank you Mr. White for those kind words. I'll admit that when Mr. White called I thought he was offering me a job again. In fact he did offer a job.” Chloe paused for the crowd to chuckle. “An after I said no he said I was lucky because my answer didn’t change the fact I would be given this year's investigator award.” That line got a louder roar from the crowd.
This was her moment and she was enjoying every bit of it. “On a more serious note Mr. White was right we are living in the age of the superhero. I went undercover to produce this story and without the protection of a superhero I wouldn’t have written a word. Superheroes hide who they are, but if my protector is here we share this award.” She caught Clark’s eye and he pushed his glasses up smiling at her with pride. It was Green Arrow that helped the most, but Clark had introduced them once he found out what she had planned.
“I also don’t want to think of this story as a victory. It may be a victory for those saved, but there are still thousands of men, women and children being brought to America as slaves. Human trafficking is a horrific practice that needs to be crushed.” Chloe paused again letting the seriousness of her statement sink in.
“I want to thank the Daily Planet board for seeing me as I am. I’m reporter or better put a truth teller. My father said telling the truth wasn’t really a job, but if anyone could make it one it would be me, so thank you dad for believing in me. I also want to thank my husband for trusting me to come home every night while working through this investigation.” Chloe looked at Caleb and his smile was still secured in place.
“And lastly...” Chloe paused. Reaching the end of the speech she took stock of the room one last time. It was during that time she caught a glimpse of him.
The bald head of Lex Luthor was hard to miss in a room. He was listening and looking right at her. Her words got caught in her throat. Everyone was waiting for to speak and Lex Luthor was there staring at her.
“Finally…” Chloe paused again when Lex started to turn one corner of his mouth up into a smirk. She looked away shaking her head and blinking to get her focus back. “Thank you to Eva Doe for trusting me to help her.” Chloe thought back to the woman that risked her life to help save a shipment of people coming in from Europe. She had to thank her and Chloe wished she was there that night to share the award, but she was save away in protective custody.
The applause started slow because it was obvious she having trouble. She played it off as getting choked up about the award and not because she had seen Lex. It had been nearly eight years and he still had an effect on her.
Leaving the stage she was greeted by Lois for hug. “Next year this award is mine.” Lois was followed by Clark.
He pulled her into a bear hug and she disappeared in his huge frame. “Great job Chloe.”
Caleb was after him. “I love you.” He said smiling ear to ear. She hugged him almost crying. They had been through it while she was investigating. It was another reason she married him. Caleb had learned to handle the way she needed to work.
“I love you too.” Chloe spoke before kissing him lightly.
When he pulled away more people were waiting. “Go your public awaits.” Nudging her around Chloe was greeted by people she knew from their names in a byline of various newspapers and they all wanted to shake her hand.
Her face was hurting from smiling so much, but she had to keep it going. Others from the Daily Planet and Register were giving her congratulations. At the end of the line was the last person she wanted to see.
“People that win this award usually get the Pulitzer Prize next.” Lex Luthor spoke extending his hand to her.
She took his hand for a firm handshake as she answered. “I know.” The warmth and strength of the handshake was almost mesmerizing.
“I'll be at that party too.” He was still shaking her hand in his perfectly fitted tux.
“Oh, okay.” Chloe answered suddenly unaware that people were staring at them. She let go of his hand and made her way back towards her safe circle.
Chloe needed to pull herself together. She just received the biggest award of her career and Lex Luthor was ruining it for her. “Caleb I have to go to the ladies room.”
“Lois wants to toast. Which is code for do shots at that bar.” He announced pointing to Lois forcing Clark towards the bar. Lois knew very well Clark couldn’t be drunk but he could fly her home with ease and let her sleep off her own buzz.
“Okay, go get mine. I’ll only be a moment.” She retreated to the ladies room. Shaking hands along the way she looked back and Lex was looking at her. Peering right through her. She turned and started to move faster.
The bathroom was empty. Chloe took a seat on a plush red sofa and stared down at her hands. Lex Luthor had been far from her thoughts for so long seeing him now was making her feel like a seventeen year girl again.
Her mind started racing as to what he meant by being at the Pulitzer Prize ceremony as well. Then she settled on one thought. “Caleb.” she whispered softly then moved as quickly as she could in her dress.
Chloe scanned the room and found Caleb taking a shot with Lois and Clark. Lois was going to be the life of party if she couldn’t be the honoree. Breathing out a sigh of relief Chloe was glad Lex was far from her smiling man.
“Congratulation Mrs. Sullivan.” Someone was coming at her and Chloe shook a few more hands before finding a new hiding place.
The Metropolis grand hotel had a lovely balcony with no one on it. “I can't believe it.” She breathed out the words taking in the fresh air.
“Believe what?” There he is was again. The cool tenor of his voice couldn’t be mistaken. She didn't want to turn and look at him.
Chloe just waited until he was next to her. When she felt him there she answered. “That I won.”
“Of course you won. You broke up a human trafficking ring that arrested thirty dirty cops and a state senator.” She looked over to him and the pride in his eyes couldn't be mistaken.
She knew the story. She lived it. She went undercover and pinpointed each and everyone of those dirty cops. “Well I think you just wrote my book blurb.”
“I want the royalties for it when you use it then.” They both nervously smiled at the joke until he ruined the moment. “You look stunning up there.” He said it so casually. As if there wasn't any history between them.
“Thank you.” Chloe looked away into the night air and the city lights.
“It's been a long time.” He brushed his hand over her bare shoulder. “I would think you could look at me.”
The motion made her tenser. When she finally looked at him a familiar pull was there. Lex always brought something out of her. It was something she thought was gone. Right there in the night air she was reminded of Lex’s power over. She had to shake it off and defend herself from his charms.
“Why are you here?”
He looked cross now. “I own the Daily Planet. I'm on the board that selects the awardees. I have to be here.”
She knew all that, but she had to say something to break the tension. “Sorry. I just thought we had an agreement.” Referring to the messiness of the past didn’t please him further.
His lips tighten before he went on. “We share a twisted history. I just be wanted to be a part of this moment in the present. I know how important being a journalist is to you.”
She looked at him. Really looked. A few lines had formed on his face, but he looked the same. His body was well fitted into his dark tux and crisp white shirt. Lex's eyes were still the storm seas she had stared into many a time. Going over his looks it made her lick her lips. This was what she was worried about. Seeing him clouded her judgement.
“I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for you.” Chloe referred to a bit of their history that wasn’t so bad,
“It's one of the few things I can be proud of from my time in Smallville.”
Working against Lionel Luthor brought them together. Lex saving her from his father’s evil clutches made them a team for a time. It was a tangled mess from the start. Yet together they were for time.
They shared a private moment just looking at each. Lex’s eyes roamed down then up and Chloe could swear he was checking her out. The warm summer air couldn’t beat back the chill she suddenly felt.
“There you are.” Caleb called out and the moment was over.
Chloe watched him approaching behind Lex then take his usual place next to her. “I was just getting some air and...”
“And Lex Luthor was keeping you company.” Caleb finished placing his hand at the small of her back.
Lex had never seen her with any other man. His face was completely blank. “You must be the husband.” His hand extended to him.
“Caleb Huntsmen.” Her smiling man took Lex’s hand grinning.
“Nice to meet you.” Lex said smiling back then looking at her raising an eyebrow.
“Chloe has only said nice things about you.”
Caleb knew what Chloe thought he needed to know about Lex Luthor. It was all very nice things. The worst of it she kept hidden. The naughty and kinky bits she tried to bury.
“That's good to know.” The answer was followed by Lex smirking. ”I was just about to offer your award winning wife a job when you found us.”
“You hear that Chlo?” Caleb said with excitement.
“What job?” Things just shifted into an odd place. Lex was meeting her husband and she wanted out of the forced exchange. Now he was trying to extend his time with her.
“The Luthor Corp energy plant will be turned on for a forty eight hour test run. We need press but I want to keep it small. A personal professional touch is needed before the test run so people know what to expect.”
“We were just talking about the power plant. Right Chlo?” Caleb pressed himself closer to her. It was like he was trying to claim her. It must have been Lex’s starting pushing him to do it. Chloe could see Lex tightening when Caleb made the move. Lex’s right hand made a fist then flexed again.
They were talking about the power plant alright. The whole world was. Only a few stories had been produced about it. A lot of Luthor Cope money was poured into the project. Lois had not gotten far with finding out anything at all. Everyone was thinking it was a weapon. Clark hadn’t breathed a word about it. If something was wrong with the place Chloe hoped Clark would take care of it. Leaving Kansas put her far away from her high school troubles.
Chloe pressed a little closer to Caleb. This encounter wasn’t going to get the best of her. She had a good life and part of it was standing right next to her. “I’m going to say no.”
“Chlo you have been talking about this place for months and now you're getting the scoop.” Caleb looked to Lex and spoke “She has been saying she really wants to snoop around in there.”
“I’m pretty busy.” Chloe looked at him pleading for him to stop.
“No you’re not.” He shook his head.
“Caleb.” Chloe looked at him poignantly. They were having a spat in front of Lex Luthor. She needed it to stop now.
“There is no need to answer now.” Lex rescued her from it going on any further. “I’ll send the information to your editor and you can think it over.” Lex was smirking still, clearly enjoying this moment.
“I'll do that.” They were free at last or so Chloe thought.
“It was nice to meet you Caleb...” The men shook hands again making Caleb release her. “...and congratulations again...” He moved his focus to her, pulling her to him with her left hand and gave her hug whispering into her ear “Chlo.” It was a short hug then he was off. His final word made Chloe angry.
He said her name shorten like Caleb did. That little word said so much without saying anything. He was judging her.
“He’s nothing like you said.” Caleb spoke and Chloe was reminded that her smiling man knew very little about Lex Luthor. “You should consider that job.”
“I have the book to think about.” She really didn’t. It was writing itself.
“You have most of that done.” There was the truth. “You know you have a break coming. You said you have a few small articles then nothing.”
“I know, but…” Chloe was going to think of another reason not to do it. The only thing coming to mind was her and Lex use to be lovers. The sight of him had her spun. If she been alone with him any longer on the balcony he may have to tried to kiss her.
All those insane thoughts were quelled when Caleb started suddenly kissing her instead of letting her finish. There had to be a worried look on her face and he was trying to make it better. “Tonight is your night.” He spoke and Chloe's eyes were still closed. “Let’s get back to that. You can think about this later.” She opened her eyes to find him smiling at her. She just loved that grin.
They went back into the ballroom and the music had started. They had a great time. Lex had disappeared. When his presence was lost Chloe was back to normal. She was able to get back to the way the night should have been. Drinks, dancing, and her lovely husband.
TBC
Last edited by letia84; 5th February 2020 at 16:35. Reason: title update
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