A/N: Answer to Louise's challenge:
Using "I Want it That Way" by the Backstreet Boys... I hope that qualifies!Originally Posted by Louise
Rated: G
No real spoilers.. well... just maybe Season 3... but that's it...
This was more something to get my mind off of my Latin homework which I should get to after I finish posting this.
All lines from the actual song will be italicised.
Disclaimer: Don't own any of the Smallville stuff... for entertainment purposes only.
I Want it That Way
She was wringing her hands nervously as she waited in his study. It was difficult to maintain a strong sense of self when in such a vulnerable situation... and to be strong in the face of Lex Luthor – well, it was almost impossible. His presence had a way of making one's knees go weak; make one want to flee.
But Chloe would never allow herself to do anything but stand her ground. She was fed up and she needed to speak her mind. Too many times she was overlooked. Now, she would not allow such a thing to happen. It had been two years overdue.
She could feel her insides tremble. She could only imagine how much worse she'd feel when she was face to face with him. She checked her watch on her shaky arm. She'd been waiting for at least five minutes, though it felt like a lifetime. Damn him for wishing to make her anticipate, make her more of a wreck by delaying their meeting.
Her body shuddered some more. The seconds ticked by agonisingly slowly. She was at the point of breaking her resolve when the doors swung open revealing the aloof figure of Lex. Clad in crisp trousers and his favoured lavender collared shirt, he looked even more untouchable than her imagination could have ever made him.
She'd forgotten to breath until she realised she was seeing specks of white in her line of vision. exhaling and taking in a deep breath she closed her eyes, focusing on her purpose, forgetting he was powerful, wealthy or a Luthor.
"Miss Sullivan," he greeted distantly as he strolled over to where she sat.
Eyes snapping open, she threw him a pointed glance then looked away. "Since when have you stopped calling me by my first name?" she asked bitingly.
"We're hardly in a position that would prompt me to address you otherwise," he replied off-handedly. "Now what was it –"
Chloe jumped up, an incredulous look on her face. "And how did that happen?" she interjected. "More importantly, why did it happen?"
"We were never anything but acquaintances to one another. Granted we used each other at a certain point to get what we wanted, but the fact still remains that you and I were hardly anything more."
"Don't try and erase the past, Lex. You know full well that we were certainly intimate."
"I apologise if you got that impression, but –"
"Liar!" she shouted, hands clenched tightly at her sides. Anger swelled in her bosom; fears and inhibitions forgotten. "You feel more. I know you do! Don't you dare write it off as nothing by saying it was just some ploy to get into my pants."
When he said nothing, she continued with vehemence. "Tell me why... and don't you dare say," she went on with a dark chuckle, "that it ain't nothing but a mistake because I refuse to believe that." She paused to breathe in deeply before going on "You were being honest for once that summer two years ago––"
"You're being simple-minded," he growled, pressing his fingers into his temples as if to stave off a headache. "We're two worlds apart."
"Relationships weren't meant to be all fun and games, Lex. You of all people should know that the things that are most important to you are worth fighting for. And that's exactly what I'm doing here. Now if you would just drop your fears and just understand..."
He shot her a cold look, sending a stabbing sensation through her chest. She could feel the tears welling in her eyes. "I can't win, can I? I can't reach to your heart." She breathed in hopes of stopping herself from crying. "I came here to show you I was willing to stop denying... to stop deluding myself... because I know... you're what I want... you're my one desire."
"Well, desire me all you want, but I can't say I feel the same way," he said in a deadpanned voice. "We had a nice fling, but that's all it was. To believe any more of it was your own fault and I apologise if I hadn't made it clear in the past. But that's the way it is."
Chloe's chin trembled; the tears unchecked and flowing freely now. "Very well. I guess honesty with you isn't enough... I guess this unconditional love that I have for you isn't what you want. If you don't want me that way... then I'll leave you be. You won't be hearing from me again."
"Yes, I want it that way." Lex said it simply. So simply. In her heart of hearts she heard herself chanting, I never want to hear you say 'I want it that way.' But this was reality. She had to face it.
Holding in the sobs she gave a stiff nod and walked out. She was able to make it to her car without collapsing. Once inside she release her sadness.
~~ o0o ~~
Lex stumbled to the bar and poured himself a full glass of scotch and drank heavily. In his head, he'd said something different; something that would have allowed a happy ending, perhaps. He imagined himself mirroring her words, reciprocating by saying that she in return was his one fire that burned bright and fierce and pure.
But circumstance was against them; all the powers were against them. She would be happier this way. She didn't understand the potential darkness in his soul... no matter what she believed, she didn't know. So he kept the words he wanted so badly to say; kept them tucked away in his imagination and lived with his choice.
"Yes," he admitted to himself in a mutter. "I know it's too late... I'm sorry, Chloe..."
[fin]
was that okay? o_O
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