Summary:A heartbroken Chloe leaves Smallville at 17 and builds a successful career in NY. Destiny brings her to Gotham, where she falls for a mysterious guy, only to find herself in the Luthors´crossfire again. Will she be able to escape unscathed this time ?
Disclaimer: all Superman and Smallville characters belong to DC Comics and Gough & Millar. The characters from Batman's universe belong to Bob Kane and DC Comics. No Infringement's intended.
Author: lexie
A/N: This fic won the April Sci-fi Contest of myfandoms.com (2008)
A/N 2: Although Chloe and Lex will be paired with other partners at the beginning of this story, this fic is Chlex centred. It's my third endeavour with them as the leading characters ( If you haven't read them before, check out my other Chlex fics: ' Second Chances ' and ' Payback Time '. ) and the longest I've written so far.
Here are the first three chapters of my new fic. Enjoy ! And remember, I love feedback so don't hesitate to leave your review once you're done.
THE LOVE OF TWO MEN
CHAPTER 1: The Introduction
Bruce Wayne's Mansion
Chloe Sullivan had never felt comfortable around opulence. She had experienced it first-hand when she was an idealistic teenage reporter back in Smallville. Even though Gabe had taught her not to judge people by their economic or social status, she had learnt the hard way that the wealthy couldn't be trusted for, sooner or later, they'd show their true colours.
Bruce Wayne's world was a world Chloe wanted to escape from, because it brought too many painful memories, and only a debt like the one she owed to Vicki Vale could drag her to a cocktail party at Wayne's Mansion. Her old university classmate was the first friend she made when she moved from Kansas to Gotham, running away from heartbreak. The hand Vicki had given her, when she knew no one in the city, was something Chloe would never forget.
“ Wayne certainly knows how to live ! “ said Chloe's cousin Lois, letting her gaze roam round the ballroom.
“ It isn't gold all that glitters, Lois, “ stated Chloe.
“ You're too cynical for a girl your age, Chloe. Not all rich guys are like Luthor. Why can't you give Wayne the benefit of the doubt ? After all, he's your best friend's boyfriend. Don't you trust her judgement ? “ asked Lois.
“ He reminds me too much of him. Bruce knows how to charm a woman. I just hope he won't discard her when he finds out she's no longer of use to him. “
“ Try to put on a bright face, cuz. Do it for me ! I've come here with the idea of having a good time. Don't be a wet blanket, pleeease, “ Lois beseeched her.
“OK.OK. I promise I'll be on my best behaviour, “ she said, flashing her trademark smile.
“ That's much better, Chlo'. “
“ Hi, girls ! Ready to party after that tedious journalism workshop ? “ intervened Vicki.
“ I think Chloe could use a glass of champagne, Vicki, “ stated Lois.
“ Chloe, I know how you hate these events but I couldn't bear to think of you sitting by yourself in that hotel room on a Saturday night. “
“ Who's that gorgeous creature, Wayne ? “ asked a tall young man in a dinner jacket.
“ Which of the two young ladies are you referring to ? “ responded the CEO of Wayne Enterprises.
“ The green-eyed goddess standing next to your girlfriend. “
“ That's Chloe Sullivan, an old classmate of Vicki's. She's a reporter at the New York Times. The beautiful lady to her right is her cousin Lois Lane, the well-known Daily Planet reporter. “
“ Chloe Sullivan, you said ? “ asked the young man speculatively.
“ Yes, that's right. “
“ Could you introduce me, Wayne ? “
“ You've got excellent taste, my friend. Certainly, I'll introduce you. Come, “ he said, walking in the direction of the three young women.
“ I just have one more favour to ask you, Bruce, “ said the other man, stalling the billionaire. “ Don't tell her who I am. “
“ Why not ? She wouldn't be the woman I think she is if she judged you in advance, “ expressed Wayne.
“ You don't know the whole story, Bruce. She won't have anything to do with me the minute my name leaves your lips. “
“ What are your intentions towards her, if I may ask ? “
“ I just want to meet her. Ther rest's up to her, Bruce. “
“ Be careful. Any friend of Vicki's is my friend. If anything happens to her, there'll be hell to pay. “
“ Don't worry, Wayne. I may not have grown up in your world, but I'm a gentleman. “
“ Good evening, Miss Sullivan, Miss Lane. I'm glad you could make it. “
“ It's a pleasure to be here, Mr Wayne, “ answered Lois with a smile and a strong handshake.
“ Let me introduce you to one of my most trusted men, the youngest manager of Wayne Enterprises, Mr Daniel Fox, “ said Bruce, granting his friend's wish.
The minute Chloe was introduced to Daniel, Lois realised she had witnessed one of those special moments that happen once- or ,if you're lucky, twice- in a lifetime.Too many years had gone by since the last time she saw her cousin so luminous. There was no one else in this world she thought deserved to be happier than Chloe. There had been too much sadness in her life, starting with her mother's abandonment and finishing with unrequited love. Coming to Gotham to attend that blasted workshop hadn't been a complete waste of time after all.
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