NS Advent Calendar 2008 - Two Dozen and One Holiday Lies - Reviews/Feedback here!

[Kit Merlot]

I love that Lex is so concerned about Chloe's welfare, but I think he is going to need her help to stop the bad guys from ruining his business.

And the best part is that Chloe is staying at the mansion--woo hoo!!

[somethingeasy]

LOL! I think I’m in danger of getting spoiled from all the daily Skauble-updates I’m getting. But I know that this is a special occasion only, and I’m going to enjoy the luxury and privilege of these daily updates for the length of the Advent Fic. I won’t start nagging for daily updates for Skauble’s other fics later… really! I won’t! Seriously, guys! Not even thinking about it!

The trouble, however, was convincing her of that without strengthening her stubborn streak. Which, honestly, was less of a streak and more of the entirety of her makeup.

LOL! I knew that Lex wouldn’t have been fooled by Chloe’s obviously very badly done pretence at submission and innocence. LOL! Did she really think that she’d be able to fool anyone who knows anything about her? I did like Lex’s half-doting, half-exasperated tone as he thought about how Chloe didn’t have just a stubborn streak, but a whole nature and personality made up of pure stone-headed obstinacy, LOL!

And, as he needed every advantage possible, he was attempting to appear busy without actually distracting himself with LuthorCorp business. In addition, he’d already had coffee and a tray of pastries sent to her room. There were few things that terrified a Luthor. But a hungry, un-caffeinated Chloe Sullivan came amazingly close.

LOL! I also loved Lex’s admission about how being terrified of Chloe when she’s in one of her temper-fit moods. ROTFL! I found the idea of Lex cringing away from Chloe, first thing in the morning, sans-coffee to be a hilarious image.

Lex’s head snapped up in time to see his father step into the room and close the door behind him. His heart lurched with panic as he realized that Chloe would be also be making an appearance at any moment. The need to protect her that was always there was twice as strong when it came to Lionel, and he knew that he had to get the man out of the mansion and on his way before he realized that Chloe was there.

I gave a delighted squeal of delight when Lionel made his appearance in the fic. AWESOME!!! I was hoping to run into his at some point, so it was great to see him relatively early in the fic. *sappy sigh* and isn’t it lovely to see how Lex’s first and most urgent thought was for Chloe’s safety? It’s nice to see he’s got his priorities straight… even if he DOES act like a moron sometimes when it comes to Chloe.

“I was hoping that we could talk,” Lionel said as sat in one of the sleek chairs on the opposite side of the desk. “You’ve been avoiding me. I know that we’ve had our problems, but we’ve been given a second chance here, Lex. Let’s not waste it in pointless recriminations and senseless power struggles.”

ROTFLMAO! Oh yeah, RIGHT, Lionel! Did you really expect Lex to fall for that?! Although… in Lionel’s defence, Lex is usually a sucker for a line like that, and falls for ‘Let’s make up an alliance, my dear heir and son’ with embarrassing ease sometimes.

Heh…. But it was good to see that Lex was NOT falling for it this time. Mostly because all of his thoughts were completely preoccupied with the thought of getting Lionel out of here ASAP before Chloe entered the room.

Heh… alas, it was not to be, LOL!

There were a million and one situations in which Chloe was comfortable arguing with Lex. This, however, was not one of them. With Lionel they were a united front. Chloe wouldn’t necessarily do what Lex said, but she wouldn’t bicker about it in front of the man and give him a chance to play them against each other.

I loved the strategically sharp way that Chloe picked up on all the angles of the situation and immediately decided on the best course of action to take… which meant showing a united front against Lionel… even if it meant swallowing her tongue and following Lex’s bossy lead this time.

Awww, wasn’t it sweet to see Lex telling Chloe to call him the moment she arrived safely home. I imagine his paranoid worry can get irritating after a while, but it’s also so sweet and heart-warming.

“Actually, I’m quite satisfied with this turn of events.” At Lex’s incredulous look, he continued, “She’s a strong woman, son, and a Luthor’s life, an the lives of those around them, is never an easy one. You certainly could…and have, done worse.”

For a moment Lex was mesmerized by the sincerity he could read in the other man’s eyes. But he quickly shook of the feeling, knowing better than anyone how adept his father was at manipulation and deceit.

LOL! That sneaky, smooth bastard. I loved the cool, smooth and amused way that he told Lex that he shouldn’t have felt the need to drive off the lady on HIS account. I can see Lionel found Lex’s over-protective attitude to be highly amusing… and perhaps satisfying too? He definitely gave the impression that he greatly approves of a Chlex relationship.

And why shouldn’t he approve? A Chlex marriage will get him the world’s most brilliant and beautiful Luthor grandchildren. I can bet anything Lionel likes the idea of adding a bit of Sullivan to the bloodline. Not to mention the obvious fact that having Chloe in his life will make Lex a stronger, more formidable and capable person and businessman on the whole. It’s an all-win situation.

OR… Lex could be right in his cynical observation that Lionel could merely be trying to get under Lex’s guard with his show of false approval?

Lex ground his teeth together to bite back the retort that was clamoring to spring forth. He knew that his father was baiting him; both with the knowledge of whom his meeting was with, and the fact that Carl Henderson was planning a major double cross.

He knew that Lionel was aware that he was already in possession of such information. If the man had thought, for one minute, that Lex was ignorant of such a plot, he would have stepped in and handled it himself, regardless of which of them had actual control of LuthorCorp.

LOL! Brilliant! I love getting some of the sneakier details of Luthors trying to out-manoeuvre, out-smart and ‘out-sneak’ each other in subtle ways. It’s always FUN to see them both circling each other… like watching rival cobras in a cage death-match… … Not that I’ve ever [I]attended[I] any cobra death-matches *innocent look*

Maybe it was time for his ‘eye keeping’ to become the slightest bit more invasive.

LOL! Oh dear… Chloe is NOT going to be happy about this. And I wonder what Lex means by a BIT more invasive? Will he be happy merely having someone follow her around everywhere she goes… or is he going to think that installing a video camera in her shower counts as satisfactory protective measure? … 70% of accidents occur in the bathroom after all! And any person who’s seen Psycho will tell you the shower is a dangerous place!

But as serious as Lex was about keeping her safe, he didn’t seem to realize that she’d fight just as hard to see him remain unharmed. No matter what form that harm took; physical or emotional.

heh… isn’t it FUN and delightful to see how Lex’s and Chloe’s thoughts mirror each other perfectly. I can bet anything that if Chloe had the resources (as well as slightly more flexible ethics), SHE would be the one hiring tails to shadow Lex 24/7.

Pushing away from the wall she’d been leaning against, she caught up with him just as his driver opened the door to his limo.

“We need to talk.”

woah! Now THAT came as a complete shocking surprise. Seriously, what the hell is Chloe hoping to accomplish here?!? I was fully expecting here to wait until Lionel had left so that she could go back to Lex’s study and have an in-depth conversation with him. Instead she was waiting for Lionel to come out to approach him for a conversation?!?

Yikes! Chloe, you’d better have a good plan in mind, as well as a solid agenda for placing yourself right in the line of sight of Daddy-Luthor.

Heh… but this is going to be GREAT! I can’t wait to check out what kind of comments Lionel has for Chloe… and whether he’s going to express his approval towards the Chlex relationship, or warn her off from Lex.

I look forward to the next chapter Good luck and best regards!

[happybum]

Yay it's another story from you and it's a holiday one! I am a huge fan of your stories and have read some of your Angel fics too. I heart them to pieces. I hope you will continue them too, it's a shame that such beautifully written stories won't be able to esee their endings. As for thes stories, I am totally hooked on your chlex too. It is such a treat that you decided to write for advent calendar this year. Another early x-mas gift from talented writer on NS. I'm addicted and greedy I want mo'! Oh yeahhh, the two are reunited for another partnership. I am glad that Chloe was come to the realization that Lex still cares. I can't wait fo read what you have cooked up in your head with the crazy plot bunnies.

[Ultra]

Oh, it cannot be good that Chloe is getting in that limo with Lionel, and Lex will go nuts if and when he finds out! Still, I do love Chloe for not backing down so easy. She wants to be there for Lex as much as he wants to be there for her, wants to fight with him instead of hiding behind him, and thats very cool. Can't wait to see what comes next!

[hfce]

Part 5:

Oh no Chloe why? You make it so hard for Lex to help you. LOL! Great update and I like how they are both trying to protect each other from their common enemy Lionel. Good job.

[dagney]

I also am becoming quickly Dependant on a daily Sarah fic update. You write Lionel so well. Its so nice to read about Chloe's devotion and loyalty to Lex and his well being. The show gave us this character trait and her almost masochistic devotion at times to Clark. Its so refreshing to see this characteristic exemplified with Lex. Dagney
Hoping the new years brings another chapter of WYDK.

[Kit Merlot]

Good for Lex for being so protective of Chloe, but you just know that would make Lionel even more determined to talk to her alone.

Can't wait to learn what the Chlionel conversation is about

[somethingeasy]

heh… it was really enjoyable to see that Chloe had approached Lionel NOT out of some deep, well thought out, skilfully strategised plan… but out of a simple, deep and instinctive desire to protect. That is really not surprising and all too ‘Chloe-like’ a thing to do *fond smile*

I liked how she only has one very plain simple statement to make to Lionel… ‘keep away from Lex’. It really cannot get more basic than that.

LOL! And I was in giggles seeing how Lionel’s offer of a ‘generous ride home in his limo’ was treated by Chloe like an offer of a drink from a bottle labelled ‘cyanide’. Her words were really cutting to the point of being cruel, but, let’s face it, Lionel deserved every word. Was Lionel really all that surprised that Chloe rejected his offer with such harsh, bitter words?

I have to admit, I felt myself softening a little bit from the ‘sincerity’ that SEEMED to be bleeding out of Lionel’s voice as he asked Chloe to give him a second chance. But I was VERY glad to see Chloe standing firm by her resolve to NOT let this man inside her defences, not even for a moment.

“The best thing you could do for Lex, is stay out of his life. If you really have changed,” she told him, “if you’re really sincere, then time and not much else will prove it.”

I think it was the best ‘advice and offer’ Chloe could have made to Lionel… to prove over a period of TIME that he really is sincere about his offer. Lionel honestly is asking for too much in the form of a ‘light switch’ form of forgiveness and trust. He needs to spend some time proving that he’s sincere in his wish for a reconciliation as well as trustworthy enough to deserve that second chance.

“I’m remarkably unmoved by your jailhouse revelations. I don’t care if you found Jesus, Waldo, and where the missing socks from the dryer go. You’re dangerous. And since the only thing that will prove that fact a lie is the absence of you and yet, here you are, I’m not disposed to reverse that opinion.”

heh… Chloe is being really harsh, cruel and cutting… but all in her uniquely snarky, funny sort of way of course. But she’s taking quite a risk being so cutting with Lionel Luthor, because there’s still a chance that he’ll respond with his usual viciousness to the ‘disrespect’ he perceives from her.

The use of her name angered Chloe; made her feel violated in a way. He had no right to that level of familiarity after what he’d done to her; to her family. But, more than that, he had no right to stand there confusing her with words and actions that were so outside what she knew of him. It infuriated her that, after all of this time, she was going to have to work out the complexities of a new facet of this man’s malevolent machinations.

It was quite a surprise to see Lionel NOT descending to making vicious, nasty statements back at Chloe to cow or threaten her down. Instead, he managed to maintain that same tone of contriteness and humbleness… which was damned freakishly disconcerting. LOL! I don’t blame Chloe for being thrown off balance by this strange response from Lionel to her comments. Not to mention damned suspicious about WHAT the heck kind of a new game was the old bastard trying out now.

It’s not NICE to see an old dog learning new tricks… especially since he had more than his fair share of them already. LOL!

She just wanted him to leave. She knew the hope of actually getting him to do so was slim to none, but she’d had to try. If there was one massive chink in Lex’s armor it was the need to be loved. And the need to be loved by his father made up a large part of that particular weakness.

squeee!! Just as Lex as acknowledged that Chloe’s biggest weaknesses includes her overwhelming recklessness when she allows herself to be blind-sided by her curiousity, Chloe ALSO seems aware of Lex’s biggest weakness… his overwhelming desire to be loved by his father, which leaves one HUGE hell of a chink in his formidable armour.

So she’ll face down Lionel to protect her beloved Lex… even if this action scares the terrifying daylights out of her.

I loved seeing how Chloe acknowledges this ‘weakness’ in Lex, and makes moves to protect Lex’s ‘weak spot’… the same way that Lex executes plans to protect CHLOE from her weaknesses as well. It’s wonderful and delightful to see how they both support each other and work together to form a perfect team… even when they’re not aware of the tag-teaming taking place.

“But,” he continued, “I have the very real fear that if I leave, if I lose this chance to heal things between Lex and I, I’ll never regain the opportunity. That the time and distance, rather than proving my good intentions, will just show my son how little he needs me.”

woah, WOAH! What?!? Did Lionel just openly admit that Lex doesn’t really need him?!? Did he just insinuate the HE needs Lex more that his son needs him? That kind of openness from Lionel is just… stunning! And shocking! I didn’t blame Chloe for being completely dumbstruck after this admission. Damned if it doesn’t sound like Lionel’s wishes for reconciliation as actually genuine!

Every instinct she had – gut feelings that had been developed and honed by a love of journalism, a curious nature, and a million and one life threatening adventures – said that the man might just be genuine. That he might actually feel whatever passes for Luthor remorse, and truly wanted to attempt to fix what he was foolish enough not to see was most likely irrevocably broken.

But every piece of her rational brain, which she had desperately been trying to listen to with greater frequency, told her that Lionel Luthor couldn’t be trusted. Not now, not ever.

I loved seeing the state of confusion Chloe is in about Lionel’s lightswitched attitude. It’s a rather ‘convincing’ act of niceness, and I can see Chloe can’t help but feel hopeful that perhaps, PERHAPS it’s not an act after all. But it COULD also be a trick, and it’s really worrying wondering about what kind of a new tricky, smooth, sneaky plan Lionel is working on that entails acting nice to Chloe and Lex…

Heh… it’s going to take Chloe and Lex and while yet before they can figure out what to make of Lionel’s new attitude. But I’m glad to see that they’re initially dealing with him with a healthy degree of scepticism, wariness and suspicion.

Glad to have the matter settled in her mind, Chloe could admit that Lionel did have one point – she had to get herself home posthaste. Because a worried Lex was…really a rather obnoxious pain.

ROTFLMAO! He IS a bit of an obnoxious bratty pain when he’s being overbearingly protective of someone. He thinks that those protective instincts give him the right to do anything he wants in order to ensure the person’s safety… even if it includes violating the person’s privacy and curtailing their freedom to go ANYWHERE without an escort.

LOL! It’s definitely going to be fun watching Chloe and Lex fighting over the issue of the ‘slightly invasive’ protective measure that Lex has in mind for her.

This was a great chapter, Skauble. I look forward to the next one. Good luck and best regards.

[Kit Merlot]

So, is Lionel actually genuine in wanting to make amends to Lex and Chloe for the things he has done to them?

And just as a side note Sarah, I love that you, and all of the other writers here, haven't forgotten that Chloe is a reporter to the bone, that she is curious by nature. Who the heck is this Brainiac infected shell we've been seeing in S8?

Can't wait to see what happens next

[hfce]

Well that went well. LOL! I was scared for Chloe but I am glad she remained unharmed. Like her I don't believe a word out of Lionel's mouth. She better not let her guard down with him.