A Clean Pair of Eyes
Author: RuaFair (AKA Fiona)
Email: redwitchire@yahoo.co.uk
Rating: R
Spoilers: Everything to date to be safe-Season 1 & 2
Disclaimer: Smallville and its characters belong to someone else. (Sigh) I’m just borrowing them.
Feedback: Please, let me know what you think, the muse craves it.
A/N: This starts during the season 1 finale and the season 2 opener. Every thing from then on is AU and some of the storylines have been mutated for my needs one being the plant was never going to be closed. This is dedicated to everyone who has read and reviewed my other fics. I hope you enjoy it. The title is taken from a David Gray song.
Chapter One – Into Darkness
“Alexander, ALEXANDER,” Lionel Luthor’s voice rang through the mansion. Windows had been blown in, scattering the floor with shards of glass. Although the tornado had been building for a while, it had hit the mansion with great speed and ferocity.
As he trawled over rubble and upturned furniture, Lionel kept calling Lex’s name. His voice growing more panicked with each utterance. “Damn it Alexander, aren’t you a little old for hiding from me?” He was starting to feel a little angry as well. He refused to entertain the notion that his son was lying dead somewhere.
Precariously he made his way to the library. “Jesus,” he muttered when he saw the devastation. This room seemed to have borne the most damage. Lionel was turning to leave when he heard a soft groan. He paused, trying to decide if he imagined it or not.
After a moment he heard it again. “Lex,” he whispered, and made his way towards where the sound had come from. When he had clambered over upturned bookcases he was greeted with the sickening sight of his son, the lower half of his body covered with a bookcase. Blood flowed from a large gash at the front of his head. Lionel knelt down by his son’s side. “Lex,” he said, “LEX.” His voice rising, but the younger man didn’t move.
Lionel glared at the bookcase that partially lay atop his son as if the power of the Luthor glare could move it. He pushed and pulled at it but Lex started whimpering in pain through his unconsciousness, so he stopped.
He laid an awkward hand on the top of Lex’s head. “Please Lex, wake up. You have to be ok.” His voice wrought with the kind of emotion he was famous for not possessing. Fishing in his pocket for his cell-phone, he called for an ambulance.
He remained kneeling there by Lex’s side while he waited. Lionel didn’t know how much time had actually passed when a voice rang out. “Is there anyone there?” Composing himself Lionel shouted, “We are in here.”
Two paramedics came into the library. “Over here,” said Lionel when he saw them. Moving as quickly as they could of the debris they reached him. One of the paramedics began examining Lex. “His breathing is very erratic and his heart rate is very slow. There is no response to any stimulus.
“Are you ok Mr Luthor?” the other paramedic asked Lionel.
“I’m fine,” he snapped, the *real* Lionel Luthor making his appearance, “I am not the one unconscious.”
The man tending to Lex has placed a brace around his neck and managed to stoop the bleeding from his head. “Ok, I’ve give him something for the pain and he’s as stable as we can make him,” he said to Lionel.
“So why aren’t you moving him?” he demanded.
“Mr Luthor, your son’s legs are trapped, if we move him without the proper equipment we could be contributing more to whatever damage he’s already been caused,” said the senior paramedic. “Or would you rather your son paralysed?” He was getting tired of Lionel’s tone.
“I’d be very, very careful about what tone you use with me,” said a threatening Lionel.
“The fire department are here now with their equipment,” the younger paramedic said, hoping to stop the other two from coming to blows. As he spoke the four men and women of the Smallville Fire Department entered the room. The three men stood back out of the way as the fire service moved in to lift the bookcase that Lex was pinned under. Lionel watched them as they moved slowly and methodically.
“Hurry up,” he snapped, “get him out.”
Everyone just ignored Lionel and concentrated on Lex. Finally after what seemed like forever to Lionel, the bookcase was lifted and moved off his son.
As soon as he was clear the paramedics examined his again and then gently lifted him onto a stretcher. Gingerly, they moved through the rubble to the ambulance outside. When they had secured Lex in the back, Lionel got in and they left for the hospital.
--------------------------------------------------
Chloe sat as still as she could while the nurse tended to her wounds. After Clark had run out on her at the dance she, foolishly, went looking for him. While heading for her car she got hit by some falling branches. She wasn’t badly injured just some cuts and bruises. But her heart and her pride were a lot more damaged.
“There you go dear,” said the nurse with a kind smile, “all cleaned up.”
“Thanks,” said Chloe. She got down from the examination table and moved to the waiting area till her dad arrived to collect her.
‘Damn Clark Kent,’ she thought, ‘I am never going to forgive him. That’s it I’m not sure I even want to be friends with him after this.’
Chloe got bored very quickly and decided to take a walk around the hospital. She caught a glimpse of herself in a mirror. She was still clad in her prom dress, although it looked a little worse for wear now. Her once carefully styled hair was now a mess around her face. “Yeah right, like Clark would *ever* pick me over the perfect Lana Lang,” she whispered to her reflection.
She turned the corner and then she saw him. He was standing, staring in the window of a room. His tuxedo was dusty and torn in places. Quietly she moved up beside and peered in. There, lying in a bed was Lana. ‘God, even lying there she manages to look all perfect and tragic,’ thought Chloe. Taking a deep breath she spoke, “is she going to be ok?”
Clark dragged his eyes from Lana and turned to Chloe. “Yes, a few bumps and bruises and a slight concussion.” He paused for a moment, “look Chloe, I’m sorry about…”
“Save it Clark,” she interrupted, “I’m sure in *your* mind you have a perfectly good reason for breaking your *promise* to me but personally, I don’t care anymore.”
“But Chloe, it was Lana…”
“That’s just it Clark, it’s always Lana. Look I’m glad she’s ok but I’ve had it. Have you even noticed that I’m slightly bruised and battered? No, of course not, because *Lana* is hurt. I’m a sick and tired of settling for being second best.”
“What…what are you saying Chlo?”
“I think we shouldn’t spend so much time together Clark, well for a while anyway. I’m only going to end up hating you and despite everything, I don’t want that too happen. So outside of school we aren’t going to hang out. I don’t know how long for but it will be for the best in the long run.”
Taking advantage of Clark’s silence she turned to walk away. She could feel tears fill her eyes, but refused to let the fall, she didn’t want him to see her cry.
“Chloe,” he whispered. But she kept on walking, not in the least bit surprised that he didn’t follow her. Chin up she walked out of sight, her heart aching.
--------------------------------------------------
Lionel stood looking over his son as he lay in the hospital bed. There had been no spinal damage and Lionel had breathed a sigh of relief when the doctor told him there would be no paralysis. Lex hadn’t woken up yet, but Lionel was confident that everything was fine. Lex’s pale skin was marred with bruises, and Lionel couldn’t help but notice how much younger than his 22 years he looked just lying there.
He had called in a specialist form Metropolis just to be sure; he was due in Smallville in the morning. He left the room to make some calls and bumped right into Chloe. “Oops I’m sorry,” she said and then gasped when she saw who it was.
“You should watch were you are going,” said Lionel, glaring at her.
“I said I was sorry Mr Luthor, no need to get your underwear in a twist,” she snapped back. Lionel smirked at her and Chloe wondered how he managed to make it look sinister, while when Lex smirked he made it look sexy.
“Gabe Sullivan,” he said. “Excuse me,” replied Chloe.
“You are Gabe Sullivan’s daughter, aren’t you? The *reporter*.” He said the word reporter like it was a disease or something. “Yes, in answer to both,” she said with a grin.
Lionel was about to reply when a cry came from Lex’s room. He turned and hurried back, closely followed by Chloe. He ran to Lex’s side, while Chloe stood in the door.
“Lex, what’s wrong?” asked Lionel, as the cries got louder.
Lex opened his eyes once more, “I…I can’t,” he rasped, “I can’t see. I’m blind.”
Chapter Two – Angry Words and Strange Conversations
“I’m blind, I’m blind.” Lex kept repeating over and over, the desperation in his voice brought tears to Chloe’s eyes. Lionel just stood there, staring open-mouthed at Lex. Shaking herself out of the trance she seemed to have fallen into, Chloe left the room to find a doctor. She returned moments later, practically dragging the doctor with her.
The doctor immediately went to Lex’s side and tried to calm the young man down so he could examine him. He called for a nurse who came in with a sedative and between the two of them managed to get the needle into Lex's arm. Within seconds, Lex’s body went limp.
“What the hell is wrong with him,” shouted Lionel. “You told me everything was ok.”
“I told you that there was no paralysis Mr Luthor,” replied the doctor. “I also told you that we hadn’t run a complete CAT Scan because *you* wanted to wait for *your* specialist.”
‘He looks ready to explode,’ thought Chloe as she looked at Lionel. A sudden jolt of bravery ran through her and she went over to him. She gently placed her hand on his arm. “Mr Luthor please calm down, you’re not helping Lex,” she said softly.
He turned his head slowly from the doctor and looked down at the small hand on his arm. He brought his eyes to hers and his face softened for a moment as he looked at Chloe. But the moment was fleeting he yanked his arm away as if he had been burnt. “Miss Sullivan this is none of your business. I suggest you leave now.”
“But…” she began.
“NOW Miss Sullivan before I call security,” Lionel all but snarled at her.
Chloe sighed and moved towards the door. “Oh Miss Sullivan.” Chloe turned back to him. “Yes.”
“I expect to see *NONE* of what happened here appearing in any of the papers, including that school rag you write for.”
Chloe said nothing she just turned away and left the room, closing the door behind her. She didn’t close it all the way and stood outside listening.
If it had of been Lionel lying in the bed she would have had no qualms about printing a story. ‘Odious man,’ she thought. But it was Lex, and the naked desperation in his voice still rang in her ears, and her heart went out to him. ‘Blind,’ she thought, ‘poor Lex.’ She didn’t think the proud younger Luthor was going to handle this at all. For someone so in control of absolutely everything this could destroy him. She moved a little closer to the door to see what she could hear.
--------------------------------------------------
“Now doctor, I’ll ask again. What the hell is going on?” Lionel was ready to kill someone and at the moment the doctor in front of him was looking like the perfect victim.
“Mr Luthor, I can’t possibly say without conducting the proper tests…”
“I don’t give a fuck about you and your damn tests,” he shouted. “My son says he’s blind. How much clearer do you want it to be?”
“Your son took a very heavy blow to the head which could have been a factor in the blindness. But we won’t know for sure until the CAT Scan has been performed.”
“Well is it permanent? Can it be fixed?” an impatient Lionel demanded.
“I don’t know Mr Luthor.”
“Wrong answer,” shouted Lionel, “I don’t care how long it takes, start the tests, start them now. And I don’t want them stopped until I know how long this *blindness* is going to last for.”
“But Mr…”
“NOW doctor, or I start withdrawing the very generous donations Luthor-Corp make to this hospital. Start the tests, I have to make a call but I’ll be back soon.”
Chloe moved from her spot outside the door and quickly made her way back to the waiting area. “Chloe, sweetheart, are you ok?” a frantic Gabe said as he pulled her into a hug. “Dad, I’m fine,” she said. Gabe said nothing he just hugged her tighter.
“So are you ready to go home?” he asked, a moment later. Chloe nodded and they turned to leave. “Ah, Mr Sullivan, the very man I was looking for.” Lionel stepped into view and walked up to them.
“Mr Luthor,” said a baffled Gabe.
“My son has had a *slight* accident Gabe,” he said, looking at Chloe. “He’ll be out of action for a little while, so I’ll need you to put in some extra hours at the plant until he’s back on his feet. You will, of course, be compensated for the extra work. I’m trusting that it won’t be a problem.”
“No, not at all,” said Gabe, “I hope he gets better soon.”
“He will,” said Lionel, walking off, “he’s a *Luthor.*”
“Well that was weird,” said Gabe, “do you know what’s going on with Lex?”
“No,” said Chloe, “not a thing.” She hated lying to her dad but if what happened to Lex was going to get out she didn’t want to be the source.
Gabe sighed, “ok, let’s go home sweetie.”
--------------------------------------------------
THE FOLLOWING DAY
Chloe took a deep breath and walked up the steps to the hospital entrance. She hadn’t slept well; visions of Lex had plagued her dreams. She had to find out how he was. So here she was at the hospital under the pretence of seeing how Lana was doing.
As she moved through the building she felt a little apprehensive as she neared Lex’s room. They weren’t exactly friends; they only knew each other because of Clark. And there was another problem, Clark, but she was determined not to fall for his puppy dog look, she was going to stick by what she had said yesterday.
She peeked into Lex’s room and groaned when she saw it was empty. “Damn it,” she muttered. “Ok Sullivan, he might just be gone for some tests or something.” She made her way to Lana’s room. The door was open and Lana was alone.
“Chloe, hey,” she said when she saw her, “come in.”
“Hi Lana, how are you feeling?”
“I’m much better. Thanks to Clark I wasn’t hurt too badly.”
“Yeah, that good old Clark for you, everyone’s super man,” said Chloe sarcastically. Lana just smiled, Chloe’s sarcasm going right over her head.
She was saved from having to make small talk with Lana by the arrival of Clark. “Hey Lana…” he trailed off then he saw Chloe.
“I was just leaving,” said Chloe. “Lana I’m glad you’re feeling better.” She moved past Clark and quickly left the room before he could say anything to her. ‘Well done Chloe,’ she thought to herself and headed back to Lex’s room. When she got there he was lying in the bed. She checked around to make sure the *ogre* also known as Lionel Luthor wasn’t around.
Breathing a sigh of relief when she saw he wasn’t she slowly entered the room. Lex lay motionless in the bed as if asleep. An ugly bruise stood out on his forehead. ‘He looks so pale,’ she thought. ‘Maybe this wasn’t such a good idea.’ She started backing out of the room and bumped into a chair. “Shit,” she muttered.
“Who is there?” a soft voice from the bed spoke.
“Hi…Mr Luthor, its Chloe, Chloe Sullivan.”
“Well this is a low I never thought you’d sink too,” he said, “I see your pursuit for a story has no limits.”
“I’m not here to get a story or to interview you,” she said sincerely, “I…I just wanted to see how you were.”
“*See* how I was,” he spat out, “didn’t you hear the news, I can’t *see*.”
“Yes I heard. I was here yesterday.”
“And you then thought you’d come back and see how the mighty have fallen.” His voice was laced with bitterness. Outside the room Lionel stood listening to the conversation.
“Mr Luthor I can’t even imagine to know what you’re going through, and your anger is perfectly understandable. But I only wanted to see how you were, there is no other reason.”
“Well Miss Sullivan you have *seen* now get out. I don’t want your sympathy or pity. I don’t want anyone’s.”
“Mr Luth…”
“GET OUT.”
Chloe turned and practically ran out of the room.
“Giving up so easily.”
She gasped when she saw Lionel. “You don’t strike me as someone who always does what they’re told Miss Sullivan.”
“What are you talking about?”
Lionel took a deep breath. “The tests came up with nothing. Lex is blind and the doctors don’t know if it’s permanent or not. They said it could last a week, month, year, 5 years or the rest of his life.”
Chloe was shocked that *Lionel Luthor* was confiding, for want of a better word, in her. ‘This is surreal,’ she thought.
“I know my son, he’s going to shut himself off from everybody because of this.”
“No offence Mr Luthor, but he pretty much shuts himself off from everybody anyway. Well everyone except Clark.”
“Ah yes the young Mr Kent. If he visits Lex and Lex tells him to get lost and never visit again, what do you think he’ll do?”
“He’ll probably never visit Lex again and mope about it constantly,” said Chloe.
“Exactly,” said Lionel, “my son and I have a…”
“Pretty crappy relationship,” Chloe finished for him.
“Complex relationship,” said Lionel with a glare, “and one of the things the doctor said was that he shouldn’t lock himself away from the world, that if he did it would hinder his recovery. Unfortunately Lex is not going to listen to me, even if I shout and threaten him.”
“Mr Luthor, what are you getting at?”
“Nothing Miss Sullivan, nothing at all,” he said with a smirk, and this time Chloe could see the resemblance to Lex. “Like I said, I don’t think you’re the kind of person to give up. I think rising to the challenge is part of your nature, well that’s what Lex told me about you.”
Lionel turned and entered his son’s room, closing the door behind him.
Chloe stood staring at him, her mind trying to absorb what he was saying. “I need caffeine,” she mumbled. She threw one more look at the closed door and turned to head to the Talon.
Chapter Three – If At First You Don’t Succeed
Chloe sat staring out the window, absently stirring her coffee. It had been two days since her *conversation* with Lionel Luthor. She had gone over every single word of it at least fifty times. And each time she came to the conclusion that he wanted *her* to try and help Lex. And every time she reached that conclusion, one question kept popping up. Why? Why on earth would he want her to help? He didn’t even know her, and come to think of it, neither did Lex. And then that comment about Lex telling him that she didn’t give up easily where had that come from. The thought of Lex talking about her to his father slightly unnerved Chloe.
She hadn’t been anywhere near the hospital since then. Pete had told her that Clark had tried to visit Lex but was told he was accepting no visitors. And as Lionel had rightly pointed out, Clark did as he was told. She had also told Pete about her talk with Clark, he had seen both their sides, as only Pete could, and all he wanted was for his two best friends to be best friends again.
Chloe sighed, with her self-imposed *exile* from Clark she had no other friends bar Pete to talk too. She could hardly confide in Pete about Lex, seeing as he hated everyone and every thing Luthor. Lana was so not an option; they weren’t exactly friends. Normally she would have spoken to Clark about this. ‘I need to make more friends,’ she thought.
“Penny for them.” A voice jolted her back from her thoughts. She looked up and saw Martha Kent sanding there.
“Oh hi Mrs. Kent, sorry I was miles away.”
Martha smiled that motherly smile of hers for a moment before asking; “may I sit down?”
“Sure,” said Chloe, “please do.”
She sat down opposite Chloe. “What had you so deep in thought?”
“Just the events of the last few days,” said Chloe, wondering if Clark had told her about their talk.
“Yes Clark told me,” she said, in answer to Chloe’s unspoken question. “And for what it’s worth I understand what you’re doing. I love my son more than anything, but when is comes to matters of the heart, he’s…” she trailed off.
“A typical guy,” Chloe finished for her with a weak smile.
“Yes,” sighed Martha, “unfortunately.”
“I don’t want to lose him as a friend,” said Chloe softly, “and I’m afraid I’ll end up hating him if I don’t…well…get him out of my system. And I can’t do that if we’re constantly in each other’s company.”
Martha placed her hand over Chloe’s, “I understand Chloe,” she said, squeezing her hand gently.
“Thanks Mrs. Kent. I just hope Clark understands as well.”
They sat in silence for a few minutes, and then Chloe spoke up, “Mrs. Kent, if you’re trying to reach out to help someone who doesn’t want to be helped. And it happens to be someone you don’t really know all that well, how do you go about get them to open up?”
“Well Chloe, does this person actually need help?”
“*Very* much so,” said Chloe, “but they are quite proud for one thing, and stubborn and a whole lot more.”
“There’s nothing for you to do, except be persistent. If you really want to help them just don’t give up, keep on and on at them. Be the extremely stubborn Chloe Sullivan that we all know and love.”
Chloe smiled. ‘Well I’ve got my work cut out for me if I go ahead with this,’ she thought.
“Chloe, just make sure that you *want* to help this person before starting down the path, because if your heart isn’t 100% in it, you’re not really going to help them and you will just be wasting your and their time.”
“I understand,” she said with a nod, “and thanks for everything Mrs. Kent.”
“You’re welcome Chloe.”
--------------------------------------------------
Lionel stood staring in the window of the room at Lex. The doctor was checking over his injuries, but it wasn’t the physical injuries that Lionel was worried about; it was the mental ones. He could literally see his son shutting himself off. He had tried shouting at him, throwing his usual demeaning comments and threatening to disinherit him. But Lex just lay there, he wasn’t even sure he had heard a word.
‘Damn it Alexander, now is not the time to start becoming the spineless fool I expected you to turn out like,’ he thought. Granted he had no idea what it was like to be blind, but Lex had already overcome so much, losing his hair in that damn meteor shower and feeling like a freak, losing his mother, almost losing his life to drugs when he was going through his wild playboy phase, handling his *banishment* to Smallville by hating him more, he should be able to conquer this.
The doctors said it might not be permanent; so that was something to aim for. He would pay for all the experts in the world to help Lex see. But if he didn’t believe himself that one day he would there wasn’t anything a damn expert could do. And there was no way he would speak to a therapist.
Lionel sighed as the saw the doctor leave the room shaking his head. Lex was too damn stubborn for his own good; he got that particular *talent* from his mother. He said that Lex could go *home* in a few days. And at the moment he had people at the mansion making some of the rooms easier for Lex to find his way around.
He had, so far, been able to keep the news out of the papers, but those tabloid parasites would find out eventually. And the two security guards at his door kept everyone but the pre-approved medical staff away. Lionel had given them very *strict* instructions on who should and shouldn’t be entering the room.
“Well Lex, you’ve managed to piss the doctor off *again*,” he said, striding into the room. “My heart bleeds for him,” sneered Lex. “When can I get out of here?”
“You can leave in a few more days, they want to run a few more tests.”
“What? They need *all* these tests to confirm I’m blind? Looks like *your* money doesn’t buy the best anymore dad.”
“Please Lex, don’t waste your juvenile sarcasm on me.”
“I bet you’re loving this dad. You’ve got me right where you want me, completely helpless. No way the blind boy is going to overthrow you. Looks like you’ll have to get one of those young girls you like surrounding yourself with pregnant, you know, maybe this time produce a healthy heir, one with all their senses.”
For the first time since this happened Lionel was glad his son couldn’t see. He had no idea how he would of reacted to the look of hurt and anguish that crossed his face at those words. And Lionel realised how Lex felt when he said hurtful things to him.
“Truth hurts, doesn’t it dad?”
“Very tiresome Lex,” he lied, “as much as I hate to end this conversation I have to go check on the plant.”
“Don’t hurry back.”
Lex heard the door open and close and sighed. “I want to die,” he whispered.
--------------------------------------------------
Chloe moved silently through the hospital and found herself coming up to Lex’s room. Two rather large men stood in front of the door. “Shit.” Taking a deep breath she walked towards them, and to her complete surprise they stood out of the way for her.
‘Weird,’ she thought and opened the door, stepped into the room and closed it behind her.
“Back so soon dad.”
“It’s Chloe Sullivan.”
“Get out.”
“No.”
“I want you to leave now Miss Sullivan.”
“Well we can’t always get what we want Mr Luthor. Now there isn’t really a lot you can do, so shut up,” she said, sounding a lot braver than she felt. She pulled a chair closer to his bed. “I believe you’re a fan of poetry, I don’t know what poets you like so I’m going to read you some Shelley, because he’s my favourite.”
“I don’t like Shelley,” said Lex, still not believing that Chloe Sullivan was giving out to him.
“Well tough shit,” she said. She took the volume of poetry out of her bag and began reading; her voice nervous at first but she soon shook that off…
{When The Lamp Is Shattered – Shelley
When the lamp is shattered
The light in the dust lies dead --
When the cloud is scattered,
The rainbow's glory is shed.
When the lute is broken,
Sweet tones are remembered not;
When the lips have spoken,
Loved accents are soon forgot.
As music and splendour
Survive not the lamp and the lute,
The heart's echoes render
No song when the spirit is mute --
No song but sad dirges,
Like the wind through a ruined cell,
Or the mournful surges
That ring the dead seaman's knell.}
Lex closed his eyes and let her voice wash over him, and for a little while tried to forget what was happening as he pictured the cute blonde in his mind.
She continued to read,
{When hearts have once mingled,
Love first leaves the well-built nest;
The weak one is singled
To endure what it once possessed.
O Love! who bewailest
The frailty of all things here,
Why choose you the frailest
For your cradle, your home, and your bier?
Its passions will rock thee,
As the storms rock the ravens on high;
Bright reason will mock thee,
Like the sun from a wintry sky.
From thy nest every rafter
Will rot, and thine eagle home
Leave thee naked to laughter,
When leaves fall and cold winds come.}
And soon heard his breathing even out, indicting he had fallen asleep. She breathed a sigh of relief and moved onto the next poem.
--------------------------------------------------
Lionel stood outside the room looking in and listening. He smiled gently and turned to leave as he heard her begin the second poem.
Chapter Four – One Step Forward, Two Steps Back
“Done and done,” said a satisfied Chloe. She had just finished putting the final touches to the post-tornado edition of the Torch. She leaned back in her chair and closed her eyes; she rubbed her temples, feeling a headache coming on from staring at the computer screen too long.
She thought back to yesterday at the hospital. She still couldn’t believe she had sounded off at Lex Luthor and even more unbelievable was that he *let* her. Granted if he hadn’t of been so obviously tired she wouldn’t have gotten away with it. She had read for about an hour after he had fallen asleep and then stopped when her voice started to get hoarse. And then for some strange reason that she didn’t want to dwell on she had just sat there for about another hour staring at him.
She had watched him sleep, sure Chloe had always thought Lex was good looking but last night she had come to the conclusion that, even with the almost faded bruises on his face, he was beautiful. Pale to the point of being almost ethereal and current situation notwithstanding Lex gave off this air of, well, greatness. Here was a man that commanded your attention; he made it impossible for you to ignore him.
Her conversation with Martha Kent ran through her head as she sat looking at him. Chloe *wanted* to help him, and part of what Lionel Luthor had said to her about not giving up had contributed to that. Sometimes she was too stubborn for her own good. But that wasn’t the main reason; in fact Chloe couldn’t quite put her finger on what the main reason was. She did feel a little sorry for him, but it wasn’t pity that was driving her.
Also the elder Mr Luthor was up too something, she knew he was behind the security guards letting her into Lex’s room. They had refused entry to everyone else, including Clark, so it had to be on Lionel orders that she was allowed pass. What he was up to she couldn’t even comprehend, this was Lionel Luthor; the man who ate large corporations for breakfast and demeaned his son for dessert; she didn’t even want to know what was going on in his head.
But why did it seem to involve her? He didn’t even know her. What the hell was going on?
“Argh, too many thoughts,” she muttered to herself, throwing her hands up in the air, “I wish my brain would shut down sometimes.”
“And then where would we be?” a voice from the doorway sounded.
Chloe turned quickly in her chair and saw a grinning Pete standing there. “Way to give me a heart attack,” she said, grinning back.
“Talking to yourself again Chlo, not a good sign.”
‘Nobody else too,’ she thought. “So Pete I take it you’re here to take me for a coffee.”
Pete’s face fell, “I’m not, I just dropped bye to say hello, I’m meeting Vicki and then hooking up with Clark and Lana, we are sort of going on a…”
“Double date,” prompted Chloe, feeling a little left out.
“Yeah it’s Clark and Lana’s first and they…” mumbled Pete. “Look Chlo, it’s not like we…”
“Hey Pete, it’s ok. I mean you have your life as do Clark and Lana, you guys are all friends why shouldn’t you all got out?”
“So you’re cool about this,” he asked.
Chloe plastered what she hoped was a convincing smile on her face and nodded.
“Ok, I’ll talk to you tomorrow. Bye.”
“Bye Pete.”
“Yep you have your lives and I have…none,” she whispered when he had left.
--------------------------------------------------
“Doctor Jennings, Lionel Luthor is waiting for you in your office.”
“Thank you Janet,” he said to his secretary. He took a deep breath and stepped in. “Mr Luthor, what can I do for you?”
“Your job, would be a good start,” replied Lionel.
“Mr Luthor, I am not a miracle worker.”
“We can discuss your inadequacies at another time,” said Lionel. “ I want to take my son home.”
“There are still more tests that…”
“I’m sorry doctor maybe I didn’t make myself clear, let me rephrase for you. I’m *taking* my son home. His external injuries are all but healed; I have organised for a specialist to stay for any help he may need with this blindness. So, you will sign the release form and I can then stop wasting my time here.”
The doctor sighed, “very well Mr Luthor, you can take him home this evening. All the paperwork should be completed by 8.00pm.”
“Perfect,” said Lionel and left the office, heading in the direction of Lex’s room.
--------------------------------------------------
Lex lay in his bed staring up at what he guessed was the ceiling. All he could *see* was blackness. He was scared, although he would never admit that anyone, he was scared of what was happening, of what was going to happen. His life was over. ‘Well at least I’ve spent more time with good old dad in that last few days that I have in the last six months,’ he thought sarcastically.
His mind drifted back to Chloe Sullivan. She had pretty much taken up residence in his thoughts since yesterday. They way she spoke back to him, the slight nervous hitch in her voice when she first began reading the poem, how her voice grew in confidence with each word, how he had fallen asleep with her face in his mind.
“Jesus Lex, being blind does not give you a licence to get all soppy over some high school girl who was only here out of pity.” He said to himself. He needed to stay angry; anger was the only emotion that made him feel alive. Everything else was dead, dead like his eyes. He was exhausted yesterday when she had called, that’s why he had let her continue. Lex kept telling himself this; he needed to fuel the anger.
“Who’s there?” he said, as he heard the door open.
“You’re leaving here later,” his father’s voice sounded, “you’re moving back to the mansion.”
‘NO,’ his mind screamed. He didn’t want to go back to the mansion, he wanted to leave Smallville; he wanted to get as far away as he could.
“Well Lex, nothing to say. I didn’t think the thought of going *home* would render you speechless.”
“It’s not my home, it’s a pile of bricks that *you* spent a ridiculous amount of money on,” said Lex, “I thought *I’d* be heading back to Metropolis.”
“Why?” asked Lionel, “aren’t all your *friends* here? Wouldn’t you rather stay here in Smallville?”
“So I can be the main freak in your little zoo. I don’t fucking think so.”
“Stop being so childish Alexander, it’s becoming very tiresome,” snapped Lionel, he was starting to lose his own temper. “I don’t care whether you want to stay or not, at 8.00pm this evening you will be leaving this hospital and coming back to the mansion. Do I make myself clear?” He all but roared the last part.
“What’s that dad? Do I hear *emotion* in your voice?”
“Don’t push me Lex. I’ll be back at 8.00pm.” And with that he stormed out.
“Missing you already,” Lex sneered in the direction of the door.
--------------------------------------------------
“You are pathetic Chloe Sullivan,” she said, “you have been sitting in your car for almost an hour, in front of the hospital, trying to work up the courage to go in.” She didn’t know why she was reluctant; she had done it yesterday.
“Right that’s it.” She got out of her car and walked purposely towards the hospital main entrance. But as she got closer to Lex’s room, her bravado started to fade a little. Yesterday she had the poetry book; today she decided not to bring anything. ‘Yeah like you’ll dazzle him with your wit and charm,’ she thought.
The security guards saw her approach and moved out of her way, she gave them both a small smile and entered the room.
“Lex,” she said gently.
“Ah Miss Sullivan, I was wondering when you’d show up again.” Chloe tensed slightly at his tone of voice.
“How are you doing?” she asked, cringing the moment the question left her lips.
“You’re a smart girl. Take a *wild* guess. I’m lying here useless and blind, you do the math.”
“Just because you can’t see doesn’t mean you still can’t do things.”
“Oh really, and you became an expert on this when? Miss Sullivan; don’t take yesterday’s momentary lapse of reason on my part as a sign of things to come. Why don’t you run along to Clark? Oh wait, he’s probably saving someone life or fawning over the lovely Miss Lang. So which is it?”
‘Bastard,’ she thought. “He’s…he’s out with Lana,” she said, cursing the stammer in her voice.
“So poor Chloe was left all alone *again* and decided to visit the freak.”
“I don’t think that. Being blind doesn’t make you a freak.”
“Just because your friends don’t want your company, doesn’t mean I do. What on earth could *I* have in common with some little girl who chases meteor stories? Although now I’m a freak maybe you could find a spot on your wall for me.” Lex was furious, everything over the last few days had been building to this, his anger needed to be directed at someone and unfortunately for Chloe that someone was she.
She began to cry, that quip about her friends hit a nerve. “Congratulations Mr Luthor, you’ve managed to turn into your father.” And with a sob she ran out of the room and straight into Lionel.
He saw her tears and was about to speak but she ran off before he could. “Damn it,” he whispered and headed into the room.
“Back for *more* Chloe?”
The sound of hands clapping answered his question, followed by his father’s voice. “Well Lex, it takes a real *man* to make a teenage girl cry. You’ve made me proud son,” sarcasm dripping from every word.
Lex said nothing.
“What’s wrong Lex, do you only have insults that can be directed at teenagers?” Still he remained silent. “Let’s get you home.”
Chapter Five – Hurricane Chloe
Lex had been back *home* for three days now. And he had yet to go anywhere other than the 2 rooms that had been set up for him. Nobody came near him. His only *visitors* were his father, a maid who brought him his meals, which he hardly touched, and the *specialist* Lionel had ordered to help him cope with his blindness.
But the majority of the time he was alone. And while that never really bothered Lex before, now being alone meant every word hurtful word he had said to Chloe rang out clearly in his mind. The stubborn, angry part of him refused to feel guilty for what he said that quip she made about turning into his father hurt. But that part was being muffled out by his conscience. Even though he couldn’t see her face he could easily imagine the look of hurt that was on it. He had heard the pain in her voice and the tears.
‘She was only being friendly,’ a voice inside him spoke him. ‘I don’t want her friendship,” he whispered back. “It’s not a question of wanting it,’ the voice spoke up again, ‘you *need* it.’
“Shut up, shut up, SHUT UP,” he screamed.
Lionel stood outside the room, listening to Lex shouting at whatever demon that had decided to bother him today. He was getting decidedly worried, Lex was barely touching his food, and he refused to even speak to the specialist. His entire tone was full of anger and sarcasm.
“Mr Luthor,” a timid voice spoke up.
“Yes Maria,” he said turning to the maid.
“Sir, there is a Clark Kent at the door asking to see young Mr Luthor. What should I tell him?”
“Tell him to get…No wait a moment, show him in and let him see Lex.”
The maid threw him a strange look before heading off to let Clark in.
Moments later the maid led Clark through the mansion to the door of Lex’s room. She knocked on the door once and opened it. Clark walked in and she closed it behind him, scurrying off without saying a word.
“Who’s there?” Lex voice sounded.
“Hey Lex it’s me, I came to see how you were. I heard you had been let out of hospital.”
Lex turned to face Clark, trying to focus his useless eyes on exactly where his voice was coming from. “Go away Clark, I don’t want to talk to anyone.”
Clark stood staring at him; he shifted on his feet a little. Sure he heard the rumours that where floating around Smallville about what was wrong. Everything from Lex being crushed by the tornado, to lying in a coma with brain damage, that the tornado hadn’t injured him at all that he was actually recovering from a drug overdose. The most common rumour was that Lex was in a wheelchair.
‘His eyes,’ thought Clark. He noticed that Lex wasn’t really looking *at* him. Feeling kind of stupid Clark began waving his hand in front of Lex’s face. There was no reaction from the other man. He gasped, “You’re blind.”
“Give the farm boy a prize,” said Lex, “now get out.”
“Oh my god Lex, I’m so sorry.”
“Why Clark? Why are *you* sorry? Where you the cause of it?”
“Why didn’t you say anything Lex? Have you any idea of the rumours going around about you?”
“You think I care about rumours? I don’t give a fuck about them; they can say what they like. “
“What have the doctors said? Is it permanent? Can I do anything for you?”
“Yes you can do something for me Clark, you can get out and not come back. Run along and play with your friends. I’m sure Miss Lang has broken a fingernail or something and needs your help. Or maybe Miss Sullivan has a meteor story for you to investigate.” Lex heard Clark sigh ever so softly at the mention of Chloe.
“Lex why are you being like this? We’re friends, I want to help you.”
Lex let out a bitter laugh, “well Clark unless you can make me see again there’s nothing I want from you. And that includes your friendship. Now for the last time GET OUT.”
“Lex.”
“NOW Clark and don’t come back.” Lex turned his back to Clark who stood in shock for a moment. He sighed deeply and slowly walked out of the room, closing the door behind him. He gave the door one final look and walked down the corridor and out of the mansion.
--------------------------------------------------
Clark made his way to the Talon and as he was heading towards Lana, he spotted Chloe sitting on her at the back, a very forlorn expression on her face. They hadn’t spoken more than two words to each other since that night at the hospital. He missed his friend. He went over to her, “hey Chloe,” he said softly.
She looked up at him, “oh hi Clark.” And then immediately started staring at her coffee again. Clark was worried, he had never seen Chloe so…so quiet and reserved, she was always so full of life.
“I’ve just been to see Lex,” he said, sliding into the chair opposite her.
Chloe’s head snapped up at the sound of Lex’s name. “Oh…and how, how is he?”
“He’s blind Chloe, can you believe it…blind.” Clark was a little taken aback by the lack of surprise on Chloe’s face to his announcement. “Chloe, Lex is blind.”
“I know,” she said, “no need to tell me three times.”
“What…when…how?” he stammered.
“I know he’s blind, since the night it happened, I was at the hospital at the time,” she said in answer to questions.
“Why didn’t you say anything?”
“Well Clark, firstly it wasn’t my place to say and Lionel Luthor asked me not to, secondly he’s *your* friend, and thirdly…thirdly you’ve been preoccupied with Lana.”
“He’s really down Chlo,” said Clark, moving away from getting into an argument with her about Lana. “I don’t think he’s eating, he wouldn’t talk to me and shouted at me to get out and said he didn’t want my friendship.”
“Yeah, well, he’s always been an asshole,” murmured Chloe.
“Come on Chloe, cut him some slack, he’s blind.”
“Yes Clark, blind, not dead, and that still doesn’t give him the right to be a complete bastard to everyone, especially those who just want to help.” She refused to take out her anger for Lex on Clark. She was already mad at herself for letting what Lex had said get to her so badly. After she’d left the hospital and got home, she had cried herself to sleep. Something she hadn’t done since her mom left.
“It must be really hard for him,” lamented Clark.
“Yeah, well we all have our handicaps to overcome each day Clark. Now if you’ll excuse me, I have to be somewhere.” And with that she stood up and walked out, leaving an open-mouthed Clark staring after her.
--------------------------------------------------
“Please wait here,” the maid told Chloe before she shuffled off. The minute she left the Talon she had got in her car and headed straight for the Luthor mansion. She was Chloe Sullivan and she wasn’t go to let anyone speak to her like that not even Lex Luthor. He was going to get a piece of her mind.
--------------------------------------------------
“What is it now Maria?” said Lionel.
“I’m sorry to disturb you, but that young woman you said might call, Miss Sullivan, well she is here.”
‘Interesting,’ thought Lionel. “Very well Maria, you may show her to Lex’s room.”
--------------------------------------------------
Five minutes later Chloe was standing outside the door to Lex’s rooms. The maid had left her there. Taking a couple of deep breaths she opened the door and stepped in. She saw him immediately, sitting in a large armchair, eyes closed.
She closed the door loudly, causing Lex to slightly jump. “I said I didn’t want anything to eat Maria,” he said.
“That’s good to hear because I haven’t go anything for you,” she replied.
“Miss Sullivan, never put you down as a glutton for punishment, but then again fawning after Clark all this time…” he trailed off.
“Mr Luthor, don’t take my momentary lapse of reasoning the last time as a sign of things to come, I was exhausted and not my usual self,” she said, throwing his words back in his face.
Outside the room, Lionel was listening intently to what was going on, and smirked at Chloe’s response.
“First off,” she continued, “I wouldn’t let my *dad* speak to me the way you did. How dare you? You don’t know me, and with the exception of Clark, you don’t know my friends. Just because you have none doesn’t mean you can use it as an excuse to belittle those who have. And as for my relationship with them, news flash, it’s none of your business. All I was doing was trying to be a friend, you know it’s the kind of thing *normal* human beings do. But oh no, the mighty Lex Luthor is above the rules that govern us mere mortals. You’re blind, and while that is tragic it’s not the end of the world.”
“How would you know?” interrupted Lex, trying to get control of the conversation.
“Ok so *I’m* not blind, but there are hundreds of thousands of people around the world who are, and are they locking themselves away in their mansions, well ok they probably can’t afford mansions, but that’s not the point. The point is your life is not over, you are blind, not dead. You’d swear you were the only person in the world afflicted with this, well get over yourself, you’re not. These other people manage to live their lives with as much normality as they can. They have jobs, relationships, jeez Lex they even manage to have *friends*, as alien as that concept may seem to you. You’re young, healthy and you have the kind of money that makes you better off than most people that have all their senses.”
“I want you out of here,” said Lex, his voice lacking any conviction.
“What’s wrong Lex, can’t take it. Oh it’s ok for you to totally make someone feel about 2 inches tall, but it seems you’re not *man* enough to take it yourself.”
Lionel stood listening intently, not quite believing that this slip of a girl was talking to Lex the way she was. Part of him was impressed.
“Well Lex, nothing to say, no smart answer or demeaning comment,” she said. She didn’t feel angry anymore, she just felt tired. “I guess not,” she said when he had remained silent for a while.
She walked back to the door and opened it, but before stepping out she turned to face Lex again. “I’ve heard a lot of words used to describe you Lex, a few of them good, a lot of them bad, and even some complementary,” she took a deep breath before continuing, “but I never thought I would add the word *pathetic* to that list.” And with that she left, closing the door behind her.
Lionel stood out of sight and watched as she walked off his admiration for the young woman increasing ten-fold.
Back in his room, Lex sank to his knees when he heard the door close, tears spilling down his face. “Chloe,” he whispered.
Chapter Six – Starting Again
It had been 48 hours since Chloe Sullivan had read the riot act to Lex. Lionel had refrained from visiting him, wanting his son to mull over the words that had been directed at him. Lex needed someone to be hard on him and hammer home a few home truths. But over the years he had built up an immune system to almost all of Lionel’s tirades, so when he started, Lex just ignored him.
The same with doctors, specialist’s etc, well pretty much anybody in an authoritative role, Lex wasn’t going to listen to a damn thing they said. But it still surprised Lionel, and it had been a *very* long time since anyone or anything had surprised him, that a seventeen-year-old girl would be the one to let him have it. And she had been brutal, she didn’t hold back at all. Lionel knew that his son and Chloe didn’t know each other that well, but Lex did talk about her. Any time he mentioned Clark, he was sure to mention Chloe as well.
Lionel reached the door to Lex’s room and was about to walk in when he heard voices. Lex was talking to Doctor Matthew Ford, the specialist he had paid a large amount of money for to come and talk to Lex about *adjusting* to blindness. ‘Now there’s an interesting development,’ he thought. When Dr. Ford had first arrived, Lex did nothing but shout abuse at him and refuse to listen to a word he said.
His son was strong, Lionel knew that, and he had complete confidence that he would overcome this. Deciding not to interrupt them, Lionel slipped away to ring Gabe Sullivan to check on things at the plant.
--------------------------------------------------
“So Lex, if it’s ok with you we can start with direction, first inside the rooms you have, then around the house,” said Dr. Ford.
“Yes fine,” said Lex, trying not to snap at the man.
“Good, well tomorrow morning we’ll start.” And with that, Dr. Ford said his goodbyes and left.
Lex sighed in relief when he heard the door closed. ‘God that was tough,’ he thought. He closed his eyes and leaned his head back against the armchair. He had been talking for about an hour with Ford, and the effort he had exerted to keep his anger in check had made him exhausted.
“I am *not* pathetic,” he murmured to himself. ‘Yes you are,’ the voice inside spoke up. That voice had become a lot louder and more insistent since Chloe had been here and it also seemed to sound like her too. He had thought very long and hard over every single word she had said. Which wasn’t very difficult since they all seemed to be tattooed on his brain, he couldn’t forget them even if he tried.
Every thing she had said was true and that’s what hurt. The clock chimed 4.00pm jarring him from his thoughts. Lex reached out and felt his way around the table for the phone, he picked up the receiver and picturing the numbers in his head dialled the number to the Torch Office. It rang a couple of times.
“Hello, Chloe here,” she answered.
Lex hung up the phone. “Ok maybe I am pathetic,” he whispered. He sat still for a moment, his hand still on the phone. “This is ridiculous,” he said, “I said terrible things to her and she said terrible things to me, get over it Lex.” He put the receiver to his ear and dialled the number again.
“Hello, Chloe here,” she answered cheerfully after a few rings.
Lex stayed silent. “Hello,” she said again, “anyone there.”
“Chloe,” he blurted out.
“Yes, who’s this?”
“It’s…its Lex Luthor.”
“What do *you* want?” she said, her tone changing completely.
“I’m sorry to disturb you, but I was wondering if you wanted to… talk?” He said.
“I think you and I have said all we are going to say to each other Mr Luthor, and I’m not really in the mood for another round. So why don’t you find someone else to demean.”
Lex cringed slightly at her words and thought carefully about his response. “Look Chloe, you and I both said things in the heat of the moment that we shouldn’t off.”
“I don’t know about you,” she interrupted, “but *I* meant every word I said. Now if you’ll excuse me I have some work I need to get done.”
“Please Chloe.”
It was the word *please* that stopped Chloe from hanging up on him. “Well ok talk then,” she said after a moment.
There was no answer from the other end of the phone. “You know Mr Luthor, talking usually requires you to open your mouth and say words.”
“I can’t think of anything to say,” he admitted.
“Well there’s a first,” she replied, her voice still a little guarded.
“I was wondering if you would call by the mansion on your way home,” he said, “it might be easier.”
“I don’t think that would be a good idea, like I said before I don’t want to get into another bout with you,” she said.
“Please Chloe, I promise it won’t turn into that, I just…I just want to *talk*, no shouting, no snide remarks or comments,” he didn’t even bother to try and hide the slight note of pleading in his voice.
Chloe sighed deeply, “Ok, I’ll be there in about thirty minutes.”
“Thank you,” he said. “Thirty minutes then.”
“Bye Mr Luthor.”
“Goodbye Chloe.” And he hung up the phone, feeling slightly better.
--------------------------------------------------
Chloe put down the phone and stared at it for a few minutes. “Did I enter some weird alternate reality,” she said, “because that’s the *only* explanation I have for what just happened.”
She saved the document she had been working on and shut down her computer. She put on her jacket and grabbed her bag. Switching off the lights she made her way out of the school to her car. “If Lex Luthor makes *one* derogatory comment or if he looks like he’s even *thinking* of one, I am slapping him in the face and walking out of there,” she decided. “And I will never, ever speak to him again.”
That decided she started her car and headed for the Luthor mansion.
--------------------------------------------------
Lex had been literally counting the seconds in his head since he had put down the phone. He didn’t know what had possessed him to ask her to come over. But he was telling the truth when he said that he couldn’t think of anything to talk about.
And sitting here waiting for Chloe to arrive he racked his brain for a good conversation starter. ‘This is crazy,’ he thought, ‘I have never had a problem with words before.’
‘How about starting with an apology?’ the annoying inner voice of his conscience piped up.
“Fat chance of that happening,” murmured Lex, “I’ll *think* about apologising when *she* apologies.”
‘Then your *talk* will never get going,’ the voice retorted.
“Stop it, I refuse to have an argument with myself.”
--------------------------------------------------
”This way Miss Sullivan,” said the maid, and Chloe followed her through the house. Her heart was beating wildly in her chest.
“Maria, has my son had…” Lionel trailed off as he saw Chloe.
“Had what Mr Luthor?” said Maria.
“Doesn’t matter,” said Lionel dismissively, “that will be all Maria, I will escort Miss Sullivan to Lex.”
Maria looked between Lionel and Chloe before shrugging her shoulders and leaving the two of them.
“What makes you think I’m here to see Lex?” asked Chloe.
“Because I seriously doubt you are here to see *me* Miss Sullivan.”
‘Did he just make a joke,’ thought Chloe, ‘did Lionel, the devil incarnate, Luthor just make a joke?’
“You look a little startled Miss Sullivan. Is every thing ok?” He asked.
“No Mr Luthor, not really. I think I’ve stumbled into the twilight zone, that or someone spiked my coffee with some drugs that are making me have a very strange trip…” she said, confusion evident on her face.
Lionel smirked. “Well here we are,” he said when they reached Lex’s room. “I’m sure you know the rest of the way yourself. Nice seeing you again Miss Sullivan.” He turned on his heel and walked off.
Chloe shook her head, took a deep breath and knocked gently on the door. “Come in,” she heard Lex say. She opened the door and stepped in.
“Chloe?”
“Yes Mr Luthor it’s me.”
“Please have a seat.”
Chloe moved and sat in the armchair opposite the one Lex was in. They sat in silence for a moment; the only sounds were the clock ticking and the fire crackling. “Mr Luthor I could be sitting in silence at home, and without the awkward tension,” she said.
Lex turned his head in the direction of her voice, his unseeing eyes on her face. “I’m sorry Chloe,” he said softly, “I’m sorry for what I said, I was angry, yes, but that still gave me no right to take it out on you.”
“Ok, I wasn’t expecting that,” said a shocked Chloe. There was an expectant look on Lex’s face as he waited for her to continue. “Hey if you are waiting for me to apologise Mr Luthor you will be waiting a long time.”
“But…”
“But what? You were acting like an asshole, and you needed to be told. I’m not going to say I’m sorry for speaking the truth.”
Lex said nothing, ‘she’s right you know,’ his conscience said smugly. He closed his eyes briefly. “Do you have to go immediately?” he said, changing the subject for the time being.
“No, not really. Why?”
“Well I thought maybe, maybe you could read for me again.”
‘I am definitely having a psychedelic drug trip,’ she thought. “Ok, do you have anything particular in mind?”
“Anything but Shelley?”
Chloe smiled softly to herself and stood up to peruse the books; she chose one and sat back down again. “How about some John Donne?”
Chapter Seven – Ray Of Light
Chloe packed her books away quickly. She checked her watch, 3.45pm. ‘Just enough time,’ she thought. It had been a couple of weeks since she and Lex had *cleared* the air. And in that time she visited him every day. Sometimes she read to him, sometimes he just sat there while she ranted about the evils of school and on very rare occasions he talked.
He told her about his growing up and losing his mother. On those occasions Chloe would leave the mansion with a heavy heart. Lex Luthor had a lot of emotional luggage. And even with the blindness she had a feeling that she had barely scratched the surface to the many layers that made Lex up.
But despite everything they were, slowly, becoming friends. She had told no one, except her dad, about the visits and he had thought that it was a good idea. Her dad liked Lex and wanted him to get better. Everyone in town knew about Lex’s blindness. Clark had told Lana of course, who in turn told her aunt Nell, who just couldn’t keep her mouth shut and pretty much told everybody.
Her dad had been spending a lot of time at the plant, but as Lionel had said that night at the hospital he was being compensated well. Gabe had nearly had a heart attack when he saw his pay cheque; he almost went to Lionel to ask him if he had made a mistake.
She and Clark had also started talking more and Chloe found that she was ok around him again. But that was probably due to the fact that most of her thoughts were consumed with Lex. She made her way to the Talon for a quick caffeine fix before heading to the mansion. The Talon was fairly empty when she got there, the Friday afternoon rush hadn’t happened yet. She spotted Pete and Clark talking over in a corner. The aroma of coffee stirred her senses and she headed to the counter.
“Hi Chloe,” beamed Lana.
“Hey,” she replied, “Can I get a large mocha to go please?”
“Sure,” said Lana, “Hey we haven’t seen you around much lately.”
‘*We*,’ thought Chloe, rolling her eyes. “Yeah, I’ve been busy. Things to do and such.”
“Well you’ve been missed,” said Lana.
“Missed,” exclaimed Chloe, “and who exactly has missed me?”
“Well Clark, Pete, me.”
“Lana, you and I are hardly friends, how the hell could you of missed me?”
“Well…you know…but,” stammered Lana, not quite sure how to answer that. Chloe said nothing as Lana turned away to get her order. “Here’s your mocha,” she said a moment later, handing it over to Chloe.
“Thanks,” said Chloe sweetly and reached into her pocket for some money.
“Let me get that for you Miss Sullivan.” Lionel Luthor’s voice sounded behind her.
“Thank you Mr Luthor.”
He handed the money over to a shocked Lana. “Oh Miss Lang, tell your aunt that when she feels the need to gossip she had better choose a different topic than my son or she will find herself on the receiving end of a very nasty law suit. Because believe me I can come up with some *very* interesting things to sue her over.”
He turned on his heel and walked towards the door. “Goodbye Miss Sullivan,” he said before heading out. Chloe couldn’t help laughing a little. ‘Talk about making a departure,’ she thought. She turned to look at Lana. The other girl stood open-mouthed, staring at the door Lionel had just exited.
“What the hell was that about?” said an angry Clark as he and Pete approached the counter.
“I think that was Lionel Luthor telling Lana to tell her aunt not to gossip anymore,” said Chloe with a grin.
“It’s not funny Chloe,” said Pete, “he threatened her.”
“Oh please,” said Chloe.
“Since when do *you* defend *Lionel Luthor*?” said Clark.
“For God’s sake I’m not defending him. But he has a point. No offence Lana but your aunt must of being burning up phone lines in a bid to be the one to tell everybody about Lex’s blindness. Lionel Luthor was just making a point about protecting what is pretty much nobody’s business.”
“That’s not fair Chloe,” whined Clark.
Chloe snorted, “Short memory much Clark. Weren’t you the one who read the riot act to me for looking into *your* adoption.” With that she grabbed her coffee from the counter and left the Talon.
--------------------------------------------------
“God damn chair,” shouted Lex, as he bumped into it for about the fifth time in as many minutes. He had been able to find his way around the room with no problems. But then Dr Ford decided to move a few things around to purposely confuse Lex.
‘Fucking sadist,’ thought Lex, ‘I’ve a good mind to stop payment of his next cheque.’
Deep down Lex knew he would never fully accept his blindness. When he woke up to be greeted by the never-ending darkness he always broke out in a cold sweat and fear gripped him. But as Chloe had pointed out he still had a life to lead. He had come to depend on Chloe and that scared him as much as the blindness did. Whenever he felt himself slipping into a depression, her words hit him full-force and he quickly snapped out of it.
Lex had never met anyone like her, and he valued her friendship. Unlike Clark she stood up to him, and intellectually he found her an equal. Some of their conversations turned into full-scale debates over various writers and books etc. And as pathetic as it sounded in his own mind, she was a *light* in his dark world.
He bumped into the chair again, “that’s it,” he said and kicked it across the room. He heard it hit a table and was greeted by the sound of word breaking. “Ha,” he sneered, “got you.”
The door opened and he turned in its direction. Chloe saw the chair and smiled. “I think you killed that
Bookmarks