|
Post by Blaire on Dec 17, 2005 17:32:53 GMT -5
Hey all!I've decided to post my fic here at N-S.net from the very begining. It may not be done all at once because I'm making changes and fixing things I dislike about the FanFiction.Net version. Not many major changes but....I'm SO obsessive about my stuff. Its kinda embarrassing.
Also...Ch 25 is on the way. Zoe (for those of you who are new to me and my work may not know about Zoe, she's my pink with green polka-dots skinned muse and everything written is HER fault) is being difficult *grumbles* But the newest chapter will be along soon.
Also, remember this was written before we knew Chloe's mom left and didn't die.
Disclaimer:I own nothing but the original characters not already dreamed up by DC, or Joss Whedon (passing references mostly) or Kevin Smith or Dante or whoever.
Chapter 1 - Welcome to Hampton, Miss Sullivan
"You ever wonder if what we do matters? Like, the little things, opening a door for an old lady or giving someone a hug when they've had a bad day? I mean on the grand scale. Because sometimes it’s kind of hard to believe. You know?" Chloe asked as she and Clark walked towards the Kent farm from the Talon. The summer sun was setting and the road was deserted.
"Of course it matters. And wasn't there like an Outer Limits on this? You've been watching those Twilight Zone chain reaction things on Sci-Fi Channel, haven't you?" Clark asked, looking down at her.
"No. Why do you assume that because I have a major theological question, I had to have been watching a 50's TV show?" she asked, poking him in the ribs and pushing him into the street.
"Well, why the sudden concern with the 'ripple in the pond' effect?"
"Just one of those everyday 'we are small and insignificant' epiphanies," Chloe said, kicking at a leaf that blew in front of her. It had just sorta come to her during an episode of Buffy, completely ruining the fantasy effect of the show, and distracting her from Spike with no shirt on. And anything that took her attention away from James Marsters was a bad thing.
"Don't you just hate those?"
"They do get annoying after awhile. But that's the great thing about having a best friend: you can share your revelations with them, and they don't weigh you down."
"So are you feeling worthless, Chloe Sullivan?" Clark asked seriously.
"Kinda. Like, if I disappeared people would notice, but it wouldn't make that much of an impact on the rest of the world," Chloe said, a little sadly. She didn’t mention that the little “what’s the point” epiphany had been bothering her more now that she felt like the third wheel of the Lana-Clark mobile.
"Don't say that Sullivan. You change the world with every step you take and every word you say." Clark said shooting her a million watt smile.
Chloe smiled back, relieved that that smile had finally stopped giving her butterflies. He had left her for Lana during that tornado a couple weeks ago and she had decided to get it all out there. Told him everything she had been keeping inside since middle school. And in the end, they had been able to joke about it. Chloe still wished there had been more she but was grateful she hadn't lost or damaged what they had.
"It just doesn't feel like it you know?"
"Yeah, but just know that you make a difference to a lot of people in this town."
Chloe nodded absently and looked at the yellow broken line in the street or at something near the line. There was something out there, a watch it looked like. It had probably been run over and crushed but for some reason, Chloe felt compelled to go pick it up.
She looked both ways and walked to the middle of the road, set down her bag and kneeled down to pick up the timepiece. It looked relatively new and seemed to be working. She knelt there looking at the watch, transfixed by it for some reason.
Chloe barely heard Clark shouting at her. She barely looked up in time to see the bright lights of a eighteen wheeler. She barely felt the impact as the truck slammed into her small body. And she barely noticed when the world faded away.
~*~*~
It got bright very fast; too fast for Chloe eyes to handle. And she was lying on something hard, and there was wet stuff above eye.
"Are you all right, dear?"
"Huh?"
"You were hit by that car. It just sped up and slammed into you. I'm surprised you're even alive, let alone conscious," an older woman said. She was in her late forties, with pale blonde hair tucked into a neat, tight bun. Her face was wrinkled with sun and age, and wire frame glasses sat perched on the bridge of her nose. Her brow creased with worry as she reached a hand down to help her up.
"Who are you?"
"I'm Ms. Veronica Trendle. I'm the assistant principal at Hampton Preparatory Boarding School," Ms. Trendle said, handing Chloe her bag.
"I got hit in the head, right? So I could have died?" Chloe asked as her knees wobbled a little.
"Yes, dear. But aside from a that little cut above your eye, you're fine," the woman said gently, putting an arm around her to hold her up.
"Ok, just checking to see if I really had been thrown to the pavement." She paused, "On your property?"
"On the school's property."
"I'm at a school? God, I've died and gone to hell," Chloe muttered.
"I promise you dear, you aren't dead," Veronica said reassuringly.
"You know I could sue this place. You know that, right?" She wasn't in Kansas anymore. There were trees that didn't grow in the Midwest, that were there and in full bloom. She guessed from the temperature and the plants she was in New England; New Jersey or something like that. And if she was stranded miles from home, she would need any extra leverage she could get.
"I would appreciate it if you didn't," Ms. Trendle said calmly. She really didn't want to deal with another lawsuit aimed at the school; not so soon after the last one the Luthor boy and his little "friends" had caused.
"I'll think about it," Chloe said seriously.
"Come inside, dear. We'll contact your parents," Ms. Trendle said, leading her inside a large, three story brick building.
It was your average school, and the vice principal had an average office. But if Chloe really was dead, she hoped this wasn't where she was going to spend the rest of eternity in high school.
"What is your name, and where you do live?" the assistant principal asked as she sat behind her desk. Chloe was crouched on the ground looking through her bag. Her laptop, Advil, CD case and player, and wallet were still there and intact, and the watch she had picked up had somehow gotten in her bag. She shrugged as she slipped it on her wrist.
"Chloe Sullivan from Smallville, Kansas."
"What are you doing in Boston, Chloe?"
"I have no idea. I don't even know what the date is," Chloe said, fiddling with the watch as she spoke. It was digital and the year was stuck on '97. She was usually good with machines but she couldn't fix it.
"It's Saturday, September 4th, 1997. Now, dear, what are you doing so far from home?"
"1997! Are you shitting me? How the fuck did that happen!" Chloe shrieked. It was 2002 not 1997! She was in a coma; that was all there was to it. She was hooked up to a respirator in a hospital in Smallville with her friends and father gathered around her bed. And she was off in a la-la land delusion of five years ago in Boston, Massa-fuckin-chusetts. That's what it had to be. It was the only thing that made sense.
"Ms. Sullivan, I know you've been through a trauma, but this is a school and you are not to use such language," Ms. Trendle said sharply. "Now, I'll ask you again, what are you doing in Boston?"
"I ran away from home. I was walking around the city and I decided to check out your campus."
"Then I must contact your parents," Ms. Trendle said.
"NO!" Chloe exclaimed, her head jerking. If she was in a coma, it would be pointless to call her dad, and if she really WAS in 1997, then her father would be in Smallville taking care of an eleven year old Chloe and his dying wife Meredith. She had to think of something. Her eyes shot to the school crest. That was it.
"Wait, this is a boarding school, right? How about, you let me attend school here, live in the dorms, and I won't sue the school for the accident. Then I don't have to go home, and you're helping a young person get an education," Chloe said quickly. “Isn’t that what schools are supposed to do?”
"I suppose that could be arranged. But you'll have to contact your parent and let him know where you are," Ms. Trendle said, nodding slightly. She was the head of the admission's board. She could make it work. Besides, what with Mr. Luthor's recent donations to cover up his son's latest destructive escapade left more than enough for this girl's admission.
"We'll need your past transcripts by next Monday. And you'll have to get the uniform requirements from the main office. But we shouldn't have any trouble getting you assimilated since its still the beginning of the term," Veronica said, as she scribbled.
"You sound like the Borg. And I can get you the transcripts. Don't worry. I'll have to send them to you via email though. Is that all right?" Chloe asked, looking nervous. Things were a little too real for her to be in a coma. And if she was really five years in the past, she would have to do some serious hacking.
"Of course, that will be fine. Your class options will be sent to your dorm room later tonight. You're in- " She leaned over to the bottom of the desk and pulled out a large black binder and flipped through it. "-Winchester Hall. Room F15. You have one roommate, a Miss Wendy Miller. Also, you might want to bring your luggage relatively soon," she said, pulling a key out of a pocket in the binder and handing it to Chloe. "It's the fifth building in the south cluster of dorms. And this," Veronica said, pulling a booklet out of a desk drawer, "is the code of conduct. The basic rules: no drinking, no smoking, and no drugs. No sex. NO going over to the boys’ dormitory with out permission and check in when you get there. The others are rather minor."
"There's a boy's dorm? I thought since it since it was a boarding school.."
Ms. Trendle rolled her eyes at the other blonde, "That it wasn't co-ed? I'm pleased to say we have eh…a few outstanding male students," she said, her voice dropping.
"Only a few?" Chloe asked interestedly. If she was going to get stuck in the past at least there would be some bad boys around for entertainment. Bad boys may not have really been her type but they were more interesting to watch than the scholarly people.
"Er...yes. Ms. Sullivan, you should be heading to your dorm. You want to be getting settled in, don't you?"
"I um..."
"Of course you do. See the school nurse, third door to the right towards the exit on your way out and then go to your dorm. Wendy will help you get settled and take you to the common room to meet some of the other students. Now shoo." Ms. Trendle said, utilizing the skills that made her a vice principal. Chloe nodded, grabbed her bag and hurried out of the office.
~*~*~
Winchester Hall was an ancient brick building. It had been built nearly a hundred years ago, and was older than the school itself. It was six stories tall and only recently had been equipped with central air and heating. She, of course, had a room on the top floor. The trip to the school laundry, the walk across the grounds of school, to the girls dorm cluster, the search for her building, and the trek up the stairs had given her time to digest what was going on.
The cut above her eye was reallystinging and reallybleeding. Her head was reallythrobbing and she was reallystarting to smell from the sweat of the day. And Chloe was seriously starting to accept the fact that she reallywas in 1997. She'd seen enough crazy things in Smallville to make her believe just about anything. She'd seen mind-altering flowers, bug people, boys who could fly, why should being five years in the past really be that inconceivable?
She was going to have to work some major computer mojo to fake her transcripts, but she was up to it. And clothes, she didn't know how she was going handle that one, seeing as she had no money, at all.
Chloe walked slowly down the carpeted hallway of the sixth floor. There were doors on both sides of the wall and a community bathroom exactly in the middle of hall. Her room was past that practically at the end of the hall.
Chloe knocked on the door before slowly opening it. It was pulled out of her hand and jerked open from a force on the other side.
"Hi, you must be Zoë. Nice to meet you. I'm Wendy," the girl on the other side of the doorway said before pulling her in.
"It's Chloe actually," Chloe said
"Oh my god, I'm so sorry! But I get the worst static on phone calls from the main office. I could have sworn that Trendle said your name was Zoë. Oh, well. Come on. You need to get used to the cell, I mean the room. Be glad we're not like some of the other girls on this floor who have three to a room," Wendy said, grinning.
It was average size for a dorm room with plenty of space for two people, but Chloe couldn't imagine cramming three teenage girls into a room this size. There was nothing distinguishing about the room itself. There were two small desks, two twin beds, a few large windows that overlooked the grounds, two bedside tables, a few lamps, and a closet.
However, Wendy had books of every genre piled haphazardly around the room. Clothing hung off the window frame and lamps and her computer, textbooks and supplies were coving the small desk and stereo surrounded by a mass of CDs some how gave the room personality.
Chloe sat down on the bed and took a minute to study Wendy. She was probably a couple of inches short of five and a half feet tall and of average build. Her hair was dark brown, thick and very curly. She had black plastic glasses that for some reason worked on her face. Behind the lenses, her eyes were bright blue and intelligent. Her nose was prominent and her mouth was large and smiling. The over all look was quirky and friendly.
"So how'd you manage to worm your way into Hampton in less than a day? Your folks rolling in it?" Wendy asked, plopping down.
"No, I just got hit by a car in front of the school," Chloe said wryly.
Wendy blinked at her "What?"
"I was walking and *BAM* I'm making friendly with the asphalt. Ms. Trendle helped me up and, to avoid a lawsuit, said I could stay here and attend school," Chloe explained, leaving out the whole future bit. She may have been a believer of the supernatural but she didn't think her roommate would buy it.
"And your parents don't care?"
"Its just my dad, and no, he doesn't. Besides, this is a good school, right?"
"The teachers try. But Lex and his so-called friends make it very difficult for them," Wendy said smiling a little.
"Lex? Lex Luthor? He goes to this school?" Chloe asked, shocked. Her father's boss was here. Only he wouldn't be here father's boss in this time. He'd just be another teenager. A rebellious, influential teenager from what she'd heard. But still, just a fellow adolescent.
"Yeah. He makes a point of making the administrators miserable. It's pretty funny most of the time. Lex can be a nice guy, he just rarely lets that guy out," Wendy answered, moving her nose and making her glasses bob up and down. "So where are your clothes, luggage that kind of stuff?" she asked, glancing at Chloe's backpack.
"I…um…I don't have any. All I have are the clothes on my back, and my bag. I kinda… ran away from home," Chloe said. She really wasn't comfortable telling her new friend an outright lie.
"Oh."
"It's no big deal. I just don't know what I'm going do about clothes and supplies or you know, everything," Chloe muttered.
"I could ask Lex to spot me the cash and we could head into town this weekend. I'd lend you the money myself but while Lex's resources are unlimited, I get about a hundred bucks a month spending money, which isn't enough to buy much of anything," Wendy said, rolling her eyes. "My parents are all about brining me up normal. You know, not letting the money go to my head. Which I understand, but sometimes it can be SUCH a drag, especially in this crowd."
"What makes you think Lex freaking Luthor would do anything for me?" Chloe asked.
"Cause he and I are like this," Wendy answered, crossing her fingers. "He and I dated a little in freshman year; it really didn't work out between us, but we stayed close. I'm one of the few people in the school, ok I'm like the only person in the school who doesn't care he practically oozes money. I try to be there for him but that boy is just lonely," she said, staring off into space.
"And he won't mind?"
"No. I seriously doubt he'd miss it if there were a couple million dollars missing from his bank account let alone a few hundred lent to a good cause. Don't worry about it. It'll be fine. And I think you'll like him."
|
|
|
Post by Blaire on Dec 17, 2005 17:34:03 GMT -5
Chapter 2 - "Meet" Lex Luthor
Lex lay on his bed bouncing a palm sized rubber ball against the wall. He was bored, but then he was usually bored.
He didn't want to do anything with those stoners he called friends because he wanted to be occupied with something that didn't involve a chemical let down, and at one in the afternoon on a Saturday that's what all the his friends would be doing. Maybe he'd call Wendy. She was usually good for at least a decent conversation.
He was punching in the numbers into his cordless when there was a knock on the door. And it was a loud insistent knock.
"Alex, if you want to keep that shiny head clean, you're going to let me in." A familiar voice called through the door.
"You know the door's unlocked, Wen." He said, shaking his head. He sighed softly and resumed his game.
The door flew open and Wendy waltzed in. A blonde about two inches taller followed her.
"Fresh meat?"
"Har har, Lex. No, this is Chloe Sullivan. She's my new roommate, and we need your help." Wendy said leaning over him. He had yet to sit up.
"With what Wendy, my love?"
"Chloe here, is broke and without any luggage. We need to get her some supplies. Like clothes and toiletries. And I need you to spot us the change. You know my monthly allowance won't cover it." She said over the thudding. He nodded in acquiescence.
"And lingerie. I don't even have a bra on. Plus, if I don't get some new panties I'm going to have to go commando starting tomorrow. And I'm not sure that will go over what with the plaid skirt." Chloe added with a shrug.
The ball Lex had been throwing flew over his head and hit the ground. Chloe walked over and picked it up.
Wendy just chuckled. Things like that usually didn't shock Lex, he had more experience than the rest of the school combined. Maybe it was just Chloe. She had seen something in his eyes when he'd looked at the blonde. Perhaps she could help him get over his obsession with brunettes. The latest one, Victoria, had not only been shallow, vapid, and slutty, she'd been a conniving British bitch on top of it all.
"Are you going to come with us? Because from what I can see you don't have any pressing engagements." Chloe asked as she gave Lex back the ball.
"Yeah, come on Lexy. Its been ages since you took me out. I'm starting to think you don't love me any more." Wendy joked.
"Of course I love you, Wen, I've just been busy."
"Mm- hm." Wendy said in a tone Chloe had only ever heard Martha Kent use on Jonathon when she was pissed.
"Lover's quarrel?" Chloe asked, jokingly.
"Wendy and I were never lovers Ms. Sullivan. Not that I didn't try. Care to see how you hold up against me? I can guarantee it won't be as well."
Chloe felt like she was back in Smallville when he called her Ms. Sullivan. The only difference was that this Lex was hitting on her. That and the fact that he was wearing old faded blue jeans and a Metallica t-shirt and no shoes instead of a tailored suit. For some reason, the power of he exuded in Armani translated through to the Levi's, just not the intimidation, at least not here in his room with Wendy present.
"My name is Chloe. Try using it. And I don't really find an over inflated ego sexy, not even on you. Besides, god only knows where you've been." Chloe said sharply as she shot him a million dollar smile.
"Ouch. Thata girl." Wendy said.
"You're taking her side after everything we've been through?" Lex asked, feigning hurt. He sat up and began to pull on a pair of sneakers.
"Girl power baby. You gotta love it. Besides, it's a rare treat for me to watch a woman under the age of 80 turn you down."
"You're lucky I put up with your shit." Lex muttered.
"You're the one who was ogling her."
"You were ogling me?" Chloe turned to Wendy. "He was ogling me? How come I didn't catch that?"
"I don't ever ogle, Wendy." Lex snapped.
"Mm-hm. Sure. That's why you're eyes were glued to dear little Chloe's breasts when she mentioned shopping."
"Shopping makes you horny? Are you sure you're not gay?" Chloe asked Lex.
"I'm not sure. I mean, I did go out with Wendy." Lex said shooting the two girls a smirk.
"I'm gonna get you for that." Wendy growled.
"Wanna bet?" Lex asked coolly.
"You know I will."
"I'll take that as a yes." Wendy glared at him.
"All right children, if you're going to fight, I'll put you both in time out." Chloe said in a kindergarten teacher voice.
"I seriously doubt you could put me anywhere, Chloe." Lex said as he grabbed his wallet and shoved it in his back pocket.
"I'm a woman of many skills, Lex. You'd be surprised at what I can do."
"I don't doubt that for a minute. And it probably has something to do with why I already get the feeling that I'm going to regret this little outing." Lex sighed, sounding resigned. "Now, let's go before I change my mind."
~*~*~
"You're kidding. It looks ridiculous on you," Lex said, waving a hand at Chloe's outfit. He and Wendy sat on the plastic sofa watching Chloe model the clothes she'd picked. They'd been through the same process at half a dozen other stores except for the uniform store where there had been no choices involved and the lingerie store, where neither Lex nor Wendy had seen her purchases.
"It's pants and a shirt, Lex. I don't see the problem," Chloe said, putting her hands on her hips defiantly. She was in gold pants and a little rhinestone studded, see-through belly shirt.
"It makes you look like a two dollar hooker."
"Which is something you know ALL about I'm sure," Chloe said, rolling her eyes at him.
"I am not buying it, period. I can't believe I let you two drag me into this store."
"Fine, chrome dome. Also please remember you're the one wearing the Metallica shirt that was new in the eighties," Chloe muttered, pulling off the shirt as she walked into the changing room.
"I thought it looked good on her. What's your problem, Lex?" Wendy asked, looking over at him.
"In an outfit like that, Donavon and his little band will be all over her. You know how they can be. I refuse to pay for something that will get her victimized," Lex answered. Donavon Sanders was one of the most obnoxious, popular, nasty boys in the school. He rivaled Lex in his exploits, except that his encounters had a way of turning violent.
"Aw! Little Lexy has a heart."
"Shut the fuck up, Wendy. I'm going to pick the next store. You know that, don't you?"
"Mm-hm. Sure ya are."
They'd been shopping for hours and Lex was starting to go crazy. A man could only take so much estrogen at a time. And the girls had been all about the bonding, walking a few yards ahead of him, no doubt sharing all their secrets and had quickly become bosom buddies. Women had a tendency to do that. Personally he didn't mind all that much; it gave him a great view. Though if either girl knew what he was thinking, he would have to face a woman's wrath times two.
Sometimes he wondered why he tolerated it. Anyone else and he would have had them out of his company or under his thumb. But then, Wendy had a way of wrapping him around her little finger and she seemed to be teaching their new companion the skill as well.
But he really was getting sick of all these clothing stores. He wanted to get out of there. And Luthors got what they wanted.
"That's it. I'm not buying anything from this store. Chloe, put on your clothes, we're leaving," Lex called, standing up.
"What?" Chloe asked.
"I'm hungry, and I am done shopping. You've got enough stuff to last you the whole damn semester. I'm going to get some pizza." Lex said. And with that he turned and walked out of the store.
In the dressing room, Chloe let her shock show. Pizza? Lex Luthor wanted pizza? Could cows suddenly fly? From what her father had told her, Lex was more of a four star restaurant type of guy.
"Come on Chloe. He'll leave us if you don't hurry. I know, he's done it before." Wendy called.
Chloe immerged and walked out of the store with Wendy.
"He do this often?"
"Yup. If he doesn't like the situation, he'll change it. Now hurry or we'll miss out on free pizza."
~*~*~
"Cheese? Oh come on, I expected so much from you, Chloe!" Wendy cried as the pizzas were set on the table.
"My mom used to make cheese pizza for me on weekends, from scratch. Then when she died, it was just one of those things that reminds me of her. Every time I eat it, I can see her face." Chloe said, leaning over to grab a slice.
"How old were you when she died?" Lex asked coolly.
"About twelve. So I have pretty good memories of her, but I miss her. Mind if we move out of the morbid thoughts? "
"You brought it up Chloe." Lex pointed out and reached for a piece of pepperoni.
"And you continued it, Shiny Skull." Chloe snapped back.
"Would you stop? Jesus, I got enough of that shit in junior high."
"Look Lex, I'm sorry. I know it must have been scary to be caught out there during a meteor storm. Its not like you could help it." Chloe said sympathetically.
Lex gaped at her. "How the hell could you possibly."
Wendy sat back watching. It was more fun and cheaper than a movie. She figured if she kept these two together, she'd have hours of entertainment.
"Former Smallville resident speaking. I know someone who is in management at the crap factory and he told me about what happened to you. The way you look really doesn't matter you know. And besides your head, its totally sexy." Chloe replied through a mouthful of pizza.
"Who do you know?" Lex asked, ignore the comment about his head completely.
"Just some guy." Chloe said with a shrug.
"Some guy who just happened to know what happened to me in cornfield in 1989." Lex shot back skeptically.
"Yep. Just some guy." Her father had told her what had happened when Lex had arrived in Smallville. And she had pumped Clark for extra details.
"Hot guy?" Wendy asked.
"No. Old guy." Chloe replied wrinkling her nose at the thought of her father being hot in any way.
"How old is old?"
"Old enough to be my father."
"Well that's not to bad. Harrison Ford is old enough to be our father and he's still razor fine." Wendy argued her eyes glazing over slightly
"Good point. Same goes for David Bowie. Chasing fifty and still looking fine."
"I don't think Lex is enjoying the direction this conversation is going, are you Lex?"
Lex shrugged slightly. He could tune them out and focus on the pizza, he was a man after all.
"That's because women who are famous don't stay pretty once the hit forty."
"Bullshit. Susan Sarandon is still an incredibly attractive woman and she's hit forty and kept right on going. And Ann Bancroft was still beyond sexy in her forties."
"Coo coo cachoo Mrs. Robinson. Graduate fan?" She grinned wickedly "Tell me Lex, exactly how many members of the female faculty have you slept with?" Chloe shot out.
"At this school? None, poor selection."
"I hear the new math teacher Miss Dolan is pretty attractive. All the guys seem to think she's a dish. You haven't made the conquest yet? Are you getting to old to play the game anymore Lex?" Wendy asked.
"Jenny's an attractive woman, she just doesn't pique my interest."
"Cause she's doesn't fulfill your brunette fetish? Picky much."
"He has a fetish?" Chloe asked interested.
"It is not a fetish."
"Almost every woman he's ever slept with has had hair that's a shade of brown or black. Its almost disturbing, especially since his dad has brown hair." Wendy told Chloe in a conspiratorial whisper.
"Its not a fetish, Wendy, it's a preference."
"I always thought most gentlemen preferred blondes. You know there was a whole movie about it. Marilyn Monroe starred in it, maybe you've heard of it." Wendy said.
"You're a brunette, Wendy, please don't forget that."
"So you only dated me cause you liked my hair?" Wendy said in a voice filled with mock distress.
"You're right Wen, he does have a fetish." Chloe declared with a laugh.
"Of course I'm right. I always am." Wendy replied laughing with Chloe.
Her laughter stopped as piece of pizza flew across the table directly into her face. She blinked and wiped cheese and tomato sauce off her face.
"It is not a fetish. And you," Lex said coolly, light dancing behind his eyes as he looked at Chloe. "you don't even know me."
"I'll give you some thing to fetish over." Wendy snarled hurling a hunk of pizza in his general direction. She missed and it hit Chloe in the side of the head.
"You are both so dead."
Food flew across the table in a flurry. Some of it landed on skin, some on clothes, some missed a member of the trio completely and hit some of the patrons, who joined in hurling their food with much more violent intent.
"You know, my father is going to be royally pissed." Lex announced, before mashing a slice of vegetarian pizza into Chloe's face.
"I'm sure he is." Wendy said before pouring a glass of Coke over his head.
|
|
|
Post by Blaire on Dec 17, 2005 17:34:29 GMT -5
Chapter 3
"You have any idea how lucky we are that Hampton didn't kick us out?" Chloe asked as she followed Wendy through the hall. She felt very silly in her white collared shirt, blue and green plaid skirt and knee-high socks. It was all too early Brittany Spears/Catholic school girl for her.
"No, we're not. This actually the most innocent stunt Lex has pulled. He didn't destroy any property, no drugs were involved, no lives were destroyed and the damages cost less than a million dollars. That's pretty damn good all things considered." Wendy said with a shrug.
"That's minor?"
"Last time he pulled something, a corridor went up in flames, and two male students had 2nd degree burns. Not that he cared. They run with Sanders." Wendy said as if that explained everything.
"Who?"
"Donavon Sanders. He and Lex are basically enemies. They fought over a something during freshman year, and have been at odds ever since. Don't know exactly what happened, but I think a woman was involved. All I know is, they hate each other, and Sanders hates anyone Lex is directly affiliated with. Which means me, and since you are with me and through me Lex, he's going to hate you too." Wendy explained.
"Fabulous. An enemy. Just what I need on my first day of school," Chloe muttered.
"Don't worry. You'll be fine. Just don't let anything he says get you down, " Wendy finished before they entered the class room.
"Ms. Sullivan, if you would mind remaining by the door. I'll introduce you to the class." A male teacher in his early sixty's told her.
"Sure thing Mr. Mills. It is Mr. Mills, right? I'm not in the wrong class, am I?" Chloe asked.
"Yes, I'm Mr. Mills, and you are in the right class, I assure you."
"Ok. Then I'll just stand here."
"Order class. Lets bring it down to a dull roar," He said sternly.
Chloe watched as an attractive young man with long blonde hair pulled back in a ponytail moved into a seat an aisle away from Lex and Wendy. He said something to a friend, and shot Lex a death glare. She realized he must be Donavon. He and Lex looked completely different physically, and they seemed to behave in completely opposite manners. Donavon appeared to wear his anger and distaste for Lex on his sleeve while Lex had that stony expression on his face.
"Now, class, we have a new student with us. This is Chloe Sullivan. Where did you say you were from, Ms. Sullivan?"
"I don't think I did say. I'm from Smallville, Kansas, which is a small town a few hours away from Metropolis."
"Welcome, Ms. Sullivan, to AP Literature. Please take that empty seat between Mr. Sanders and Mr. Reynolds for now, and we'll get started."
Chloe seated herself between Donavon and a dark haired, heavyset teen with nasty gleam in his eyes. She was feeling incredibly uncomfortable. They were looking at her funny.
"Hey, little girl, want to have some fun after this class?" Donavon asked with a leer in low enough voice the Mr. Mills couldn't hear him.
"It’s school. Fun and school are like oil and water, and I intend to keep it that way for the time being, thanks."
"What's wrong, Kitten, scared? I'm not the big, bad wolf you know." The toothy grin he shot her argued that statement.
"More like the big, dumb jock. Now, would you please shut the hell up? I kinda need to catch up in this subject." Chloe said looking straight ahead.
"Little kitty’s got fangs, Donavon. I like that. A challenge." The dark haired teen whispered to his friend.
"Challenge this: if you keep bothering me I'll sue your ass for sexual harassment."
The two boys ignored her. "Vaughn, it’s not a challenge unless I have to pull her out from Luthor's grip, and she's not exactly his type. Blonde without enough curves."
"Her curves are fine, Sanders, and if you don't stop, I'll tell Trendle about that little stunt you pulled with Ramona last week." Lex said quietly, not taking his eyes away from Mr. Mills.
"She's not yours, Luthor."
"Really? Who told you that, Sanders?" Lex asked in a lethal voice.
"I don't belong to anyone." Chloe shot in. Wendy just caught her eyes, and motioned for her to stay out of it.
"Oh, now that is a challenge, Kitten."
~*~*~
"How was you day after English?" Wendy asked as she toyed with the meatloaf on her plate.
"It was all right, I guess, nothing monumental. New classes, new teachers. Have physics with that guy Donavon. He is really disgusting." Chloe said, taking bite of an apple. Most of the food in the cafeteria was repellent. So she figured she'd stick to the fruits and vegetables.
"Speaking of disgusting, here comes the one of the many thorns on my pretty rose of existence. Hi Vicky." Wendy said to the brunette walking towards them. Wendy wondered why the bitchy Brit always insisted on stopping and bickering with her before making her way to her table. It wasn't as if she ever won any of their verbal battles.
"My name is not Vicky, you miserable serf. It’s Victoria. Vicky is a name for a rank, stupid peasant. Victoria is a name for a queen." The tall, slender, graceful, British girl spat at Wendy. Her tone was haughty and controlling.
"It’s still not a great name. Too many syllables. A man won't be able to get your name out in bed. Although, I'm sure he wouldn't know your name, anyway. You tend to skip the pleasantries." Wendy replied in a cold voice.
"As if you would know anything about being a woman, Wendy. You're still trapped in the body of a 10 year old." Victoria said waving a hand dismissively at Wendy's thin frame.
"At least I was still a virgin when I was ten, Victoria."
Chloe could have sworn she saw the British girl's eyes glow red and jets of smoke shoot out her nostrils.
"Actually, you saved yourself till you were twelve. Didn't you, Victoria?" Lex asked as he sat down next Chloe, at an angle to better enjoy the cat fight.
"As though you would know anything about it, Luthor." Victoria snapped.
"I know that for you to have those types of moves, you must have started early." He said raising one eyebrow.
"You weren't complaining."
"Have you ever known a man to complain during sex?" Lex asked her seriously.
"Hey, Victoria, if you find one, you make sure to tell the Guinness Book of World Records people what you did wrong." Wendy said.
"You'll pay for that, Miller. That I promise you. And Lex, if you're interested, I'm still free." Victoria said as turned on her heel and stalked off.
"I'm sure she will be. She always was." Wendy muttered.
"What the hell was that?" Chloe asked, looking at her two friends.
"Victoria Hardwick. Her father and mine are competitors. So naturally, I took advantage of the situation." Lex shrugged. “One of the school bicycles.”
"Meaning he fucked her nine ways from Sunday." Wendy said, stabbing her fork into the meatloaf as if it was trying to attack her. “But she’s not as decent as that other girl, the one with all the peircings and even broader reputation.”
“Corinne Delaney.” Lex supplied
“Right, Delaney. Anyway, they’re in the same gossip group and completely different social groups. Corinne is a ‘damned if I give a shit’ and bitch Vicky is a ‘frigid evil whore from hell’.”
"Thank you for the clarification, Wendy, but not necessary." Chloe laughed. It was almost comforting to see high school cliquing in action in a new environment.
"She hates Wendy because of our friendship. I think she's a little jealous."
"Plus she's still a little touchy about the time I came across her fucking a lacrosse player in a hallway. Not too thrilled about having an audience during that performance I'm sure," Wendy added, a small smirk on her lips
"And being the callous bitch that she is, Victoria isn't that fond of me either."
"But she just propositioned you, didn't she?" Chloe asked confused. She could have sworn that Victoria had offered herself to him before she had stalked away. But why would she have done that if she didn't even like him?
"Yes and I'll probably take her up on it if I can't find anything better to do." Lex answered. The ice she was familiar with seeing from afar in Smallville appeared in his eyes.
"So you two just use each other to get off?" She asked, slightly dismayed.
Lex nodded. "Basically."
"You rich people are beyond weird. How can you care so little about another human being?" Chloe asked in a troubled voice. She'd noticed it more than once during the school day. The students here didn't seem to care about anything or anyone but themselves.
"It’s hard to care about others when no one cares about you," Lex answered, adding steel to the ice in his voice.
"Then you have no excuse," Wendy said leaning over the cafeteria to poke him in the chest. "Cause you've got me and I think Chloe might care about you too."
Lex shot the blonde a piercing gaze.
"We're friends right?" Chloe asked.
Lex nodded.
"Then I have to care about you, don't I? Lets just see how things go on your side of the friendship."
|
|
|
Post by Blaire on Dec 17, 2005 17:35:11 GMT -5
Chapter 4
Lex could hear music through the wall of a dorm room and echoed into the 6th floor of Winchester Hall. The sound was loud and had a powerful beat and was sung by a group he'd never heard before.
He pushed open the door of the room quietly. Chloe was hanging her head off the bed upside down, reading, singing and tapping her feet in time against the wall. He noted that in the week that she'd been at Hampton she'd acclimated herself to dorm life very well.
"This time I'm gonna let it all come out. This time I'm gonna stand up and shout. I'm gonna do things my way. It's my way. My way or the highway. This time I'll let it all come out. This time I'll stand up and shout. I'm gonna do things my way. It's my way. My way or the highway. Some day you'll see things my way. Cause you never know when you never know when you're gonna go," Chloe sang, swinging her head back forth.
"Mind if I cut in?" Lex asked, making his presence known, all though he was loathe to interrupt her little performance.
Chloe swung herself up quickly and rolled off the small bed. She rushed over to the stereo and slammed it off. This was not good. Past Lex catching her listening to future music was so not good. And neither was the dizzy sickening sensation she had just entered as all the blood in her head rushed back into the rest of her body.
"Shit," Chloe muttered as the room spun around her and she toppled sideways and braced herself for a close encounter with the floor. Instead, a pair of arms caught her halfway to the carpet.
"Wow, that's a lot better than hitting the floor," Chloe said wryly.
"I'll take that as compliment," Lex replied as he helped her back to her feet.
"Wendy is at rowing practice, so I know that you aren't here to talk to her. So, my bald knight in school uniform, why are you in my dorm to sweep me off my feet?" Chloe asked walking back to her bed and settling herself on top of the comforter.
"I came to borrow Wens copy of Dante's Divine Comedy. She said I could come get it even if she wasn't there," Lex said with a shrug.
"Dante Alighieri. Interesting. I always figured you more of a Machiavelli fan than Dante," Chloe remarked as she watched him ferret through the Wendy's mountain of books.
"Machiavelli had good concepts, but he was long winded and not much of a fiction writer," Lex replied as he continued to look through the stacks of books. “Besides its one of the more interesting choice options for Henderson’s World Lit class.”
"What's your favorite aspect?" Chloe asked her reporter instincts coming out. She'd been keeping herself from asking him to many questions too soon, but she was curious. And this wasn’t a “tell me all your deep, dark, ugly secrets” question anyway.
"Of what?"
"The Divine Comedy."
"Beatrice," Lex answered simply.
"That girl he was obsessed with? Why?" Chloe inquired.
"Because she was such a power for and over him. She was his passion, his creative force. I find it fascinating that one person could influence a whole life so dramatically. Here it is. At the bottom of the stack of course. She needs an organization method of some type."
"She does.” Chloe laughed. “It’s called the Alphabet. But you like the human weakness Beatrice brings out in Dante?" Chloe replied.
"No, I like her power. For the roles women played in society, she had an overwhelming effect on Dante. I find it interesting she didn't use it as much as she could have before she died, " Lex pointed out, flipping through the thick book.
"He loved her. Love does that to people."
"It's an obsession, not love. You said it yourself."
Chloe laughed, he was such a cynic. She wondered briefly if Clark had ever noticed how skeptical his friend was. "No I didn't. I said he was obsessed with her, not that what they had was an obsession. But the next thing that's going to come out of your mouth is that there is no such thing as love. I'm right aren't I?" Lex didn't respond; he just glued his eyes to the book in hands.
"Have you ever loved anyone, even in a familial way?"
"Everyone has."
"Not necessarily. Under certain circumstances, people don't get and give the love they should. But I was curious about you. Because you rich, powerful, famous people tend to do the family thing differently. I know, I’ve watched some E! So who in your family do you love, really love?" Chloe asked.
Lex was silent for a moment and then spoke, "My sister."
"You have a sister?"
"Had. Lena died in a car crash not long before my mother died. She was a year younger than me. She was my best friend one minute, and a corpse the next. My mother was already dying of heart disease and my father wasn't every helpful either."
"And you just turned off your love for the rest of your family after she died?" Chloe asked a little shocked. That was awful. She couldn't understand how parents could let their child become so cold.
"No, I didn't stop until my mother was buried a month after Lena." He chuckled, "My father didn't exactly make it easy for me to heal. His philosophy was don't show weakness. Tears are a weakness. Pain, emotion, mourning are all weakness. And weaknesses are not allowed in Luthors."
"So he played Philip of Macedon to your Alexander the Great right?" Chloe asked him smiling ever so slightly.
Lex blinked at her reference. His father used it all the time and it was unnerving hearing it come from someone else.
"Is that who you want to be Lex, Alexander the Great?"
"What if I do?" Lex asked. She seemed as though she had a lot she wanted to say but was afraid to.
"Think about what that would mean before you go for the world conquest thing," Chloe said seriously.
"Like what?"
"Well there are several things. The first is what I like to call the Spiderman philosophy, you know. Uncle Ben and his whole with great power comes great responsibility spiel, which is pretty self-explanatory.
"The second is that absolute power corrupts absolutely. If you have the power you have to keep it from poisoning you.
"The third is that Alexander the Great died in his early thirties, unmarried, unloved by anyone but his troops, debatably gay not that sexuality matters, and childless. He had no family left, no friends, just generals in his armies. Sometimes being that high up in power and prestige takes away from some of the better things in life. If you want to go after the things the man you're named for did, then by all means go for it. If anyone can achieve great things, I have a feeling its you.” She shrugged, trying to seem nonchalant. She was starting to remind herself of Obi-Wan Kenobi with this little speach. “But try to remember that there are more important things than money and power, " Chloe told him, resting her elbows on her legs and her chin in her palms.
Lex was surprised by her insight. She was right on all three counts but the last one was not one he'd actually considered.
"You're emphasizing the whole love and family thing again."
She shrugged once more, "You need someone to love you. That is my diagnosis. And once you have that, you'll realize how important and wonderful it is. Call me a softy, but I happen to believe I'm right. I have great intuitive instincts."
"And who is going to do that? You?" Lex asked rolling his eyes.
"Maybe. Maybe not. Depends on how things go between us. But whether or not I end up loving you, in a friendly, familial, or romantic way, I know I care about you at the very least, that when you get in trouble I'll be right there with Wendy to bail you out of jail or call 911 when you mix the wrong drugs," Chloe smiled at him. Based on everything she knew about Lex's past, which was very little, those two things would most likely happen at least once before she got back to 2002.
"You are a remarkable person Chloe Sullivan. You barely know me, and yet you open up to me like this. No wonder Wendy likes you so much," Lex said a bit of shock in his voice.
"I like to look for the good in people, especially if they have an aura of mystique. And I see a lot of good in you, if you let it out. No wonder Wendy likes you so much. Now get out of here. I'm sure you have things you need to do, and I have to catch up in every subject and having deep discussions with young billionaires is not speeding the process up at all. I'll find you when I'm ready to have a conversation," Chloe joked. Yes, she wouldn't mind getting to know him. He had the potential to be something special, and she wanted to be there when he became the person he should be, and the man he would be
~*~*~
"Watch it baldy," Donovan hissed as he slammed into Lex in the hall the next day. He hit Lex so hard he nearly dropped the books he was carrying.
"Coming down from a bad trip Sanders? I told you that Jimmy wasn't the guy you should be getting your acid from. But then, why would you listen to me?" Lex said unfazed. He was going to be late for Spanish but he was ahead in that class and Senora Citrone wouldn't begrudge him a few minutes.
"Like I’d bother with that little Russian faggot you use. And just so you know Luthor, you're the only one who lives a shitty enough existence to have to bother with LSD," Donovan replied.
"What can I help you with Sanders? You obviously have something to say or you wouldn't have used your body as a battering ram."
"I want to know what the deal is with you and the Kitten," Donovan demanded.
"So you could have asked me nicely. Honestly, Donovan, you will never anywhere in polite society with manners like that." Lex said wryly. Donovan acted like a moron most of the time but he was sharper than he let on. Which made him more dangerous than the average idiot.
"So is she yours like the Miller bitch or what?"
"First of all, her name is Wendy, and if you touch her, I'll kill you. Second of all, my relationship with Chloe is none of your business Sanders."
"So you are fucking her. I knew you were. I take it that you've shifted from brunettes to blondes. Finally some variation. I was tired of screwing all those dark haired sluts. They all look so damn similar. All though every now and then you'd pick an Asian girl and give it some spice. "
"You might want to watch what you say Sanders. It could get you into trouble," Lex said lethally.
"What are you going to do Luthor? You aren't a violent guy. In fact I don't think I've ever known you to hit anyone. And how do you think to get your revenge? Our fathers are business friends. My father has sent so much business to Luthor Corp he's invaluable to Lionel," Donovan smirked evilly.
"I can be patient Donovan. It doesn't have to happen right now. I'll achieve my goal when you least expect it. It could be today or in twenty years. Let that simmer Sanders."
"What are you going to do Lex? Spread your plague to me? But I thought that only works on people you care about. I mean, we have sweet sister, Mommie Dearest, and how long were you on chemo before the leukemia went into remission? Lets see you were seven so it was three years. The only reason your dad and baby brother are still alive is because you hate them both. In fact it's a miracle that Miller is still breathing."
Lex's palm itched with the urge to beat the tar out of Donovan but something held him back. It must have been the fact that the day would come when he would bring Donovan and his family to their knees.
"Stay away from Chloe and Wendy, Donovan, or you will pay, in ways so great that the pain will *never* fade and it will haunt you after you die. And you know can manage it," Lex said quietly and continued down the hall.
|
|
|
Post by Blaire on Dec 17, 2005 17:35:31 GMT -5
Chapter 5
The phone was ringing when Lex entered his dorm room. He dropped his books on his bed and picked it up hoping to God that it wasn't -
"Hello Lex."
Lex swallowed hard. Great, his favorite person. He had neither the desire nor the composure to talk to his father.
"Hi Dad, what can I do to make this phone call end as soon as possible?" Lex sighed, falling onto his bed.
"I can't check up on my oldest son?" Lionel asked feigning hurt.
"What do you want?" A dull ache began behind his eyes.
"I want you to take a step back from your lady friends. Especially that little blonde street rat my source has told me so much about. The loud mouth with the glasses is bad enough but did you have to pull a pet off the street?" Lionel demanded in his cool calm voice. Lex knew his father paid members of the faculty and staff to watch him and every time he thought about it, it made him ill.
"People aren't things dad. And I think that at seventeen I'm entitled to make my own decisions about the company I keep."
"You're still a little boy Lex. You need guidance."
"Not your guidance," Lex snapped, before he could stop himself. Anger was a weakness, and now that he'd shown his weakness, his father would prey on it.
"You let that temper of yours control you, son. It inhibits what little intelligence you posses. You know you could learn so much from your brother. Calm, brilliant, and knows which types of people to associate with and he's three years younger than you and still managed to become a senior before you. I will never understand why he wasn't born first. The second son is supposed to be the failure. Oh well, quirk of nature I suppose."
Lex felt his whole body go cold. Julian was the golden child. The Wonder Boy and his presence made Lionel's job of making Lex miserable even easier.
"Julian is a fourteen year old freak," Lex muttered.
"Ah, but a freak with promise, genius, and a bright future. You're just a mistake wandering down the road to perdition Lex. I wonder what you will do when I'm not there to pull you out of jail or pay your hospital bills," Lionel mused.
"Then I'll probably overdose on ecstasy and die happy. I have to go Dad, they actually give us work here. Not that I do it, but you never know when a teacher will stop in and check on you," Lex said harshly. The dull ache had become a piercing stab somewhere along the line and he just wanted to get out of the conversation.
"Well then I suppose I'll have to let you go then, won't I. Have a nice day, son," Lionel said with malicious sweetness.
Lex hung up the phone and threw it into a corner. A month; he'd really managed to avoid talking to his father for a month, since the episode at the pizzeria. Some how every time he spoke to his dad, all the detachment and healing he felt he'd been doing in the man's absence just fell away and he was back where he started.
The headache was still there along with deep sense of hopelessness and suppressed rage. He'd fix that problem; he had some pot and other wonder pills in the back of his closet left over from his last purchase from his dealer, Pietro, before school started. But he'd just do a little, he promised himself, just enough to dull the pain.
And if not, Peitro had given him several different white powders in the last batch. If the pills didn’t do the trick, the dust would.
~*~*~
Chloe had been working all month to adjust to life in 1997. It was relatively easy except that most of her cultural references went right over people's heads. She and Wendy had taken to hanging out by the large lake that sprawled across the property after classes, if Wendy didn't have track. If she did, Chloe usually ended up in Lex's dorm. She had yet to get him talk to about anything emotional like she had a week after her arrival but she'd done it before and she'd do it again. On the weekend, the three hung out together and did whatever struck them at the time.
It was a Wednesday and Wendy was at track practice. The team had a meet on Saturday and she was staying late. So once Chloe had finished her homework she headed over to the boy's dorm, grabbing the forged permission note the girls always used on the way out.
She could hear the Doors filtering through the closed door of Lex's room. She knocked once and opened the door.
The air smelt burnt. A haze of smoke floated through the room. For a minute she thought there was something was on fire. Until she saw Lex.
He was sprawled on his back on his bed staring up at the ceiling with rapt interest.
"Lex, are you ok?"
"He-ey Chloe," Lex said smiling at her. She'd never seen a smile like that. His eyes were slightly glazed over and his whole face was relaxed.
"Lex, are you ok?" Chloe asked, resting her fingers gently on his wrist. His heartbeat was rapid and shallow beneath her fingertips.
"I'm great. Great, great, great," he giggled. Lex never giggled. In fact, it was rare for him to do more than chuckle.
"Oh my god. Lex, you're stoned, aren't you?" she whispered looking at his bedside table. A used syringe and a filled ashtray as well as a few pill bottles littered the surface.
"Mm-hm. High as a kite. You know, your shirt is really red. Like a fire engine. Zoom zoom. Wow, this is the best tilt-o-whirl ride I've ever been on! And there was this really big fast one in New York when I was eight. Well this is better, the lights are moving faster," he laughed again. Chloe was starting to worry. He was completely out of character and his breathing was shallow and quick.
"What are you on Lex? Tell me. I can't help you if I don't know what's you're on. Please Lex," she whispered running her fingers up and down his bare arm grazing over the small puncture wound. She could guess what that was from.
"You want them in chronological or alphabetical order Chloe?" Lex asked, that same strange smile on his face, his eyes glazed and spaced as if he were looking a past her at something only he could see.
"Chronological."
He lifted a fist into the air and ticked them off on his fingers. "Marijuana, small hit of ecstasy, a line of snow and some powder, which I think…”He paused trying to get his brain to work. “I think it was cocaine, cause but it might have been smack.” He laughed that hysterical, slightly panicked laugh again. “I’m not sure, I couldn’t see the letters clearly. In that order. Hey Chloe, why are you floating?" Lex asked his eyes looking up and down.
Chloe's mind was reeling. Heroin or coke on its own could kill him but mixed with other substances a reaction was so much more likely. She didn’t know what to do. She’d never known anyone who did drugs before.
"How long ago did you shoot up Lex?"
"Maybe a half hour. You ever done drugs Smallville?" Lex asked lifting his head ever so slightly off the bed and then dropping it back down.
"I only had pot once and that was in eighth grade. I don't do drugs," he nodded and decided that the subject was boring.
"You're beautiful Chloe. I mean, wow. You have these really, really pretty eyes that jump out and grab you. Only they look very blue today, sorta like the shirt. I like it," he smiled and touched the side of her eye with soft fingers.
"Lex, where is your phone?" Chloe asked pulling away before a tear hit his hand.
"I have absolutely no idea. But I'm sure that if you look real hard, you can find it with those big eyes," he answered in dreamy sleepy voice; his head was lolling loosely about on his neck like a rag doll.
It only took Chloe five minutes searching through the trashed room for the portable phone that was lying on the floor by his desk. But by the time she found it he’d deteriorated severely.
"How you doing Lex?"
"Nauseous, dizzy. And not good dizzy. Brings back way to many memories. Reminds me of when I was little. Always sick," Lex said as his body curled into a ball. Chloe sat on the bed and entwined her fingers with his as she punched the number into the phone.
"911 what is your emergency?" The operator on the other end of the phone asked.
"My friend is on illegal substances. I'm afraid he's going to O.D. I need help." Wow, that came out much calmer than she was. Adrenaline was amazing stuff.
Chloe hung on the line as she watched Lex go from dazedly happy to sick and shaking. His skin had never looked that pale before and it scared the hell out of her.
"Please be all right," Chloe whispered, as she watched him convulse and heave. She turned him on his side and waited for the paramedics hoping she wouldn't have to watch him die.
|
|
|
Post by Blaire on Dec 17, 2005 17:35:54 GMT -5
Chapter 6
Wendy and Chloe sat in his room with Vice Principal Trendle, waiting for Lex to wake up. He'd been in asleep for almost three days.
He'd lost consciousness before the paramedics had arrived and had gone into cardiac arrest on the ambulance ride. And then later the lab results had come back positive with traces of not only ecstasy and cocaine, which Lex had admitted to Chloe in his tripped out haze, but heroin as well.
That last bit of information had thrown Chloe into a place between worry and rage; Wendy's emotions seemed to be a magnified mirror her own. But both girls were working on keeping busy.
Chloe had her laptop out and was writing a detailed account of what had happened to Lex as a form of tension relief. Wendy had commented on her computer's bizarre appearance when she had first seen it over a month ago. She still couldn't figure out where Chloe had gotten it but had given up on trying to figure out when Chloe had given her the silent treatment for two days. Wendy was reading and Ms. Trendle was doing paperwork.
They were all jolted out of their silence by a low groan.
"What the hell?" Lex moaned. "Hey, who taped my tongue to the roof of my mouth?" The room spun out of focus for a minute before his vision cleared.
"You idiot!" Chloe leapt up and slapped him hard across the face. His head snapped to the side. "What were you thinking? You could have died, you moron! That garbage you pump into yourself, it kills people! What were you thinking mixing substances let alone doing one? You have a death wish?" Chloe ranted then she took a deep breath and sighed. "Sorry for the outburst, Ms. Trendle. Wendy, he's all yours."
Lex rubbed his cheek with his hand and waited for another hand to strike. He could guess where he was based on the IV leading from the back of his hand and he knew what was happening. Still he was a little hazy and could only vaguely remember how he had ended up in the hospital. But his mind was clear enough to remember his father's phone call and to know that Wendy would be beyond angry at him for this.
"You promised, Lex. You swore on Lillian's grave the last time this happened. And yet here you are, taking liquids through a tube in your hand. You scared ten years off Chloe’s life and mine. And you nearly died. You can't keep doing this to yourself. Next time Chloe or I may not be there to save you. And heroin." Tears clung to Wendy's eyelashes. She had watched awareness and comprehension creep into his eyes as she spoke. "Jesus Christ, why heroin? Why not just put a gun in your mouth and pull the trigger. How could you put me through that again?"
"Wendy, I'm sorry." Lex whispered, not meeting her eyes. "And Chloe, I didn't mean to scare you."
"Yeah, fuck you, Lex. You want to die, do it when you're on vacation, so I don't have to see the body," Wendy spat and stalked out of the room. Chloe and Lex could her dissolve into sobs as soon as she was out the door.
"You know that you're suspended from classes for the next week, Mr. Luthor. Your father has handled all the legal matters," Ms Trendle said quietly, not looking up from her paper work.
"I expected that. Thank you, Ms. Trendle," he said with a nod. She picked up her paper work and followed Wendy's route out the door.
He and Chloe were left alone in the stark hospital room. Chloe didn't rise from her chair and Lex was in no condition to get out of bed.
"I take it you've done this before."
"Once or twice," he said, his smirk coming back.
"Once or twice you've been hospitalized, or once or twice you've done the hard-core drugs? And don't smirk at me, Lex. There's nothing to smirk about."
"Maybe it's both," Lex replied. The smirk had been quickly replaced with a solemn stare.
"Don't play the mind games with me right now, Lex. I've been up for the last three days and I'm behind in physics, math, psychology, and Spanish because I've been sitting in a hospital room worrying over you and trying to keep Wendy from just…spontaneously combusting. So don't give me this shit," Chloe snapped.
He had scared her senseless when his heart had stopped beating in the ambulance, and the pain she'd felt when he'd been clinically dead was not something she ever wanted to experience again. She was still raw and shaken from the event that what little patience she'd been storing over the last three days was rapidly disappearing.
"I've never done heroin before, but I've done just about everything else." Lex shrugged.
"You're a regular Keith Richards, aren't you, Lex." She sighed heavily. "Do you have any idea how bad you scared us? And when Wendy found out that you were on heroin, I thought she was going to be sick, literally. What did Wendy mean by 'again', if you've never done heroin before?"
"Wendy had an older brother; he was seven years older than us. Mick overdosed on heroin when Wendy was fourteen. Something happened between her and Mick's twin at the coroner's, and now she can't stand him. Ever since his funeral, she's had a bit of a thing about heroin, so I try to avoid it.
"You did a bang up job."
"I don't need this garbage from you, Chloe," Lex replied tiredly. God, he ached. This was most likely the worst hangover he'd ever had.
"I found you, Lex; not the other way around. I called 911. I held your hand while you seized and vomited. I was on the ambulance when you went into cardiac arrest. How did it feel to be dead?"
"I honestly can't remember. Next question, counselor."
"Why the hell did you feel the need to be on that many types of drugs? Isn't one enough?" Worry lines creased her face.
Lex looked at her with tired eyes. "It was just a progression, I suppose. I usually only do ecstasy and/or marijuana, if I need a bigger escape I use coke. And I don't even remember where I got the heroin. I thought it was more coke, but by that point I was already stoned. If you've ever done ecstasy you know how great your mind works. I guess I just shot up. Seemed like a good idea at the time," he told her. For some reason, his excuse seemed more feeble than he had planned.
"You are unbelievable. You'd probably jump off a bridge if the mood struck you," Chloe shouted, throwing up her hands.
"I haven't jumped off a bridge since I was twelve," Lex replied honestly. But he really wanted her to smile at him, to let him know that he was forgiven.
"You made your best friend cry. You know Trendle is out there right now comforting Wen," Chloe said pointing an accusing finger at him. Obviously it wasn't alright yet.
"I know. She gets like this every time she catches me doing drugs."
"Then why don't you stop?"
"Because I'm an addict, Clo. That's what happens when you take a lot of drugs. You get addicted. But I must say, it did piss off my dad," he said, with a bit of sadness in his voice.
"You're cutting off your nose to spite your face. How stupid is that?" Chloe demanded, getting frustrated. She was sleep deprived and upset. And if he didn't give her a straight answer, she'd leave. She was too tired to be yanked around by someone who had almost died on her.
"On a scale of one to ten?"
Chloe let out an exasperated breath and left the room. He wouldn't die while she was out of the room.
~*~*~
"You hear about Luthor?" Vaughn asked, leaning over the desk to whisper in Donovan's ear.
"What did that shiny skulled fuck do this time?" Donovan asked with a smile. He shot a look at the blonde sitting three rows ahead of him. The kitten looked exhausted and her mousy companion seemed to be missing completely.
"Had an otherworldly experience that nearly killed him about a week ago. Mixed dope, blow, and smack, the stupid fuck. The kitten found him stoned out of his mind in his room almost a week ago. Had to rush him to the hospital. Nearly died on the way there. He's suspended for the next five days. His dad barely got the charges dropped, and he's still in the hospital."
Donovan laughed, a loud full resounding laugh that filled the classroom. The calculus teacher, Mrs. Ramirez, shot him a hard look.
"Excuse me, Mr. Sanders. What is it exactly that you find so very amusing?" the harsh Puerto Rican woman demanded.
Donovan glanced at his watch. Three minutes until calculus was over. He could work this.
"Nothing, Mrs. Ramirez. I was simply thinking of something funny heard. I'm sorry for disrupting the class." He shot out a megawatt smile just for good measure. Mrs. Ramirez nodded and turned back to the board.
Donovan watched his wristwatch as the minutes ticked by. Three, two one. The bell rang clanging through the school. He watched Chloe leap out of her chair and attempt to bolt out of the classroom. So keen to avoid him. Kitten was feisty; he liked that. It was so rare in women at Hampton. They'd all been pampered most of their life and were soft and spineless.
He beat her out the door and walked quickly to her locker. He'd get her alone yet, what with Miller in the language hall and Luthor on suspension.
"Meow, meow, Kitten. You're looking lovely this morning." Donovan smiled, leaning casually against the locker next to hers.
"What do you want, Sanders?"
"Just the pleasure of your company, Kitten," he said, reaching out to push a stray strand of hair behind her ear.
"My name is not 'Kitten'. It's 'Chloe'. Call me that or don't talk to me at all. Not talking to me at all would be the better option, of course," Chloe snapped, slapping his hand away.
"That plaid skirt makes your legs look great," he replied, looking down at her long limbs.
"Oh my god, what a disgusting face, and here I thought Halloween was next week. But you know, even if you take off the mask, you're still a repulsive toad," she shot out, quickly walking down the hall.
Donovan grabbed her by the shoulders and flung her into a row of lockers. He pinned her hands above her head and her book bag hit the floor with a thud. "Ribbit ribbit. Kiss me and I'll turn into a prince," he hissed and leaned his face close to hers.
"No fucking way. You'll give me warts," Chloe said, twisting her wrists in an effort to get free. His hands didn't budge.
"Oh, come on, Kitten. My white horse is waiting right outside the school," he whispered, running his hands down her body and catching her around the waist.
"I don't care if your horse can fly, I don't want you touching me. Now let me go if you want to have children," Chloe replied in a slightly panicked voice.
"You sure, Kitten? Cause I promise, you'll have much more fun with me than with that bald headed junkie."
Chloe smiled up at him and he leaned in to kiss her. But before his lips touched hers, her knee shot up, slamming into his groin. He moaned and sank to the floor.
"Bitch."
"This little cat has claws, Sanders. Don't forget that," Chloe told him; then she grabbed her bag and ran down the hall.
|
|
|
Post by Blaire on Dec 17, 2005 17:36:18 GMT -5
Chapter 7
"Come play with me, Lex. I'll let you shuffle," Chloe said, walking across the rec room to where he sat in by the TV reading a book, preferring one of the overstuffed lounge chairs to the equally overfilled, if much older couch. She fiddled with a deck of playing cards as she spoke.
"No." Lex didn't look up from his book. He was still on suspension, but Wendy had gotten him his assignments despite protests from several teachers.
Victoria had dropped by the night before for a “welcome home from the hospital, asshole” fuck, and he really wasn't in the mood to do anything involving other people after that fiery and shallow encounter.
"Come on. I really want to play Gin. And the only person I know I won't beat the crap out of is you," Chloe said, standing directly in front of him.
"No." He still didn't look at her.
Disgusted, she pulled the book out of his hands, threw it across the room and sat on his lap.
"Please? You know you'll have fun. For me, your favorite female?" she whined. She ran her hands over his scalp in playfully seductive way and made a small whimpering sound.
"Funny, you don't look like Cindy Crawford," Lex teased, trying keeping his voice and face serious.
Chloe punched him in the shoulder. It didn't really hurt him, but he got the point. "Just for that you have to play with me," she announced.
He smiled at her, a real smile. She refused to take his crap, and he loved that about her. She was rapidly becoming his best friend because of little gatherings like this. She and Wendy would grab him and drag him out to the lake to just sit and enjoy the sunshine or some other simple thing he would never have done by himself. And her genuine interest in him, as a person, drew him to her even more. And he owed her his life.
Once he started playing, she probably wouldn't let him leave till she was played out. Not that he really minded spending a few hours sitting across from the fiery blonde. It gave him an excuse to look at her, which was something he'd had a strong desire to do more of since she had slapped him in the hospital.
"Fine. You deal," Lex said
"Ok," Chloe said cheerfully, climbing off his lap and seating herself in the other chair, then crossing her legs. She smoothed her plaid skirt over her knees, and dealt.
"Want?" Lex asked, gesturing to the ten of hearts that sitting on the coffee table.
"I want a lot of things. I want world peace, and a car, and a boyfriend. But that's not on my wish list," Chloe said, smiling.
"You know, a simple yes or no answer would have been fine," he muttered.
"I'm sure it would have. But I thought you might want to know what it was I wanted," she replied, winking at him as she leaned over to grab a card from the deck. She caught his eyes wandering over her chest.
"Have you mastered the skill of seeing down a polo shirt, yet?" she asked.
"I'm still perfecting the art; lean over again and let me practice," Lex shot back. He loved bantering with her; she was one of the few people on campus who had the sass and smarts to withstand a verbal sparring session with him and the patience to keep from becoming violent.
"Give me a card I need, and we'll discuss it."
"Nope," Lex said, smirking at her, and letting down his wall just a little. He looked at the card she had laid on the pile. "Why is there a smiley face on the ace of spades?"
"Cause it's a harsh card. It needs to lighten up. Reminds me of some people I know. Now I get to ask you a question." Chloe replied, her journalistic curiosity showing through.
"Why don't they just throw you out of school? I mean, you probably do more drugs and have more sex than anyone on this campus. I'm surprised they haven't thrown you out on your ass," Chloe mused as she looked down at her hand. She really had nothing.
"Money is power, Chloe. You know that. And my family has enough of it to keep me in this school," Lex said as he picked a card from the deck and put down the king of clubs.
"Don't you ever get tired of it? Of having people act totally fake around you because of the power you have?" Chloe asked as she picked up the card he'd just thrown.
"Why do you think I hang out with you and Wendy?" Lex shot back.
"No fair answering a question with a question," she said, faking indignant.
"I only promised you one question. Gin," Lex said, laying his cards on the table.
"Also no fair," Chloe sulked. She stuck her lower lip out in a pout.
"Be careful, or your face might get stuck like that," he said, reaching over to touch her lip.
"Deal with it, Baldy." Chloe said, still pouting, but she let the corners of her lips curl upward just the just the slightest.
"I'll get you for that later."
"No, you won't." Chloe said, gently pulling away from his fingertips.
"Wanna bet, Chloe?" Lex asked. He gave her a smug smirk.
"No, you tend to gamble with things that are far too valuable to be lost," Chloe said seriously, meeting his eyes. Lex held her gaze, trying to read her. He didn't say anything in response to that, just picked up the cards and shuffled them for the next hand.
~*~*~
"What's wrong with The Princess Bride, Wen? Its Mel Brooks. A classic!" She and Wendy had been arguing over which video to watch for almost a half hour.
"But we have five days till Halloween. We should be watching a slasher flick, or a horror movie. Evil Dead is a must! Or at the very least some old Hitchcock. Come on Chloe! You know you want to see dead people crawl out of their graves and eat people."
"No thanks. I like my dead people in the grave where they belong."
"Understandable, but still, in the spirit of All Hallow's Eve lets watch something scary. Please?"
"I really don't wanna." Chloe muttered to her friend.
"Well I don't want to watch your movie either!" The phone rang, breaking into their conversation.
Chloe grabbed the phone on the second ring. "Hello?"
"Hello, may I speak to Wendy, please?" A deep male voice asked.
"Um, yeah. May I ask whose calling?"
"Tell her its Nick." The man said gruffly.
"Wen, some guy named Nick on the phone for you." Chloe said holding out the receiver. Wendy shot up and grabbed it.
"Why are you calling here? You promised you'd leave me alone." Wendy hissed into the receiver.
"I don't want to hear it."
"Fuck Mom and Dad. I don't care what they think."
"No. No, I'm not. Nick, tell Mom and Dad if they wanted to tell me they should have called personally."
"Nick, I'm not! " Chloe watched Wendy's frustration become anger and then rage.
"Tell the parental units to go to hell." Wendy yelled into the phone.
"I don't care what Mom and Dad think of Lex. He's my friend, my best friend and a better brother to me than you ever were. He gave a shit when Mick died, unlike you. You didn't even care when your twin bit the dust. You are the dysfunction in our family Nick.”
She paused, listening before erupting again.
“Well I cared about him, and I care about Lex and I'm not leaving!" Wendy was screaming into the mouthpiece now. Tears rolled down her cheeks. Chloe wanted to hug her, but Wendy was too busy burning a hole in the carpet.
"You know what? I don't care. You'll have to drag me home, because I'm not doing this with you. Bye Nick." Wendy slammed the phone into the cradle and slid to the floor.
"Wendy?"
"That was my big brother, Nicholas. My family wants me to come home till the end of the semester. My dad runs in the same circles as Lionel and word of Lex's last little trip to the hospital got around to him. Now he wants me as far away from Mr. Alexander Joseph Luthor as possible. He thinks that me hanging out with Lex will lead me to the same end as Mick. He said that they're getting me tomorrow.” Wendy scrubbed at her eyes with the palms of her hands.
"Wendy, are you sure you have to leave? I mean, maybe your brother was just playing a nasty trick on you." Chloe said sitting on the ground next to her friend. She pulled the brunette into a one armed hug.
"No, Nick is the official message boy. He actually had the gall to call from the plane. The only time he wasn't the deliverer of bad news was when Mick O.D.'d. No, that one was my special privilege. I know my parents love me, its just, why do they feel the need to protect me like this?"
"I don't know." Chloe felt an ache deep in her chest. It just wasn't fair, not to her, not to Wendy, and not to Lex.
"You have to stay here for him, Chloe. Cause he needs people so much more than he admits. And if I'm not here, you're all he's got. Lionel will show up soon, to lecture and criticize and demean every relationship and emotion he has. You have to keep him safe. Don't let him put that shit in himself when Lionel is done with him. You find another way. Promise me you'll help him?"
"You know I will. I care about him too." Chloe answered sounding confused.
Wendy laughed sadly. "No you don't. If you did, it would be so much easier."
"What are you talking about?" Wendy was starting to freak her out. What the hell was she going on about? Of course she cared about Lex. He and Wendy were two of the best friends she'd ever had. The relationships she had with them were as strong as what she had with Pete and Clark, if not a little stronger.
"Nothing. I'm just shaken is all," Wendy sighed. Her friend was the one for Lex. She'd known it since they'd walked into Lex's dorm room together the first time. But it wasn't her place to put them together; she just had to make sure that they took care of each other. Who knew, maybe her leaving would give them a push in the right direction.
~*~*~
"Unbe-fucking-livable. I knew your family hated me, Wendy, but enough to pull you out of school?" Lex ran his hand across his head in an agitated gesture.
"I know. I'm sorry Lex, its not like they gave me another option. They just called and said 'Wendy, you're coming back to Atlanta.' I don't want to go, but I don't have much of a choice." Wendy hung her head.
"It's ok, Wen. I understand. I wouldn't want my daughter hanging around with me either." Lex said, shooting her a wry look.
"I leave tomorrow." Wendy said sadly.
"I know." There was a long pause before Wendy spoke.
"I think Donovan is going to make a go for Chloe, Lex. You know how he is. You have to make sure she's safe."
Lex tilted his head to the side and stared at her. "I will. He won't touch her." Another pause.
"Promise me you won't take any drugs while I'm gone." Wendy demanded.
"Wendy-"
"No. Promise me now. I don't know what you hold sacred anymore Lex, but whatever it is, I want you to swear on it that you won't do drugs while I'm in Atlanta. I'm not going to let another brother kill himself."
"Fine Wen, I swear."
"Good. You take care of yourself. I'll see you after New Years." Wendy said, pulling him into a quick hug.
"Same goes for you too, Wen."
She nodded as she left and closed the door.
Lex felt ill. Yet another woman he cared about pulled away from him. He wanted do beat the shit out of Arthur and Marilyn Miller and her useless brother Nick, who had most likely made the call.
And while he was angry with Wendy's parents, he didn't blame them. Getting her away from him was probably the smartest thing they could do. Now he just had to hope that Chloe wouldn't leave him like all the others before her had.
|
|
|
Post by Blaire on Dec 17, 2005 17:36:38 GMT -5
Chapter 8
"You ok?" Chloe asked as she dealt the cards. She had walked to Lex's dorm after Wendy's brother, a tall attractive twenty three year old with long black hair hanging down to the middle of his back, had picked her up.
"Fine Chloe. You had better not be cheating." Lex muttered. He really had no desire to talk about Wendy's departure.
"I have x-ray vision now? No, I think not. You want that card?" Chloe asked
"No. What do you want?" Lex asked seriously.
"What do you mean exactly?" Chloe asked a little confused.
"What is one thing that you want, but have never had the money, permission, or guts to get?" Lex clarified.
"A tattoo." Chloe said quickly. She didn’t know exactly where this was coming from but she was willing to go with it.
"Of what?"
"Does it matter?" Chloe asked, slightly annoyed.
"Yes."
"Why?"
"Because what you want reflects something about you."
"I want a comet. On my right hip."
She watched the corners of his lips curl up slightly. "Very you. Free moving through space and yet bound to a central force."
Chloe was impressed. The only person she'd ever told about her little idea for a tattoo was Clark and he had assumed it had something to do with the meteor rocks. Lex added depth to the idea.
"Interesting take."
"I tend to look deeper at things." He said smugly.
"Nietzsche. What's your favorite quote?"
He blinked at her and froze, his hand hovering over the deck. "That was a rather abrupt subject change."
"You were abrupt as well. My turn now. Seriously, what is your favorite Nietzsche quote?" Chloe asked. She looked at the hand perched over the deck. "Either pick a card or move your hand."
"What makes you think I even read Nietzsche?" Lex asked pulling a card of the top of the deck.
"If you had the patience to read The Prince then you've read Nietzsche," Chloe stated confidently.
"'He who fights with monsters might take care lest he thereby become a monster. And if you gaze for long into an abyss, the abyss gazes also into you.'"
"Your father really fucked you up didn't he," Chloe said letting her eyes wander up and down his body.
"Where the hell did that come from?" Lex said looking a little ruffled.
"It's just an observation Xan. Jeez, chill out." Chloe muttered rolling her eyes.
"Xan?" Lex asked incredulous. He'd never heard that one before.
"Yeah. Xan. Alexander Luthor. You take away the a-l-e and the d-e-r you get Xan. Which is much more fun than 'Lex' and it is a step further in detaching yourself from your dad." Chloe explained.
"What?" The baffled expression on his face was priceless.
"Lex starts with an 'L' and Lionel starts with an 'L.' but Xan starts with a 'X. And that is a separation from the letter L in the alphabet. Or do you need me to tell you the alphabet too? A, B, C, D-"
"I get the point Chloe."
She laughed. "You sure? Cause I can go further. I know all 26 letters by heart."
"I think I can manage. So, what's yours? Gin." Lex asked placing his cards on the table.
"Fuck." Chloe mumbled. Then in a regular tone of voice asked, "My what?"
"Favorite Nietzsche quote. I told you mine. You tell me yours."
"'Anything done out of love, is beyond good and evil.'"
"Why?" Lex asked watching her long hands move as she shuffled the cards and dealt out the next hand.
"Cause this brilliant man understood how damn overpowering love is. It drowns out all other emotions and thoughts, if it’s real." Chloe explained.
"You ever felt that kind of love?" Lex asked not allowing himself to meet her eyes as he spoke. This whole conversation was getting to him. She was getting to him. She had been since he had first met her.
Chloe got under his skin in a way no one else ever did. Her frank honesty and openness made him want to tell her his secrets, all of them. He wanted to tell her what it was like being in the hospital at age four being drowned in medication. He wanted to tell her everything about his little sister who saved his life and lost her own not long after, about his mother who had loved him. She would listen if he told her about the schoolchildren who had harassed and tortured him. And he knew she would care if he told her every biting comment his father had ever spoken that made him feel full of rage and unloved. And he wanted to tell her about the wonder boy. But first, he had to let himself form the words and he hadn't quite reached that point yet.
"Not yet. But maybe I will soon. You never can tell." Chloe answered honestly. She had found that telling Lex the truth was by far the best policy.
"You still want that tattoo?" Lex asked, a smile creeping across his features as an idea hit him.
"The one we were discussing at the beginning of this conversation?" Chloe asked.
"That very same."
"Why?" Chloe asked cautiously. Lex had a way of giving unique presents. Clark had gotten some very interesting gifts from Lex in 2002.
"Yes or no question."
"Yes."
Lex smiled. A real smile that melted Chloe's insides in a way Clarks grins never had.
"Find Corinne, the senior with the green hair. Tell her I want to talk to her about meeting with Sean, he's moved since I last spoke him and I need his new number. And we'll take it from there." Lex said evasively.
"That was a very Luthorian answer Lex." Chloe said. She shook her finger at him. Lex just winked and nodded slightly.
~*~*~
"Hey, you're Corinne right?"
"Who wants to know?" The girl asked after popping a bubble with her bright pink gum. She stood a good half foot taller than Chloe and had shoulder length neon green hair and colorful interwoven tattoos spiraling up her arms beneath her sleeves and down her legs disappearing into her knee socks. A spiked collar was secured snugly around her neck and a black bag hung at her side.
She had half a dozen hoop earrings in each ear, a stud on her right nostril and a hoop on her eyebrow. A ring graced her lower lip and there was a round silver stud in her chin. The school had been desperately trying to prove how the color of her hair and the piercings were against the dress code but Corinne had just died it the same navy blue as the sweaters they wore and used school pins in her ears and eyebrow. When the administration realized they couldn't win, Corinne had returned her hair to its neon green radiance and her usual jewelry.
"I'm Chloe Sullivan. I'm a friend of Lex's." Chloe said in a quiet voice, the type one used when dealing with an angry dog.
"Luthor doesn't have any friends, 'sides Miller and she's back in GA. Are you the girl he's fuckin' this week? Cause I thought he was still screwin' the icy British bitch, Vivica or Veronica or somethin'."
"We are friends. He just told me to tell you that he wants to talk to you about meeting Sean. I have no idea what that means, but he wanted me to tell you that." Chloe said in the same quiet voice.
"Luthor wants a tatt?" Corinne laughed. "You know, I never pegged 'im as the type. Oh well, I only fucked him once and you can't tell a person's character based on their performance in bed." The green haired girl said with a shrug. "He banged you yet?"
"No." Chloe choked out.
"Too bad. He's a great lay." Corinne pinched one of Chloe's cheeks, "Don't worry though, you're a cute one, so I bet he will. Still, he rarely goes for the blondes. He's got some kinda brunette fetish or something'. "
"Um, about Sean?"
"Yeah," Corinne pulled a pen and a piece of paper and quickly jotted down a number. "Tell him to call this number. It'll get you in contact with 'im. And I want to see the job once Sean's done. You tell Luthor that aight?"
"Ok." Chloe muttered. She was ready to go. She needed to get to Spanish.
"Hey, remember, everythin' a Luthor touches either turns to gold or shit. You be careful of which one gets you." Corinne said before popping one last bubble and walking down the hall towards the science wing.
~*~*~
"Are you sure about this?" Chloe asked while looking around nervously. Lex had taken his car, a red Jaguar convertible, out of the school garage and driven them to the apartment building, which that should have bee that should have been condemned years ago, where they now stood. It was two days before Halloween and the hallway had orange streamers hanging limply from the ceiling in a vain effort to get into the holiday spirit.
"Don't you trust me Clo?" Lex asked smiling slightly.
"Yeah, but you know I'm starting to feel the seeds of doubt begin to bloom." Chloe mumbled.
"I hope you don't expect me to nurture them, I'm not big on the touchy- feely. Look, I know this guy. The place may be shit but he's a good guy and he knows what he's doing." Lex told her confidently banging on the door.
"What the fuck do you want?" A woman in her early twenties with short brown hair and sleepy hazel eyes demanded as she flung open the door. She was clad in a white terry cloth bathrobe that was about three sizes too big for her and looked ready to kill. "You know, it’s four in the afternoon? Most people are asleep at four. Have you no decency asshole?"
"Ella, lovely to see you again too. Mind if we speak to Sean?" Lex said with a wry smirk.
"He's still sleeping Luthor. Just like I was sleeping before you and the blonde decided to give me a wake up call. Next time, I'll call down to the front desk if I want to be woken early." Ella's voice dripped with sarcasm as she stepping back to let the pair in.
"SEAN! GET YOUR ASS UP! YOUR RICH FRIEND IS HERE!" Ella screamed towards the back of the small apartment. "If I don't get to sleep, that lazy asshole definitely doesn't." Ella told Chloe seriously.
"Little louder next time Ella. I don't think they heard you in China." A voice called from the back.
"I'll send them an email. Now get out here!"
Sean emerged from the back in baggy jeans and a rumpled Van Halen t-shirt. His hair was short and spiky despite the fact that it had obviously been slept on. He was about five ten with a slightly stocky build.
"Don't be a smart ass. That's my bathrobe you're wearing. And I know you aren't wearing anything underneath it. Want Lex and his new girl to see what you look like in the buff?" Sean snapped.
"Asshole. You're lucky you're cute." Ella muttered as she disappeared from where Sean had come.
"Excuse her, but if she's woken before five she can be a bit of a troll."
"I am never a troll Sean!" Ella yelled from the bedroom.
"No, that's right. Trolls are short and hairy. You're an ogre! Excuse me one second."
Chloe poked Lex gently. "Are they always like this?"
"Pretty much. Their personalities clash. He's an artist and she's a writer. The two artistic fires tend to cause their chemistry to explode. Never gets violent, but I've seen it get close."
Chloe sighed. "How do you know these people?"
"You'd be amazed at the people you talk to when you're stoned at a party. Sean is one of the few people I've ever found interesting after the high wore off."
"You are a strange duck Luthor."
"Ok, I'm back." Sean announced as he trotted back into the living room where he had left them. "Now, Lex, what can I do you for?"
"You still do tattoos?" Lex asked.
"I gotta pay the damn bills don't I? Ella's yet to get a publisher to pick up her work and I still can't get another job with my drawings." Sean said with a shrug.
"You know I could get you a job in Japan if you would just let me. You have the talent Sean."
Sean shook his head. "Ella'd never go and I can't go without her. She may be a bitchy ogre but I need her."
Chloe thought that was the most romantic thing she had ever heard, made even more so by the fact that it was in a discussion between two men.
"She can write anywhere." Lex pointed out.
"Maybe if she decides she wants to go, I'll give you a call. Now, about the tattoo. You want one?"
"Not for me. Chloe here wants one."
"She legal Lex?"
"No I'm not." Chloe said speaking for the first time. Sean and Lex exchanged a look.
"You owe me. You know that don't you? And I'm talking two or more vital organs, preferably a spleen and a kidney." Sean muttered as he walked through the kitchen beckoning them to follow.
"Of course. And you know I'll pay you well."
"You know expect those organs on ice. As long as I get those, you don't need to pay cash." Sean said with a sigh. For some reason, Lex didn't seem to get the joke.
"And how else are you and Ella gonna eat?" Lex asked. Sean considered him his friend and to him, that meant that if you needed something he could provide, he'd do it fast, quickly, and well.
"Good point. Ella!" Sean yelled.
"WHAT?"
"COME HERE!"
Ella walked into the room, still clad in Sean's white bathrobe. "What do you want Sean? I'm getting a little pissed off at you. I told you the only reason I am to be up before five is either because I want to jump your bones, or you just won the lottery. No exceptions."
Chloe laughed and Lex rolled his eyes. He was used to Ella's eccentricities.
"Luthor's girlfriend wants a tattoo. You show her the books. And how much do you think Lex is going to pay me to do an illegal tattoo job on a minor?" Sean asked rhetorically before disappearing through a black door. "By the way, you may want to pull the robe closed a little tighter. I'm the only one allowed to see those."
Ella, sighed exasperatedly, but let herself smile at her retreating boyfriend. "He's like a great big demented child. But, you gotta love him." She laughed and turned to Chloe. "So come show me what you want."
|
|
|
Post by Blaire on Dec 17, 2005 17:37:05 GMT -5
Chapter 9
"So what are you doing for tonight for Halloween?"
"We're friends now Sullivan?" Corinne's gum blew into a bubble and exploded with a loud pop as she studied the shorter girl "Who authorized that?"
"Sorry, but I haven't really had anyone to talk to since Wendy left." Chloe muttered. Aside from that, Corinne seemed to be *slightly* more interesting than the average Hampton girl.
"Yeah, sucks that Miller's dad is a close-minded Republican asshole with an overprotective streak." Another pop of the bright pink bubblegum on the word Republican.
"Yeah, it does." Chloe sighed.
"But since you're little buddy has disappeared into the Deep South, sure you can hang with me. Her old man really is an idiot. She's probably safer here with Luthor than back in Hickville. Speakin' of which don't you come from there?"
"I come from Smallville actually."
"Really?" Corinne asked seriously.
"Yes, really."
"Damn, that's gotta suck. Must be like, really fuckin' tiny huh? I mean, it must be, otherwise they wouldn't put the word 'small' in the name." The green haired girl laughed.
"Yep. Everyone knows everyone, and their business. It’s interesting enough though."
"So what do you do on Halloween in Hickville?" Was that genuine curiosity in her voice in between the popping noises?
"Smallville. Personally, I don't do anything. But the football players like to go out pumpkin shooting. Its beyond stupid, but they seem to enjoy it."
"So they shoot at pumpkins huh? Not much of a challenge is it?"
"Not really. I think that they just like the mess and the loud noise."
"Sorta like a rock concert only minus the excellent music, good pot, and decent company." The punker said coolly.
"Yeah, it takes very little to occupy an athletic mind." Chloe said as the male captain of the lacrosse team walked past them. He was a prime example of the stereo-typical athletic mind, shallow, empty, and easily amused.
"True, but the athletic ones have GREAT stamina." Corinne muttered, running her tongue slowly over her bottom lip.
"Down girl," Chloe laughed.
"Hey Smallville, in answer to your earlier question, my plans for Halloween are to hook up with Gavin, that Junior on the tennis team. See if he can make me scream." Corrine laughed and made a soft purring sort of sound.
Chloe rolled her eyes. "You are shameless."
"Don't worry, Smallville. If you're going to hang out with me, you'll soon learn the value of an attractive man without any clothes." Another soft purr emerged from between her lips as she spoke. "Although after the sex, a man with good conversational skills is a plus. Luthor makes pretty decent conversation after sex, he's just really vague about shit."
"I wouldn't know."
"For now Smallville."
"For awhile."
~*~*~
Chloe wasn't particularly fond of Halloween. Things had a way of going wrong. She had never once gone trick or treating without sustaining an injury. Her mom had been diagnosed with ovarian cancer on Halloween when she was eight. Her dad had dragged her to Smallville for the final move on Halloween and she had spent that night in her room crying over the loss of her mother and the loss of her friends in Metropolis.
But this Halloween would be different, she promised herself as she walked across the dark grounds to Lex's dorm building. His Halloweens had a way of going sour as well, so this year, they'd spend it together watching horror movies making sure it all went well. But she needed to hurry; she was already late as it was.
"Meow. Hey Kitten. What are you doing out so late? You know there are ghosts everywhere little cat."
Chloe's skin crawled at the sound of Donovan's voice. She was so close. All she had to do was get to Lex's dorm building and she'd be safe. There was a guard at the front desk at all times, Sanders wouldn't be able to touch her.
After Wendy had left, she'd taken to hanging out with Lex more than ever. And Donovan's advances had gotten more and more constant and crude.
'"You know look very tempting tonight Kitten. Heading to the dorms to give Luthor a Halloween fuck?" God, he made her ill. People like him should be put to death at birth.
"Yeah, that's right. Cause you know my night's not complete until Lex gives me at least three mind blowing orgasms, and that's a minimum." Chloe muttered. So close to the entrance, just past the past the dumpster and around the corner. Don't run, if you run, he'll grab you. That's the way the bad guys work, she told herself, remembering everything she had learned from life in Smallville.
"Care to share the wealth?" He hissed.
"With you? Not remotely."
"Too bad, Kitten."
He grabbed her around the waist threw her against the brick wall, and pinned her arms above her head with one hand. The dumpster was so close to her she could see her face reflected in the green metal, if she turned her head to the left.
He held her still with his body, grinding his hips into her. He buried his face in her neck and ran his tongue across her pulse point. Chloe wanted to vomit; it was one of the most appalling sensations she'd ever felt.
"Mm, Kitten, you taste so good." He caught her mouth with his and shoved his tongue in her mouth and down her throat. It muffled Chloe's scream effectively.
His free hand roamed over her torso. It slipped under her shirt and squeezed her breasts roughly. She felt tears well in her eyes at the violation. She wanted to fight back, but her hands were pinned and each of his legs were holding hers still.
He ripped her button-down white blouse open and tore off her bra. She shuddered in revulsion as his mouth left her mouth and attached itself to a breast allowing the free hand to roam.
He lifted his mouth quickly and hissed. "Great tattoo, Kitten. Very," he chuckled, "tasteful. I like it." Chloe let out a harsh sob.
When his hand slipped under her skirt Chloe let out a bloodcurdling scream. But this wasn't Smallville and Clark wouldn't be there to save her. No one was coming to save her.
~*~*~
She was late. She was hardly ever late, and he was starting to worry. Maybe he should go outside to wait for her. He had a feeling Sanders would be prowling the campus on this night of the dead.
Yeah, that was a good idea. He grabbed his jacket and walked quickly down the stairs.
He had a bad feeling in the pit of his stomach. He'd only had it a few other times in his life, and every time he felt it, something awful either had or was going to happen.
He shot out of the front doors in time to hear a heart-stopping scream. Oh god, please don't let it be Chloe was all he could think. He took a hard right and ran towards the green dumpster on the side of the building.
He saw Sanders blond hair and Chloe's petrified, disgusted face. Tears ran down her cheeks like rain as she struggled to get his hand out from beneath her skirt.
He'd never felt anything like what he felt in that moment. It was a pure, overpowering, murderous rage at the violation of someone he cared for. He roared his anger and yanked Donovan off her by the hair.
His fists moved of their own volition, slamming into Donovan's face over and over again. His hands were soon slick with blood, but he didn't stop. Sanders had to pay for what he had done to Chloe.
He didn't stop hitting Sanders until he was unconscious, there was not point hurting him if he couldn't feel it. Lex rose from where he had knelt beating Donovan and looked at Chloe.
She looked small and scared. Her breasts were covered by her shirt which she had clutched to her like a towel. The buttons were gone and wearing the shirt normally would have served very little purpose. Tear tracks were visible on her face in the low light coming from the dorm windows above.
He opened his arms tentatively. Chloe rushed forward and buried her face in his chest. He wrapped his arms around her and held her tightly, forgetting that his hands were dripping with blood.
"Its ok, Chloe." Lex whispered into her hair.
"I couldn't stop him. I tried. But his hands were everywhere, and his mouth.." She couldn't bring herself to finish the sentence. "I didn't think anyone would come. But you did, you came. You came for me, Lex." She smiled up at him through her tears.
"I always will. I promise Chloe." After that, all he could do was hold her, and work on convincing himself that she really was alright.
|
|
|
Post by Blaire on Dec 17, 2005 17:37:23 GMT -5
Chapter 10
"Xan, you don't have to stay with me. I'll be fine," Chloe said seriously sitting in her usual Indian style position on her bed.
He'd been sitting in a chair, bloodstained hands shoved into his pants pockets, staring into her face for the last hour and it was terribly unnerving.
"I can't make myself get up and walk out that door Chloe. I can't," Lex felt the statement ripped from his throat against his will.
"Why not?"
Because every time I even think about leaving I see his hands on you and I'm frozen in fear. No, that was not the right thing to say to her at the moment.
"Because I'm worried about you."
"I'm fine Lex. I promise."
He sighed heavily. "I just need to make sure you're alright. I almost didn't get there in time Chloe. If I had come a minute later." He couldn't bring himself to finish the statement, as if saying it would make it true.
"You didn't though. You came just in time to be my knight in denim armor. You rescued the damsel in distress from the dragon. How does it feel to be the hero for once?" Chloe asked shooting him a weak but real smile.
He never got to be the good guy in Smallville. He was known as the son of that no good Luthor and a bad boy. No one but Clark trusted him and no one except Clark even liked him. Well at least she knew now that at least once in his life he had been the hero, the savior, the good guy.
But he wasn't answering her. He just sat there like a statue watching her.
"I need to take a shower Lex. Please, just go. You can stop by later tonight if you feel the need, just give me an hour. Ok?"
Still nothing.
"Please Xan," he pleaded using her nickname for him. He sighed quietly and rose from his chair.
"I'll be back," Lex said seriously.
She fought the urge to gape at him. She really hadn't expected him to leave at all. He rarely gave in when he felt so passionately about something.
She nodded slightly. He walked to where she sat on her bed and kissed her forehead gently before leaving.
Once he was gone Chloe brought her fingers slowly to her forehead. He'd never done anything like that before, and for some reason it touched her more deeply than any other gesture or comment possibly could.
~*~*~
Lex stood in the bathroom of the floor below Chloe's scrubbing his hands, trying to wash away blood that was no longer there. He was scared, and he wasn't used to the feeling. He'd smashed Donovan's face in, literally, and a dark part of him had enjoyed delivering justice to him.
But what scared him more than his inner violence were his emotions. When he'd seen Chloe pressed up against that wall, he'd felt something even stronger than his rage something like-
No, damn it. He wasn't going to fall into that trap, love. Every time he'd loved someone, he'd lost them. And he couldn't lose Chloe. Not now, after he'd realized how important she was.
His father would have called her a weakness. But she wasn't a weakness. She was....No. He had to stop thinking along those lines. Because he DIDN'T love her. He couldn't. He wouldn't.
He lowered his head and splashed water over his face and scalp. Lex was lying to himself. Chloe had gotten under his skin and into his heart. Vaguely he realized he hadn't really fought it.
No, he didn't love her. He had just been scared, terrified for her. But that was just compassion and friendship, not love. It wasn't love. He wouldn't let it be love.
~*~*~
Chloe was curled up under the covers of her bed when Lex made his way back to her room. She had the stereo, which Wendy had left behind on full blast with another song he'd never heard before by artists he couldn't recognize and she was staring hard at the window opposite her bed.
Lex gently sat down on the bed beside her and looked at her. Her blonde hair was wet from the shower she had obviously taken not long ago. She had the plain white blankets pulled up to her neck and clutched them tightly around her with her hands.
God, she looked so fragile. He wasn't used to seeing Chloe look or act fragile. She was tough as nails with the courage of a tiger.
"Xan?"
"Yeah."
"Um, do you think.." Chloe swallowed hard. "Do you think you could maybe hold me for a little while? I just-" She sighed frustrated at her own irrational fear. It was ridiculous. Donovan was in a hospital in the city; there was no way he could hurt her now. But she still needed physical proof that she was safe, and right now Lex's strong arms looked like they'd be heaven.
Lex didn't say anything. He just pulled her into the cradle of his arms. Chloe let out a long, airy sigh. Lex could feel her relax as she cuddled into his chest. It took a while, but soon her breathing became steady and even, and she fell asleep, safe in his embrace.
|
|
|
Post by Blaire on Dec 17, 2005 17:38:06 GMT -5
Chapter 11
Donovan had been in the hospital for nearly a week, recovering from the beating Lex had given him. But nothing had really changed in the school after wards, except that most people avoided Lex Luthor and his "girlfriend" like the plague.
Corinne had thought it was hilarious. When Chloe had shakily told her what had happened, the punker had doubled over in laughter at the thought of Sanders in the ICU.
The rest of the school, with the exception of a few freshman, who practically worshiped the ground the oldest Luthor offspring walked on, and a few of the stoners Lex used to get high with, left them alone.
All in all, things were pretty quiet for about a week, until an office runner slipped Lex a note on a square of folded yellow paper, during lunch on Friday.
Lex unfolded the note, read it, and cursed. Before Chloe had time to ask him what was going on, he'd disappeared from the cafeteria and the main building.
~*~*~
Lionel reminded Lex of a spider, ready to pounce on any fly that ran into its web. Lex had always played the fly and he was getting sick of it. He'd been getting sick of it since he'd gone into remission. But after spending most of the year away from his familial home in Metropolis, he had even less tolerance for his father and his soul sucking ways.
Now his father sat in his desk chair, in a flawless black Gucci suit staring at him with that cold empty gaze of his. Lex felt an old, familiar, ill feeling settle in the pit of his stomach at his father's presence.
"Would you like to explain to me precisely why Darren's boy is headed to the OR?" Lionel demanded in a level, even voice
"I heard he got the shit beat out of him. That could be the reason." Lex said in an equally calm voice.
"What were you thinking Lex? No," Lionel corrected himself, "You weren't thinking. You have no excuse for your behavior on Halloween. Do you have any idea what kind of damage you could cause if Sanders Shipping pulls out of our partnership?" Lionel demanded harshly.
"I'm really sorry Dad. You're right, I should have just let him rape Chloe and leave her in a heap by a dumpster. I'll know better next time," Lex replied, sarcasm coating every word.
"Ah, your little blonde pet. She really is causing problems isn't she? Inciting a fight, isolating you from the rest of your friends, and manipulating your emotions. I'm surprised at you Lex, letting a little chit of a street rat get to you. Although you always have had a weakness when women were concerned."
"She's not a street rat and she's not my pet. She's a human being and a great one at that." Lex practically snarled. He then mentally kicked himself
"Emotional attachments. I warned you Lex. I warned you about Arthur's daughter but you never did like to listen to reason and it's going to lead you down a road you will later regret in life." A condescending voice, cold eyes, and an empty soul assailed Lex.
"I have my own views on how to live Dad. Two near death experiences before the age of ten will do that to a person." Lex replied bitterly.
"You aren't living, Lex, you're merely existing. You're wasting your mind on unnecessary companions and your body on temporary pleasures. It makes me wonder why I wasted all that money on keeping you alive as a child. I could have saved hundreds of thousands in medical bills. And funerals weren't that expensive in the 80's," Lionel mused.
It took all Lex's self control not to flinch. That one hurt. He was slightly surprised that his dad even COULD hurt him anymore
"Oh, come on dad. It was the least you could do." He could have added, 'Since we happen to share a genetic link,' but stopped himself. "Plus, it made for a great PR piece. Lionel Luthor fighting for his son's life. Luthorcorp stock doubled in value when I was on chemo didn't it? Just how much money did you make while I was puking up my guts?" Lex asked dryly. Keeping his composure and coming up with decent responses was becoming more difficult as the conversation progressed.
"A few extra million. Nothing spectacular but then everything you do ends up below average." Lionel said coldly.
Lex was about to respond when the door of his room flew open and slammed against the wall.
"You are SUCH an asshole!" Lex stared at Chloe, shocked. His father's expression was somewhere between furious and amused.
"How long have you been listening Chloe?" Lex asked seriously. This could be bad. Very, very, bad.
"The pet remark, which I resent, you toad." she snapped at Lionel. Lex internally winced. She was walking on thin ice.
"You must be the infamous Chloe Sullivan." Lionel remarked.
She spun to face the older man. "Infamous is reserved for villains; I don't qualify under that category. You do."
"Little girl, do have any idea who I am?"
"You sir, are the worst father I've ever met. I really don't want to know anything else about you. In fact if I could live the rest of my life never having to hear your voice again. I would be beyond ecstatic." Chloe's hand itched to slap him, but Lex caught her gaze and shot her a warning glance.
Lionel ignored that and tuned in on Lex. "I expect you to come back to Metropolis on Thanksgiving."
"No thanks Dad. I think I'll pass." Lex said politely. He kept shooting Chloe glances out of the corner of his eye. She was fuming, and Lex knew that behind his cool façade, Lionel was fuming too. And Lex had never known Lionel to let anyone who had crossed him go unpunished.
"You are still a minor Alexander, you don't have a choice."
"Sure I do Dad. You pull my tuition and I use the money Mom left me. It's really that simple. And if you threaten the administrators, I'll just hope a plane to Europe and spend Thanksgiving in Spain."
"Can I come? I've always wanted to go to Barcelona." Chloe asked cheerfully.
Lex ignored her comment and stared hard at his father. " Now, I would appreciate it if you would leave."
Lionel smiled at Lex and he wanted to be ill. It was his patented "I'll get my vengeance in due time," smile. Then he rose and walked slowly out of the room.
~*~*~
"You have no idea what you just did," Lex said before he sighed tiredly. He flopped down onto his bed as his father's footsteps faded away on the tile outside his room. He sprawled out and locked his eyes on the ceiling.
"I'm sorry Lex. Its just that comment about letting you die, well I didn't really know what the hell he was talking about, but no father should say something like that to his child. And what was all that about chemo therapy? You had cancer?" Chloe asked, a little upset at the thought of him ever being that sick.
Lex sighed heavily before answering her. He hated thinking about that period of his life, even though he'd been in remission for nearly ten years. "I was diagnosed with leukemia when I was four and it took three years before treatment and a bone marrow transplant sent it into remission."
Her eyes flashed with anger as the full impact of what his father had said to him hit her. "He just made me so angry... I didn't think. " Chloe said as she lowered herself to sit beside him on his bed.
"Exactly, you didn't think." Lex snapped. His gaze was still fixed on the ceiling and he refused to meet her eyes.
"No, I was to busy defending my best friend from his emotional leech of a father." Chloe muttered.
"He's had subordinates in Luthorcorp killed for less than what you said to him today. My father has the connections, the money, and the lack of conscience to do horrible things Chloe. I just don't want you to get caught in that." Lex said, his voice laced with a combination of mental exhaustion and pain.
Chloe pulled her feet off the floor and onto the bed. The she lay down next to Lex and rested her cheek on his chest. He'd been letting her closer to him, physically since the attack.
"And you're worried about me."
"Really? Came to that conclusion all by yourself, did you?"
Chloe lightly slapped him on the chest. "There's no need to get snappy about it."
"Sorry."
Chloe let the word surround her. She knew that in the future, Lex would rather die than apologize, to anyone, for anything, ever; at least the was the impression she had received from Clark and the papers. She appreciated the significance of the word, even if she didn't really know his future self.
"After what happened with Sanders, I feel like I have good reason to worry about you Chloe. If something happened to you I don't-" The sentence came to a grinding halt as he realized what he was saying.
Chloe tilted her head up and tried to meet his eyes. Damn, he was back to avoiding eye contact.
"What Lex?" Chloe asked, her voice gentle and probing.
"Nothing Chloe. Let it drop if you respect me at all."
She let out an exasperated sigh. He could be so evasive sometimes it drove her crazy. But what was driving her especially crazy was his partial admission of his feelings. Oh well, at least she knew he cared.
Lex took her sigh as an acceptance of his refusal to continue on that line of conversation. He really had no desire to explore the depth of his feelings for Chloe, which had been trying harder and harder to break the surface in the last week.
He'd think about it later he told himself. Because, something cataclysmic always occurred shortly after his father's visits. Lex just hoped he could find out what it was going to be, before it happened. Most likely they'd just have to weather the storm and hope that what ever his father would throw at Chloe for her comments and insolence would be something she could survive.
|
|
|
Post by Blaire on Dec 17, 2005 17:38:40 GMT -5
Chapter 12
Lex lay on his bed working on his history paper, on the French Revolution, for Dr. Giles. He was so bored he wanted to rip his teeth out with his bare hands just to relieve the monotony. The more acceptable option was to smoke a little pot and release some of the tension. But, he'd promised Wendy he'd lay off the chronic until she got back. So he was stuck alone with the guillotine, Marie Antoinette, and the metaphorical cake.
"Come play with me, Lex. I'll let you shuffle." She called from the doorway. It was rather funny; he never came to her, she always took the trouble of going to him. And as she always did when she spoke those fatal words, she had her deck of cards with her and was grinning at him widely. She was wearing loose jeans and a multicolored shirt with three-quarter length sleeves. A rarity on a weekday considering the fact that the school uniform was required on Monday through Friday.
"How'd you get past the doorman?" Lex asked, thoroughly relieved to see her standing there.
"Money is power, Lex." She winked at him.
"But Clo, you don't have any money." He said as she sat down next to him on the bed.
"I told him I'd have you pay him later. And you will right? Cause I won't be able to sneak into your dorm room again if you don't, and that would be a shame." She said, pulling herself into her usual semi-lotus position.
"So are you going to play gin with me or not?" She asked, holding out the deck to him.
"Anything to get away from Giles's paper." He said taking the cards out of her hand and shuffling them.
"Having trouble with it? I'm dealing with the Spanish. It's a bitch. But are you stuck on the paper cause you don't get it, or are just bored?"
"Bored."
"Why? Lex, the French revolution is so up your alley! What with the change in the seat of power through bloody carnage and mass uprisings and all. I mean, I figure that your ultimate goal is to fuck over that asshole father of yours, and that's the same sort of goal that the mob had when they stormed the Bastille. Just don't chop of his head in the town square. Blood is really hard to clean up from what I hear." Chloe said as she studied her cards. She finally had a decent hand. Maybe she could whoop Lex at this game for once.
"There are more satisfying means of revenge on my father. Although seeing his head drop into a basket separate from his body would be intensely fulfilling."
"Better than an orgasm?" Chloe asked, grinning as she picked up the card he had just laid down.
"Depends on who is giving me the orgasm." He answered. If it was the beautiful snaky blonde sitting on the bed across from him giving the bliss, then it would most definitely be better than revenge, no matter how bloody.
"If it were Victoria?" She asked grinning as she picked an ace of the top of the deck. It was just what she needed. She was really on a role this time. And the conversation was starting to get really interesting.
"Nope. Watching my father grovel would be a thousand times better," He answered honestly.
"How about if it were Wendy?"
"I'm sorry, I'm not legally allowed to answer that question on the grounds that party in question will be EXTREMELY angry with my answer," Lex replied. His lips curled in a small smirk.
"How about that really hot guy on the rowing team, the one in the front of the boat?" She asked, smiling widely now despite the fact the last card she'd drawn had been completely useless.
"I'm not even going to dignify that with a response." Lex scoffed.
"So are you really straight? Cause I've gotten the impression more that once that you swing both ways." She remembered all the times she had seen him with Clark. Yeah, that friendship definitely had more chemistry than they cared to admit.
"Yes Clo, all the guys who hang out with me aren't just there cause I'm filthy rich, they're my bitches." He sighed rolling his eyes are her.
"I knew you'd dominate." She replied, her blue eyes twinkling.
"You need to get out more." Lex muttered.
"I would but I spend all my time with you. Sorta cramps that. Plus the being broke thing. And the studying, that will hamper it too." Chloe answered her eyes locked on her hand. She was one card away from gin. Just one and she would beat him for the first time.
"You don't like spending time with me?" He asked in a mocking tone, concealing real pain. He really wouldn't be surprised if Chloe got sick of him one day, very soon.
"Course I like spending time with you. If I didn't, I wouldn't have snuck in here at quarter past midnight."
"Technically, since the guard knows you're up here, you didn't sneak."
"Yeah, but the guard of at Winchester Hall doesn't know. I had to climb out a 6th story window for you."
Lex started at her in shock. "What the hell were you thinking? You could've killed yourself!" He yelled, jumping up and throwing down his cards. Had she learned NOTHING? After Donovan's attack and his father's unspoken promise of revenge, one would have hoped she had at least taken a small hint.
"I had a rope ladder, which I took from the equipment room over at the field house. Jeez, chill out. I sneak out that way all the time." She said grabbing his wrist and pulling him back down.
"Just be careful." He whispered gently touching her face. She had the most beautiful skin. And it scared the hell out of him to imagine that skin splattered with blood.
"I am careful." She said sternly, putting down her cards.
"I just don't want you to get hurt because of me. I don't think I'd be able to handle it." Lex said quietly. And he didn't. Chloe meant more to him than anyone in his life ever had, besides his mother and his little sister. And he had lost those two women. Wendy was safe in Atlanta, and all he had to worry about the moment was the blonde seated Indian style on his bed. If he ever lost Chloe.
"Xan, don't worry ok? If I fall, its because of my own idiocy and will have nothing to do with you. And if something should ever happen to me, like an accident or an illness or anything, and I don't make it, promise me, you'll mourn. Not that bogus repression shit your father is so keen on but real mourning that leads to healing. Cause I don't think I could bear it if you were hurting because of me. And if you feel like you need to, promise me you'll cry." Chloe said seriously.
He had to listen. He had to understand, because she knew that one day, she was going to have to go back home to 2002. And when that happens, she will have to leave him. It was an unfair blow after everything he had suffered through and all he had lost. But she had no control over when she would be pulled from 1997.
He didn't look at her. Instead he just studied the worn gray carpet. He truly had no desire to think about anything happening to Chloe nor did he want consider having to grieve for her. And he wasn't sure if he would be able to.
Chloe put her hand on his face and turned it towards her. "Promise me." She didn't take her hand away and she didn't really want to, his skin was so soft and warm.
"I promise." He said in a hesitant voice so unlike his usual confident tone.
"Good. Now finish the game." She said, pushing his cards into his hands.
"You are beyond bizarre." Lex said at her rapid change of topic. But then her atypical behavior had always appealed to him.
"Why thank you."
"Your pick, Clo."
Chloe pulled the card off the top of the deck and smiled. She very calmly pulled a card out of her hand and laid it face down. She then spread out her sets on the bed.
"Gin!" She shouted laughing almost hysterically. She'd never actually beaten Lex before. Chloe was drunk with the triumph.
"Read 'em and weep Luthor. I kicked your ASS!" She bubbled with laughter. Chloe was so elated that she lost her balance and went toppling off his bed. She hit the floor with a thud still giggling.
Lex didn't mind loosing. In fact, if she got like this every time she won, he'd let her win every time. Her face was turning red and her eyes were shining with happiness.
"Here. Let me help you up." Lex said hanging over the edge of the bed and holding out a hand to her. Chloe grabbed his wrist and pulled him down.
Lex toppled over the side and landed right on top of her. Her laughter died as she looked up at his face, which was so close to hers they were almost touching. His hands rested on the carpet beside her head.
"Congratulations." He whispered, his warm breath fanning her face.
"What's my prize for winning?" She asked hoarsely. He had beautiful lips, Chloe noted. And they were so close.
Lex didn't say anything. Instead he gently lowered his lips to hers and kissed her. It was soft and innocent and probably the most explosive kiss Lex had ever had. Carefully, he pulled away.
Fire raced through Chloe. Every nerve in her body was alive and at attention. When Lex had kissed her she had seen those fireworks everyone was always talking about. She wanted more but he wasn't moving. He just lay on top of her, not moving any closer or farther away.
"That's it? I am not impressed. That reputation of yours certainly seems to be more bark than -mmph!" Chloe's tirade was cut off by Lex's lips.
He ran his tongue along her lips, silently asking them to open. They did and his tongue entered her mouth, stroking and dueling with hers. Chloe let out a small moan from the back of her throat as she grasped the back of his head. Her fingers massaged the smooth hairless skin, and she deepened the kiss, turning it into something more passionate
Lex almost sighed at the feel of her hand on skull. Her hand felt so good and she tasted so amazing, like chocolate and raspberries, sweet with a zing just like her personality. It made him heady and weakened his famous self-control.
"We need to stop." He gasped, pulling away and sitting up. It pained him to say it, be he wouldn't let it be like this. Not when she meant so much to him.
"Why?" Chloe asked, as she sat up. Her eyes were cloudy and dreamy, and her lips were swollen from his kisses.
"Because I don't think you're ready to go any further." Lex whispered, his tone soft yet serious.
"You mean sex right? Not the making out, because I was really enjoying that."
"Yes. I was enjoying the making out too." He said smiling widely at her.
"Ok, so we won't go there, yet. But can we continue this? Because, you taste really good." Chloe said, blushing slightly.
Lex nodded and leaned into her. "I love kissing you." He sighed lowering his mouth to hers.
"I love you too." Chloe whispered in a voice so low it barely made a sound.
"What was that?" Lex asked pulling away sharply.
"Nothing, just kiss me."
|
|
|
Post by Blaire on Dec 17, 2005 17:40:19 GMT -5
Chapter 13
Chloe and Lex held hands, as they walked through the hall towards first period English. Chloe She had never realized how special something as simple as two sets of interlaced fingers could be, until now. It was a big badge large banner that screamed "Relationship!" and yet managed to be subtle.
People Passing students stared openly at them. Lex, for what she'd gathered, never publicly showed affection towards the girls he was with. The last time they'd anyone had seen him with anyone another girl had been at since he and Wendy had broken up in the beginning of his freshman year, when he and Wendy had broken up.
"So, I gather from all the whispers that we're dating now." Lex said in a voice that was filled with happiness but covered by a cool aloofness.
"Nope." Chloe said with a laugh.
"We're not?" Lex asked, while looking confused. He'd figured that after last night, they were a couple. But then, how many healthy relationships had he been in? He could count them all on one hand, if he cut of all every finger but his thumb and still have plenty of fingers to spare.
"Making out on the floor of a dorm room is not a date. It's not a date till we go somewhere off campus. Until then we're a couple," Chloe said before giving him a quick kiss on the lips, inciting a flurry of whispers from those around them. "But we're not dating."
"Well, we'll just have to fix that won't we?"
"We will."
"You free this Friday?" Lex asked softly. He knew she was. Ever since Wendy had gone back to Georgia she rarely did anything except hang out with him. Occasionally, Corinne would manage to invite her to one of the rave parties that were scattered throughout various dorms. But she never went to those without Lex.
Chloe bit her lip. "I don't know, let me check my schedule. Because I'm afraid I might be booked up clear up to next Wednesday."
He shot her a half-smile that he saved for when they were teasing each other. "You think you might be able to snatch a moment free up a little time for me? I know I'm not very high on your priority list, but do could you think you could at least try to squeeze me in to your busy schedule?"
"I'll have to see what I can do. Have your people call my people." Chloe said, in a slick tone, imitating the talent agents she'd seen in movies.
Lex laughed, drawing more stares from more passing students. Lex never laughed in school and so when he did, it drew the attention of everyone in hearing distance.
"I'll pick you up at eight." Lex said, before covering her lips with his.
~*~*~
Chloe quickly dialed Wendy's number rapidly as she stared at the array of shirts on her bed. As she waited, she and counted the rings. "Two, three, four." Chloe was about to give up when someone picked up.
"Hello?" It was a familiar male voice. God, did Nick EVER let anyone else answer the phone.
"I need to talk to Wendy, Nick. Its Chloe and it's a semi-emergency." Chloe said sternly.
Chloe heard Nick chuckle, a sound that grated on her nerves. She really disliked Wendy's older brother.
"Wen! You're friend Chloe's on the phone! She's got a date!" Chloe heard him yell to his sister, his hand over the receiver to muffle the sound.
Chloe heard a thunder of footsteps and heavy breathing then Wendy's voice in her ear. "You have a date?"
Chloe laughed. "Yes I do."
"With Lex?" Was the next question.
"Yes," Chloe said, unable to repress a wide grin. "I do."
Wendy squealed. Obviously someone's happy with the situation, Chloe mused. However the sound transmitting through the phone was rather like a bat's cry and it pierced her eardrums.
"Wendy!"
"Yeah?"
"Chill out."
"So how long have you two been an item?" Wendy asked cheerfully. She almost seemed happier about the newly formed couple than Chloe was.
"Since he kissed me last night." Another high pitched squeal filtered through the earpiece.
"WENDY!"
"I'm sorry! I'm just so happy for you two! I wish I could see how cute of a couple you guys make." Wendy apologized half-heartedly.
"Yeah, me too. But, Wendy, I need your help." Chloe said seriously.
"Why? And with what?"
Chloe hated having to say it but she forced the words out. "I don't know what to wear."
There was a long silence before her friend spoke. "Are you serious?"
"Yes," Chloe sighed.
"Do you know where you're going?"
"No."
"Um, ok, that makes it difficult. What have you got so far?"
Chloe looked at her reflection in the mirror. She only had on a pair of rhinestone studded dress jeans and a white cotton bra.
"Dress jeans."
"There is such a thing?" Wendy asked, laughing.
"Wendy!"
"Ok, jeez relax. Have you got it narrowed down at all?" Her friend's cheery voice asked through the phone.
"Yes," Chloe answered with a sigh. She'd narrowed it down to two out of the ten relatively dressy shirts she owned. "I can't pick one. This is ridiculous! Choosing a shirt is VERY simple decision! Why can't I do this?" She sighed exasperated.
Wendy's voice laughed in her ear. "Because it's the first date, and no girl can ever choose an outfit for the first date with out help. What two shirts have we narrowed it down too?"
"A navy blue tank top with red flames on the bottom, it's clingy. And a forest green short sleeved button-down shirt." Chloe said, holding up each one in front of her, trying to decide which one looked better.
"Go with the blue, Chloe. It's a better shirt, and it will work no matter where he takes you, which could be anywhere. Plus, you'll just look better in it." Wendy said knowingly.
"Are you sure?" Chloe asked, her voice tinged slightly by desperation. She'd been talking to Wendy for nearly an hour, and she'd been trying to get dressed for two. Usually, she wasn't an obsessive fashion freak but this was special. This was Lex.
"No, I'm not sure. But he won't care what you wear. He'd think you were beautiful if you wore a potato sack as a dress. Ok? So just put on the blue shirt, go do your hair, whip on a little mascara, and relax! You'll have a blast. You two are totally compatible. I've known it since the first time you two met."
"You're positive?"
Wendy laughed again " I'm positive. Now go make yourself pretty and call me when you get back. And if you have sex, call me after the cigarette."
"Wendy, you are a nut."
"Yeah and you know I'm not joking. I'm gonna go. Call me later. Bye!"
Chloe blinked in surprise as the other line went dead. She couldn't believe Wendy had hung up on her!
But she couldn't stall anymore now that she didn't have Wendy as her little excuse for procrastinating. She had no choice but to get changed.
She pulled the slinky tank top on and stared at the mirror for another fifteen minutes. "You really need to being so self conscious," Chloe told herself sternly. Her inner self ignored her outer self and she pulled her eyes back to the looking glass for another five minutes.
After the mirror episode, it was easy to get ready. All she had to do was follow Wendy's advice of doing her hair normally, which was just a quick brush through to get out the tangles, and put on some of the mascara Wendy had left behind.
What was hard was the waiting. It was half past seven, but it seemed like an eternity till Lex would show up at her door. She didn't know if she would be able to maintain her sanity for another half hour.
She was just about to give up waiting for Wendy to pick up when there was a knock on her door. Oh god, she thought, he's early.
|
|
|
Post by Blaire on Dec 17, 2005 17:40:36 GMT -5
Chapter 14
Lex stood on the other side of the door in a forest green tailored silk shirt and black dress slacks. Chloe rewarded his presence with what she hoped was a dazzling grin, but probably came off more of a shaky smile.
He shot her what truly WAS a dazzling smile, and extended his hand to her. Chloe slipped her hand into his, smiling brightly as her whole body tingled at the simple contact.
He laced his fingers with hers and lead her out of her doorway and down the hall towards the stairs. A few of her dorm mates stuck their heads out of their rooms as the couple passed by. Chloe assumed that they had heard the gossip the rumor mill was churning about Lex Luthor's newest conquest and wanted to see the new catch for themselves.
Lex ignored them completely. His attention was focused entirely on Chloe as they walked to his car. They didn't talk much in on the way there. Lex flat out refused to tell her where they were going and other than to comment on her appearance, the two mostly just enjoyed each other's silent company.
Half an hour after they left Hampton, Lex pulled the Jag into a parking space in downtown Boston.
Chloe smiled as he lead her into the medium sized restaurant, with the word CARMINE'S written in script on the windows and glass doors.
It was one of those places that was homey, yet and classy at the same time. The furniture was all Roman in style and design and red was everywhere The place was shrouded in read and filled with Romanesque furniture. The smell of pesto and tomato sauce floated through the air from the kitchens.
Lex walked up to the hostess and said something quietly into her ear. Chloe was slightly confused at first, she thought that he had made reservations. Then she saw him pull something out of his pocket. Chloe caught a glimpse of green and watched as he shook hands with the woman, transferring the money from his hand to hers. From the look on her face, it was probably more money than the hostess made in a month. The young hostess beamed at him.
Lex shot her a Chloe a quick wink as he walked back to her and the hostess soon joined them.
"Italian huh?" Chloe asked with a grin as a hostess with strawberry blonde hair lead them to a small secluded table near the back of the establishment.
There were other tables in the small isolated alcove, but they were all empty. And Chloe had the distinct impression after Lex's little "chat" with the hostess, they would remain completely separate from the rest of the patrons for the night.
"Yes, Italian." Lex said, giving her a heart-stopping smile. He pulled out her chair for her then sat himself across from her. "Italians are the true masters of romantic food." His tone mocked that yuppie up scale elitist voice she'd heard some many people in movies use when they were talking about art or something along those lines.
""No they aren't." She replied happily, giddy at just being out with him like this from merely the idea of being on date with him. "The French have romantic food. Italian food is not romantic, it's sexy."
"Is it now?" Lex replied seriously. "How exactly is Italian food more sexy than French."
"Well, in my opinion there is just something more....tactile about Italian food than French food, what with all different textures of the pastas and the spices. It hits the senses differently. It brings out a more sensual side where the elegance of French food brings out a romantic side in people. Plus, an Italian waiter is just more impressive than a French one. You get the smooth accent without the obnoxious snobbery." She said seriously, perusing one of the two the menu the hostess had given them.
"Yes, but where's the fun in that?" Lex chuckled.
"Its far more relaxing, and not that I don't like a good crème brûlée but I can think of far more interesting and tasty things to do with a shirtless you and a bucket of marinara sauce." Chloe said, blushing to the roots of her hair as she spoke. She could barely believe that she'd managed to make that statement as calmly as she had.
Lex raised an eyebrow and his eyes turned a few shades darker than they normally were. "You have my attention now." He said in a low husky voice.
"You have my attention now as well bellisima." An heavily accented male voice said from beside them.
Chloe dropped her menu in shock and turned to look at the source of the voice. It was their waiter, a handsome, twenty-something Italian with long black hair and roman features. Chloe made a small whimpering noise and put her forehead on the table.
The waiter laughed slightly. "My name is Marco. I'll be serving you tonight. Are you ready to order or do you just want a bucket of marinara sauce to-go?" Marco asked, raising a single dark eyebrow and grinning wickedly at the couple.
"We're ready, but have the marinara ready for when we leave." Lex said with a chuckle.
Marco nodded in acquiesce. "So, what can I get for you two tonight?" Marco asked merrily, his accent rolling over his words. Waiting tables was not his choice occupation, and usually, he didn't enjoy it. But this couple might be an interesting exception in his typically dull routine. Marco couldn't help but notice the way they reacted to each other. He would have needed to get Connie to handle his other tables so he could focus more on this one. Plus, the gentleman was wearing Armani, Marco noted, so his chances for a good tip were excellent. Not to mention that both members of the couple were strikingly attractive, also a plus for him.
Lex gently put his hand on her cheek and slid it down to beneath her chin, tilting her head up slightly so that he could see her eyes. "Chloe, I don't think you can read your menu if your head is on top of it."
Chloe sat up and gave him a shy smile. Her whole face had turned a bright shade of red and Lex thought it was cute, in an innocent way. Most of the girls he usually consorted with didn't have enough shame left to blush.
"I'll stick with the basics." Chloe said, turning towards Marco, but not looking him in the face. "Spaghetti and meatballs."
"What type of sauce?" The Italian asked as he scribbled down her order When Chloe just sighed at the question, he said, "I'll take that as the marinara. And for you signore?"
Lex shot a glance at his date, and the corner of his lip curled upward in a glimmer of a smile. "The same."
"Buono," Marco said, giving the couple a radiant grin. And with that, he snatched up the menu's and disappeared.
"Well, that was horrifying." Chloe said cheerfully. She'd put her elbows on the table and cupped her chin in her palms.
"Really? I thought it was vastly amusing."
"That's because you are a sick, twisted sadist."
"Coming from you, I'll take that as a compliment." He smiled at her. He'd been doing that a lot lately, smiling that is. And his facial muscles must have been getting in shape because it wasn't nearly as difficult as it used to be.
"So, can I ask you something?"
"Too late."
"Well, too bad. I'm gonna ask you anyway. Have you ever done the Lady and the Tramp spaghetti thing?" Chloe asked.
"What?" Lex blinked at her in confusion. What the hell was she talking about?
"In Lady and the Tramp, the two dogs go to an Italian restaurant and they eat spaghetti and they end up eating the same piece and when the get to the end, they kiss."
Lex stared at her and then shook his head, as if trying to dislodge something. Chloe was great, but sometimes the tangents she went off on made no sense. "Dogs? Clo, what are you talking about?"
It hit Chloe then that maybe he really didn't know what she was talking about. "Xan, have you ever seen Lady and the Tramp?"
"No. I haven't."
She gaped at him. She knew he'd had a hellish childhood but even a kid on chemo should have been able to see a Disney classic. "Did they keep you in a box when you were a kid or something? Because it's only like one of the more famous cartoon movies ever made."
"Last cartoon I saw was." He was silent for a long time before he finally said, "I actually don't remember the last cartoon I saw."
Chloe folded her hands on the table and leaned across the small table towards him. "We'll just have to remedy that now won't we?" She whispered softly before gently kissing him gently. Immediately, Lex's hand slid into her hair, tangling his fingers in it; he pulled her closer and deepened the kiss.
They continued to kiss, deeply, and passionately. It was the type of kiss, that in Chloe's opinion, every romance novelist must have experienced at least once in order to write that soft core porn that bored housewives read. It lasted until a loud cough jolted them out of their own private world.
Marco stood beside their table carrying their food holding their entrées and smiling at them. God, He kept sneaking up on them. Like he could just *poof* appear out of thin are like something out of a Harry Potter book.
"For signore and bellissima." Marco said, gracefully setting the entrées down in front of them. "And some extra marinara sauce, courtesy of the kitchens for bellissima." Marco said with a wink
"Grazie," Chloe said happily. Grazie was the only Italian word she knew, other than bravo or abracadabra, but she wasn't sure if that was actually Italian. One never could tell.
"Siete benvenuti, bellissima." Marco replied, flashing her a blindingly white smile.
"Huh?" Chloe asked, blinking at him and Lex chuckled.
"You're welcome bellissima. Now goda, enjoy." And with that, he disappeared again.
~*~*~
"So you want to try it?"
"Try what?" Lex asked, before he placed his pasta-filled fork into his mouth.
Chloe lifted up a ridiculously long, sauce-covered string of spaghetti. The sauce dyed her thumb and forefinger red but she didn't really care. "The noodle thing. You want to try it?"
Lex just laughed and shook his head.
Chloe waved the piece of spaghetti in front of him. "Are you sure? Its been a good twenty minutes since the last time you, "she swallowed slightly and ran her tongue slowly over her lips, "kissed me."
Lex reached out, took one end of the strand, and put it in his mouth. Chloe did the same and they each worked their way towards each other.
But before they were able to meet in the middle, the noodle cut itself on Chloe's teeth and Lex finished it off by himself. A bit of sauce managed to splash onto his cheek as he slurped it up in a rather ungentlemanly manner.
"Didn't work." She said sadly.
"Didn't have to work," Lex said, grabbing her by the back of the head and pulling her in for a kiss. God, she tasted so good. Although it may have been the food, but a part of him doubted it.
"Xan." Chloe sighed.
"Yes?" He whispered, pulling back from her slightly.
"You have sauce on your cheek." She answered softly, thoroughly enjoying the way his eyebrows shot up and his jaw gaped a little.
She slowly brought her right hand up to his face and wiped his cheek clean, running her fingertips over his skin one more time than was necessary.
Chloe licked the sauce off her fingers and beamed at him. "All better."
Lex reached out and tucked an errant strand of blond hair behind her ear. "Who's twisted now?" But dear God, she wasn't twisted. Just innocently alluring and incredibly sexy.
"Me? Twisted? But we twist together rather well don't you think? Kinda like a candy cane, only walking and talking and human and not red. Ok, so that wasn't the best analogy." Chloe laughed.
"I thought it was a good analogy bellissima." Marco chimed in. Chloe gasped in shock and jerked slightly. Lex just rolled his eyes.
"You care for some dessert? We have tiramisu, tortoni, cannoli and zabaglione. Or I'm sure I can find a candy cane for you, bellissima." Marco told them with a smile.
"Leave the gun, take the cannoli, to-go." Lex said seriously. Chloe smiled at his use of the quote. Of course The Godfather would have been a movie he'd seen and remembered. He was practically Michael Corleone himself.
"So that's two cannoli to-go. Buono. I'll bring you're check with the dessert. Grazie." And then he was gone again.
"That was kinda creepy." Chloe told him. And it took quite a bit creep Chloe Sullivan out. Even in the slightest way. Especially after seeing what she had seen in Smallville. Not to mention the fall backward through time.
"He is a little too quiet on his feet for comfort." Lex acknowledged.
"But fun. The whole night has been fun. The best night of my life really. Thank you Xan."
He shot her his brightest smile. God, she made him so happy it was unreal. He hadn't felt anywhere near this content since before he could remember.
Chloe beamed back. It was so good to see him happy. Lex had been unhappy far too much of his life to suit her taste. But tonight, tonight was a special night, a beautiful, magical night that she'd most likely never forget.
Mid-thought, Marco, the magical disappearing and reappearing waiter, returned. "Two cannoli and your check. Grazie, we are glad you chose Carmine's. And have a bella notte."
|
|
|
Post by Blaire on Dec 17, 2005 17:41:12 GMT -5
Chapter 15
Julian Luthor sighed and leaned against his locker. The holidays were coming, he thought as he pushed back his long dark hair back and waited for his roommate, Malakai, to stop sucking on the neck of the pretty Asian girl from one of their classes. And the holidays meant that he was going to have to leave Warwick Academy and spend them with either his father which, although he got on well with his father, was not something he enjoyed; or Lex, the older brother who hated his guts. Great choices.
"Kai, lets go man. I'm not going to stand here and watch you practically nail Sung-Yi in the hall." Julian said, frustrated when after a few minutes passed and Kai had not come near close to stopping.
Julian watched his older friend whisper something in Sung-Yi's ear and then sent her off.
"Jules, I can hook you up with her younger sister if you want. Li-Na is only a year or two older than you." Kai said with a wide grin, his bright white teeth practically glowing in his dark face.
Malakai Johnson was a cocky, self-assured, intelligent, eighteen-year-old black teen with a shaved head, a bright smile, a penchant for the gentler sex that went beyond what was natural, and a brother-like status with his fourteen-year-old roommate. He spent most of his time partying (Kai's slogan was "YAY, SEX!"), or trying to get Julian to party, which he had been doing since Julian was twelve. He was one of those students who were bright enough that everything academic came easily, leaving him ample time to have fun.
"You know I don't want your charity man. I'm happy with the freshman girls. At least they're my age." Julian protested as the headed through the halls towards the dorms. Unlike at his brother's school, the whole school was connected by indoor hallways.
"But you never actually go for them. I'm starting to worry about you, Munchkin." Kai said, ruffling Julian's hair until it became a dark rat's nest.
He shook his head slightly at the nickname. Malakai and several other of his fellow seniors had taken to calling him squirt in the 9th grade. The name had stuck within his close circle of friends, even though most students called him Jules. In fact, nearly everyone else called him Jules except for Lex and his father.
"I'm still young yet, Kai. Give me time. I'll catch up to you and my brother yet." Julian said through a laugh, while running his hands through his hair, trying to return it to the smooth state it had once been in before.
"Speaking of the bald batty bastard, you made a decision yet Jules?"
"I don't know what you're talking about, Kai."
"Course you do. You're a fucking genius. You ALWAYS know what I'm talking about. You always have." Malakai argued.
And Julian couldn't seem to find a good reply, because he knew Kai was right.
"I'm thinking I'll spend Thanksgiving through New Year's at Hampton. I just.I want to figure out why exactly he can't stand me. See if maybe I can fix it," Julian said softly.
Lex never spoke to Julian during the year, and when they were in Metropolis together during the summers, Lex went out of his way to avoid both his brother and his father. And when the two boys DID talk or interact, it usually started with Lex hurling vicious, cruel insults at him for no apparent reason. Julian was still trying to figure out what was up with him, but had yet to come up with anything and the imposed distance kept the youngest Luthor from finding out the cause behind the animosity.
Kai sighed heavily. Jules was a great kid. A little too smart, and too naive, for his own good, but a great kid all the same. He knew Jules better than he knew his OWN two brothers and it killed him to see how badly his blood sibling treated the boy. He'd nearly decked the bald Luthor the one and only time they'd met.
"Ya may not get an answer, Munchkin. He may still be as big an ass as he was last time you talked to him." Kai said carefully as they climbed the stairs to their room.
Julian sighed heavily and hung his head slightly. "I just have a feeling you know? Like, this certainty that he's changed or something. Maybe I'm going loopy but I still feel it. Besides he nearly died earlier this year. And Alex is pretty into the drug scene, so he may be dead by next Thanksgiving if he's not careful. And I don't want to miss a chance to fix things with him." He explained as they approached their room.
Kai unlocked the door, shaking his head as he did so. "I don't get you man. How can you love a guy who hates you as much as you're brother seems too?"
Julian shrugged sadly and collapsed onto his unmade bed the moment he got in the room. "Dunno." He answered seriously. "Everyone says that in personality wise I'm a replica of my mom. I can't NOT care about Alex. He's my big brother."
Kai dropped his bag in a corner and began digging around in his closet for a fresh shirt. "And what did Big Daddy Luthor say about that?"
Julian laughed at the mention of his father. Malakai loved thinking up weird nicknames for Lionel. It was kind of a twisted hobby.
"Um, Dad doesn't know yet."
"Oh shit Jules, he's gonna blow a gasket." Kai said, taking his turn to laugh. "Just make sure I'm here when you call the Manufacture Mogul, Munchkin."
"No promises. But if you're here, and not banging Sung-Yi in the weight room when I make the call, then you can eavesdrop."
Kai finished changing and took a deep breathing. "Speaking of which, I promised her I'd see her in the gym in," the teen checked the watch on his wrist, "half an hour. Which means I need to head out now or my little Chinese blossom will move right on to another brother, who can get there on time. You'll be ok, Munchkin?" Kai asked as he headed out of the dorm room.
"Yeah don't worry about it. And don't forget to use protection," Julian said in a mother-hen tone. Kai laughed, gave him the finger, and left the room, leaving Julian alone with his thoughts.
~*~*~
"Hello?"
"Hey Dad."
"Julian, how are you son?" Lionel asked his voice suffused with emotion that it usually lacked. Julian wondered vaguely why his dad never sounded like this when he talked to Lex.
Julian smiled. It was SO easy to play his father for what he wanted. "I'm fine, Dad. I'm working on the independent projects for most of my classes. You know, because I've surpassed the level of teaching they do in class, but need the credits."
"Did you pick a good topic son?" Which in Lionelese meant: does it have something to do with the wonderful world of power.
"Well, it's harder than just picking an intriguing topic. It has to incorporate a wide variety of subjects, history, science, math, and then English for the final paper. So I'm pretty sure I'm going to stick with the impact of nuclear power on the global economy and international relations though."
"Hm, interesting choice." Bingo, Julian thought. You're topic has satisfied "Big Daddy Luthor". Now go for the kill. You aren't a member of the richest corporate hierarchies in the world for nothing, he told himself reassuringly.
"Hey, Dad? I need to ask you something." Damn, Julian thought. That sounded nowhere NEAR as certain as it should have.
"And what would that be son?"
Do or die, now or never. Come one Jules, he reassured himself silently. "Dad, the holidays are coming up." He stated, a little lamely.
"So I've heard. Nice to know you're not behind in current events," His father's voice was coated in sarcasm. God, didn't he even have any idea what the sarcasm meant? It came from a Greek word meaning "to tear flesh." Julian had looked it up when he was 8, right after Lena's funeral when Lex had made a sarcastic comment about the youngest Luthor. The day he'd found out what it sarcasm meant, he vowed never to use it, no matter what tactic his father or brother took.
"Dad," Julian started. and then He took a deep breath then and said, "I'm going to spend Thanksgiving through New Year's at Hampton with Lex." He didn't ask, because asking got him nowhere with Lionel Luthor.
"No you're not." A statement. Their family didn't deal in questions they used statements. And he had to have a damn good reason to revoke Lionel's decree.
"Dad, I finished up my midterms early and I turned in my term paper last Monday. The school has given me permission to leave and I'm going to spend the holidays with my brother. After all, YOU are always saying how important family is. I'll spend all summer in Metropolis. And I won't stay on campus for any break I get from classes I get next year, I'll spend in the city as well." It was a deal. And it was a pretty good deal in Julian's eyes. He just hoped his dad would take it and humor him.
"Easter included," Lionel bartered.
Julian fought the urge to laugh at the oddness of his family dynamic. He knew for a fact that his father never made deals with Lex, never gave his brother any leeway or room for debate. Often, Lionel never seemed to want the oldest Luthor child around, but with him, the youngest son, the golden child, he was trading holidays.
"Deal."
"And Julian, I don't want you fraternizing with that little bitch of his. I'm not going to sway on this one son. You talk to his whore and I promise you will regret it."
Julian blinked in surprise then smiled, grateful that his father was half a country away. Lex had a girlfriend, and she must be a real piece of work to make his father use such uncharacteristically strong language about a single person.
Julian nodded and then remembered that his father couldn't see him over the phone. "Alright Dad." He said, flat out lying to his father. Jules had a feeling that this girl, the one his father seemed to hate with such a passion, would be the key to getting to know Lex
"Good." Lionel said, it as though he had never doubted for a moment that Julian would comply.
The dark haired young man swallowed hard and said, "Dad, I've got to go. I promised Kai I'd meet a him in about ten minutes, and I need to get over there. Sorry."
"Not a problem son."
"Bye Dad." Julian heard the click of the phone hanging up on the other side and sighed. He'd just lied to his father. Twice. He'd never done that before. It made him feel very guilty and very free at the same time. And the freedom bothered him more than the guilt.
|
|