Fabulous Freaks of Nature
Rating: PG-13, just to be safe
Couple: Chloe/Lex, some Clark/Lana
Disclaimer: Everything but the plot belongs to someone other than me. The lyrics come from the songs, 'One', 'Your Congratulations', and 'Joining U'- all by the wonderful Alanis Morissette.
A/N for anyone who cares: I got the title from an Alanis lyric. It seemed fitting enough.
* *
I am the biggest hypocrite I've been undeniably jealous ..I've gotten candy for my self-interest The sexy treadmill capitalist Heaven forbid I be criticized Heaven forbid I be ignored
I wouldn't have compromised So much of myself for fear Of having you hating me
* *
Chloe decided that Luthor Manor had never been more crowded. As she strolled through the corridors of the mansion's less congested second level, she retracted the thought; she didn't give a damn if the disgustingly large house had ever been closer to full capacity than it was that evening. It was just something mindless to think about as she escaped the racket of the boisterous New Year's bash that one Lex Luthor--twenty- one year old son of Lionel Luthor, Smallville's own billionaire--was throwing for some friends and--she dropped her head over the railing that lined the hallway, scanning the ballroom--too many business associates.
"Why, Miss Sullivan," the host himself greeted her as she turned a corner, "are you finding anything worthy of your Wall of Weird?" His tone was sardonic and his infamous smirk graced his lips. She unconsciously let her eyes wander up his long, thin body: on his feet, he wore designer shoes that probably cost more than all the clothes she owned. He wore tailored black pants that probably cost more than her house, and a tight, tailored black dress shirt that she decided cost more than all the electronics equipment in her school's computer lab.
She leaned casually against an off-white wall, feeling self-conscious in her jeans--which were on the expensive side, but nowhere near the cost of one of his socks--and baggy tan sweater. "No, Lex. Unfortunately the other thing out of the ordinary here is my presence."
He mirrored her position, facing her. "I'd be inclined to disagree with that statement." He shrugged, which he managed just fine, despite one shoulder being against the wall.
Chloe, feeling more sure of herself, remarked, "Just because you happen to be my father's boss, that doesn't mean you can get away with patronizing me." She was referring to the way he'd greeted her, but didn't feel the need to explain that to him.
Had Lex had any hair follicles, his eyebrow would have raised. "How have I patronized you?" His tone changed from friendly to curious; as though he no idea what caused her to say that.
She didn't let him get to her; it took more than an obnoxious billionaire's son to ruffle Chloe Sullivan's feathers. "'Why, Miss Sullivan, are you finding anything worthy of your Wall of Weird?'" She made a face. "First you have the gall to call me 'Miss Sullivan' then you insult my pride and joy."
The Wall of the Weird was just what it sounded like; a wall in the Torch office she'd devoted to newspaper clippings about the odd things that occurred in Smallville. Her long-lasting theory was that everything bizarre happened because of the meteor shower twelve years before. So far, nothing had proved her to be wrong.
The infuriating smirk on Lex's face got bigger. "I thought the school paper was your pride and joy, Miss Sullivan." He wasn't going to let it go.
Taking a deep breath to control her annoyance, she shot back with, "I'm finding it hard to take you--a prematurely bald man--seriously." He winced at that, and she mentally congratulated herself. He was apparently self- conscious about the meteor shower's causing him to lose his hair. "And anyway, the Wall of the Weird is an extension of the Torch, so they're both my pride and joy," she continued.
He nodded. "I see. Want to get back to the party?" He vaguely motioned to the next floor down. Pounding music wafted up through the rafters.
Now she smirked. "Oh, yeah. I'm really big on socializing, especially with the stuffy business associates whom you call friends."
A sigh escaped his lips, catching her off guard. "They aren't my friends, Chloe. Clark is one of the few friends I have. I have to tolerate all of them-" frowning, he waved toward the floor again, "-otherwise my father will kill me." He then muttered something that sounded like, as though he hasn't all ready done that, but, although Chloe was curious as to what he said, she had too much tact to ask him to repeat himself.
Things were beginning to feel uncomfortable. She cleared her throat and stepped away from the wall. "Um, do you mind if I continue to look around?"
His shrug told her he couldn't care less. "Whatever." Then Lex brightened-- which meant that he once again adopted his smirk, and stood a little straighter. "Want a tour?"
The editor of the Torch wasn't sure if she could stand being alone with Lex any longer. Still, she didn't want to get lost in the twisting hallways of the Manor's multiple floors. "Why not. I'm sure you know the place better than anyone."
As they continued down the hall, he made a noise that was either a snort or a stifled laugh in reply to her comment. She didn't know why he was so amused. "This is a guest room," he announced, throwing open an ominous wooden door. Inside, she saw a huge bed draped with a white down comforter. Next to it was a night table. It wasn't nearly as pretentious as she'd been expecting. She said as much.
Her guide made the noise again as he shut the door. "That was a guest room. We're the Luthors; we don't have guests like normal people, thus we don't care how those rooms look. If you want pretentious, you should see my room." With that, they climbed to the next floor, via a hidden staircase. They walked a short distance before he pushed open a door that stood ajar. She assumed it was his bedroom and walked in.
Despite herself, Chloe gaped. The king-sized bed alone looked like it would fill her living room. There was a desk--covered with a mountain of the latest high-tech equipment--about the size of an average in-ground swimming pool by the window, which itself appeared to be as large as one of her bedroom walls. "Lex, this is absurd," she observed, not caring if she insulted him.
He almost laughed, following her inside. "I know."
"I mean, the desk in your office is about as big as this entire room. Why a whole other desk? Isn't one computer system enough?"
She ran her hand over the flat-screened computer monitor, in secret awe. If the Torch office had computers like that--she cut off the thought; she would not get impressed with some gadget.
"I like you, Chloe," Lex remarked, perching on the leather chair behind the desk, resting his feet on top of his enormous date book and crossing his ankles. "You're not afraid to say what you think. I also appreciate your not throwing yourself at my feet. I hate it when girls do that."
"Not that you're conceited about that, or anything." Smirking again, she plopped on the black bedspread, not caring if she caused it to wrinkle. Look at me, Dad! Being snotty toward your boss. He would lock her up forever if he learned of the conversation she and Lex were having. The thought made her laugh.
"What's funny?" Lex wondered, actually sounding curious.
She shook her head, her wavy blonde hair spilling into her eyes. "I was thinking of how my father would react if he knew I was sitting in your room, on your bed, trading barbs. He'd disown me."
To her surprise, he lowered himself on the bed next to her. "That's what I hate. Just because my father has a lot of money, people act like I'm royalty or something."
Chloe refused to feel sorry for him. "Lex, how do you expect people to act around you? You may not do it intentionally, but everything about you screams, 'I'm powerful, pay attention to me, but don't get too close. I'm Lionel's son; I don't have time to do something as human as befriend anyone. Bow to me, my minions!'" She met his blue eyes with her own, and was alarmed by the sorrow revealed in his. That was when she realized she had taken it too far. "I'm so sorry. I was way out of line."
He shrugged again, sighed. "No, you're right. I am like that." He rubbed his face with his hands, as though wiping away his pain. "It's my own fault that I'm feared by most people. My associates pretend to respect me simply because of--well, you can probably figure out why. I'm the same way with them, I suppose."
She began to feel for him a little, though she was shocked that he was opening up to her. "Hey, Clark respects you for who you are. And I guess I do too." There. Chloe had admitted it; though she wasn't about to get all swoony over him--girls always wanted the lonely bad boys--she was beginning to like him.
Was that a real smile on his handsome face? "I appreciate that, Chloe. I really do. Thank you for seeing me as a person; I need that." His voice lowered; he sounded almost wistful.
From below, she heard the beginning of a famous love song. It happened to be one of her favorites; not that she told people that. If anyone knew that she enjoyed popular music, she'd lose her reputation as the Outsider, which she rather valued. "Lex, do you want to dance? I love this song, and I'd really like to dance with you."
This time he truly smiled, taking her hand and pulling her off the bed. His grip was warm and firm. He held her loosely around the waist, she wrapped her arms around his shoulders. They smiled as they swayed back and forth. "This is nice," he remarked against her hair. "I can finally dance with someone who doesn't have an ulterior motive."
She let her cheek rest against his chest. "And I with someone who won't try to get me in bed afterward."
He chuckled. "Chloe Sullivan, outsider, editor of the Torch, and sarcastic as all get out."
"That wasn't sarcastic."
"I know. I was speaking in general terms." He lifted her chin, so she was looking in his eyes. A quick glance at his watch alerted him to the time. "It'll be midnight in about two hours." His gaze softened. "But in some other country far away from here, it'll be midnight in eight seconds."
"Does this country have a name?" she teased.
"Probably," he whispered, drawing her even closer.
Much to her surprise, Chloe met his kiss. It was delicate and friendly but it touched her somehow. "Happy New Year," she whispered against his chest.
"You too," he returned, his lips close to her ear.
It then occurred to her that she was being held by Lex Luthor, heir to the Luthor Estate; the man for whom other girls would sell their body parts. Chloe was learning, though, that he wasn't simply a mysterious, rich, powerful, bad boy--the way most of those girls saw him. He was as much a person, as much an outsider, as she.
"Lex," she sighed, surprised by how pathetic she sounded. Trust a kiss to drop her in the middle of the lovesick masses.
"Yes?" he asked, stroking her hair.
"Kiss me again."
There was fire in their less-than platonic second kiss.
"You and I aren't so different, Chloe," he told her when they broke it off. He held her by the shoulders, holding her firm gaze with his own. "We're both struggling to fit in amongst the superficial types." He kissed her lips quickly before going on. "Granted I can become superficial when a business deal calls for it, but you--you stand by what you believe even in the face of adversity. I admire you for that."
She smiled. "Gee, Lex, you sure know how to make a girl feel warm and fuzzy all over." Truthfully, she was flattered by his words. She almost said so, but then bit her tongue; he would most likely crawl back behind his impenetrable wall if he realized that what he'd said was kind.
Some impulse made her hug him. If he was surprised, he didn't show it. The billionaire's son merely wrapped his arms around her and gently rocked her back and forth.
"I think I could handle going back downstairs now. That is, if you can handle it," she said quietly.
He nodded, taking her hand and leading her back through the maze of corridors. Chloe was grateful; she would never have been able to find her way back to the ballroom. She said as much.
Lex chuckled. "If you hadn't found your way, I would have rescued you. You'd make a great damsel in distress." When she glared, he laughed. It was a deep, rolling laugh, the likes of which she would never have expected to come out of his mouth.
But-she thought as they descended the hidden stairs-I've learned that even Lex Luthor is capable of the unexpected.
* *
I have abused my so-called power Forgive me ..I've been out of reach And separatist
I would not have been so Self-deprecating I would not have cowered For fear of having my eyes Scratched out
* * * * *
Before she knew it, they were in the middle of the seemingly-endless ballroom. Balloons and silver streamers adorned the walls, music blared out of hidden speakers. The businessmen milled around, making small talk with each other, while the high school students danced animatedly. A couple in the very corner of the room caused Chloe to nudge her companion.
"Will you look at that!" she exclaimed, pointing.
She felt herself returning Lex's grin. As they watched, Clark Kent--Chloe's best friend since they were toddlers, and Lex's since Clark saved his life earlier that year--pulled Lana Lang--head cheerleader, and the love of his life--closer to him as they danced. The song that was playing was a popular hard rock tune, but the pair seemed oblivious.
"I guess all your hard work paid off," Chloe continued.
A sheepish smile-He's being modest now?-lit up his face as he gazed at his shoes. "Clark did the actual pursuing, I only gave him a shove in the right direction." Something came to him. "Where's Whitney?" he inquired, naming Lana's boyfriend--also the captain of the football team at Smallville High.
"I guess they broke up," was all she could say, as a slow ballad began. "Dance with me."
Lex looked ready to protest, but she wound her arms around him too quickly for him to utter a word. "Don't tell me you're afraid to dance with a girl who isn't someone your father chose, in front of your 'associates'."
Recalling their conversation in the bedroom, he smiled; Chloe figured that had to have been the twelfth time since they had begun to chat. "Nah. I'm not afraid of anything at the moment."
The dance ended mid-way through the song, and someone began to count down the seconds until midnight; neither Lex nor Chloe had any idea that it had gotten so late. They stood, arms around each other's waists, waiting.
Moments later, somewhere in the mansion, a Grandfather clock chimed. Chloe counted to herself, and on the twelfth strike of midnight, she grabbed Lex and kissed him, throwing all her inhibitions out the window. He was hesitant at first--kissing in private was much different than kissing in front of a horde of people--but then he let himself fully focus on the moment.
Though most people were still cheering, toasting and hugging when the breathless pair pulled back, Chloe noticed someone staring at them. She met Clark's curious glance over Lex's shoulder, not sure if she should try to explain things. No, there was nothing to explain; she and Lex were--not friends, precisely. What were they?
Instead of confronting her best friend, she ducked out of Lex's embrace, ignoring his confused look. She smiled slightly at him, in attempt to reassure him that she wasn't upset with him. He returned her smile with a wink and a nod, before watching her run out of the Manor.
* *
If we were our nametags If we were our rejections If we were our outcomes I'd be joining you
If we were our incomes If we were our obsessions If we were our afflictions I'd be joining you
* * * * *
"Chloe, what happened? I thought you didn't really like Lex!" Clark exclaimed, following her inside her house after school the next day. "Then, I look up at midnight and see you two practically getting naked in the middle of the ballroom; that's one for the Wall of Weird. I know lots of girls think he's sexy, but I thought you were above such things." He stood in the foyer of the Sullivan's modest house, his arms outstretched, perhaps to convey his confusion.
A smirk graced her lips. "Clark, come on. We weren't 'practically getting naked'; we started talking upstairs, and at midnight I thought it would be a nice gesture if I kissed him. He's not a bad guy. And don't ever mock the Wall again." She rifled through that day's mail which she'd brought in with her, knowing full well that Clark was ready to scream at her for not telling him what had gone on.
Clark paced around behind her as she got out her homework and went into the kitchen for a snack. "I know he's not a bad guy. That's what I've been telling you all along. It was a little unnerving to see you locking lips with my best friend, that's all. My other best friend, I mean." He easily caught the apple she tossed him from the bowl of fruit on the counter. "By the way, I didn't mock the Wall."
"Sure you did; you suggested that my being nice to Lex was an abnormal occurrence that must be related to the meteor rocks. That, my darling Clark, constitutes mocking."
He opened his mouth to deny it--perhaps to spew forth the definition of what it really means to mock something--when he noticed the bouquet on the table. His blue eyes widened; Chloe, following his gaze, merely raised an eyebrow. The paper-wrapped blossoms could only have come from Lex; who else could have afforded twelve Birds of Paradise, let alone managed to find any in their little town? He most likely had them specially delivered.
"There's a card," her friend announced, picking up the tiny square of cardboard and deftly throwing it to Chloe. "Who would have sent you flowers?" When she smacked him upside the head, he attempted to amend the statement. "You aren't really the kind to--oh, nevermind. I can't make that sound better." He grinned, trying to peek over her shoulder as she read the note.
Scooting out of the way, she tried to hide the delighted smile the card's contents brought to her lips. Clark was now trying to yank the note out of her hands. Since she was finished--and didn't care what he thought of her new acquaintance with Lex Luthor--she surrendered it.
He gasped upon skimming the message; the last line caused him to form some ideas about what exactly had gone on the evening before.
'Dear Chloe, I hope giving you flowers isn't too conventional. I needed to thank you again, though, for being kind to me yesterday. I hope we can chat again sometime; I was sincere when I said I liked you. Feel free to stop by anytime; my bedroom door is always open. Yours, Lex'
"Did you and Lex-I mean, it says-" he sputtered, letting the piece of paper flutter to the floor. "You-he-Chloe!"
She decided to tell Clark what he wanted to hear, even though it wasn't the truth. "Yes, Clark: Lex and I made mad, passionate love upstairs while you made out with Lana on the dance floor."
That shut him up for sometime; he was rendered speechless by her 'admittance'. Chloe noted with a smirk that he didn't hurry to deny her allegations that he and Lana had spent most of the party in each other's arms.
"All right, Stud, we've got homework to do." She led him to the living room and pushed him onto the couch. After she smacked him upside the head again and thumped his algebra book onto his lap, he regained his vocal processes.
They worked steadily for some time, not speaking of Lex for the rest of the evening.
When she bade Clark goodbye later that evening, she decided that a visit to Luthor Manor was in order the next afternoon.
* *
I wouldn't have cut my comfort off I wouldn't have feigned needlessness I would not have discredited Every one of their compliments It was your approval I wanted Your congratulations
Rating: PG-13, just to be safe
Couple: Chloe/Lex, some Clark/Lana
Disclaimer: Everything but the plot belongs to someone other than me. The lyrics come from the songs, 'One', 'Your Congratulations', and 'Joining U'- all by the wonderful Alanis Morissette.
A/N for anyone who cares: I got the title from an Alanis lyric. It seemed fitting enough.
* *
I am the biggest hypocrite I've been undeniably jealous ..I've gotten candy for my self-interest The sexy treadmill capitalist Heaven forbid I be criticized Heaven forbid I be ignored
I wouldn't have compromised So much of myself for fear Of having you hating me
* *
Chloe decided that Luthor Manor had never been more crowded. As she strolled through the corridors of the mansion's less congested second level, she retracted the thought; she didn't give a damn if the disgustingly large house had ever been closer to full capacity than it was that evening. It was just something mindless to think about as she escaped the racket of the boisterous New Year's bash that one Lex Luthor--twenty- one year old son of Lionel Luthor, Smallville's own billionaire--was throwing for some friends and--she dropped her head over the railing that lined the hallway, scanning the ballroom--too many business associates.
"Why, Miss Sullivan," the host himself greeted her as she turned a corner, "are you finding anything worthy of your Wall of Weird?" His tone was sardonic and his infamous smirk graced his lips. She unconsciously let her eyes wander up his long, thin body: on his feet, he wore designer shoes that probably cost more than all the clothes she owned. He wore tailored black pants that probably cost more than her house, and a tight, tailored black dress shirt that she decided cost more than all the electronics equipment in her school's computer lab.
She leaned casually against an off-white wall, feeling self-conscious in her jeans--which were on the expensive side, but nowhere near the cost of one of his socks--and baggy tan sweater. "No, Lex. Unfortunately the other thing out of the ordinary here is my presence."
He mirrored her position, facing her. "I'd be inclined to disagree with that statement." He shrugged, which he managed just fine, despite one shoulder being against the wall.
Chloe, feeling more sure of herself, remarked, "Just because you happen to be my father's boss, that doesn't mean you can get away with patronizing me." She was referring to the way he'd greeted her, but didn't feel the need to explain that to him.
Had Lex had any hair follicles, his eyebrow would have raised. "How have I patronized you?" His tone changed from friendly to curious; as though he no idea what caused her to say that.
She didn't let him get to her; it took more than an obnoxious billionaire's son to ruffle Chloe Sullivan's feathers. "'Why, Miss Sullivan, are you finding anything worthy of your Wall of Weird?'" She made a face. "First you have the gall to call me 'Miss Sullivan' then you insult my pride and joy."
The Wall of the Weird was just what it sounded like; a wall in the Torch office she'd devoted to newspaper clippings about the odd things that occurred in Smallville. Her long-lasting theory was that everything bizarre happened because of the meteor shower twelve years before. So far, nothing had proved her to be wrong.
The infuriating smirk on Lex's face got bigger. "I thought the school paper was your pride and joy, Miss Sullivan." He wasn't going to let it go.
Taking a deep breath to control her annoyance, she shot back with, "I'm finding it hard to take you--a prematurely bald man--seriously." He winced at that, and she mentally congratulated herself. He was apparently self- conscious about the meteor shower's causing him to lose his hair. "And anyway, the Wall of the Weird is an extension of the Torch, so they're both my pride and joy," she continued.
He nodded. "I see. Want to get back to the party?" He vaguely motioned to the next floor down. Pounding music wafted up through the rafters.
Now she smirked. "Oh, yeah. I'm really big on socializing, especially with the stuffy business associates whom you call friends."
A sigh escaped his lips, catching her off guard. "They aren't my friends, Chloe. Clark is one of the few friends I have. I have to tolerate all of them-" frowning, he waved toward the floor again, "-otherwise my father will kill me." He then muttered something that sounded like, as though he hasn't all ready done that, but, although Chloe was curious as to what he said, she had too much tact to ask him to repeat himself.
Things were beginning to feel uncomfortable. She cleared her throat and stepped away from the wall. "Um, do you mind if I continue to look around?"
His shrug told her he couldn't care less. "Whatever." Then Lex brightened-- which meant that he once again adopted his smirk, and stood a little straighter. "Want a tour?"
The editor of the Torch wasn't sure if she could stand being alone with Lex any longer. Still, she didn't want to get lost in the twisting hallways of the Manor's multiple floors. "Why not. I'm sure you know the place better than anyone."
As they continued down the hall, he made a noise that was either a snort or a stifled laugh in reply to her comment. She didn't know why he was so amused. "This is a guest room," he announced, throwing open an ominous wooden door. Inside, she saw a huge bed draped with a white down comforter. Next to it was a night table. It wasn't nearly as pretentious as she'd been expecting. She said as much.
Her guide made the noise again as he shut the door. "That was a guest room. We're the Luthors; we don't have guests like normal people, thus we don't care how those rooms look. If you want pretentious, you should see my room." With that, they climbed to the next floor, via a hidden staircase. They walked a short distance before he pushed open a door that stood ajar. She assumed it was his bedroom and walked in.
Despite herself, Chloe gaped. The king-sized bed alone looked like it would fill her living room. There was a desk--covered with a mountain of the latest high-tech equipment--about the size of an average in-ground swimming pool by the window, which itself appeared to be as large as one of her bedroom walls. "Lex, this is absurd," she observed, not caring if she insulted him.
He almost laughed, following her inside. "I know."
"I mean, the desk in your office is about as big as this entire room. Why a whole other desk? Isn't one computer system enough?"
She ran her hand over the flat-screened computer monitor, in secret awe. If the Torch office had computers like that--she cut off the thought; she would not get impressed with some gadget.
"I like you, Chloe," Lex remarked, perching on the leather chair behind the desk, resting his feet on top of his enormous date book and crossing his ankles. "You're not afraid to say what you think. I also appreciate your not throwing yourself at my feet. I hate it when girls do that."
"Not that you're conceited about that, or anything." Smirking again, she plopped on the black bedspread, not caring if she caused it to wrinkle. Look at me, Dad! Being snotty toward your boss. He would lock her up forever if he learned of the conversation she and Lex were having. The thought made her laugh.
"What's funny?" Lex wondered, actually sounding curious.
She shook her head, her wavy blonde hair spilling into her eyes. "I was thinking of how my father would react if he knew I was sitting in your room, on your bed, trading barbs. He'd disown me."
To her surprise, he lowered himself on the bed next to her. "That's what I hate. Just because my father has a lot of money, people act like I'm royalty or something."
Chloe refused to feel sorry for him. "Lex, how do you expect people to act around you? You may not do it intentionally, but everything about you screams, 'I'm powerful, pay attention to me, but don't get too close. I'm Lionel's son; I don't have time to do something as human as befriend anyone. Bow to me, my minions!'" She met his blue eyes with her own, and was alarmed by the sorrow revealed in his. That was when she realized she had taken it too far. "I'm so sorry. I was way out of line."
He shrugged again, sighed. "No, you're right. I am like that." He rubbed his face with his hands, as though wiping away his pain. "It's my own fault that I'm feared by most people. My associates pretend to respect me simply because of--well, you can probably figure out why. I'm the same way with them, I suppose."
She began to feel for him a little, though she was shocked that he was opening up to her. "Hey, Clark respects you for who you are. And I guess I do too." There. Chloe had admitted it; though she wasn't about to get all swoony over him--girls always wanted the lonely bad boys--she was beginning to like him.
Was that a real smile on his handsome face? "I appreciate that, Chloe. I really do. Thank you for seeing me as a person; I need that." His voice lowered; he sounded almost wistful.
From below, she heard the beginning of a famous love song. It happened to be one of her favorites; not that she told people that. If anyone knew that she enjoyed popular music, she'd lose her reputation as the Outsider, which she rather valued. "Lex, do you want to dance? I love this song, and I'd really like to dance with you."
This time he truly smiled, taking her hand and pulling her off the bed. His grip was warm and firm. He held her loosely around the waist, she wrapped her arms around his shoulders. They smiled as they swayed back and forth. "This is nice," he remarked against her hair. "I can finally dance with someone who doesn't have an ulterior motive."
She let her cheek rest against his chest. "And I with someone who won't try to get me in bed afterward."
He chuckled. "Chloe Sullivan, outsider, editor of the Torch, and sarcastic as all get out."
"That wasn't sarcastic."
"I know. I was speaking in general terms." He lifted her chin, so she was looking in his eyes. A quick glance at his watch alerted him to the time. "It'll be midnight in about two hours." His gaze softened. "But in some other country far away from here, it'll be midnight in eight seconds."
"Does this country have a name?" she teased.
"Probably," he whispered, drawing her even closer.
Much to her surprise, Chloe met his kiss. It was delicate and friendly but it touched her somehow. "Happy New Year," she whispered against his chest.
"You too," he returned, his lips close to her ear.
It then occurred to her that she was being held by Lex Luthor, heir to the Luthor Estate; the man for whom other girls would sell their body parts. Chloe was learning, though, that he wasn't simply a mysterious, rich, powerful, bad boy--the way most of those girls saw him. He was as much a person, as much an outsider, as she.
"Lex," she sighed, surprised by how pathetic she sounded. Trust a kiss to drop her in the middle of the lovesick masses.
"Yes?" he asked, stroking her hair.
"Kiss me again."
There was fire in their less-than platonic second kiss.
"You and I aren't so different, Chloe," he told her when they broke it off. He held her by the shoulders, holding her firm gaze with his own. "We're both struggling to fit in amongst the superficial types." He kissed her lips quickly before going on. "Granted I can become superficial when a business deal calls for it, but you--you stand by what you believe even in the face of adversity. I admire you for that."
She smiled. "Gee, Lex, you sure know how to make a girl feel warm and fuzzy all over." Truthfully, she was flattered by his words. She almost said so, but then bit her tongue; he would most likely crawl back behind his impenetrable wall if he realized that what he'd said was kind.
Some impulse made her hug him. If he was surprised, he didn't show it. The billionaire's son merely wrapped his arms around her and gently rocked her back and forth.
"I think I could handle going back downstairs now. That is, if you can handle it," she said quietly.
He nodded, taking her hand and leading her back through the maze of corridors. Chloe was grateful; she would never have been able to find her way back to the ballroom. She said as much.
Lex chuckled. "If you hadn't found your way, I would have rescued you. You'd make a great damsel in distress." When she glared, he laughed. It was a deep, rolling laugh, the likes of which she would never have expected to come out of his mouth.
But-she thought as they descended the hidden stairs-I've learned that even Lex Luthor is capable of the unexpected.
* *
I have abused my so-called power Forgive me ..I've been out of reach And separatist
I would not have been so Self-deprecating I would not have cowered For fear of having my eyes Scratched out
* * * * *
Before she knew it, they were in the middle of the seemingly-endless ballroom. Balloons and silver streamers adorned the walls, music blared out of hidden speakers. The businessmen milled around, making small talk with each other, while the high school students danced animatedly. A couple in the very corner of the room caused Chloe to nudge her companion.
"Will you look at that!" she exclaimed, pointing.
She felt herself returning Lex's grin. As they watched, Clark Kent--Chloe's best friend since they were toddlers, and Lex's since Clark saved his life earlier that year--pulled Lana Lang--head cheerleader, and the love of his life--closer to him as they danced. The song that was playing was a popular hard rock tune, but the pair seemed oblivious.
"I guess all your hard work paid off," Chloe continued.
A sheepish smile-He's being modest now?-lit up his face as he gazed at his shoes. "Clark did the actual pursuing, I only gave him a shove in the right direction." Something came to him. "Where's Whitney?" he inquired, naming Lana's boyfriend--also the captain of the football team at Smallville High.
"I guess they broke up," was all she could say, as a slow ballad began. "Dance with me."
Lex looked ready to protest, but she wound her arms around him too quickly for him to utter a word. "Don't tell me you're afraid to dance with a girl who isn't someone your father chose, in front of your 'associates'."
Recalling their conversation in the bedroom, he smiled; Chloe figured that had to have been the twelfth time since they had begun to chat. "Nah. I'm not afraid of anything at the moment."
The dance ended mid-way through the song, and someone began to count down the seconds until midnight; neither Lex nor Chloe had any idea that it had gotten so late. They stood, arms around each other's waists, waiting.
Moments later, somewhere in the mansion, a Grandfather clock chimed. Chloe counted to herself, and on the twelfth strike of midnight, she grabbed Lex and kissed him, throwing all her inhibitions out the window. He was hesitant at first--kissing in private was much different than kissing in front of a horde of people--but then he let himself fully focus on the moment.
Though most people were still cheering, toasting and hugging when the breathless pair pulled back, Chloe noticed someone staring at them. She met Clark's curious glance over Lex's shoulder, not sure if she should try to explain things. No, there was nothing to explain; she and Lex were--not friends, precisely. What were they?
Instead of confronting her best friend, she ducked out of Lex's embrace, ignoring his confused look. She smiled slightly at him, in attempt to reassure him that she wasn't upset with him. He returned her smile with a wink and a nod, before watching her run out of the Manor.
* *
If we were our nametags If we were our rejections If we were our outcomes I'd be joining you
If we were our incomes If we were our obsessions If we were our afflictions I'd be joining you
* * * * *
"Chloe, what happened? I thought you didn't really like Lex!" Clark exclaimed, following her inside her house after school the next day. "Then, I look up at midnight and see you two practically getting naked in the middle of the ballroom; that's one for the Wall of Weird. I know lots of girls think he's sexy, but I thought you were above such things." He stood in the foyer of the Sullivan's modest house, his arms outstretched, perhaps to convey his confusion.
A smirk graced her lips. "Clark, come on. We weren't 'practically getting naked'; we started talking upstairs, and at midnight I thought it would be a nice gesture if I kissed him. He's not a bad guy. And don't ever mock the Wall again." She rifled through that day's mail which she'd brought in with her, knowing full well that Clark was ready to scream at her for not telling him what had gone on.
Clark paced around behind her as she got out her homework and went into the kitchen for a snack. "I know he's not a bad guy. That's what I've been telling you all along. It was a little unnerving to see you locking lips with my best friend, that's all. My other best friend, I mean." He easily caught the apple she tossed him from the bowl of fruit on the counter. "By the way, I didn't mock the Wall."
"Sure you did; you suggested that my being nice to Lex was an abnormal occurrence that must be related to the meteor rocks. That, my darling Clark, constitutes mocking."
He opened his mouth to deny it--perhaps to spew forth the definition of what it really means to mock something--when he noticed the bouquet on the table. His blue eyes widened; Chloe, following his gaze, merely raised an eyebrow. The paper-wrapped blossoms could only have come from Lex; who else could have afforded twelve Birds of Paradise, let alone managed to find any in their little town? He most likely had them specially delivered.
"There's a card," her friend announced, picking up the tiny square of cardboard and deftly throwing it to Chloe. "Who would have sent you flowers?" When she smacked him upside the head, he attempted to amend the statement. "You aren't really the kind to--oh, nevermind. I can't make that sound better." He grinned, trying to peek over her shoulder as she read the note.
Scooting out of the way, she tried to hide the delighted smile the card's contents brought to her lips. Clark was now trying to yank the note out of her hands. Since she was finished--and didn't care what he thought of her new acquaintance with Lex Luthor--she surrendered it.
He gasped upon skimming the message; the last line caused him to form some ideas about what exactly had gone on the evening before.
'Dear Chloe, I hope giving you flowers isn't too conventional. I needed to thank you again, though, for being kind to me yesterday. I hope we can chat again sometime; I was sincere when I said I liked you. Feel free to stop by anytime; my bedroom door is always open. Yours, Lex'
"Did you and Lex-I mean, it says-" he sputtered, letting the piece of paper flutter to the floor. "You-he-Chloe!"
She decided to tell Clark what he wanted to hear, even though it wasn't the truth. "Yes, Clark: Lex and I made mad, passionate love upstairs while you made out with Lana on the dance floor."
That shut him up for sometime; he was rendered speechless by her 'admittance'. Chloe noted with a smirk that he didn't hurry to deny her allegations that he and Lana had spent most of the party in each other's arms.
"All right, Stud, we've got homework to do." She led him to the living room and pushed him onto the couch. After she smacked him upside the head again and thumped his algebra book onto his lap, he regained his vocal processes.
They worked steadily for some time, not speaking of Lex for the rest of the evening.
When she bade Clark goodbye later that evening, she decided that a visit to Luthor Manor was in order the next afternoon.
* *
I wouldn't have cut my comfort off I wouldn't have feigned needlessness I would not have discredited Every one of their compliments It was your approval I wanted Your congratulations