Disclaimer: Smallville ain't mine. If it was, Chloe would have more screen time, Lex would be more naked, Whitney would disappear in a freak accident, Clark would be less gormless, Lana would be likeable, and Pete wouldn't be suffering from 'black best friend syndrome'. I also don't own any of the songs referenced. They are good though (except Britney, she ain't my bag baby!), so seek 'em out.
Author's Note: I've been considering writing some Smallville fic, but I wasn't sure what to write. I knew I wanted it to be Chloe Lex but I couldn't get any ideas. So I just wrote this, constructive criticism is greatly appreciated, I'm from England so I've only seen up to the one with the persuasion guy, I've also missed a few episodes because I was busy so my characters may be off. I'm willing to make amendments if you want something to go in or out if it will improve the fic and I like it, hope you like it and approve.
Taste in Men.
Chloe stood at the back of the hall, Clark had been dancing with Lana all night and she was starting to feel… not jealous, more… annoyed, since Clark had promised to dance with her. She downed the last of her Coke and was about to leave when she felt someone tap her on the shoulder. She turned expecting to see Clark, but was met with Lex instead.
"Mr. Luthor, what a pleasant surprise." Her voice was weary rather than sarcastic.
"Ms. Sullivan, anyone would think you weren't pleased to see me." He said with mock hurt.
"Well, now you mention it, there might be something you can do for me." She said, her eyes gleaming with her idea.
"I'm not sure I want to help you out, things often don't go the way you expect." He told her with suspicion in his voice.
"This will."
"What is it?"
"Dance with me, just one, I need to remind Clark of my existence."
"That, I can do." He said and led her to the centre of the room.
Due to the fact that the dance was attended by a variety of age groups, the music played was eclectic to the point of insanity at times. Nothing that night exemplified the point as well as the change from 'I Was Born to Make you Happy' by Britney Spears to 'Here's a Quarter' by Travis Tritt.
"Oh, dear god shoot me now." Lex groaned.
"What's wrong?"
"It's country music."
"It's Travis Tritt." Chloe corrected.
"Isn't he a country singer?" Lex asked, spinning her.
"Yeah, but you're allowed to like him." She said, as one would explain to a small child.
"Why?" Lex knew he would regret the question.
"Because this" she indicated the song playing, "is the greatest blow-off to an ex-lover ever written."
Lex looked bemused.
"Call someone who'll listen and might give a damn,
Maybe one of your sordid affairs,
Don't come around here tellin' me none of your lies,
Here's a quarter call someone who cares." Chloe sang as she span out and back on Lex's arm. "Plus, it was one of my Mom's favourite songs, she used to put it on and dance around the kitchen with me." She smiled at the memory.
"Well, I guess it'd be a good rebuff if Victoria ever came back." Lex said lightening the mood, after Chloe's comment. They both laughed.
"It'd also come in useful when certain farm boys wanted to be self-pitying over their cheerleader crushes." Chloe said, slightly too venomously to be completely in jest.
The song ended, and 'Dead Ringer for Love' started. Chloe looked at Lex, who held his hand out and bowed inviting her to join him for another dance. They started to jive dance to the song, Chloe following Lex's lead, as he started to 'rock out' to the song.
The crowd started to clear away from them slightly as they became more energetic, Lex picking her up and swinging her round.
"Rock on Lex!" She said grinning. "Where did you learn to do this?"
"My mother danced around the kitchen as well." He replied.
"What, and you joined her?"
"Yeah, trouble was as I got older it was harder not to hit the cook!" He said with a smile.
"Lex!" She said, swatting him on the shoulder as they continued to dance.
"You know this song makes me think of you." He told her.
"Why?"
You've got the kinda lips that do more than drink.
You've got the kinda mind that does less than think.
Played through the hall as Meatloaf tried to get his girl. Chloe smiled getting what Lex was saying.
"C'mon, I'm not that bad." She said.
"Have you been listening to yourself today?"
"What're you on about?"
"Well, there was the guy at test your strength whom you told was lucky it wasn't test your brain power. Then there was the guy who offered to buy you a drink that you told you understood how currency worked. And there was the guy…"
"Enough," Chloe interrupted "Point taken, I am that bad, or worse." She added, pre-empting his next comment.
"Yeah, but I kinda like it." Was all he said.
"Huh?"
"There are so many girls who are more than willing to take up the first offer that comes their way," he told her with a pointed look in Lana's direction, "they never consider what they might be missing. Guys too, I should know, I'm one of them. You, Chloe, are willing to wait for what you want, however long it takes." He looked pointedly at Clark. "I admire that."
"Thanks." She said quietly, just as Clark came over.
"May I cut in?" He asked.
"See, I knew you were after Lex!" Chloe said triumphantly.
"I was talking to Lex." He said mortified. She was so hung up on the idea he wanted Lex it was getting way beyond a joke.
"Well, it's up to the lady." Lex said pleading Chloe to say 'no' with all his heart.
"Nah." Chloe said. "You waited too long and missed your chance." She and Lex exchanged a look, which, had Clark been aware of Chloe's feelings, told him just how true that was. But Clark wasn't aware and had already turned back to join Lana.
"So, you only wanted to get his attention to tell him where to shove it?" Lex asked, intrigued.
"No, at first I was just using you, but somehow I get
something from you I can't from Clark."
"What's that?" Lex asked his voice devoid of sarcasm, almost husky.
"Snark, and you don't tread on my toes." She said with a grin.
"Well, I could if you wanted me to."
"Really?" She said with mock enthusiasm.
"For you anything." He responded with a grin.
As if some magical force, which controlled irony, was at work the room filled with the sound of Brian Molko singing.
Come back to me a while,
Change your style again,
Come back to me a while,
Change your taste in men.