Disclaimer: all Superman and Smallville characters belong to DC Comics and Gough & Millar. No Infringement's intended.

Spoiler: Lexmas

Author's Note: This is my sixth Lex fiction for this site and my first Chlex story. I hope you'll enjoy reading it as much as I have loved writing it. Although it's already complete and stored on my hard drive, I've decided to follow the same policy I chose for the last story I posted-i.e.I'm going to give you the chapters in installments.

I've uploaded the first three chapters which I believe should be read together because they prepare the ground for what's going to happen next. There's drama and angst in this story but a lot of romance as well so keep reading !

Reviews are more than welcome. On them will depend how fast'll post the other chapters.

" SECOND CHANCES "

CHAPTER 1: Tragedy

Christmas had always been a special celebration at the Kents'. It was a time for sharing with those they cared for most and that year wasn't any different. The fact that Jonathan had turned five years as a senator didn't change things at all, the Kents remained the same affectionate and generous family they'd always been.

Like every year Martha had seen to the organisation of the Christmas Eve dinner from the decorations and the gift-wrapping to the homemade cooking and, just as in the last couple of years she'd had Chloe to assist her. Martha was happy for Clark since after so many years of mooning over Lana he seemed to have found in Chloe someone who completely understood him.

Meanwhile, Clark's best friend Lex had surprised Smallville and Metropolis society by marrying Lana and turning into a middle-class working citizen overnight. His decision had brought about the final estrangement between him and Lionel but had rendered Lex blissfully happy. The married couple had been blessed with a son, Alex, some years before and was expecting the arrival of a daughter.

It was three o'clock on Christmas morning and Jonathan was seeing their last guest off.

" Thanks for coming, Joe. I'll remember what we've been talking about and you can be certain I'll propose the motion next session at Congress. "

" Thank you, Jonathan. Merry Christmas ! "

"Merry Christmas to you too, Joe, " added Jonathan before closing the door. " Well... it's been a hell of a party, sweetheart. Pity that the guest of honour had to slip away all of a sudden. Shall I lend you a hand to finish with the clean-up ? "

"It's all right, dad. You can go to bed. I can tidy up in the twinkling of an eye, " responded Clark.

" Son, would you mind if Chloe and I left you alone ? We're worried about Lana. Lex drove her to the hospital round eight and he hasn't phone yet, " said a concerned Martha.

" Sure, mum. Go ahead ! I'll finish on my own. "

" I'll bring the car around, Mrs Kent, " added Chloe picking up her coat, gloves and scarf. " See you later, Clark, " she said from the door.

It took them half an hour to get to the hospital because it had been snowing heavily all night and Chloe didn't want to end up in a ditch. Martha got out of the car first with a grim sense of foreboding.

" Watch out, Mrs Kent ! " exclaimed Chloe on seeing a car swerve dangerously towards her. " Are you OK ? " she asked breathless.

" Yeah, Chloe, I'm fine., " responded a shaky Martha. " I'm sorry to have scared you.It's just that... I can't explain it... I feel something's wrong..., " stammered Clark's mum.

" We'll find out soon enough, Mrs Kent. Come. "

Martha hurried to the nurses' station and, introducing herself, asked about Lana Luthor's condition. Her inquiry was met with a pregnant silence and a look of concern on the young nurse's face.

" May I ask what's your connection with Mrs Luthor ? "

" We're no related if that's what you're asking but I love her and her husband as if they were my own children, " answered Martha nervously. " Why ? What's happened ? "

" Do you know if they have any family we may contact ? "

" We're their family, " said Martha passionately.

" Then, you'd better come with me, madam, " she murmured taking her gently by the arm. " Sorry, miss. You'll have to wait here. There' s a coffee machine there if you feel like a cup, ' said the nurse addressing Chloe.

" Thanks, " said Chloe with a frown.

The nurse motioned Mrs Kent to the Maternity Aisle and stopped a couple of feet away from Lana's room.

" The doctors did everything humanly possible for her, Mrs Kent. Unfortunately, she'd lost a lot of blood... ."

" What about the baby ? " asked a teary Martha.

" She's a perfectly healthy girl, madam. But it's him we're worried about. He refuses to leave Mrs Luthor's side, and none of us have had the heart to tear him away from the bed. Maybe he'll listen to you... "

Martha entered the room quietly shutting the door behind her. Lex was leaning forward holding Lana's limp hand pressed against his cheek and weeping silently. It broke Martha's heart to see him like that- life had seldom been kind to the boy and when she thought he had secured the happiness he deserved, God had chosen to give him a raw deal again.

Lex felt a woman's comforting hand on his left shoulder and, placing his on top of hers, turned his head slightly around.

" Mum ? "asked a sobbing Lex, remembering the dream he'd had the Christmas night he resigned to the senate race.

" No, sweetie. It's Martha Kent, " she answered in a motherly way, kneeling down next to him.

" She's ... she's..., "stammered Lex looking at Lana's lifeless form.

"I know, honey. "

" It's all my fault... I knew... I knew this was going to happen... "

" You're exhausted, sweetie. It's nobody's fault, Lex. "

" You don't understand, Martha. I could have stopped this from happening. Mum showed me... I killed her ! "

" Don't say that, Lex. Lana loved you and I'm sure she'd have never regretted marrying you. You had a wonderful life together and you still have two beautiful children that need you, Lex.

" You know, that was the last thing she said before she passed away. She died... peacefully, " said Lex, his eyes brimming with tears.

" I'm sure she knew she was leaving her angels in the best of hands, honey. Now, it's time to say goodbye, dear. "

" Why ! " he cried. " Why's my life always filled with so much pain ? When will I ever stop paying for my father's sins ? "

Martha couldn't find the right words to soothe his breaking heart and did the only thing she could think of, she wrapped his fragile body in a warm embrace and felt him dissolve into heart- wrenching sobs.

Meanwhile, a dumbfounded and emotional Chloe let herself down onto a a chair ouside Lana's room. It seemed people like Lex and her were born to suffer. God only knew how much it had cost her to put on a cheery appearance this Christmas when she felt her heart was falling to pieces. Never in her wildest dreams did she think Lois and Clark would ever harbour romantic feelings for each other, and her cousin's confession had certainly been a bombshell.

" Chloe ? " asked Martha quietly trying to call the young woman's attention. " Chloe ? " she repeated, shaking her gently.

" Sorry, Martha. I haven't heard you. How's Lex ? "

" Completely distraught, sweetie. Could you do me a favour ? Call, Clark- or better, talk with Jonathan, first; he'll know how to break the news to Clark. "

" Don't worry, Martha. I'll do it. What about Alex ? Would you rather I took him home with me and dad ? "

" Would you mind, Chloe ? "

" Not at all. He's a sweetheart. Are you staying the night ? "

" Yes, dear. They've just given him a strong sedative and they're letting him sleep in a vacant room until the morning. "

" OK.I'll be home in case you need anything . I'll see you in the morning, Mrs Kent. "

Keep on reading. Remember there's drama and angst but romance's round the corner.