Title: The Sum of Everything
Rating: PG-13
Disclaimer: The WB and a bunch of other rich lucky people own Smallville and Superman. I am making no money with this. Please don't sue me; I'm a broke college student and my mom would kill me! I wish I owned Lex.
Spoilers: Eh. None really. I might mention stuff from the episodes later on, so let's just say spoilers for everything that has been shown in the USA.
Summary: Basically, Lex and Chloe have married, have two kids, and there are problems in the marriage. This is basically the story of how Lex turns completely evil.
Author's Notes: This is set 8-9 years after Clark, Chloe, Pete, and Lana graduate high school. The later chapters will have flashbacks that detail some of the more important events in Chloe and Lex's relationship. I realize the title is a little odd, but basically it means that when you add up everything that happens in the story you get exactly what it is that will turn Lex Luthor into a villain. Please, oh please, review.
Email: stdrmf15@shsu.edu
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"You can't stay, Chloe."
"He's my husband Clark! You just want me to walk away from my life with him? What about the twins, huh? What about them? They won't understand why they can't live with their father anymore."
"Damn it Chloe, he's dangerous! He isn't the man you married, and you know it!" Clark Kent's yelled back at his old friend.
Chloe looked away from Clark to the Christmas tree sitting in the corner of the beautifully decorated room. The family room. What kind of family has priceless art pieces and valuables in the room where two five- year-old boys play? Chloe thought to herself.
"Where would I stay?" Chloe's voice was no longer loud and angry, "I can't stay at the mansion or with my dad. That's the first place he would look."
"You can stay with my parents. They'd love to have kids in the house again. Or Pete and Lana. She's pregnant with their first kid now, I'm sure she'd like to have someone nearby that has been through all of that pregnancy stuff." Clark sat down on the sofa next to Chloe. He took her hands into his and pulled her close to him. She started crying.
"I don't understand what happened to him, Clark." Chloe said between sobs, "I just don't understand! He was always so kind and loving and gentle and... everything." My bald knight in silk Armani suits.
"Power is what happened to him, Chlo. Power, pure and simple." Clark hesitated and hugged her. "The people he associates with now...they're dangerous criminals. He's going to get himself in trouble and he's put you and the kids in danger. He's dangerous to you and the kids, Chloe. You said that he hasn't ever hurt you, but with his temper..."
Chloe pulled away from Clark; her eyes were flashing with anger. "He would never hurt us! He's always protected us! He loves me and the twins, Clark! Sure, he's always had a short temper, but he would never do anything that would cause harm to his family."
"Chlo, he already has." Clark told her gently.
Chloe looked into Clark's eyes and thought about the incidents where she and the kids had been in danger. She thought about the time someone had planted a bomb in the mini-van they used to cart the kids around. It had been so close that time.
The only reason my family is here is because Lex at the last minute wanted to take the Suburban in case some of the twins' friends decided to come over. The mini-van would have been too small, Lex argued as he sent Helen, the maid, to tell the mechanic to bring the other car around and park the van in the garage.
"He's changed since his father died. I thought he'd be freer after Lionel died, but he wasn't. It's as if he is slowly turning into Lionel." Chloe sagged against the arm of the couch. "I'm going to do it. I'm going to leave him and go home to Smallville."
"Oh Chloe..." Clark hugged her tightly.
"But not tonight. I can't tonight. I have to pack some clothes for the kids and myself; I need to do so much."
"Tomorrow then? Do you want me to drive you back Smallville?"
"Tomorrow is Christmas Eve. I can't leave Lex on Christmas Eve."
"Chloe, if you don't go now, you won't ever go."
Chloe sniffled a little and stood up. "You need to go now. Lex'll be back at any time."
Clark stood up and they walked out of the family room and through the elegantly furnished apartment to the door. He put on his coat and turned to look at her.
Chloe Sullivan-Luthor hadn't changed too much since high school. Her face looked as young as ever, if sad and red from crying. Her blond hair was longer now and she dressed in more mature clothes from those in high school.
"You're going to be okay Chloe. You have Alex and Connor and you know you have me."
She forced a smile. "I know." She moved to open the door, but was nearly hit by it when it swung open.
Lex Luthor stood in the door, his hands full with a briefcase and heavy stuffed sacks with the names of toy stores on them. He too hadn't changed much physically since Clark and Chloe had been in high school. He was more muscular in the arms and chest, but it was his attitude that had changed radically. During the first few years of marriage to Chloe he had been the perfect husband and friend, but lately, with the death of his father, he had turned into a cold person.
"Clark. What an unexpected surprise. What brings you to the Luthor home?" Lex stepped into the foyer and set the bags down. He removed his coat and gloves and placed them in the closet. He looked around, "Where is everyone?"
"The kids are already in bed and I told the staff to go on home for the holiday." Chloe spoke up and plastered a smile on her face.
"I was just about to go. I came by to say hi and see how you guys were doing since I hadn't talked you in a while." Clark lied to Lex and moved towards the door. "I have work early in the morning and don't want to be late again."
"That's Clark Kent for you, always late." Chloe joked and forced a laugh.
Lex's smile did not go up into his eyes, "Too bad you can't stay and catch up. I need to help Chloe wrap these presents and put them under the tree anyway."
"Right. Well, I'll let you two get about your business. I'll talk to you later on. Take care, Chloe, Lex." He walked out the door and waved bye as he walked down the hall to the elevator.
Lex stood with the door open and watched as Clark made his way down the hall. He shut the door when he heard the ding of the elevator's bell. "What did Clark want?" He turned back to his wife and studied her carefully. "Were you crying?"
"What? Oh no, Clark was just telling me a sad story he had contributed to for the paper." Chloe sighed and picked up one of the sacks on the floor. "I thought we agreed not to get the kids too many gifts this year. We don't want to spoil them."
"I just wanted to make sure they got everything they wanted."
Chloe nodded and motioned for him to pick up the other sacks. "I wish you hadn't, but it doesn't matter now. Come on, let's take these into your study and wrap them."
Lex stepped next to her and pulled the sacks out of her hands; he then wrapped her arms around his waist and leaned down to kiss her. "Actually, I was hoping we could celebrate a little early, if you know what I mean."
***
The bedroom was dark and Lex's soft snores seemed to almost echo in the huge room. Chloe knew every nook and cranny in the room. She had put her foot down and had been insistent when it came to decorating the bedroom. A decorator had designed the rest of the apartment, but she had chosen every single aspect of the room from the color of the paint on the walls down to the color of the sheets on the bed. It was her favorite room in the apartment. Her next favorite room was the kids' room. It was so bright and cheery.
Chloe sighed and rolled over. She looked at Lex's sleeping face; it looked as carefree as it had on their wedding day. No trace of the anger that had marred its graceful features as of late. Chloe didn't know why she had allowed Lex to make love with her. After she left, she knew he was going to think it hadn't been anything but a pity screw. But for her, it was goodbye. She was going to take the kids and not come back to the fancy apartment in Metropolis. She was going home to Smallville.
Home. What a funny word. She could remember when Smallville had been brand new to her and not much of a home. Now, she thought of Smallville as her sanctuary. She was going to start her life over one more time in Smallville.
Chloe felt her throat tighten and her eyes moisten. She ran a hand down Lex's face and leaned over to kiss him gently on the mouth. "I love you Lex. I always will."
She settled back down onto her pillow and closed her eyes, willing sleep to come.
***
"Mommy! Alex just picked his nose!" Five year Connor pointed at his twin brother from across the kitchen table.
"Alexander, your fingers do not belong up your nose. Now apologize for your rude behavior. And Connor, people don't like tattletales." Lex's stern voice commanded from behind the newspaper he was reading.
"I apologize for my rude behavior." Alexander Luthor II said quietly to everyone at the table. His lip trembled a little as he looked at his mother.
Chloe smiled and winked at him. "Why don't you two go shake some presents? Then come and tell me what you think they are."
Both of the boys cried with joy as they scooted off their chairs and ran out of the kitchen.
"Don't shake them too hard! You might break something!" Chloe yelled after them. Her smile faded as she turned to face her husband. "They're just kids Lex. You don't need to be so harsh with them."
Lex folded his paper and sat it down next to his plate. While Chloe and the boys had just eaten some sugary breakfast cereal, he had insisted on eggs, toast, and bacon. "I'm trying to mold them into proper young men, Chloe. I'm not being harsh with them."
Chloe frowned, stood up and started to collect dishes off the table. "You're more like your father everyday, Lex. Harsh and cold most of the time, with a little warmth and love thrown in occasionally to throw people off."
"Chloe..." Lex reached out to grab her as she walked by, but she scooted out of his reach. He sighed and stood up, putting on his suit jacket. "I don't have time to argue with you about this. I need to go to the office and finish up a few things. I'm sorry, but I have to do this if we're going to go on Vacation after Christmas." He said, expecting her to protest his working on Christmas Eve. To his surprise, she just nodded.
"You do what you have to do, Lex." And I'll do what I have to do.
Lex stared at her for a second and then he scowled a little. "Why have you been so distant? Did something happen? Did you have a fight with Clark?"
"No, I just realize we both have things we must do today." She turned around to face him.
"Okay, well, tell the kids I love them...and I'm sorry for being so hard on them at times. Okay? I love you, Chlo." He kissed her on the cheek as he walked out of the kitchen.
She waited until she heard the front door close to break into sobs. "I love you too Lex."
***
Chloe swung the bags into the back of the suburban the garage attendant had just pulled around for her. She shut the door and moved to buckle her two boys into their seats. "Boys, please stop kicking the back of the seat."
"Yes, mommy." They said in unison. She turned to look at her twin boys, to see what sort of mischief they were up to, but they were both busy flipping through the stack of DVDs they could watch on the long trip to Smallville.
She climbed into the front seat of the white suburban and started out of the garage that belonged to LexTowers, the most elite apartment building in Metropolis.
"Mommy, where are we going?" Connor asked over the sound of the cartoons playing.
"We're going home, baby."
"Oh. I though we were at home."
"We're going home to Smallville. You remember it, right? Where Grandpa Lionel's big house is?"
"I remember!" Alex interjected, just waiting to show up his younger brother by twenty minutes.
"Why isn't daddy going with us?"
"He doesn't know that we're going." Chloe found it especially hard to say this.
"It's a surprise?"
"In a way." Chloe answered as tears started running down her face.
"Okay. Why didn't we bring any of the presents with us? We aren't going to get to open anything tomorrow if we don't have our presents with us."
"Don't worry about that. There'll be more presents."
"Can I have a puppy? Daddy said that I couldn't have one because it'd be messy and because I was getting so much already."
Chloe smiled into her rearview mirror at her Connor. "I think we might be able to arrange a puppy."
"And a kitten, mommy?" Alex piped up.
Chloe laughed and wiped the tears from her face. Everything was going to be okay as long as she had her boys. "I think we can get a kitten too."
*** Lex pushed open the door to the apartment and set his briefcase on the floor. He hoisted the squirming fat little German Shepherd puppy up further in his arms. "Chloe! Alex! Connor! I'm home!" He called out.
He stood for a few seconds in the foyer, wondering why there was no sound of children rushing to greet their father or, for that matter, any sound at all. He frowned and made his way to the family room, checking each room he passed by. No sign of his family. He looked in the family room, but no one was in there. He set the puppy down on the floor in the hallway and started to run to all of the rooms.
They weren't in any of the other rooms in the apartment, so he went to his study. It was at the very back of the apartment, and it was sound proof. He thought maybe Chloe had called the help back to take the children out while she finished wrapping presents. He threw open the door to the study and stood in the doorway looking for his missing wife and children. He felt the puppy rub up against his legs and he realized the dog must have been following him as he ran around the apartment.
Lex went to look at the desk. Chloe often left notes there if she was going out for a while and none of the staff was around to give him a message. Sure enough there was a letter in Chloe's handwriting sitting on the desk. He sighed in relief and picked up the letter. She probably took them to see Santa or something else. As he started reading, he slid into his chair.
Dear Lex-
I know this is probably going to come as a shock to you, but for me it has been slowly building up and I have to get this off my chest. I cannot live with how you've changed so much recently. It really hurts me to write this, knowing that you'll think I've abandoned you and everything we've built together, but I'm not. I was going to leave and tell you it was all over, but I can't do that. I love what we have too much to do that. I'm going home for a while to think things over, and I want you to give me a little time. You also need some time. You're becoming more and more like your father everyday and I cannot live with that. As much as I love you, if you cannot realize what is happening to you, maybe we aren't really meant to be together. We're both going to have to make some changes. I'm going to stay with my dad. Please don't come to Smallville unless you've really thought about what I've said. I love you and the kids love you. I have my cell phone with me and they'll expect to hear from their dad on Christmas. Love you always, Chloe Sullivan-Luthor
Lex swallowed hard. She had left him. He couldn't believe it. What had gone wrong? Everything had seemed fine to him. You're becoming more like your father everyday. So what if he was? All he was trying to do was build a future for his family. Yes, he sometimes had to be a real tight ass to do that, but in the end it would all be okay. What made her just suddenly decide to up and leave me? Clark. Clark Kent. Chloe had been upset since he had come and visited last night. Superboy. Chloe's first love. It suddenly clicked into place in his mind. Lex slammed his fist down onto the beautiful cherry wood desk that Chloe had picked out. I don't care what it takes; I'm going to make him regret interfering in my life. First things first though, I need to get my family back here with me.
***
What should have been a three-hour drive to Smallville turned into a four and a half hour drive. And we're not even within forty freakin' miles of Smallville! Chloe hated driving on ice and snow, especially when the Alex and Connor were in the car with her. She looked back at her two boys in the rearview mirror; Alex was sleeping and Connor was watching the snow fly by the window. He too, however, looked ready to dooze off. Chloe sighed and thought that maybe some Christmas music would cheer her up. She flipped open the CD carrying case on the passenger side and pulled out her favorite CD of Christmas music. As she went to slip it into the slot, she dropped the CD under her feet.
"Crap!" She exclaimed. She tried to use a foot to scoot the CD up where she could grab it but she wasn't able to see it without taking her eyes off the road. She drove on for a few more miles before she decided to pull off to the side and stop the car long enough to grab the CD. She would hate for it to accidentally slide under her break and be scratched or broken if she had to break suddenly.
As soon as she was safely off to the side, she reached down and grabbed the CD. She blew on it to get the dirt off of it and popped it into the CD player, turning it down low so as to not disturb her children. She hummed along with the music and released her break to prepare to pull back into traffic.
Just as she was about to merge onto the highway, a freighter truck plowed into the side of the white suburban.
***
Lex suddenly felt a blinding pain in his head. It only lasted a second, but it was enough to make it feel like the room was spinning. He clutched his head in his hands and dizzyingly wondered where it came from. Chloe. He looked up suddenly and reached for the phone that set on his desk. He quickly dialed the number to her cell phone, but he only got her voicemail. He dialed the number to Gabe Sullivan's house, but no one picked up the phone.
He slowly replaced the phone on the hook and looked down at the little puppy busily chewing on the laces of his Gucci loafers. He picked up the small dog and hugged it close.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
To Be Continued.
Rating: PG-13
Disclaimer: The WB and a bunch of other rich lucky people own Smallville and Superman. I am making no money with this. Please don't sue me; I'm a broke college student and my mom would kill me! I wish I owned Lex.
Spoilers: Eh. None really. I might mention stuff from the episodes later on, so let's just say spoilers for everything that has been shown in the USA.
Summary: Basically, Lex and Chloe have married, have two kids, and there are problems in the marriage. This is basically the story of how Lex turns completely evil.
Author's Notes: This is set 8-9 years after Clark, Chloe, Pete, and Lana graduate high school. The later chapters will have flashbacks that detail some of the more important events in Chloe and Lex's relationship. I realize the title is a little odd, but basically it means that when you add up everything that happens in the story you get exactly what it is that will turn Lex Luthor into a villain. Please, oh please, review.
Email: stdrmf15@shsu.edu
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"You can't stay, Chloe."
"He's my husband Clark! You just want me to walk away from my life with him? What about the twins, huh? What about them? They won't understand why they can't live with their father anymore."
"Damn it Chloe, he's dangerous! He isn't the man you married, and you know it!" Clark Kent's yelled back at his old friend.
Chloe looked away from Clark to the Christmas tree sitting in the corner of the beautifully decorated room. The family room. What kind of family has priceless art pieces and valuables in the room where two five- year-old boys play? Chloe thought to herself.
"Where would I stay?" Chloe's voice was no longer loud and angry, "I can't stay at the mansion or with my dad. That's the first place he would look."
"You can stay with my parents. They'd love to have kids in the house again. Or Pete and Lana. She's pregnant with their first kid now, I'm sure she'd like to have someone nearby that has been through all of that pregnancy stuff." Clark sat down on the sofa next to Chloe. He took her hands into his and pulled her close to him. She started crying.
"I don't understand what happened to him, Clark." Chloe said between sobs, "I just don't understand! He was always so kind and loving and gentle and... everything." My bald knight in silk Armani suits.
"Power is what happened to him, Chlo. Power, pure and simple." Clark hesitated and hugged her. "The people he associates with now...they're dangerous criminals. He's going to get himself in trouble and he's put you and the kids in danger. He's dangerous to you and the kids, Chloe. You said that he hasn't ever hurt you, but with his temper..."
Chloe pulled away from Clark; her eyes were flashing with anger. "He would never hurt us! He's always protected us! He loves me and the twins, Clark! Sure, he's always had a short temper, but he would never do anything that would cause harm to his family."
"Chlo, he already has." Clark told her gently.
Chloe looked into Clark's eyes and thought about the incidents where she and the kids had been in danger. She thought about the time someone had planted a bomb in the mini-van they used to cart the kids around. It had been so close that time.
The only reason my family is here is because Lex at the last minute wanted to take the Suburban in case some of the twins' friends decided to come over. The mini-van would have been too small, Lex argued as he sent Helen, the maid, to tell the mechanic to bring the other car around and park the van in the garage.
"He's changed since his father died. I thought he'd be freer after Lionel died, but he wasn't. It's as if he is slowly turning into Lionel." Chloe sagged against the arm of the couch. "I'm going to do it. I'm going to leave him and go home to Smallville."
"Oh Chloe..." Clark hugged her tightly.
"But not tonight. I can't tonight. I have to pack some clothes for the kids and myself; I need to do so much."
"Tomorrow then? Do you want me to drive you back Smallville?"
"Tomorrow is Christmas Eve. I can't leave Lex on Christmas Eve."
"Chloe, if you don't go now, you won't ever go."
Chloe sniffled a little and stood up. "You need to go now. Lex'll be back at any time."
Clark stood up and they walked out of the family room and through the elegantly furnished apartment to the door. He put on his coat and turned to look at her.
Chloe Sullivan-Luthor hadn't changed too much since high school. Her face looked as young as ever, if sad and red from crying. Her blond hair was longer now and she dressed in more mature clothes from those in high school.
"You're going to be okay Chloe. You have Alex and Connor and you know you have me."
She forced a smile. "I know." She moved to open the door, but was nearly hit by it when it swung open.
Lex Luthor stood in the door, his hands full with a briefcase and heavy stuffed sacks with the names of toy stores on them. He too hadn't changed much physically since Clark and Chloe had been in high school. He was more muscular in the arms and chest, but it was his attitude that had changed radically. During the first few years of marriage to Chloe he had been the perfect husband and friend, but lately, with the death of his father, he had turned into a cold person.
"Clark. What an unexpected surprise. What brings you to the Luthor home?" Lex stepped into the foyer and set the bags down. He removed his coat and gloves and placed them in the closet. He looked around, "Where is everyone?"
"The kids are already in bed and I told the staff to go on home for the holiday." Chloe spoke up and plastered a smile on her face.
"I was just about to go. I came by to say hi and see how you guys were doing since I hadn't talked you in a while." Clark lied to Lex and moved towards the door. "I have work early in the morning and don't want to be late again."
"That's Clark Kent for you, always late." Chloe joked and forced a laugh.
Lex's smile did not go up into his eyes, "Too bad you can't stay and catch up. I need to help Chloe wrap these presents and put them under the tree anyway."
"Right. Well, I'll let you two get about your business. I'll talk to you later on. Take care, Chloe, Lex." He walked out the door and waved bye as he walked down the hall to the elevator.
Lex stood with the door open and watched as Clark made his way down the hall. He shut the door when he heard the ding of the elevator's bell. "What did Clark want?" He turned back to his wife and studied her carefully. "Were you crying?"
"What? Oh no, Clark was just telling me a sad story he had contributed to for the paper." Chloe sighed and picked up one of the sacks on the floor. "I thought we agreed not to get the kids too many gifts this year. We don't want to spoil them."
"I just wanted to make sure they got everything they wanted."
Chloe nodded and motioned for him to pick up the other sacks. "I wish you hadn't, but it doesn't matter now. Come on, let's take these into your study and wrap them."
Lex stepped next to her and pulled the sacks out of her hands; he then wrapped her arms around his waist and leaned down to kiss her. "Actually, I was hoping we could celebrate a little early, if you know what I mean."
***
The bedroom was dark and Lex's soft snores seemed to almost echo in the huge room. Chloe knew every nook and cranny in the room. She had put her foot down and had been insistent when it came to decorating the bedroom. A decorator had designed the rest of the apartment, but she had chosen every single aspect of the room from the color of the paint on the walls down to the color of the sheets on the bed. It was her favorite room in the apartment. Her next favorite room was the kids' room. It was so bright and cheery.
Chloe sighed and rolled over. She looked at Lex's sleeping face; it looked as carefree as it had on their wedding day. No trace of the anger that had marred its graceful features as of late. Chloe didn't know why she had allowed Lex to make love with her. After she left, she knew he was going to think it hadn't been anything but a pity screw. But for her, it was goodbye. She was going to take the kids and not come back to the fancy apartment in Metropolis. She was going home to Smallville.
Home. What a funny word. She could remember when Smallville had been brand new to her and not much of a home. Now, she thought of Smallville as her sanctuary. She was going to start her life over one more time in Smallville.
Chloe felt her throat tighten and her eyes moisten. She ran a hand down Lex's face and leaned over to kiss him gently on the mouth. "I love you Lex. I always will."
She settled back down onto her pillow and closed her eyes, willing sleep to come.
***
"Mommy! Alex just picked his nose!" Five year Connor pointed at his twin brother from across the kitchen table.
"Alexander, your fingers do not belong up your nose. Now apologize for your rude behavior. And Connor, people don't like tattletales." Lex's stern voice commanded from behind the newspaper he was reading.
"I apologize for my rude behavior." Alexander Luthor II said quietly to everyone at the table. His lip trembled a little as he looked at his mother.
Chloe smiled and winked at him. "Why don't you two go shake some presents? Then come and tell me what you think they are."
Both of the boys cried with joy as they scooted off their chairs and ran out of the kitchen.
"Don't shake them too hard! You might break something!" Chloe yelled after them. Her smile faded as she turned to face her husband. "They're just kids Lex. You don't need to be so harsh with them."
Lex folded his paper and sat it down next to his plate. While Chloe and the boys had just eaten some sugary breakfast cereal, he had insisted on eggs, toast, and bacon. "I'm trying to mold them into proper young men, Chloe. I'm not being harsh with them."
Chloe frowned, stood up and started to collect dishes off the table. "You're more like your father everyday, Lex. Harsh and cold most of the time, with a little warmth and love thrown in occasionally to throw people off."
"Chloe..." Lex reached out to grab her as she walked by, but she scooted out of his reach. He sighed and stood up, putting on his suit jacket. "I don't have time to argue with you about this. I need to go to the office and finish up a few things. I'm sorry, but I have to do this if we're going to go on Vacation after Christmas." He said, expecting her to protest his working on Christmas Eve. To his surprise, she just nodded.
"You do what you have to do, Lex." And I'll do what I have to do.
Lex stared at her for a second and then he scowled a little. "Why have you been so distant? Did something happen? Did you have a fight with Clark?"
"No, I just realize we both have things we must do today." She turned around to face him.
"Okay, well, tell the kids I love them...and I'm sorry for being so hard on them at times. Okay? I love you, Chlo." He kissed her on the cheek as he walked out of the kitchen.
She waited until she heard the front door close to break into sobs. "I love you too Lex."
***
Chloe swung the bags into the back of the suburban the garage attendant had just pulled around for her. She shut the door and moved to buckle her two boys into their seats. "Boys, please stop kicking the back of the seat."
"Yes, mommy." They said in unison. She turned to look at her twin boys, to see what sort of mischief they were up to, but they were both busy flipping through the stack of DVDs they could watch on the long trip to Smallville.
She climbed into the front seat of the white suburban and started out of the garage that belonged to LexTowers, the most elite apartment building in Metropolis.
"Mommy, where are we going?" Connor asked over the sound of the cartoons playing.
"We're going home, baby."
"Oh. I though we were at home."
"We're going home to Smallville. You remember it, right? Where Grandpa Lionel's big house is?"
"I remember!" Alex interjected, just waiting to show up his younger brother by twenty minutes.
"Why isn't daddy going with us?"
"He doesn't know that we're going." Chloe found it especially hard to say this.
"It's a surprise?"
"In a way." Chloe answered as tears started running down her face.
"Okay. Why didn't we bring any of the presents with us? We aren't going to get to open anything tomorrow if we don't have our presents with us."
"Don't worry about that. There'll be more presents."
"Can I have a puppy? Daddy said that I couldn't have one because it'd be messy and because I was getting so much already."
Chloe smiled into her rearview mirror at her Connor. "I think we might be able to arrange a puppy."
"And a kitten, mommy?" Alex piped up.
Chloe laughed and wiped the tears from her face. Everything was going to be okay as long as she had her boys. "I think we can get a kitten too."
*** Lex pushed open the door to the apartment and set his briefcase on the floor. He hoisted the squirming fat little German Shepherd puppy up further in his arms. "Chloe! Alex! Connor! I'm home!" He called out.
He stood for a few seconds in the foyer, wondering why there was no sound of children rushing to greet their father or, for that matter, any sound at all. He frowned and made his way to the family room, checking each room he passed by. No sign of his family. He looked in the family room, but no one was in there. He set the puppy down on the floor in the hallway and started to run to all of the rooms.
They weren't in any of the other rooms in the apartment, so he went to his study. It was at the very back of the apartment, and it was sound proof. He thought maybe Chloe had called the help back to take the children out while she finished wrapping presents. He threw open the door to the study and stood in the doorway looking for his missing wife and children. He felt the puppy rub up against his legs and he realized the dog must have been following him as he ran around the apartment.
Lex went to look at the desk. Chloe often left notes there if she was going out for a while and none of the staff was around to give him a message. Sure enough there was a letter in Chloe's handwriting sitting on the desk. He sighed in relief and picked up the letter. She probably took them to see Santa or something else. As he started reading, he slid into his chair.
Dear Lex-
I know this is probably going to come as a shock to you, but for me it has been slowly building up and I have to get this off my chest. I cannot live with how you've changed so much recently. It really hurts me to write this, knowing that you'll think I've abandoned you and everything we've built together, but I'm not. I was going to leave and tell you it was all over, but I can't do that. I love what we have too much to do that. I'm going home for a while to think things over, and I want you to give me a little time. You also need some time. You're becoming more and more like your father everyday and I cannot live with that. As much as I love you, if you cannot realize what is happening to you, maybe we aren't really meant to be together. We're both going to have to make some changes. I'm going to stay with my dad. Please don't come to Smallville unless you've really thought about what I've said. I love you and the kids love you. I have my cell phone with me and they'll expect to hear from their dad on Christmas. Love you always, Chloe Sullivan-Luthor
Lex swallowed hard. She had left him. He couldn't believe it. What had gone wrong? Everything had seemed fine to him. You're becoming more like your father everyday. So what if he was? All he was trying to do was build a future for his family. Yes, he sometimes had to be a real tight ass to do that, but in the end it would all be okay. What made her just suddenly decide to up and leave me? Clark. Clark Kent. Chloe had been upset since he had come and visited last night. Superboy. Chloe's first love. It suddenly clicked into place in his mind. Lex slammed his fist down onto the beautiful cherry wood desk that Chloe had picked out. I don't care what it takes; I'm going to make him regret interfering in my life. First things first though, I need to get my family back here with me.
***
What should have been a three-hour drive to Smallville turned into a four and a half hour drive. And we're not even within forty freakin' miles of Smallville! Chloe hated driving on ice and snow, especially when the Alex and Connor were in the car with her. She looked back at her two boys in the rearview mirror; Alex was sleeping and Connor was watching the snow fly by the window. He too, however, looked ready to dooze off. Chloe sighed and thought that maybe some Christmas music would cheer her up. She flipped open the CD carrying case on the passenger side and pulled out her favorite CD of Christmas music. As she went to slip it into the slot, she dropped the CD under her feet.
"Crap!" She exclaimed. She tried to use a foot to scoot the CD up where she could grab it but she wasn't able to see it without taking her eyes off the road. She drove on for a few more miles before she decided to pull off to the side and stop the car long enough to grab the CD. She would hate for it to accidentally slide under her break and be scratched or broken if she had to break suddenly.
As soon as she was safely off to the side, she reached down and grabbed the CD. She blew on it to get the dirt off of it and popped it into the CD player, turning it down low so as to not disturb her children. She hummed along with the music and released her break to prepare to pull back into traffic.
Just as she was about to merge onto the highway, a freighter truck plowed into the side of the white suburban.
***
Lex suddenly felt a blinding pain in his head. It only lasted a second, but it was enough to make it feel like the room was spinning. He clutched his head in his hands and dizzyingly wondered where it came from. Chloe. He looked up suddenly and reached for the phone that set on his desk. He quickly dialed the number to her cell phone, but he only got her voicemail. He dialed the number to Gabe Sullivan's house, but no one picked up the phone.
He slowly replaced the phone on the hook and looked down at the little puppy busily chewing on the laces of his Gucci loafers. He picked up the small dog and hugged it close.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
To Be Continued.