Title: I Just Want to Let You Know, I Care for You?I Love You
Author: Andaluchia aka Lisa
Email: eruvue@yahoo.com
Disclaimer: The characters in this story are not my own. The characters belong to
whoever created Superman. And I'm sure the WB also owns some of these
characters. I am only borrowing them for my own little story,
Distribution: I like to keep track of my stories. So, if you would like to post this on
your site please please please drop me an email first. I promise I won't say no.
Summary: This is a Chloe fic. It has a lot of Lex Luthor in it though. It's basically
safe to say this is a Chloe/Lex fic. And by the end of it you can decide for yourself
if it's also a Chloe/Clark fic. It's hard to explain I just hope you give it a chance
and read it in full.
Feedback: It's always greatly appreciated. Despite the fact that some think
feedback is simply to feed the authors ego I can assure you it's not. We just like
to know that people are actually reading the fic and what is it they think of it
exactly. You can write me and tell me how much you love it or how much you
think it sucks. Constructive criticism is the best way to go, but I can't force it out
of you. Either way please drop me a line if you can.
Note: I like to name the chapters after my favorite song. So, if you recognize any
titles then now you know why.
Chapter One: Beautiful Stranger
December 23rd, 2005 11:33 P.M.
So, here I am once again...er...more appropriately millionth again, sitting
here alone, with my personal journal as my only company. In approximately 26
minutes and a few seconds it will officially be Christmas Eve. And I, alone in my
apartment in Metropolis, tight on funds will be unable to visit my small family in
Smallville. Sure, I could drive but the gas costs alone would be the price of a bus
ticket and that I can't even afford.
Technically, I'm not bothered that I can't see everyone this Christmas.
Well, I wish I could see my dad. But, this is my first time living alone in Metropolis
and having a job as well as going to school, but a girl's first years alone are
always tough when you aspire to be a career woman. I know that all my hard
work will lead to a wonderful career and no matter how much of a cynic I am I
know someday I will find my Knight in shining armor and have many wonderful
Christmas's ahead of me.
So, with that being all I have to say tonight I will leave you with those
contemplative thoughts and sign off for the night.
Chloe Sullivan
With a small smile Chloe clicked the off button on her laptop and stood up
to stretch. She turned around and climbed onto her twin bed and tightly hugged
her pillow. She looked at the clock, 12:01.
"Welcome Christmas Eve," she whispered and closed her eyes to sleep.
Christmas Eve-Sometime before 9 A.M.
Chloe walked the streets of Metropolis, the chilling air making her face
pale with rosy cheeks. People hurried around her trying to get last minute
Christmas preparations and gifts. But, they were no bother to Chloe. She really
didn't see them. Sure life right now was hard. But, it was finally her life.
After graduation in June, Chloe decided it was time to seize the day and
make her life her own. No more jocks, cheerleaders, childhood crushes, or
limited creativity. It was time for her to take hold of everything. Be as disturbingly
creative as she wanted to be. So, when her acceptance letter to Metropolis
University came in the mail she saw it as a sign. In August, she moved out and in
to her own little one-bedroom apartment and happily slaved over a warm laptop
every night, with no interruptions, no worries, and the best of all, no limits.
She could write the best, the disturbing, the confusing, or the shittiest stuff
she wanted and no one had to criticize it unless she decided to let her babies out
into the world. College was the best type of school she had ever encountered. It
was freedom. You picked when you wanted to go and with the exception of a few
mandatory classes it was simply a free-spirited environment.
People there weren't so wrapped up in what everyone else thought, had
on, or what they listened to. Chloe even noticed how in the beginning some of
the girls who were used to being fashionable in high school slowly but surely
started wearing jeans and T-shirt's to classes. It was simply amazing to her.
Again, Chloe breathed in the cold air. She smiled and walked into a mom
and pop type coffee shop.
With a smile from ear to ear, Chloe sat on one of the stools and greeted
the wife and husband owners.
"Chloe, how nice to see you this Christmas Eve morning," Mister Blake
said with a warm smile.
"Same to you and Mrs. Blake," she said as they set her usual Hot
Chocolate with whipped cream in front of her. She breathed in the warm steam. "I
was surprised to see you were open on Christmas Eve."
"Why, of course. We need all the business we can get," Mrs. Blake said.
"You have taken notice we are no Starbucks."
Chloe leaned forward and set her elbows on the counter as she took sips
from her hot chocolate. "But, that's what I like about this place. It's so cozy
and...Small, like home."
The husband and wife smiled at her.
"Chloe, would you like a cinnamon roll? I just made some that I will be
frosting in a moment," Mrs. Blake asked.
Chloe scrunched her face thoughtfully as she inspected her pocket for
extra change.
"It's on the house, Chloe," Mrs. Blake said before Chloe could finish
inspecting.
"No, it's OK I can pay," Chloe assured her.
"Chloe, its Christmas Eve. It's on the house," Mrs. Blake said again.
Chloe smiled appreciatively at her.
"I'll be back in a few moments," Mrs. Blake said and ran to the back to
finish the cinnamon rolls.
"Well, Ms. Sullivan what are your Christmas Eve plans?" Mr. Blake asked.
Before Chloe could answer there was a ring that indicated a new customer
had walked in. Chloe smiled at Mr. Blake that let him know they would finish the
conversation later.
Chloe watched as Mrs. Blake frosted the cinnamon rolls. She couldn't wait
to bite into one. In the background, she could hear the person stomping snow off
their feet and rubbing their hands together to shake the cold off.
"It's quite cold out there, yes?" Mr. Blake asked the customer, who was
still standing in front of the door.
She heard the customer make a sound to say he agreed. The footsteps
got closer to the counter. From the corner of her eye she could see the man
fidgeting with his gloves.
"So, what can I do for you today?" Mr. Blake asked the man.
"I'll have a coffee. Strong and caffeinated."
Chloe froze for a second. She recognized the voice. She felt the man look
over at her and even felt as his eyes inspected her. She felt as if he recognized
her as well but wasn't sure.
"Do I know you?" He asked suddenly, with confidence.
Chloe scoffed. It was just like him, she thought, always so blunt and
confident.
"Mr. Luthor," she said, turning to look at him.
He squinted his eyes at her. "I do know you. I must. You're too exquisite
for me not to know you."
Chloe burst into laughter. Her, exquisite: She looked at her clothes. Faded
jeans, a fitting T-shirt that read "Get Away from me" on the front, as well as worn
army boots, no makeup, an old Jean jacket, with a black scarf, and red hair with
two black strips in the front covered by a black knit cap.
Lex smiled as if reading her mind. "Natural beauty is something I find
exquisite," he answered her silent questions.
Chloe tilted her head as she studied him. She simply smiled and Lex
smiled back at her. She stared at him in amazement. He had smiled in a way she
had never seen before. Sure, she'd seen him smirk or half smile, but never
actually smile.
"You act like you've never seen someone smile before," he said as he sat
in the stool next to hers, still looking at her.
"Never one quite like yours," she answered.
Mr. Blake set Lex's coffee in front of him, and secretly smiled as he
pretended not to notice this interesting interaction.
"So, you know me? How?" Lex asked.
Chloe took a sip of her hot chocolate. She shrugged, "Everyone knows
who you are."
Lex just stared quietly at her.
"You're a celebrity," she added with a quick rise of eyebrows.
Lex pressed his lips together, squinted his eyes, and slightly shook his
head then said, "Yes, it's possible. But," he shook his pointer finger, "I have a
feeling you know me from something else."
"Why I'm hurt Mr. Luthor that you have yet to recognize me?" She said.
"Who said I didn't?" Lex asked, but something in his expression told Chloe
that he still didn't know who she was.
"We've crossed paths quite a bit," she said. "A long time ago."
Lex continued to think. "I know you," he said.
"It's been a long time. I've changed in appearance. It's fine that you don't
know me," she said, trying to let him off the hook.
"No, no! I know you. I'll prove it. See you've tried to trick me, but I know
your secrets," he said. "It's your hair! It's different."
Chloe waited.
"No help here, huh?" He asked. "All right, your hair used to be...all black?"
Chloe giggled, "Nope."
"No? Are you sure?" Lex asked.
Chloe glared at him.
"OK, OK. It used to be longer?"
"Shorter," Chloe corrected him.
"Shorter?" Lex wondered.
Chloe laughed.
Lex's watch beeped. He looked at it to see the time.
"Business calls," Chloe said.
"I know you, I do," Lex said, while standing up to fix his trench coat and
adjust his scarf.
"You haven't proven so yet," Chloe told him.
"Well, seeing as I have to depart will you let me in on your secret?" Lex
asked.
Chloe thought about it. She smiled and said, "Nope. I'm just going to let it
linger. Linger linger linger, till you finally figure it out."
Lex smiled at her.
Mrs. Blake came in from the back. "I've finished! Here is your cinnamon
roll," she set it in front of Chloe. "Oh, another customer! Would you like a
cinnamon roll? They are fresh from the oven and frosted!"
Lex looked at Chloe who smiled at him as she took a bite of her cinnamon
roll, then looked back at Mrs. Blake. "Yes, I think I'll have one."
"Oh good!" Mrs. Blake gave him one.
"Thank you," Lex said and set the money on the counter.
"Oh no! It's on the house today!" Mrs. Blake told him.
Lex saw a bowl containing some pieces of change for children shelters.
He placed the money in there and took out some more money from his pocket to
place it in there.
"Thank you sir! And Merry Christmas to you," Mrs. Blake said.
"Merry Christmas to you and thank you for the cinnamon roll," he said.
"Merry Christmas Mr. Luthor," Chloe told him.
"Merry Christmas," he replied and turned to leave. At the last minute he
turned around and went up to Chloe. "Call me Lex, Ms. Sullivan."
Chloe looked up in surprise.
Lex, pleased with himself, walked out the door and down the street.
In the background he could hear the sound of Chloe's boots running
towards him.
To be continued