"GONE"
PROLOGUE
PG-13
(Serenity_Sea@yahoo.com)
Author's notes: I need to practice Lex-isation for "Never Is A Promise," and while I've gone back and forth between Lana and Chloe, I've decided that Lana is just too fairy-princess for Lex. He needs someone to call him on his BS and our favorite blonde is just the one to do it. While I admit, that the plot line is a bit clichéd, why is it that Lana always moves in with Lex but never Chloe? Hence, "Gone" was born. Read and review.
DISCLAIMER: If I lied and said I owned the characters, reality-Luthor-like people would come after me with lawsuits. Unfortunately, I don't have Luthor-like-lawyers, so that's not a claim I can make.
DISTRIBUTION: You want it, it's yours. Just let me know where it's going.
SPOILERS: S2, through Prodigal.
Summary: When Gabe Sullivan dies, Chloe has nowhere to go. Lex takes her in and tries to help her cope with the loss of the only real parent she ever had. Of course, this is a very jaded Chloe, and things don't always go exactly as planned. Chlex.
Update List:
"If you're gone-maybe it's time to come home." -If You're Gone, matchbox twenty
* * *
Chloe Sullivan was a mess.
The perfect makeup job she'd had Lana apply this morning, while more subdued than usual, couldn't hide the pale face behind it. Lifeless green eyes moved listlessly across the attendees as she mechanically brought a Kleenex up to her nose to wipe away the tears she had no control over. It was the same tissue she'd been using for the past fifteen minutes, however, and was starting to show some wear.
Out of the corner of her eye, a white handkerchief dangled. She reached unseeingly; instinctively knowing whom it was without bothering to spare him a glance. She was in Hell, and he knew it. The only thing he could do for her now was keep her well supplied with clean tissues and make sure the dirty snot rags were disposed of. Mascara streaks trailed daintily down her cheeks, something that she would have hated, had she known.
Because nothing about Chloe Sullivan was dainty.
Dainty was a word that belonged in the realm of Lana; not Chloe. Chloe preferred words like strong, capable, and plucky. Actually, plucky had never been a favorite, it was just something her father teased her-*had* teased her-with and she wanted to keep it in her memory as a form of respect.
Every now and then she would nod at the people who hugged her or whispered sympathies quietly. She couldn't bear to meet Lana's sad-eyed gaze, for it meant that she would be subjected to long talks about her dead parents and how "it gets easier with time."
Well, maybe that was true, but she wasn't feeling any better yet, and if she had to listen to Lana's empty condolences, she'd scream. Honestly, she would. At the top of her lungs, just to get it out there and maybe because she wanted to see what people would do.
They would probably just shoot her looks of pity and let it pass because, after all, she was just 17 and her father had died.
'Her father was dead.'
Even when she stood alone at his grave, after it had been covered, staring at the cold block of granite, did she have trouble believing it. 'Gabriel John Sullivan, Beloved Father and Husband.' Chloe thought that was unfair. After all, her mother hadn't surfaced for the memorial service, or shown any interest in seeing her when the obituary ran in the Daily Planet. Chloe wasn't stupid. She knew her mother could read just as well as any other person.
She just didn't care.
Oh, well. Just another person to leave her behind.
First her mother, then Clark-for Lana-and now her Dad.
At least there was no one left to leave her now.
Except for Pete, and she had a feeling he was going to stick around for a while. Even if she didn't want him to. Which was starting to be an okay idea.
But there was this ache in her chest, where her heart used to be. It wouldn't go away and it felt like that time when those meteor-freaks had thrown her out the mansion window. The same mansion she was living in right now.
That was the other clincher.
Her father, in his will, knowing that no one would be able to care for his daughter, had left explicit instructions for her to be boarded at the Luthor Castle. Lex Luthor, playboy billionaire, Smallville's very own black sheep, at a ripe old age of 23, had been given custody of one Chloe Brielle Sullivan, aged 17. It was to remain that way for the next 18 months, until she was recognized by the law as a legal adult, and able to deal with the mean and cruel ways of the world.
The lawyer's words, not hers.
She honestly didn't know who was more shocked by the news; Herself, Lex, or Lionel Luthor, who suddenly found himself with another potential 'heir,' after having his very real flesh and blood son come home no less than two months earlier. And, irony of all ironies, while Luthor/LexCorp had fully intended to pay for the services and any schooling necessary, as well as expenses incurred until she was of legal age, she sure as hell bet that they didn't expect to have another member of the household until Lex tried to get hitched again.
It had been looking rather serious with that doctor, she mused, but apparently, the idea of a 17-year-old housemate put a damper on romance and so Dr. Helen Bryce had accepted her position at Johns Hopkins. Or so the Planet said. Chloe herself wasn't sure, as she'd been fully shirking her reporting duties for quite some time, but she thought Lex had looked a little relieved after coming home from the hospital that evening.
Strange that it should stand out in her mind while the other nights of the past two weeks and her stay at the castle had swirled into one, giant blur. She'd been off coffee during that time, hoping it would cure her insomnia. Instead she found herself roaming the dark, creepy hallways of the manor in search of something even she didn't yet know. And every morning she would wake up in her bed on the second floor, after falling asleep in a room she wasn't familiar with.
Gradually, she became aware of someone speaking to her and moved her head through the fog that was threatening to take over her world. Deep blue eyes looked concernedly into hers and she forced her brain to translate what he was saying.
"-should get inside, it's starting to rain."
* * *
"Chloe. We should get inside, it's starting to rain."
She just stared at him blankly. Lex leaned down, trying to see past the death and despair written clearly in the green depths, hoping that somewhere, there was a workable mind and that her spark for life hadn't been extinguished, just diminished until she was strong again.
He worked his jaw, trying to figure out a way to get her to move, to do *something*, so it didn't look so much like *she* was the one who belonged six feet under, instead of her father. He could see his father standing alone on the balcony, waving them in while a servant held an umbrella over his head.
Lex resolved to speak with him later, to warn him away from the young woman in front of him who was so close to shattering into a thousand tiny pieces, for anything Lionel tried on her would be devastating. He would break her before she had any chance to heal and that worried him. It wasn't even that Lionel was always aware of it, it was just something he did; it was, as he himself had recognized, in his nature.
A gargled sound suddenly came out of Chloe's mouth. She swallowed several times and shook her head, feeling the rain drenching them both. "Lex, what are you doing out here? You should be inside, you'll get sick with your wet head."
Even though the concern for him was unnecessary and outrageously misplaced, he smiled inwardly, taking her by the shoulder and began to steer them both in the direction of the house. "I don't get sick, Chloe. But I'll survive if you need to stay out here longer."
She looked behind her at the empty trees and shook her head, rain droplets flying everywhere, including his wet suit. "Why am I here, anyway?"
If he hadn't been finding her in odd rooms in the mansion every night, or seeing the blank look in her eyes more often than not, Lex would have smirked at seeing the formerly snarky reporter disoriented. But he was worried, for her physical and mental health. A maid had knocked on the office door last night to inform him that all of "Miss Chloe's" clothes were too big and she would need something appropriate to wear for the service.
Getting the simple black dress was no problem. Lex knew she would never wear it again, and would probably have someone discreetly remove it when she wasn't in her room. But the fact that she wasn't sleeping, hadn't eaten, and barely spoke two words was beginning to send him into a panic.
Because, like it or not, for better or worse, she was his responsibility now. For reasons only god knew, Gabe had left her in his care. And he was going to do everything in his power to make sure she came out of this alive.
"You ran out here when Mr. Ross came up to you inside," Lex told her gently, watching for any change in expression. "I came after you to make sure you were okay."
She blinked forcefully, trying to sort out his statement and causing more black raindrops to run down her face in the process. "Oh," she replied vacantly, looking like a lost child in a huge city. "I guess I must have freaked out."
For her to freak out would be a welcome change, Lex thought bitterly. Anything was better than the way she was handling this with robotic-calm. He assumed she couldn't face Mr. Ross because he was her best friend's father, and more than likely had an irrational fear that he would leave too; so she decided to leave first.
Lex knew this because he'd felt the same way after his mother died.
"Do you want to go inside now?"
She stared at him like she wasn't really seeing him. Like she was focusing on something beyond him and it sent chills down his back. A second later, her eyes cleared and she shivered. He removed his wet jacket and placed it around her shoulders. "Okay," she whispered, wrapping the soaked garment around her like a security blanket. "Okay," she repeated quieter this time, looking up at him expectantly.
With a start, he realized she was waiting for him to bring her inside. Lex got a weird sensation of what parenthood must have been like for Gabe, as he saw the tiny blonde remain in the storm for his lead. Shaking his head, he placed an arm around her shoulders and offered her what warmth he could as he led them slowly to the castle.
The wind moved through the trees restlessly, scattering rain all over them, but neither noticed as they headed towards the brightly shining lights. They were too wrapped up in world that no longer existed.
And Chloe Sullivan was realizing that the world was a very scary place, indeed.
* * *
End Prologue.
I know, I know! I'm sorry, I didn't want to have to kill him off, but I had to! Really, I did! It's for the good of the Chlex future!
But you should be forewarned that the next few chapters are going to be more or less the same. Darkness abounds because grief isn't something that you get over in a week. Lucas Luthor will also be coming home, and finding a new housemate in the process. If you can hang on for a few chapters, I guarantee you'll be happy. I am beginning to believe I am a Chlexer and there will be some hurt/comfort between them very, very soon.
Don't forget to review!
PROLOGUE
PG-13
(Serenity_Sea@yahoo.com)
Author's notes: I need to practice Lex-isation for "Never Is A Promise," and while I've gone back and forth between Lana and Chloe, I've decided that Lana is just too fairy-princess for Lex. He needs someone to call him on his BS and our favorite blonde is just the one to do it. While I admit, that the plot line is a bit clichéd, why is it that Lana always moves in with Lex but never Chloe? Hence, "Gone" was born. Read and review.
DISCLAIMER: If I lied and said I owned the characters, reality-Luthor-like people would come after me with lawsuits. Unfortunately, I don't have Luthor-like-lawyers, so that's not a claim I can make.
DISTRIBUTION: You want it, it's yours. Just let me know where it's going.
SPOILERS: S2, through Prodigal.
Summary: When Gabe Sullivan dies, Chloe has nowhere to go. Lex takes her in and tries to help her cope with the loss of the only real parent she ever had. Of course, this is a very jaded Chloe, and things don't always go exactly as planned. Chlex.
Update List:
"If you're gone-maybe it's time to come home." -If You're Gone, matchbox twenty
* * *
Chloe Sullivan was a mess.
The perfect makeup job she'd had Lana apply this morning, while more subdued than usual, couldn't hide the pale face behind it. Lifeless green eyes moved listlessly across the attendees as she mechanically brought a Kleenex up to her nose to wipe away the tears she had no control over. It was the same tissue she'd been using for the past fifteen minutes, however, and was starting to show some wear.
Out of the corner of her eye, a white handkerchief dangled. She reached unseeingly; instinctively knowing whom it was without bothering to spare him a glance. She was in Hell, and he knew it. The only thing he could do for her now was keep her well supplied with clean tissues and make sure the dirty snot rags were disposed of. Mascara streaks trailed daintily down her cheeks, something that she would have hated, had she known.
Because nothing about Chloe Sullivan was dainty.
Dainty was a word that belonged in the realm of Lana; not Chloe. Chloe preferred words like strong, capable, and plucky. Actually, plucky had never been a favorite, it was just something her father teased her-*had* teased her-with and she wanted to keep it in her memory as a form of respect.
Every now and then she would nod at the people who hugged her or whispered sympathies quietly. She couldn't bear to meet Lana's sad-eyed gaze, for it meant that she would be subjected to long talks about her dead parents and how "it gets easier with time."
Well, maybe that was true, but she wasn't feeling any better yet, and if she had to listen to Lana's empty condolences, she'd scream. Honestly, she would. At the top of her lungs, just to get it out there and maybe because she wanted to see what people would do.
They would probably just shoot her looks of pity and let it pass because, after all, she was just 17 and her father had died.
'Her father was dead.'
Even when she stood alone at his grave, after it had been covered, staring at the cold block of granite, did she have trouble believing it. 'Gabriel John Sullivan, Beloved Father and Husband.' Chloe thought that was unfair. After all, her mother hadn't surfaced for the memorial service, or shown any interest in seeing her when the obituary ran in the Daily Planet. Chloe wasn't stupid. She knew her mother could read just as well as any other person.
She just didn't care.
Oh, well. Just another person to leave her behind.
First her mother, then Clark-for Lana-and now her Dad.
At least there was no one left to leave her now.
Except for Pete, and she had a feeling he was going to stick around for a while. Even if she didn't want him to. Which was starting to be an okay idea.
But there was this ache in her chest, where her heart used to be. It wouldn't go away and it felt like that time when those meteor-freaks had thrown her out the mansion window. The same mansion she was living in right now.
That was the other clincher.
Her father, in his will, knowing that no one would be able to care for his daughter, had left explicit instructions for her to be boarded at the Luthor Castle. Lex Luthor, playboy billionaire, Smallville's very own black sheep, at a ripe old age of 23, had been given custody of one Chloe Brielle Sullivan, aged 17. It was to remain that way for the next 18 months, until she was recognized by the law as a legal adult, and able to deal with the mean and cruel ways of the world.
The lawyer's words, not hers.
She honestly didn't know who was more shocked by the news; Herself, Lex, or Lionel Luthor, who suddenly found himself with another potential 'heir,' after having his very real flesh and blood son come home no less than two months earlier. And, irony of all ironies, while Luthor/LexCorp had fully intended to pay for the services and any schooling necessary, as well as expenses incurred until she was of legal age, she sure as hell bet that they didn't expect to have another member of the household until Lex tried to get hitched again.
It had been looking rather serious with that doctor, she mused, but apparently, the idea of a 17-year-old housemate put a damper on romance and so Dr. Helen Bryce had accepted her position at Johns Hopkins. Or so the Planet said. Chloe herself wasn't sure, as she'd been fully shirking her reporting duties for quite some time, but she thought Lex had looked a little relieved after coming home from the hospital that evening.
Strange that it should stand out in her mind while the other nights of the past two weeks and her stay at the castle had swirled into one, giant blur. She'd been off coffee during that time, hoping it would cure her insomnia. Instead she found herself roaming the dark, creepy hallways of the manor in search of something even she didn't yet know. And every morning she would wake up in her bed on the second floor, after falling asleep in a room she wasn't familiar with.
Gradually, she became aware of someone speaking to her and moved her head through the fog that was threatening to take over her world. Deep blue eyes looked concernedly into hers and she forced her brain to translate what he was saying.
"-should get inside, it's starting to rain."
* * *
"Chloe. We should get inside, it's starting to rain."
She just stared at him blankly. Lex leaned down, trying to see past the death and despair written clearly in the green depths, hoping that somewhere, there was a workable mind and that her spark for life hadn't been extinguished, just diminished until she was strong again.
He worked his jaw, trying to figure out a way to get her to move, to do *something*, so it didn't look so much like *she* was the one who belonged six feet under, instead of her father. He could see his father standing alone on the balcony, waving them in while a servant held an umbrella over his head.
Lex resolved to speak with him later, to warn him away from the young woman in front of him who was so close to shattering into a thousand tiny pieces, for anything Lionel tried on her would be devastating. He would break her before she had any chance to heal and that worried him. It wasn't even that Lionel was always aware of it, it was just something he did; it was, as he himself had recognized, in his nature.
A gargled sound suddenly came out of Chloe's mouth. She swallowed several times and shook her head, feeling the rain drenching them both. "Lex, what are you doing out here? You should be inside, you'll get sick with your wet head."
Even though the concern for him was unnecessary and outrageously misplaced, he smiled inwardly, taking her by the shoulder and began to steer them both in the direction of the house. "I don't get sick, Chloe. But I'll survive if you need to stay out here longer."
She looked behind her at the empty trees and shook her head, rain droplets flying everywhere, including his wet suit. "Why am I here, anyway?"
If he hadn't been finding her in odd rooms in the mansion every night, or seeing the blank look in her eyes more often than not, Lex would have smirked at seeing the formerly snarky reporter disoriented. But he was worried, for her physical and mental health. A maid had knocked on the office door last night to inform him that all of "Miss Chloe's" clothes were too big and she would need something appropriate to wear for the service.
Getting the simple black dress was no problem. Lex knew she would never wear it again, and would probably have someone discreetly remove it when she wasn't in her room. But the fact that she wasn't sleeping, hadn't eaten, and barely spoke two words was beginning to send him into a panic.
Because, like it or not, for better or worse, she was his responsibility now. For reasons only god knew, Gabe had left her in his care. And he was going to do everything in his power to make sure she came out of this alive.
"You ran out here when Mr. Ross came up to you inside," Lex told her gently, watching for any change in expression. "I came after you to make sure you were okay."
She blinked forcefully, trying to sort out his statement and causing more black raindrops to run down her face in the process. "Oh," she replied vacantly, looking like a lost child in a huge city. "I guess I must have freaked out."
For her to freak out would be a welcome change, Lex thought bitterly. Anything was better than the way she was handling this with robotic-calm. He assumed she couldn't face Mr. Ross because he was her best friend's father, and more than likely had an irrational fear that he would leave too; so she decided to leave first.
Lex knew this because he'd felt the same way after his mother died.
"Do you want to go inside now?"
She stared at him like she wasn't really seeing him. Like she was focusing on something beyond him and it sent chills down his back. A second later, her eyes cleared and she shivered. He removed his wet jacket and placed it around her shoulders. "Okay," she whispered, wrapping the soaked garment around her like a security blanket. "Okay," she repeated quieter this time, looking up at him expectantly.
With a start, he realized she was waiting for him to bring her inside. Lex got a weird sensation of what parenthood must have been like for Gabe, as he saw the tiny blonde remain in the storm for his lead. Shaking his head, he placed an arm around her shoulders and offered her what warmth he could as he led them slowly to the castle.
The wind moved through the trees restlessly, scattering rain all over them, but neither noticed as they headed towards the brightly shining lights. They were too wrapped up in world that no longer existed.
And Chloe Sullivan was realizing that the world was a very scary place, indeed.
* * *
End Prologue.
I know, I know! I'm sorry, I didn't want to have to kill him off, but I had to! Really, I did! It's for the good of the Chlex future!
But you should be forewarned that the next few chapters are going to be more or less the same. Darkness abounds because grief isn't something that you get over in a week. Lucas Luthor will also be coming home, and finding a new housemate in the process. If you can hang on for a few chapters, I guarantee you'll be happy. I am beginning to believe I am a Chlexer and there will be some hurt/comfort between them very, very soon.
Don't forget to review!