A/N: I've rated this Mature just to be on the safe side. I'm don't want to cross any lines, and I eventually plan on some adult content coming into play.
It had been a week since Lex was admitted to the hospital. He still hadn't responded to any of the doctor's treatments. Chloe let Dr. Hiedman know about Lex's reaction to her first visit, and he said that sometimes happens in coma patients. He told her it would be beneficial to his recovery if they visited him as often as possible. Clark was against anything to do with his recovery, but Lana wouldn't let him back out of it. She pulled the whole, 'I know you've had differences in the past, but Lex would do it for you,' bull-oney.
So every day after school they all stopped by to see him. Even Mr. and Mrs. Kent, though much to the detriment of Mr. Kent. Lois made a few appearances, too. She was just as stubborn as Clark when it came to Lex, but she did it for Chloe. She didn't want her to be around him by herself, unconscious or not.
Little did Lois know, or anyone else for that matter, that she happened to be Mr. Lex Luthor's number one visitor. The day after her first visit, she'd woken up extra early, and instead of drinking her coffee at the Talon before school, she drove over to the hospital on a whim. Well, not really a whim, per se, she just didn't want to endure an entire hour of 'Lana talk.'
At first the nurses told her it was too early for visitors, but she was able to persuade them with her innate manipulative skills. Another advantage was the fact that one of the nurses had been on duty yesterday when she was here, so she assumed Chloe was a friend. If she only knew.
She sat next to Lex in one of the comfy armchairs by his bed. She didn't say much, only a small hello and goodbye. Usually she simply sat there and enjoyed her coffee and the silence, his unspoken presence soothing. Occasionally, she would talk to him, telling him to not get a big head over the fact that she visited him so often. She just needed some time away from all that was Smallville.
Lana, with her constant awing over Clark. Clark, with his relentless worry over Lex, and unceasing worship of Lana. Lois and her good hearted, yet overbearing, attempts to cheer her up lately. There was no one else she could go to who would just let her sit and not be bombarded by questions, suggestions, and requests. Lex didn't even know she was there. So, it worked out nicely for them both.
She would leave in time to get to school, and then come back with her friends afterwards, and sometimes come back again when they left, homework in tow. The nurses never let them know about her extra visits, for which she was grateful. She could have explained it away to Clark by telling him she was keeping an extra eye on him in case he woke up. But, the rest of them… They'd come up with their own assumptions, regardless of what she said.
So, these little secret visits were slowly becoming the highlight of her day. Especially when Lex would make some small movement in response to her voice, or her hand on his. Yeah, that's right; she indulged in a little hand holding every now and then. But, again, it was beneficial to them both. His reactions never exceeded those on the first visit, but they were still encouraging. A modest squeeze of his hand, a small moan. Sometimes his heart rate would even speed up a little when she first said hello, then calm back down as she sat there.
She wasn't as bold when the others were with her, like they were now. Clark and Lana were sitting on the couch together as Mrs. Kent was straightening up the already smooth blanket that Lex was wrapped in. Lois was sitting on the edge of her armchair, the one beside the bed Chloe always chose to sit in. No one has ever asked her why, thankfully. Lana already had her turn at grief stricken employee of the month. Clark had given him a rundown of what was going on in the outside world, as if he knew himself.
"Chloe, dear," Mrs. Kent began, "Why don't you come over for dinner tonight? I rarely see you anymore. Lana's basically living with us, it seems. And Lois is always around when I pull something out of the oven," she jokes, glancing at both girls fondly. Lois laughs, but doesn't take offense to something that can easily be proven too true.
"She's right, Chlo" Lois chips in, "Where have been lately? I hardly see you anymore, and I'm your cousin. Working on a hot lead? Trying to keep me in the dark till it's in black and white?"
"No, no hot leads. I've just been busy lately, working on the Torch, keeping up with all the homework this year. Regular stuff, you know?" she finished, hoping no one heard the slight hitch in her voice.
"Chloe, I've got the same homework load you do, and if I can keep up with it I know you can," Clark added, finally focusing on something other than Lana.
"Oh, oh!" Lana squeaked, "Is it a boy?" Her eyebrows wiggled as she giggled into her hand. Clark was all ears now, it seemed. He was staring at her waiting for an answer, an odd expression on his face.
"Chloe!" Lois reprimanded, slapping her on the arm, ow, "You've got a new guy and you didn't even tell me? That hurts." She gave her the pout face that used to be so effective when they were younger, and even more so now. Mrs. Kent didn't say anything; she merely went back to adjusting Lex's bed.
Chloe's face was red now, she knew she wasn't seeing anybody, but she hated the fact that they were interrogating her like this. She was the one who asked the questions around here, not the other way around. Letting out a breath, she said, "Look, guys, there is no guy. I've just been keeping to myself lately. It's no big deal, okay. Let's all just calm down and…" as she was defending herself, her eyes unknowingly raked over Lex's prone form on the bed. As she almost finished her little speech, her eyes came to rest on his face. That's when she noticed his eyes were open. And he was staring straight back at her.