Disclaimer: Don't own Smallville or Vampire Diaries.

A/N: Takes place when Lex is hiding Chloe from Lionel.

Written for my Paranormal25 150 Prompt Table. Prompt used #33: Gray Lady.

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Chloe had only gone to school because Lex had told her that it'd be safer for her amongst so many civilians. But she wished she wasn't there. The memories that'd been downloaded into her brain were now fuzzy and incomplete and more like flashes of faces, words, sounds, tastes, smells. It was disorienting. Strange things had always been a part of her life, and yet the possibility of reincarnation had never crossed her mind until now. Even so, she refused to have her future decided for her like this.

Even if she was Thaddeus Sullivan reincarnated (the thought of having been a guy in a past life was trippy) that didn't mean that Chloe had to relive his life. She wasn't even going to be staying in Mystic Falls for much longer. Lex would be here today to take her...wherever it was that he'd designated a safe house. The only reason why she wasn't being ushered to the sheriff immediately and such was because the meteor freak had basically said that she'd made it so that no one else could find Chloe so the meteor freak could get all the rewards of bringing her in...so that meant that at least for now Chloe was safe.

Also, more then a couple of people had been killed in Mystic Falls the day before (letting Chloe finally know which had been her bodyguards) and so the meteor freak's mutilated body was just another to add to the pile of the 'animal attacks'. Sheriff Forbes had asked for her statement, but Chloe had said that she'd stumbled onto the body and hadn't seen the creature that'd done this. She had a feeling that the Sheriff didn't quite believe her, but she wasn't pressed for anything and was allowed to go back to her house.

By now, in school, everyone was talking about the 'animal attacks'.

Walking towards the bleachers on her way to eat lunch, Chloe stopped as she came upon Jeremy and some of his 'friends' sharing some pills behind the bleachers before popping them into their mouths and swallowing. They weren't even trying to hide what they were doing.

And of course, Vicki Donovan was there. Now that her boyfriend Tyler Lockwood wasn't around, and she was in the itching for some pills, she apparently didn't have a problem hanging around or being seen with Jeremy.

Shaking her head, Chloe walked passed them.

Jeremy looked up from where he'd been lighting a joint. "Chloe!"

"Hey." She nodded to him before moving on, wondering what time Lex would arrive to pick her up.

Pulling a strand of hair behind her ear, she reached for her cellular and dialed Lex's number.

He picked up on the first ring. "I'll be there in a couple of hours...around the time you get off of school."

It was so good to hear a familiar voice.

"I can't wait to see you." She admitted, continuing walking towards the small spot where she usually ate her food. "It's kinda lonely here, Lex."

He sighed. "I'm sorry you feel that way, Chloe. But I've been trying all I can to keep you safe. First the bodyguards with you didn't protect you, only called attention...and now with them being in a more hidden capacity they still were useless."

"Your father's a persistent man who's used to getting what he wants." Chloe finally sat down on her little cozy spot, lowering her bag with lunch besides her.

"Well, we're going to nail him." Lex replied.

"The most unpleasant imagery just came to my mind at that." Chloe groaned, and then her eyes widened and she blushed, realizing what she'd just said and to whom.

There was silence, before he laughed. "I assure you, Chloe, that that wasn't what I had in mind at all."

"I know, I know." She couldn't help but keep the soft, yet tender smile off of her face.

Hearing Lex's voice brought back memories of Smallville, of Clark, Pete...of a time before she let Lionel Luthor into her life and he ruined it. Other than teaming up with Lex to take his father down, and Lex's protecting her, she really didn't have any friendship or connection with the bald billionaire but she had never been happier than she was now, listening to his voice.

"I'll see you soon, Chloe, and then we'll find a solution to this, I promise."

"I believe you." She whispered, playing with her hair. "See you soon?"

"Soon." He promised, and then hung up.

Sighing, Chloe held the phone to her heart, still lost in the memories of happy times with Clark and Pete.

"Who was that?"

Jerking with a cry of fright, Chloe dropped her phone and turned to look at the one who'd snuck up behind her. "Jesus Christ Jeremy!"

His face was dark, his pupils dilated from the drugs he'd been taking. "I didn't realize you had a boyfriend."

"It's none of your business." She answered, a tad sharper than was necessary, but she was still jumpy after yesterday's attack. The blonde ran a hand over her hair and took in a deep breath, telling herself to calm down. "Can I help you with something?"

"She was in my room last night."

Chloe's eyes widened and she turned to him. "What happened?"

He hesitated. "Nothing. She just...looked at me."

"Oh." Chloe didn't know whether she felt relieved or disappointed.

Well, whatever.

It wasn't her issue anymore.

She'd leave Mystic Falls and everything would be fine.

Or as fine as things could be while on the run.

"Chloe!" An extra perky voice announced, and they both turned to look at Elena Gilbert as she came towards them with a bright smile, and a curious Bonnie Bennett. "We've been looking all over for you!"

"You...have...?" Chloe frowned, confused as she stood. "Why?"

"Yeah." Jeremy turned to his sister, unleashing his bad mood on her. "What do you want?"

Elena's eyes narrowed on him and she let go of Bonnie, going to Jeremy and grabbing his chin, forcing him to look her in her eyes. "You're high again, aren't you? Jeremy!"

He jerked his chin out of her hold. "Mind your own business!"

"People are going to stop making excuses for us and giving us chances, Jer!" Elena whaled on him, filled with concern. "You need to clean your act up and move on!"

"Yeah, Miss Moving On herself talking." He sneered at her. "Once you stop living through your stupid little diary, then talk to me."

He then stormed off.

"Jeremy!" Elena growled, storming after him.

Bonnie and Chloe just watched them going, before turning to each other, slightly uncomfortable.

Finally, Bonnie turned to Chloe with a sigh. "Jeremy wasn't always like this, you know. He was...real sweet...and a happy kid. But then his parents died and he hadn't been able to handle it."

"He's just a kid." Chloe shrugged. "And people handle things differently."

Bonnie had to nod in agreement before smiling and holding her hand out. "I'm Bonnie Bennett."

"Chloe S-Alexander." Chloe smiled shakily and shook the other girl's hand.

Suddenly Bonnie gasped, eyes widening and going hazy, before she let go of Chloe's hand and took a couple of steps back.

Chloe's eyes narrowed. "Are you okay?"

Bonnie looked at her, eyes wide. "I-I'm sorry, I-."

"I'm sorry about that." Elena surprised them by suddenly returning. "But Jeremy, he-." She sighed and shook her head before smiling at Chloe. "Bonnie and I were wondering if you'd like to hang out with us after school. We'd like to get to know you better. A bunch of us are meeting at the Mystic Falls Grill and we'd love it if you came too."

"Uhm, uh..." Chloe cleared her throat, confused as to the sudden desire to get to know her. "Thanks for inviting me, but I have to be home after school. My-uh-" how could she explain Lex? "My guardian is going to be there."

"Really? That's great!" Elena smiled. "We were all wondering how safe it was for you to be in that place by yourself. Was he off on a business trip?"

"We're leaving. I'm leaving." Chloe didn't bother answering Elena's questions.

Elena's eyes widened. "You're leaving Mystic Falls? But why?"

Bonnie just looked at Chloe, eyes narrowed.

"He thinks it better that I go live with him." Chloe responded. "I had wanted to stick it out by myself, but he doesn't feel comfortable with that thought, so instead he's going to be coming to take me. So, you know, thanks for the invitation, but I can't make it."

"Oh well." Elena sighed. "Have a good trip back."

"Thanks." Chloe nodded, uncomfortable.

Elena and Bonnie turned and left, talking amongst themselves.

Somehow Chloe got through the rest of the day and made it to the safehouse, a smile on her face when she saw the rolls royce parked outside.

Racing inside, Chloe forgot everything and just hugged Lex when she saw him.

He froze, surprised, and just hesitated before tapping her back, betraying how unused to this sort of thing he was. "Are you all right?"

She nodded, pulling away, sniffling and wiping at her tears. "How are everyone?"

"Better than you." Lex sighed. "I don't know what else to do, Chloe. My father is determined to get you, and he manages to get to everyone I hire to protect you."

Chloe sighed and motioned for him to take a seat on the sofa. "You're doing your best."

Lex frowned. "My best has obviously not been enough."

"Lex." Chloe sighed.

"How...do you like it here, Chloe?" Lex asked suddenly.

She looked at him curiously. "It's okay?"

"I've been thinking." Lex turned to her. "Do you remember when my brother came to Smallville?"

Chloe raised an eyebrow. "I didn't meet him myself, but that doesn't mean that I didn't have him completely investigated when I heard news of the mysterious new Luthor when he arrived on scene."

Lex looked like he didn't know whether to smirk or glare at her. "Yes, well, he has family ties to Mystic Falls."

Chloe blinked. "Really?"

Lex nodded. "The Salvatore family, actually."

"A Founding Family. Wow." Chloe frowned, leaning back against the seat. "I don't get it though. If he was related to such a prominent family, why was it when he was in foster care and such they didn't come looking for him?"

"I-I-." Lex suddenly brought his hand to his head, as if he had a horrible headache. "Chloe. Stop asking questions."

Chloe blinked, surprised at the reaction she'd gotten out of him. "Okay."

Sighing, Lex looked at her, though he still had his hand on his head. "What matters is that the assassin told you that she was the only one who knew you were here, and she deleted any other records or loose ends so that no one else could track you. Right?"

Chloe nodded.

"I spoke to my brother while on the plane, and he's agreed to letting you stay at the Salvatore Boarding House with his uncle Zach. You'd be safe there, and I will talk to the Sheriff personally so that she knows the situation." He sighed. "It's the safest thing I can think of. If I take you anywhere else, he will find you. At least this way-we have a chance." Lex sighed. "Chloe, it's the only thing I can think of. At least until dad's case goes to court and we can put him behind bars permanently."

She could see that this was bothering Lex, so despite the fact that she really didn't like the idea, she put on a smile for him. "It's okay."

"I'm sorry, Chloe." Lex sighed once more. "I promised I'd protect you and I've been doing a shoddy job of it so far."

"You've been doing a great job." Chloe assured him, placing a hand on his in a reassuring move.

This was all her fault anyway.

She'd put everyone in this position.

Suddenly her front door swung open and Jeremy stormed in.

In seconds stood Lex pulled out a gun, aiming it at the boy.

"No!" Chloe jumped up, putting herself between them. "He's just a kid from my school!"

Lex lowered the gun.

"What the fuck?" Jeremy snapped at Chloe. "Who is this thug?"

"You!" Chloe went to him and slapped him up the side of his head. "You do not just barge into other people's homes like that you damned hoodlum!"

"Ouch! Chloe!" He ducked her before grabbing her wrist when she went to slap him up again. "Stop it goddammit!" He grabbed her other wrist when she made to slap him with her free hand. "I'll knock next time! Just stop trying to hit me!"

"Do you realize he could have shot you, you idiot?" She snapped at him, struggling to get him to release her hands. "And if he had you would have deserved it! Seriously! What is wrong with you?"

"Where do you come from that entering a house unannounced deserves being shot over?" He asked her with a sneer on his face.

"It's called breaking and entering you moron." She glared at him, still struggling.

"I didn't break anything." He countered.

"Is that going to be your defense whenever the Sheriff catches you somewhere you shouldn't be?" She snipped, stopping struggling because he was so damned strong. "It's still unlawful entry anyway."

"According to who?"

"The law!"

Lex just looked at them in interest. "Chloe, who's your friend?"

She just about to say this idiot was not her friend, when the insufferable male answered.

"Jeremy Gilbert." He kept his eyes narrowed on Lex. "You're the guardian?"

Lex nodded, looking the perfect gentleman and not like someone who'd just been pointing his gun at the kid. "It's interesting to meet you." He smirked. "It's not everyone who can get Chloe Sullivan so riled up."

Chloe froze in horror.

Jeremy froze as well. "Sullivan?"

Lex flinched, realizing what he'd just done. "It's her mother's maiden name. I call her that because Chloe acts like she got everything from her mother and nothing from her father."

"Sullivan?" Jeremy turned to Chloe and gave her a little shake. "Your name is Sullivan? And you didn't think it important to let me in on that little detail?"

"I swear to god Jeremy, you don't let me go I'll knee you so hard in the balls-."

He let go of her as if burnt.

Chloe took in a deep breath, sending a curious Lex a look before turning to Jeremy. "Can we talk about this later?"

"Right. Later when you're gone?" Jeremy glared. "Elena told me at the house that you're leaving."

"Actually, Chloe and I have decided that she'll be living with some distant relatives, here in Mystic Falls." Lex interrupted.

Jeremy looked at Lex at that, surprise obvious on his face. "She's staying here?"

"At the Salvatore Boarding House." Lex nodded. "If you could keep an eye on her and make sure she stays out of trouble, I'd be most grateful."

Jeremy raised an eyebrow. "Uh, sure. Whatever."

Lex nodded. "Now, if you excuse us, Chloe and I have some things we need to talk about and do before I leave."

Jeremy looked between them and then nodded, leaving.

Lex watched the door close and then turned to Chloe. "The bodyguards I stationed to protect you never mentioned you made friends with someone."

"They were all conspiring to have me killed, I would doubt everything they told you if I were you." Chloe snarked, sitting down once more.

"True." Lex had to agree, sitting once more. "What was his issue with your last name?"

"You wouldn't believe me if I told you." She grumbled.

He raised an eyebrow. "Try me."

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Chloe still had tons of questions about Lucas' relations to the Salvatore family and such, because there was something weird about this whole thing and it didn't mesh together...but she'd already been ordered by Lex to leave everything alone. Also, this was probably the last safe place for her in the world, so she couldn't do anything to mess it up and then end up being kicked out. So she didn't look the gift horse in the mouth and instead had her things moved into the grand place, and met Zach Salvatore, who looked like a nervous sort of man, but otherwise completely harmless.

Lex only left after making sure everything was fine, and talking extensively with Zach in the study. Once upon a long time ago Chloe would have done all she could to snoop and find out what they were saying, but now, instead, she contented herself to looking around the manor. It didn't have the gaudy showiness of the Luthor place in Smallville, but it was still rather impressive.

Chloe couldn't help but close her eyes and think of the coincidence.

Thaddeus had been friends with the Salvatores.

And now she was going to be living with them.

After dinner with a nervously stuttering Zach, Chloe retired to her room, not sure what to do now.

There was a knock on the door.

"Yes?" Chloe turned.

Zach peeked his head in. "There's a phone call for you."

"For me?" Chloe narrowed her eyes, wary.

Zach seemed to understand. "It's Jeremy Gilbert."

"How did he get this number?" Chloe wanted to know as she followed Zach down the hall towards where the phone was.

"Local yellow pages probably." Zach smiled.

"Right." Chloe nodded, reaching the phone. "Thanks."

He nodded, going to his study once more.

Chloe waited for him to close the door behind him before picking up the retriever. "When I said later, I meant tomorrow in school."

"We're them."

Chloe cleared her throat. "We don't know that."

"Bullshit." Jeremy argued. "You came to town just like him, you are all asocial and withdrawn like he was, and you treat me the exact same way he did!"

Chloe's eyes widened and she leaned against the wall, sliding down. "Evelyn's ghost didn't just look at you last night, did she?"

Jeremy took in a deep breath. "She entered my body, and then it's like she disintegrated into this energy inside of me and I have flashes of memories that aren't mine but-but they are."

Chloe closed her eyes, bringing her hand to her forehead.

"Thaddeus did the same thing to you, didn't he?" Jeremy suddenly realized.

"Look. Just because we might be reincarnations of them...it doesn't mean anything!" Chloe hissed into the receiver, sending the study a look. "We have no preordained path to follow, or anything."

"I'm not saying that."

"Good."

"Look, we need to talk this face to face." Jeremy pressed. "You don't find out every day that you're one half of reincarnated lovers, you know?"

She sighed and leaned her head hard back against the wall. "We'll talk tomorrow, after school."

"Okay." He replied. "Good night."

"Night." Chloe hung up and sighed, closing her eyes.

Somehow, she had the feeling that being hunted down by a murderous lunatic was going to be the least of her issues from hereon out.

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