Disclaimer: see chapter 1.

A/N: Thanks to my faithful readers for their support and wonderful comments.

Here's a new chapter for your enjoyment. Don't forget to leave your review when you're done.

CHAPTER 6: Overwhelmed

Chloe saw the Mercedes sedan stop on the driveway from the bedroom window and felt the bile surge up. It seemed poisoning his son and orchestrating an accident that had rendered him blind were hardly enough to quench Lionel's thirst for revenge. On his opening the car door, Chloe remembered Gabe and felt the urge to jump onto Lionel, scratch his eyes out and choke him with her bare hands. However, with her rotten luck, she was sure she'd end up dead or crippled while Luthor Sr would come out unscathed. How he had survived his terminal liver disease was a Smallville aberration she couldn't fathom yet.

Lex was in his study, sitting at the piano, when Lionel opened the double doors and strode in.

" Dad, haven't you taught me it isn't good manners to barge into a room unannounced ? "

" Not if it's my study, son. The last time I checked my name was on the deed. "

" Have you come to evict me ? "

"No, son. I've come to see how you're doing. "

"Have you decided one-sidedly we're on speaking terms again ? Tell me the truth for once, dad. Are you here to share your experience as a blind man or are you here to gloat ? "

" Stop being melodramatic, Lex. It doesn't suit you. Can't a father worry about his son ? "

" Yes, dad, it's the most natural thing in the world. But our relationship is far from idyllic, and we Luthors don't seem to be cut out for parenthood, " answered Lex, taking off his glasses, and gazing towards his father. " Tell me, dad, what was there in that lab that you didn't want me to see ? "

" What are you implying, Lex ? That I had something to do with what happened to you again ? It was an unfortunate accident, Lex. If anything, it shows we'll have to improve our safety measures. "

" An accident ? An accident like the one that killed Chloe, dad ? "

" What does Miss Sullivan have to do with this ? I thought we'd already discussed what happened to her. It was a tragic accident. "

" You had that safe house blown up to kill the one person that could keep you behind bars, dad. You murdered her and Gabe, and you have the nerve to call that a tragic accident ? " shouted Lex.

" You're delusional, son.And we had this same conversation thirteen years ago when you not only accused me of blowing up houses but of poisoning you in the bargain. Apparently, my criminal record's growing because now you're putting the blame of your accident on me. "

" If my memory doesn't fail me, you said once you were cleared of your parents' murder, you'd go after those who had put you in prison. ' They'll be feel my wrath, ' you said. "

"Do you think me capable of murdering my own son ? "

"Come on, dad ! " laughed Lex. " You've killed your own flesh and blood- or rather, have them murdered because you'd never soil your hands. Why wouldn't you do the same to me ? "

"You're my first-born, my son and heir, Lex. I love you, son. "

"You'd still have Lucas, dad. Maybe he'd be the son you've always wanted me to be, " he screamed with a catch in his voice.

" What are you saying, Lex ? We have our differences but..."

" Differences ? Is that a joke, dad ? " asked Lex, half laughing half crying. " You've never loved me, dad. All I ever wanted from you was that you loved me..., " he said with tears streaming down his cheeks.

" You're under a lot of stress, son. You don't know what you're saying. Take care, you wouldn't like to have another nervous breakdown. "

" That'd give you the perfect excuse to lock me up in Belle Reve, right, dad ? That´ s where you'd have sent mum if I hadn't taken the blame for Julian's death, " shouted Lex before feeling Lionel's slap on the face.

" Don't you dare talk about your mother, Lex. "

" Oh, yes. You loved her just as much as you love me, " responded Lex, massaging his cheek.

" I shouldn't have come, " murmured Lionel, picking up his overcoat.

" You can come as much as you want, dad. As you said, your name's on the deed. Don't worry, I'll move out this week, " he said to Lionel's back.

Chloe was crying silent tears outside the study, with her back pressed against the wall. She had climbed down when she heard Lex and Lionel's raised voices, thinking she could learn something about the reason Lex had been to the lab. In fact, she had been always certain he wasn't involved in whatever was going on in there, and she had been proved right. Still, she had overheard a lot more than she had bargained for. Lex's argument with his father had revealed too many personal things, intimate stuff that no one was entitled to know. Chloe felt guilty for eavesdropping- she felt as if she had betrayed Lex somehow and she didn't like the feeling at all. He heart was filled with conflicting emotions: guilt, sympathy, hatred, but the one feeling that overwhelmed her, and caught her unawares, was the strong desire to have the right to comfort him. It was at that moment, when she finally admitted to herself she loved Lex not just as a friend but as a man, that Lionel came out of the study. Chloe thanked God he didn't look her way for she didn't know how she would react.

In the meantime, Lex poured himself a bourbon, which he swallowed in a gulp and tried to reign his feelings. The confrontations with Lionel had always left him drained and, today, he had said things he wished he could take back. It wasn't that they weren't true or that he didn't feel them but, rather, they were things that had belittled him in front of his dad. He had begged, for God's sake ! He had begged for love ! Could he be more pathetic than that ?

Lex felt like drinking to oblivion but there was a lot to be done. This time he'd make sure Lionel stayed behind bars. He set down his glass and walked towards his desk, his musings being interrupted by a stifled cry.

" Is there anyone there ? Lindsey, is that you ? " asked Lex, striding towards the door.

Nobody answered, but Lex could swear there was a trace of magnolia in the air. Had the young woman overheard their argument ? He didn't know why but he didn't like the feeling of appearing weak in front of her eyes.

So what do you think of Lex and Chloe's situation thus far ? Eager to read what happens next ? Then, don't forget to review.